A Little South of the Texas Border!

Mom and Dad were officers with the Salvation Army. At one time we lived just north of the Mexico Border. Part of their job was to help Mexicans that came to the US acclimate. They helped with English, finding jobs, housing, as well as looked after their Spiritual Lives. In return some of the ladies taught mom how to cook some South of the Border dishes. These recipes are TexMex!

I would say the one dish I loved more than any other was Mama's Guacamole! I could sit and eat a complete bowl with crackers.

Be sure that your avocado is ripe. You want it to be soft to the touch but not too mushy. If your avocado is on the firm size wait a few days as it will ripen. 

Avocado Recipe
by Eleanor Grantham

1 Avocado (Ripe)
1 tsp Onion finely chopped
Juice of one Lemon
1 Tomato
Pinch of Salt
1 tsp Olive Oil
2 tsp Mayonnaise

Cut avocado in half. Remove the pit. Take a paring knife and score the meat of the avocado horizontally and vertically. Remove from the avocado peeling. Place avocado chunks on a small plate and mash with fork.

Place mashed avocado in a bowl and add lemon juice so the avocado will not turn brown.

Chop up tomato and onion and add to bowl with the remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly. (I like to add a little chili powder.) Also you can add additional lemon or lime juice to your liking.

Yummy and delicious!

There are many ways to serve the Guacamole: Crackers, Chips, Tacos, Nachos, Enchiladas, and more.

I like to put Guacamole on hamburgers and veggie burgers with a little salsa. You can put it on anything.

One of my brother, Russ', favorite was her Enchilada Recipe. Moms was a little different. Instead of using the enchilada sauce like the picture below she used Hormel Chili without beans.

Enchiladas

by Eleanor Grantham

Frying Tortilla's as described in recipe above:

Make and Roll Enchiladas.

Although these pictures are of Enchiladas with the enchilada sauce that is the only difference between them.

If you’re enough lucky to be Irish... You’re lucky enough!

I have always loved St Patrick's Day and celebrating my Irish heritage. I have done a lot of family heritage research and have found that the earliest Irish relative was born about 1580 in Ulster, Ireland.

Each year for the past 20+ years I have made Corned Beef with Potatoes, Carrots, Cabbage and Irish Soda Bread.

Corned Beef with Potatoes, Carrots, Cabbage and Irish Soda Bread.

I like this brand of Corned Beef. I purchase it from Costco. I follow the instructions on the back of package except I start it on high in the crock pot for a couple of hours or when I see it is boiling. The I turn it down to low for 6 to 8 hours.

Be sure that you cook no more than on Corned Beef Brisket per crock pot. Add peeled and cut carrots as well as washed and halved small red potatoes in the bottom half of the crock pot.

Add the brisket to the crock pot fat side up and sprinkle with seasoning pack.

Add water to the crock pot until the potatoes meat is mostly covered. Cover with lid and cook for 2 hours on high, then reducing the crock pot to low for 6 to 8 hours.

Cut at and angle starting at one corner. This will make for a tender cut of meat.

About an hour before dinner make and bake the Irish Soda Bread. I used to make it from scratch until I found Katie Reilly's Irish Soda Bread Mix.

I have never been really keen on cooking my cabbage with the corned beef. I find that it has a mushy texture. I like my cabbage a little more firm than that. The last thing I do, about 20 minutes before dinner is ready to be served, is cut up the cabbage add to skillet with melted butter and adding a little of the water from the crock pot and steam for a few minutes.

Serve up the feast and enjoy.

Corned Beef Hash

The day after I take the left over corned beef and potatoes and make a Corned Beef Hash. I start by trimming the fat off the left over meat and cutting up the meat and potatoes/

Spray pan with Olive Oil and melt with 2 tablespoons of butter.

 Add to frying pan and cook until the potatoes start to brown.

Turn with a spatula as the potatoes on the bottom start to brown.

Almost done!

M'm M'm Good!

The Great Gravy Debacle!

It was the summer of 1969. I was about 17 years old, just graduated from high school, when Grandma came to stay with me and my little brother Steve. Mom and Dad went to London to see their first grandchild.

I always loved those visits. I would sit for hours talking to her about her life growing up, raising 8 children in Mississippi, and what life was like without all of the modern conveniences we are use to in our daily lives.

We also talked about how during the Depression Era they were poor raising a large family and that there were times that they did not have meat to eat. They ate a lot of peas, greens, beans, corn, gravy and biscuits. The grease she used was from lard. Lard, flour and water were cheap and filled their stomachs.

I watched my grandma, mom, and aunts make gravy for years. Growing up brown gravy was served almost every night for dinner. Gravy on rice, gravy on mashed potatoes, gravy on biscuits, gravy on light bread, gravy over roast, gravy over chicken and more. Gravy the wonderful  sauce that would turn a piece of bread into a delicacy. 

We would cook dinner together each night. I learned so many things from her. I had decided that summer I wanted to learn to make gravy. It didn't look very hard. I had watched it being made for years. It was just a little grease, flour, salt, pepper and water. How hard could that be?

I remember the menu well. Fried cube steak, sweet peas, mashed potatoes, cornbread and gravy. When it was time to make the gravy we got out one of mothers cast iron skillets. So I started with a little grease added a little flour. The consistency did not look right to me so I added a little more grease and a little more flour. I began to brown the mixture when it was time to add the water I poured in and it turned to the consistency of paste, so added more water. Then it looked too loose so I added more flour. All I had was a skillet of a pasty mess. It was a total failure. Grandma was so sweet she reassured me it was okay. So in the trash it went. We started over again and again and again. She was so patient with me through each failed attempt. I finally accomplished my goal to make gravy that evening. Ah the sweet smell and taste of success. I was so proud of myself I began to perfect my gravy making skills.

About a year later I decided to go to Hinds Jr. College. During that time I lived with Aunt Olivia, Pam and Debra. Pam and I would make dinner each night and have it ready for when Aunt Olivia would get home from work. So the nights I would make dinner we would have rice and gravy. I loved to cook so needless to say we had rice and gravy most nights. To this day I prefer rice over mashed potatoes.

Over the past 45 years I have been perfecting my gravy skills and I can tell you I make a tasty gravy. My gravy now is not the basic grease, flour, salt, pepper, water gravy. It is very hard to tell someone how I make gravy. It is just something I do. I will attempt to describe my process.

Brown Gravy

As taught to me by Lyda Grantham

With my own twist.

Flour

Olive Oil

Water

Salt

Pepper

• You will need equal parts oil and flour. It doesn't take a lot, maybe a couple of tablespoons of each. This amount should yield a couple of cups of gravy.
• In a skillet heat the olive oil and add the flour. Continuously stir the oil and gravy mixture over a medium heat.
• Add salt and pepper to taste to the mixture.
• Once the mixture (roux) to the desired color take the skillet off the eye of the stove and add water while stirring. Start with one cup of water, it will have a little pasty look and that is okay.
• Place back on stove and add more water as needed to get to the consistency you like.
• As you taste the gravy add salt and pepper to taste.

Over the years I have added many different things to my gravy.

• When I make roast in the crock pot I will substitute a portion of the water with the roast drippings for flavor.
• I also use Beef  or Chicken Stock.
• You can also use vegetable stock.
• Add mushrooms and/or sautéed onions.
• Add half and half to make a creamy gravy.
• Add sour cream for a stroganoff.
• Brown gravy is the base for Beef Stew.
• Smothered Pork Chops.
• Added Cube Steak for a Salisbury Steak.



Once you have the basics down on how to make Brown Gravy you can adapt it to many different scenarios.

My Beef Stew made with Brown Gravy

Beef Stew



By Charlotte Goodman

Roast

Red Potatoes

Frozen Mixed Vegetables

Garlic Powder

Dehydrated Onions

Celery Seed

Bay Leaf

Gravy

• Wash red potatoes and cut into bite size pieces and set aside.
• Cut up left over roast into bite size pieces and set aside.  
• Make enough brown gravy with drippings from leftover roast to accommodate for stew base.
• Once you have the  gravy to the consistency you desire add potatoes, veggies, and seasonings.
• Seasonings should be add to taste. It is very important to taste. You can always add salt if needed but you can't take it out.
• Turn burner down to a medium low temperature.
• Stir periodically to keep the potatoes and gravy from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Stew will take about 20 minutes to cook. Test potato with a knife of fork, if it pierces easily then it is done.

It's Like A Big Hug!

Southern cooking is comfort food. It's like getting a great big hug. Everything was made from scratch. Then came along Campbell's Condensed Soup Casserole Recipes.

It was sometime in the late 50's early 60's I remember our family sharing their favorite cream of mushroom and cream of chicken recipes. Every southern kitchen had cream of chicken and cream of mushroom in their kitchen just in case they needed something quick. You would find all types of casseroles at church pot luck dinners. They were easy and portable. You still got that comfort food feeling.

Several of our family favorites are Chicken Noodle Casserole, Tuna Noodle Casserole, Potato Casserole, Pan Fried Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Soup and Chicken Pot Pie.

A little about Campbell's Condensed Soups: In 1869 the year that Ulysses S. Grant was inaugurated as President two men, a fruit merchant named Joseph Campbell and an icebox manufacturer named Abraham Anderson, became partners in what would eventually called Campbell Soup Company. Condensed soup came out of economic necessity. By eliminating the water in the soup costs were lowered for packaging, shipping and storage. A 10 ounce can of condensed soup would sale for 10 cents versus the 32 ounce can for 30 cents.

The first recipe book for cooking condensed soup, "Helps for the Hostess", was published in 1916. Post World War II Campbell's Home Economists created the "Green Bean Casserole" and many others. Most Baby Boomers grew up eating casseroles made with Campbell's Condensed Soup.



Below is a handwritten recipe that was submitted to my cousin Peggy Joyce McCraw Runnels.

Chicken Casserole

From Leona Grantham McCraw

Submitted By Peggy Runnels

1 Whole Chicken

1 Package Egg Noodles

8 ounces Grated Cheddar Cheese

1 10 ounce Can of Cream of Chicken Condensed Soup

• Cook Chicken - I will generally boil the chicken in salted water until it falls off the bone.
• Remove Chicken from the bones and set aside.
• Boil on package of egg noodles per package instructions.
• Drain noodles in colander.
• Butter the bottom and sides of your casserole dish. I usually use 2 to 4 Quart dish.
• Layer egg noodles, chicken, soup and cheese. Reserve some cheese for the top.
• I like to mix the noodles, chicken, soup and cheese. Then place the remainder of the cheese on the top.
• Place in preheated oven at 375 degrees. Cook in oven until cheese on top has melted.

* I have used this basic recipe over the years and have made a few additions.

• If you like it cheesier add more grated cheese.
• If you would like it a little creamier try mixing a cup of half & half in the soup.
• Add fresh or canned mushrooms.
• Kick it up with some spices like black pepper, garlic powder, dehydrated onions, celery seed, etc.

Potato Casserole

From Leona Grantham McCraw

Submitted By Peggy Runnels

5 to 6 Russet Potatoes

8 ounces Grated Cheddar Cheese

10 ounce Can of Cream of Mushroom Condensed Soup

• Peel and boil whole potatoes in salted water. You want them to be cooked but firm. 
• Drain potatoes and slice potatoes.
• Butter the bottom and the sides of a casserole dish.
• Alternate layer of potatoes, cheese and soup ending up with cheese on the top.
• Place in preheated oven at 375 degrees. Cook in oven until cheese on top has melted.

* I have used this basic recipe over the years and have made a few additions.

• If you like it cheesier add more grated cheese.
• If you would like it a little creamier try mixing a cup of half & half in the soup.
• Salt and Pepper to taste.
• Add Paprika to the top if desired.

Nothing says M'm M'm Good like my chicken pot pie. I have been making this for years and I haven't had any complaints yet.

Chicken Pot Pie
By Charlotte Grantham Goodman

3 or 4 Chicken Breasts
1 Package Frozen Vegetables
2 Cans Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Cup half and half
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Dehydrated Onions
Celery Seed

• Boil Chicken Breasts about 20 to 30  minutes in salted water. Make sure there is no pink in the middle.
• Remove chicken and let cool while cooking sauce.
• Place 2 cans of cream of chicken soup and 1 cup half and half in sauce pan and simmer and stir until sauce is smooth in consistency.
• Butter the bottom and sides of a large casserole dish. (I like to use the pyrex oblong dish)
• Chop chicken into bite size pieces.
• Spread frozen veggies along the bottom of the casserole dish. (I use the blend that includes peas, green beans, carrots, corn and lima beans)
• Spread chicken on top of the frozen veggies.
• Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, onions & celery seed. (I use the dehydrated spices one for convenience and the other because my husband doesn't like a lot of celery or onions.)
• Add the soup mixture and pour over the top of the veggies and meat.

The Crust - I use Bisquick

2  Cups of Bisquick
Milk
1 Large Egg

• Add Bisquick and milk to the bowl. I wish I could tell you how much as I add it to a pancake consistency.
• Beat in the egg.
• Spoon over the top of the casserole dish.
• Place in 400 degree oven until the top is golden brown. Generally speaking that would be 15 to 20 minutes.

Mmmm That Smell!

Oh the smells that came from the kitchen when baking. They filled the house with the most comforting aromas.

One of my fondest memories growing up was how our family loved to bake. All of the women in our family were fabulous bakers. The art and science of baking has been handed down for years.

I remember watching my mom, grandma, and aunts in the kitchen. I studied every move they made. I was amazed at the wonderful things they could create with flour, water, milk, eggs, spices, sugar and more. Their patience with me watching and wanting to help was phenomenal.

There always seemed to be a lot of chocolate desserts. Oh how I loved the smell of chocolate. It brought  a sense of calm and well being over me. Chocolate felt like love.

Scientist have proven that chocolate makes you feel good and contains more than

300 known chemicals. Stimulates in chocolate include caffeine, theobromine, phenylethylamine which increase activity in neurotransmitters in the brain that control your ability to stay alert, pay attention and a sense of well being.

I can tell you this...I didn't need scientist to tell me that chocolate made me feel good.

My favorite of all the chocolate creations that were made in our kitchens is the Chocolate Pie with Meringue. The pie starts with the pie crust. Our grandma and moms did not run to the local grocery store to pick up frozen pre-made pie crusts. Their crusts were made from scratch. My Aunt Janie and cousin Rhonda Addison recently found some of the handwritten recipes which were written in my Grandma's handwriting. You'll notice that there are only ingredients listed no instructions. Grandma didn't need the instructions. She could make something one time and she would remember.

Grandma's Handwritten Pie Crust Recipe:

Grandma's Handwritten Chocolate Pie Recipe:



I remember watching her make the crust and her teaching me to make it. Below is the recipe she used.

Grandma's Pie Crust

Contributed by Janie and Rhonda Addison

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cup flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

5 tbsp ice water

• Mix well until dough comes together.
• Make into ball and wrap in wax paper. Chill pie crust for 30 minutes to an hour.
• Preheat oven to 475ºF.
• Roll out dough on a lightly floured board.
• Roll out to fit pie plate.
• Place crust in plate fitting it to the shape of the pie plate. Crimp the edges around the top of the crust. Poke holes in the bottom of the crusts.
• Place in oven and bake 8 to 10 minutes until lightly brown.
• Remove from oven and let cool.
• While your crust is chilling in the fridge. Start the pie filling.

Grandma's Chocolate Pie

2 Tbsp Flour

2 Tbsp Cocoa

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Milk

2 Tbsp Butter

3 Egg Yolks (Reserve the egg whites for the meringue)

1 Tbsp Vanilla

Combine flour, cocoa and sugar in saucepan. In a separate bowl beat egg yolks and add milk. Continue to beat mixture a couple more minutes. Pour liquid over the cocoa mixture in the saucepan. Add butter. Cook on medium heat until the chocolate is to a pudding consistency. Pour into cooled pie shell land top with meringue. Place in heated oven to 350 degrees and brown meringue to a rich golden brown. Cool pie on wire rack. Once cool place in refrigerator until ready to serve.

The chocolate pie filling and meringue recipe below was contributed by my cousin Peggy Runnels.

Chocolate Pie

Contributed by Peggy Joyce Runnels

3 Tbsp  Self Rising Flour
3 Tbsp Cocoa Powder

1 Cup Sugar

1 ½ Cup Milk

½ Stick Butter/Margarine

2 Egg Yolks – reserve the egg whites

1 Tsp Vanilla.

• Put the milk in a sauce pan and add the butter until melted. 
• Beat egg yolks in a separate bowl.
• Take mixture off the stove and add vanilla. 
• Add tempered egg yolks. (To temper the egg yolks add a little bit of the hot liquid while constantly stirring with whisk. Continue process until the eggs have be brought up to temperature. Tempering the eggs keeps the eggs from cooking and curdling in the mixture.)
• Pour tempered mixture in sauce pan and cook until thick stirring constantly. (Consistency is that of pudding/custard)
• Pour mixture into baked pie crust.  Put the meringue over and brown.

Meringue

Contributed by Peggy Joyce Runnels

1 Tbsp Corn Starch

6 Tbsp Sugar

½ Cup Water

2 to 4 Egg Whites

• Mix first 3 ingredients together and bring to boil.
• Beat Egg Whites until peak.
• Pour mixture slowly over egg whites while beating.  Meringue mixture should be firm and peak.
• Bake in 400 degree oven for 8 minutes, until golden brown.
• Cool and Serve!

The Grandkids, The Pantry & The Flour Barrel!

Imagine, if you will, a time where the only electronics in a house was a radio, TV, fans and an iron. As children we did not have electronics to keep us busy. TV had 2 channels NBC & CBS. This was in the mid 1950's. It was imagination that kept us all entertained. Imagination was something we were all full of.

We always lived away from the family in Jackson, MS. We took many trips each year to visit with everyone there. Dad liked peace and quite while we traveled so most of our trips were made during the night when there was less traffic and we 4 children were more apt to sleep.

This story revolves around the time when I, Charlotte Grantham Goodman, Pam Chisolm Knight and Donald Addison were between the ages of 5 to 4. There was 10 months between Pam and I and 8 months between Pam and Donald. I was the oldest, so I was thought of as the ring leader. I loved having cousins so close in age. Sometimes it felt more like we were brothers and sisters. We were all about the same size. I was a petite little girl with strawberry blond hair. Pam and Donald were tow head. (You ask what does tow head mean?  The word 'tow' is derived from an older German word for flax or straw. Essentially it means having hair the color of straw (light yellow).)

After having driven all night we would arrive at Grandma's house in the early morning hours. It was still dark outside. I remember Grandma getting up to welcome us. As mom and dad would unload the car Grandma would make coffee, a pan of biscuits, eggs and bacon.

She would make sure that we were well fed before we went to sleep for a few hours more. Going back to sleep was very difficult for me. All I wanted to do was see Pam and Donald and play. Generally it was mid morning before Pam and Donald would arrive.

The house was on Todd Street in Jackson. It was a 2 story limestone block house with a large front porch. There were rockers on the front porch. As you walked into the front door there was a huge entry way with a staircase to the 2nd floor on the right. To the left of the entry there was a double pocket door to the living room. As you enter the living room to the right there was another set of pocket doors which was a dining room, but later served as a bedroom for Grandma and Popper. Off that room straight ahead was a back porch and to the right was an eat in kitchen. Once you enter the kitchen there is a door off to the right, it was a huge walk in pantry. Inside the walk in pantry was "The Flour Barrel".

Flour was a staple in the kitchen and every meal revolved around flour made into biscuits, gravy, cakes, cookies, and more. The flour barrel was a big blue metal can about 2 1/2 feet high and about 18" round. It was also what I would call and attractive nuisance for little kids.

There was a window to the left when you entered the pantry and the flour barrel was straight ahead. In the eyes of a small child it was a sight to behold. I remember opening the can and seeing that beautiful white flour. Before you knew it the three of us dug in grabbing handfuls of that precious white flour. We would throw it up in the air laughing, squealing and dancing around. It was our own little snow storm. Just as we were having the time of our life watching the flour fall on us the pantry door would open. There stood three children who were covered in flour gazing up at our parents.

I am sure it was probably hard for our parents not laugh at the sight they had seen. We were scolded, cleaned up and sent outside to continue to play.

I have searched my memory bank and below is the recipe as I remember it.

Grandma's Buttermilk Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the board

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons shortening

1 cup buttermilk (approx.)

• Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place biscuit pan with one tablespoon of shortening in oven and melt. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut the remaining shortening into the flour until it resembles course meal.
• Add buttermilk mix with wooden spoon. Consistency of dough should be wet and stretchy to feel. Add more buttermilk if needed to obtain the correct consistency.
• Lightly dust the mixture and hands with flour. Pinch off dough about the size of a golf ball and roll in hand. Then pat the ball making it about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.  By doing this there is no waste and the biscuits are light and fluffy.
• Place biscuits in pan with shortening, then flip other side over. Place pan in 450°F for 10 to 12 minutes. Do not over bake. Biscuits can touch and will come out with a crispy top and bottom and soft sides.

Cooking with Mama!

I remember climbing upon a chair watching my mother, grandmother and aunts cook. My earliest recollection is about 4 years old. I was always included in some type of the preparation. I felt so grown up!

I loved the sounds and smells that came from preparing foods. I completed every task that was given to me with pride no matter how small. I loved to pour ingredients in pots, stirring, mixing, cooking. Ah the sense of accomplishment and watching everyone enjoy their meal.

Many of our family get together's revolved around food. There was always room for one more at the table. 

Dinner at the table was very important. It was the place and time of the day that the family came together and discussed the happenings of the day. There were no electronics back then. There were no books , no toys and no TV at the table. This was a time for conversation. As small children we were taught our table manners during this time. The dinner table was the prelude to all of our future social interactions.

This blog is dedicated to my mother, aunts and grandma. I will be sharing pictures, stories and recipes from the past and present. They will come from old hand written recipes from family members. I want to thank my cousins - Pam Chisolm Knight, Debra Chisolm, Rhonda Addison, Katherine Read Addison and Peggy McCraw Runnels for their inspiration, encouragement and content of this blog.

My goal with this blog is to share these memories with our children and relatives before they are lost forever.