Composed of layers of creamy biscuit pudding, melted chocolate (or currant jelly) and sweet meringue, Alvine’s Bread Pudding makes delicious use of broken biscuits or day old bread. This old-fashioned recipe was printed in a charming hand-crafted cookbook assembled by the church in my hometown. The meringue layer is an appealing addition to this familiar dessert.
Homemade biscuits, cut in rounds or baked as a loaf, are delightfully plain fare; a tasty, filling and well appreciated comfort food that is a joy to share with family and friends. Serve them as Uncle Hal did, with Karo Syrup, for a 1916-style dessert. Or dress them with a smear of good butter, honey and fruit jam, anytime.
What is it that tells you most convincingly that autumn has arrived? Is it that the air turns cool as scarlet and orange begin to blush in the treetops and drift to the ground?…
A sweet indulgence, Chess Squares layer a base of golden butter cake with a delicately crusted cream cheese topping. Simple to make, these bar cookies have an uncomplicated taste profile. They are easy on the palate while delivering a sweet finish that elevates any occasion.
Made with key limes, this tangy pie filling pairs beautifully with a cardamom laced graham cracker crust. Together they create a refreshing and memorable summer dessert. The recipe is also a vivid reminder of family. Aunt Cat may (or may not) have ever made a Key Lime Pie, and certainly never tried this exact recipe. Still it is her story, and my brother’s treasured memory, that inspire my affection for this distinctive pie.
Reading my home county’s history society cookbook lends me a sense of that peace. Interestingly those stories tend to be tales of success rather than woe. In retrospect many sad stories have a silver lining. These people learned from their struggles and took lessons from hard times into the future…
This simple recipe for cocktail wieners in a bourbon flavored barbecue sauce is a long time family favorite. The ingredients reduce as the cocktail dogs plump in the simmering sauce. Along the way the flavors meld and mellow into a delicious appetizer or party snack.
This vintage recipe for Homemade Chili comes from a local Homemaker’s Association Cookbook. Kentucky Chili or Bluegrass Chili might be a better name as this type of chili seems to be unique to the region. It is a brothy chili that stretches a pound of hamburger to feed a crowd. Spaghetti, added shortly before serving, completes this family favorite.
While they take their own sweet thyme getting ready, the wonderful old-fashioned flavor of Southern Style Green Beans is worth the wait. Just put them on early and let them simmer slowly on the back of the stove. They are quite simple to put together and they go with almost everything.
My advice this Thanksgiving is to keep it simple… and relax. All will be well. Serve the dishes your family cherishes. Eat them with joy. And, above all, remember to offer thanks for the special blessings you have gathered around your table!
de in a slow cooker, Homemade Apple Butter, spiced with cardamom, allspice and cinnamon, is a wonderful treat on a cool autumn day. The process of making it is so simple, fragrant and delicious that it just might turn into a treasured family tradition.
This has been a beautiful weekend. Yesterday the temperature spiked near ninety degrees and the evening, spent out in the back yard, was delightfully warm. Summer is still here but not for long. It is late and autumn will officially arrive in just a week or two. Before the summer […]