Mississippi Hometown Cookbook, Now Available!

Well, I have great news. They have put 9 of my recipes in the new " Mississippi Hometown Cookbook". It's now available, hot off the presses at local stores all around . I hope you get your copy today. My nine recipes that are a part of the collection are : Mississippi Mud Cookies, Cinnamon & Spice Cookies, Tea Cakes, Creamy Potato Cheese soup, Momma's Mississippi Cornbread Salad, Cock of the Walk fried catfish, Easy Coconut Cake, Fried apple Pies and my Favorite Chocolate pie.. YUMMY!

In the Cookbook.....
We’re dishing up a double-helping of local, tried and true recipes and fun-filled facts about hometowns all over The Magnolia State. From the down-home taste of Central Mississippi to the Delta's classic country cooking to full-flavored spicy seafood on the coast, Mississippi is proud of it’s made-from-scratch style. This outstanding new cookbook is packed with favorite recipes Mississippi hometown cooks learned to make in grandmother’s kitchen.Experience Mississippi’s all-time favorite recipes… from Finger Lickin’ Barbecued Ribs, Mississippi Must Fried Corn, Mama's Southern-Style Chicken 'n Dumplings, and Creamy Banana Pudding to Butter Pecan Cake, Mississippi Blues Fried Okra, and Southern Soul Mustard Greens. From Mississippi Mud Pie to Biloxi Bay Potato Salad... You'll taste our Southern Hospitality in 300 hand-selected recipes.

I am so proud to have these recipes in this cookbook. They are from My Momma's recipe book. She would be so happy if she were here. I know she is smiling in heaven..
Get your copy today.

Have a wonderul weekend and Happy Mother's Day!
Bunches of hugs...

Grilled Herb Burgers

Makes: 8 servings

Prep: 20 minutes
Grill: 14 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2/3 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup snipped fresh oregano and/or basil or 2 teaspoons dried oregano and/or basil, crushed
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 pound uncooked ground turkey
• 8 ciabatta rolls, split
• 16 slices tomato
• Fresh oregano and/or basil sprigs (optional)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine egg, onion, Parmesan cheese, the snipped fresh or the dried oregano and/or basil, the ketchup, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add ground beef and ground turkey; mix well. Shape mixture into eight 3/4-inch-thick patties.

2. For a charcoal grill, place patties on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals. Grill for 14 to 18 minutes or until no longer pink (165°F), turning once halfway through grilling. Toast ciabatta rolls on the grill. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce to medium. Place patties, then ciabatta rolls on grill rack over heat.

Cover and grill as above. )

3. Serve burgers on toasted ciabatta rolls with tomato slices and, if desired, additional fresh oregano and/or basil sprigs. Makes 8 servings.

Candy Corn

Makes about 80 pieces

2½ cups confectioners’ sugar
¼ cup powdered milk
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
⅔ cup corn syrup
⅓ cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon pure Watkins vanilla extract

Food coloring

1. In a bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar with the powdered milk and salt and set
aside.
2. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil
over high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium and cook for another 5
minutes, stirring occasiona$y. Remove #om the heat and stir in the vani$a extract.
Stir in the powdered-milk mixture and let the dough rest for a few minutes until it’s
cool enough to handle.
3. Divide dough into 3 equal portions and place each in a separate bowl. Add food
coloring as desired, kneading each portion of dough until the coloring is evenly
distributed and the dough is smooth and stiff.
4. Ro$ each piece of dough into a rope about 1/2 inch thick. Place the three ropes of
dough next to each other to form a long rectangle. Use a ro$ing pin to gently press
them together.
5. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into triangles and place them on a baking sheet.
Let set for about 1 hour. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 1
month.

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

Canola oil spray
3/4 cup unbleached flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1 cup quick-cooking oats (not instant)
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 large egg white
3 Tbsp. butter (preferably unsalted), cut in 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1 small banana, cut in 1-inch pieces
1 tsp. Watkins vanilla extract

Directions

1. Set baking racks in top and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat 2 baking pans or cookie sheets with oil spray.

2. Whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and allspice in a mixing bowl. Mix in oats, raisins and nuts.

3. In a blender on medium speed, mix egg white, butter and sugar until smooth. Blend in banana and vanilla until mixture is smooth. Pour banana mixture into bowl with dry ingredients, mixing with spatula until well combined. Batter will be fairly stiff.

4. Drop batter by walnut-size spoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies at least 2 inches apart. Flatten them slightly with the back of a wet spoon, wetting spoon frequently between cookies, to make 2-inch cookies.

5. Bake 10 minutes. Switch position of pans in oven. Bake an additional 5 to 8 minutes or until cookies are golden brown and almost firm in the center when pressed with a finger. Transfer cookies to a baking rack and cool. Stored in airtight container, these cookies keep up to 1 week.

Makes 24 servings.

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) is the cancer charity that fosters research on diet and cancer and educates the public about the results.

Oriental Beef With Mandarin Oranges / Slow Cooker Thursday

Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1⁄2-inch strips
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1⁄3 cup soy sauce
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1 small green bell pepper, sliced
1 package (about 3 ounces) mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons corn starch
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained and syrup reserved
2 cups beef broth
6 cups steamed rice

Directions
Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add beef, in batches if necessary, and cook, turning to brown all sides. Transfer beef to 4 1⁄2-quart CROCK-POT® slow cooker as it is browned.
Add onion to same skillet. Stir over medium heat until softened. Add next soy sauce, salt, ginger, green pepper,and mushrooms and cook about 5 minutes. Spoon mixture over beef.
Whisk together corn starch and reserved mandarin orange syrup in medium bowl. Stir in beef broth and pour over ingredients in CROCK-POT® slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW 10 hours or on HIGH 5 to 6 hours or until beef is tender.
Stir in mandarin oranges. Spoon steamed rice into shallow serving bowl and spoon beef over rice.


Join Sandra at Family Corner for more wonderful crock pot recipes..

Slow Cooker Thursday / Stuffed Peppers

4 large bell peppers
1/2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
2/3 cup chopped mushrooms

1/2 cup water
Fresh cilantro, if desired

1. Cut thin slice from stem end of each bell pepper to remove top of pepper. Remove seeds and membranes; rinse peppers.

2. In 10-inch skillet, brown beef, onion and garlic over medium-high heat about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, cumin, salt, cinnamon and red pepper. Stir in mushrooms. Divide beef mixture evenly among peppers.

3. Pour water into 4 1/2- to 6-quart slow cooker; stand peppers upright in cooker.

4. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 5 to 7 hours or until peppers are tender. Garnish with cilantro.

My mouth is watering ..lol

Join in on Slow cooker Thursday, Hosted by Sandra at Family Corner

Cheese canapes and other canape ideas

1 C. mayonnaise
1 C. sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 C. Parmesan cheese
2 t. finely chopped onion
1 can chopped black olives
Garlic salt to taste
Cocktail rye bread

Combine the mayonnaise, cheeses, onion, olives and garlic salt. Mix together and spread on cocktail rye bread. Put under the broiler for a few minutes, until cheese bubbles.

Some other ideas for appetizers :
Shrimp with cocktail sauce , Chicken and Ripe Olive, Artichoke with Red Pepper, Cheddar cheese with a Smoked Almond , Salami stuffed with a Spanish Olive.

Harvest Creamed Succotash

Ingredients
4 ounces thick sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 medium onion, cut into medium dice

1 (10 ounce) package frozen baby lima beans

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 (10 ounce) package frozen sweet corn

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 1/2 teaspoons thyme

2 teaspoons chives

Instructions
Fry bacon over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven until crisp, 7 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour off all but 2 Tbs. of the bacon drippings. Add onions; saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add lima beans, 1/2 cup water, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and continue to simmer, covered, until partially cooked, about 5 minutes. Add corn, cream, and thyme; return to a simmer, and warm until vegetables are fully cooked and cream doesn't pool, about 5 minutes longer. (Can be refrigerated at this point up to 2 days ahead.) When ready to serve, stir bacon and chives into warm succotash. This recipe doubles easily.

Cock Of The Walk Fried Catfish

12 4-5 ounce catfish fillets

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup flour

1 1/2 cups cornmeal

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons of your favorite seasoning salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup canola oil

Wash the catfish fillets , cut them into serving size pieces, and set aside.

Whisk the eggs and milk and place in a shallow bowl.Mix the flour, cornmeal, salts, and pepper; put in a Ziploc bag.

Dip each fillet in the egg mixture, then coat with the cornmeal mixture.

Pour oil into a large skillet to about 1/2" deep.

Heat on medium-high heat to 375° and fry the coated catfish pieces 3 or 4 at a time, until golden brown on each side. (don't crowd them in the pan)

Drain on paper towels

You can make tartar sauce by mixing together

1 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup sweet relish

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon ketchup.

Marshmallow Popcorn Balls

MARSHMALLOW POPCORN BALLS
Melt 6 tablespoons butter. Add 3 cups miniature marshmallows and stir until melted.

Blend 1/2 of 3-ounce package (3 tablespoons) raspberry jello or whatever flavor you would like depending on what color you would like.
Pour over 3 quarts popped popcorn. Mix well with buttered hands and form into balls. I usually mix with a spoon first as the jello mixture is quite hot and seems to be easier to mix throughout.

Optional: Momma would sometimes mix in candy corn with the popcorn at Halloween...or red hots at Christmas..

Coffee Can Bread

** USE A METAL COFFEE CAN TO BAKE THIS IN **

3 cups all purpose flour
1 T sugar
1 T salt
¼ tsp baking soda
1 pgk active yeast
1 cup creamed cottage cheese
¼ c water
1 T butter
1 egg
1 egg, slightly beaten

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of flour. Sugar, chopped onion, dillweed, salt and soda. Mix well and then add yeast. In a small saucepan, mix and heat the cottage cheese, water and butter. Add this mixture and 1 egg to the flour mixture and beat for about 3 minutes. Add the remaining flour and beat until the batter is very stiff. Kneading is not necessary.

Cover and let rise in a warm spot until it has doubled in size – about an hour. Punch down and turn into a well buttered 2 pound coffee can. Begin preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Allow the batter to rise again for about 30 minutes (in a warm spot) – the batter should be 1/2 inch below can cover.

Before baking, brush lightly with the slightly beaten egg. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Should tap hollow. If you are using an instant read thermometer, the internal temperature of the bread should be about 200 degrees.

Cool in the coffee can for about 10 minutes then loosen the loaf around edge of can with a thin knife and slip it from the can and cool on a rack. Best eaten while warm and fresh. Also can slice and toast it, then butter it..MMMMMM good!

Mississippi Cornbread Salad

1 8 1/2 oz cornbread mix

1 1-oz. ranch style salad dressing mix

1 8-oz sour cream

1 c. mayonaise

3 large tomatoes,chopped

1/2 c chopped red pepper

1/2 c. chopped green pepper

1/2 c. chopped onion

2 cans pinto beans, drained

2 cans whole corn

2 c. shredded cheese

1 pkg. cooked and crumbled bacon

Directions:

Cook cornbread: Mix dressing mix and sour cream, mayonaise and set aside. Crumble 1/2 of the cornbread in bottom of dish. add 1 can pinto beans. Add 1/2 chopped pepper, onion on top of the beans, then the corn. Add 1/2 of the tomatoes, spread 1/2 of dressing mix over tomatoes, 1/2 of bacon on dressing, then cheese. Repeat layers cover. Cover and chill for 3 hours.

Broccoli Casserole

Ingredients
1 cup uncooked instant rice

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup fat-free milk

4 ounces processed cheese, cubed (such as Velveeta )

2 tablespoons butter or stick margarine, softened

2 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

PreparationPreheat oven to 350°.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, and spoon into a 2-quart casserole.

Bake at 350° for 45 minutes.

Mediterranean Beef Steak-and-Salad Pizza

Servings: 4 Start to Finish: 30 minutes

Ingredients
1 pound beef round tip steaks, cut 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick
1/2 cup prepared balsamic vinaigrette
salt and pepper
4 individual prebaked pizza crusts (4 ounces each; 7-inch diameter)
1 package (8 ounces) Mediterranean escarole and leaf lettuce salad blend or European salad blend
1/2 cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers
1/2 cup crumbled herb-seasoned feta cheese

Heat oven to 325°F. Stack beef steaks; cut lengthwise in half, then crosswise into 1-inch wide strips. Heat 1 tablespoon vinaigrette in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1/2 of beef; stir-fry 1 minute or until outside surface of beef is no longer pink. (Do not overcook.) Remove from skillet with slotted spoon. Repeat with 1 tablespoon vinaigrette and remaining beef. Season with salt and pepper.

Place pizza crusts on baking sheet. Heat in 325°F oven 3 to 5 minutes or until warm.

Meanwhile combine beef, salad greens, peppers, cheese and remaining vinaigrette; toss to combine. Divide salad evenly among pizza crusts.

Cook's Tips: Recipe may be made with 1 pound beef top round steak; cut steak lengthwise in half, then crosswise into 1/8-inch thick strips.

source : From Better Homes & Gardens Meal Ideas...

Fanciful Fruit Pizza

INGREDIENTS
1 roll (16.5 oz) refrigerated sugar cookies
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup fresh or canned peach slices, drained, cut into thinner slices
1 cup halved or quartered fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup apple jelly

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 12-inch pizza pan or spray with cooking spray. In pan, break up cookie dough; press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust.

2. Bake 16 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

3. In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Spread mixture over cooled crust. Arrange fruit over cream cheese.

4. Stir jelly until smooth; spoon or brush over fruit. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour. Cut into wedges or squares. Store in refrigerator.

Carrot Cake

Bake 350°F 1 Hour
Ingredients:

3C shredded carrots

4 eggs

2C sugar

2C flour

2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking soda

1C corn oil (add last)

Procedure:

Mix eggs and sugar. Then add shredded carrots. In a separate bowl sift dry ingredients together. Add to carrot mixture. Pour oil over all ingredients and mix.
Pour into greased 9” x 12” pan (or bundt pan) and bake.
Top with cream cheese icing.

Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients:

2 oz Cream cheese

1 C Icing sugar

1/4C butter

1 tsp vanilla
Procedure: Combine ingredients and spread over carrot cake.

Old Time Caramel Cake

1 c. sugar

1 c. light brown sugar

1 c. butter, creamed 4 eggs, separated

2 2/3 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. milk

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

Icing: 1 tsp. vanilla 2 c. brown sugar 1 c. heavy cream 3 Tbsp. butter

Sift sugars together. Cream butter; add egg yolks. Add together. Sift dry ingredients; add slowly to creamed mixture. Add milk and vanilla. Beat egg whites until stiff. Add together. Pour into 3 buttered and floured cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Icing: Cook sugar and cream over medium heat until soft ball stage. Add vanilla and butter; beat until spreading consistency. Spread over tops and sides.

Vegetable Cassarole

Ingredients:

1 can (26 ounces) Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (6 ounces)

2/3 cup sour cream

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

2 bags (16 ounces each) frozen vegetable combination (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots), cooked and drained

2 cans (2.8 ounces each)

French Fried Onions (2 2/3 cups)

Directions:
In 3-quart shallow baking dish mix soup, 1 cup cheese, sour cream, pepper, vegetables and 1 can of onions.
Bake at 400°F. for 20 minutes or until hot.
Stir. Sprinkle remaining cheese and remaining onions over vegetable mixture. Bake 5 minutes more or until onions are golden.

Cinnamon Redhots Popcorn

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup unpopped popcorn
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 (2.25 ounce) packages cinnamon red hot candies

DIRECTIONS
Heat oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour in the popcorn, cover, and shake a couple of times to coat the kernels with oil. When the corn starts to pop, shake pan continuously until popping stops. Pour popped corn into a large paper bag.
Combine the butter, corn syrup and red hot candies in a microwave safe bowl or saucepan. Heat, stirring occasionally until the candies have melted. Pour the hot syrup over the popped corn, and shake the bag for 1 minute, until completely coated. Cool, and serve.

Buttermilk Rolls

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup thick buttermilk, lukewarm
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons shortening
1 pkg. active dry yeast
2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

PREPARATION:

Mix together buttermilk, sugar, baking soda and shortening until shortening is softened. Add yeast to the mixture and stir to dissolve. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Mix into buttermilk mixture gradually by hand (2 additions).

Use an additional cup flour, if necessary, to make dough easier to handle. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Cover and let stand 10 minutes. Knead 8 to 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Shape into rolls and place in greased baking pan or on greased baking sheet; cover with a dampened cloth and let rise at about 85° until double in bulk, about 1 1/4 hours. Bake at 400° for 15 to 20 minutes.Recipe makes about 15 to 20 buttermilk yeast rolls.