My beloved spouse's great memories of learning and living the blessings an
joys of cooking!
(This was written by my Better-Half, Maria, Extraordinaire Chef & Cook!)
Pic: Keith & Maria, St. Agnes Catholic Church 1st Sunday Cookies for Kids, February 3 2019.
From when I was a child around 8 or 9, I learned to bake cakes. My Aunt Rose was an inspiration for my baking. She made the best Red Velvet cake. I've never tasted one better than hers! I used to help her make cookies. She made all kinds. She would have a St. Joseph's Altar each year in her home. It was a labor of love and devotion.
In high school, I took Home Economics even though I knew I was hoping to go to college. I am so glad I did. It taught me how to follow a recipe. Mrs. Gray was a good teacher. She loved what she did. Later, after she had left the school, she came into some money and even donated $ 10,000 to the high school! She was a special lady.
My own mother was a very good cook. I don't remember her burning anything while cooking. I can't say that! Everything she cooked was good. She would try new recipes at times.
I used to suffer from anxiety problems, and my cooking has really helped. My husband does the shopping. I make a menu for each week and make a shopping list for the items I need. It makes it easy for him and helps our budget.
I get a lot of my recipes out of the Thursday Advocate. Some of my favorites are Crabmeat and Brie Soup by Teresa Day, Crawfish Kingcake by Holly Clegg and Sherbert shared by Corrine Cook. Corinne gave the recipe for Lemon Sherbert, and I revised it using strawberries or pineapple. Just using 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of cream, 1 cup of sugar and fruit makes a delicious treat.
It's fun to see others enjoying what I make. I love sharing recipes. I really like trying new recipes and my family likes when I do. I try a new recipe almost every week.
My friends give me recipe books for birthdays and Christmas. I have quite a collection. I have only failed once or twice in choosing a recipe that they like.
Once our younger son said, “Your lasagna (Teresa Day's recipe: “Fresh Lasagna”) was a bomb!” I thought that was not good. He took the pan of lasagna on a trip to Florida. The next day I found out that calling something “a bomb” meant that it was really good! So the new generation terminology is different from ours!
I love making pralines. I make them for all occasions!
My husband and family love my dishes. And guests too! I thank God for the joy of cooking. The joy of cooking – what a blessing!
Thanks for sharing your love for cooking and good Louisiana food. I am yet to sample some of those dishes you mentioned, although I have enjoyed some Louisiana treats while living in Houston and visiting the Louisiana.
My mother was a fabulous cook, baking bread, cakes and cookies all the time. Her specialty was desserts. She could make a different one for every day of the year. At 94, in assisted living, she now has to eat food cooked for her, but she gets her snacks that my sister brings her. One day she told me why she was a better cook than her mother… She took home economics in high school! A top student, but with twins at 17, unable to go to college.
I scanned her handwritten recipes a couple of years ago and posted them on my website. You might be interested…
If you’re a brave fire eater, aka a Wailer, you’ll find something in The Little Book of RED HOT Chili Pepper Recipes that will tease, sizzle and excite your taste buds.
Chili, pork chops, chicken, beef, fish, egg and veggie dishes—even dess
The Beginner's Guide to Learning Wine Snobbery...A book that offers information about grapes, tastes, winemaking, and the dos and don'ts of wine tasting.
(This was written by my Better-Half, Maria, Extraordinaire Chef & Cook!)
