#52Stories is my attempt to write 52 stories from my life during the year 2020. At least one story a week, in no particular order, to remember and document some of the memories and moments of my life.
I can't think of fall and fall food without recalling a favorite tradition when I went away to college. Almost every time I came home there would be a pot of stew staying warm on the back burner and a pan of cornbread to accompany the tantalizing soul-filling warmth of Mama's beef stew. I rarely make Mama's beef stew, but a favorite family soup at our house is Jolene's Chicken and Rice Soup. It appears frequently on our menu as cooler weather arrives. I love that favorite recipes come with names of family and friends attached. Several decades ago, I complained because Mama's cornbread recipe had buttermilk in it, something I rarely had on hand. And that's when my sister Kay shared her cornbread recipe and it's been my go-to ever since. No need for buttermilk or even to add vinegar to make sweet milk sour. It our family favorite!
You can tell fall weather is here when you glance at my dinner tray.
Another family favorite is Lori Day's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread. My mama used to say: "If I had a five dollar bill for every Yum Yum Cake (otherwise known as Texas Sheet Cake) I've baked in my life, I would be a rich woman." Well, I think I can say the same about every loaf of Lori's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread that I've baked. It freezes well and is great to have on hand to share with friends or tuck into the latest care package headed to the post office for family or friends.
Do you have names of friends attached to your favorite recipes too?
I loved hearing your sweet connections to your recipes that help foster memories. I think I should add my friend's names to all mar recipes now.
ReplyDeletePumpkin chocolate chip bread?? Are we in Heaven?? Your mother's stew sounds amazing and that cornbread and soup so appetizing that I will be hungry all night (long time 'til breakfast!) We had Texas sheet cake, too, when I was growing up - delectable stuff, so rich. I have many handwritten recipes from friends, too. Always brings back such good times.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love recipes from friends (especially when they handwrite them on recipe cards). I have elsie's Coconut Crunch recipe and a Pear Vinaigrette. Any chance you'll send me these, in your handwriting? Andy looooves cornbread and I do not have a go-to recipe for it. Maybe I do now?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I did not know that Texas Sheet Cake is the same as Yum Yum Cake. I just made a pan of it last night for the high school football team.
I miss you.
Hugs,
Ruth
This made me want to make something delicious, and it definitely made me want cornbread! I need to start naming recipes after my friends--what a great idea!
ReplyDeleteA yummy slice to read on Saturday afternoon. :)
ReplyDeleteDelicious! I love how food serves as a connection between loved ones.
ReplyDelete