What a blessing to have been raised in Memphis by a country cook who knew what she was doing. Good cooking was just a way of life in our household and among our extended family. My mother prepared the best fried chicken in Tipton County (We grew up in Memphis, but our reunions were in Tipton County.) according to my aunts, uncles, cousins, and great aunts & uncles; I have no reason to doubt their words of praise. I saw at every family reunion whose chicken was the first to go.
And my mother wasn’t the only good cook in our house. My daddy was a master at the grill and could throw together a variety of tasty snacks inside as well. He specialized in oyster stew & Bleu Cheese Dressing; and sitting down with Daddy as we built snacks of smoked oysters, cheeses, crackers, olives, and anything else he could scrape together was a banquet in itself.
The blog entries below come from recipes we enjoy around our household; from recipes I’ve yet to try; from recipes given me by friends and family, and things I’ve read about on line or in real print. Yes, I do still subscribe to magazines that come in the mail. Also there are posts about cooking equipment, techniques, sources for more information, etc. I hope you find something of interest. By all means, feel free to write (rbyrd@rbyrd.net).
Deep South Dishes (And a link to the Southern Rubin)
Sherry stumbled across a recipe for a southern alternative to the traditional Rubin. This is southern, as the name of the web site states. We're going to try this Rubin; we'll report on it later. In the meantime, browse the Deep South Dish site. Enjoy
Recipe Nutrition Calculator
Here is a rather neat service I discovered today. It's the Very Well Fit Recipe Nutrition Calculator. Just paste in your ingredients into the text box; then choose number of servings. Then choose the option to embed the label. Copy the code; paste it into a web page,...
Home-made Breakfast Sausage
We're trying to come up with an alternative to high-sodium breakfast sausage; and we figure the best way to get that is to make it from scratch. So, W started with Alton Brown's recipe. I cut his salt from 2 teaspoons to 1, which cut the Sodium from 14% to 8%! Great!...
Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Milk
Sherry gave me this book in 1986. It’s Jeff Smith’s “The Frugal Gourmet.” I’ve cooked a LOT out of this book. This dish is from Kenya. It’s unusual to this southern guy’s taste; but we like it. Try it! Ingredients 3-4 sweet potatoes, peeled, and cubed1 15-ounce can of...
Low Sodium Breakfast Sausage
Jimmy Dean’s Frozen Patties contain 560 mg of Sodium per serving. I found also, a home-made low-sodium sausage recipe here: https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1369504 It comes in at a whopping 36 mg as compared to 560 mg for the Jimmy Dean ...
Recording of “Southern Nights”
I use an 8 track digital recorder that is no larger than a cigar box. While it has 8 separate tracks which can be bounced, punched in, dubbed, edited, moved about, etc., the machine only allows two inputs at a time. This is no problem as long as I'm recording solo, as...
Lagniappe
"Lagniappe" is where I put things that relate to cooking, but that aren't necessarily recipes per se (but which sometimes are). You might find some of this interesting. BBQ Is Not a Verb Cajun Seasoning Fool Proof Boiled Eggs How Hot Is that Fire?...
Cinnamon Sautéed Pears
No added sugar; top cereal or pancakes. Sherry did these, and they turned out superb! (November 14, 2020) Ingredients 2 large pears 1 tbsp oil 2 tbsp water 1 tsp ground cinnamon Instructions Peel, core and slice pears into 1/2-inch slices. Place pears in a...
Sheet Pan Meat Loaf
Superb!! Ingredients 1 lb breakfast sausage1 lb mild Italian sausage2 eggsOatmeal (a handful or so)Allspice (Slight sprinkling)Garlic powder1 onion1 medium tomatoBottled BBQ saucePrepared mustard Directions Preheat oven to 400F. Dice onion and tomato; cook in a...
Spinach with Cheese and Boiled Egg
I made this up tonight just on a lark. I'll do this one again! Ingredients 8 oz. Baby spinach 2 T olive oil Salt and pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 to 1 cup grated cheddar cheese 1 boiled egg; shelled and coarsely chopped (or sliced) Sriracha sauce...
Pursued by the Magician’s Assistant
Once, at a Gridiron Show cast party, the magician's assistant made a play for me. I wasn't interested and tried to dodge her. She persisted. One of the other acts was a lady barbershop quartet. They saw what was going on. They liked me too; but weren't at all...
Potato and Sausage Casserole
Ingredients 6 medium red potatoes; sliced 1 lb breakfast sausage; crumbled 1 medium yellow onion; diced 1/2 pound mushrooms; cleaned and sliced 1/2 pound cream cheese; softened 2-3 cups grated cheddar cheese 1 lb frozen green peas; thawed Worcestershire Sauce garlic...
Cooking Links
amazing ribs aluminum foil faq Thanks to Reynolds asparagus recipes – California Asparagus Commission apple cider vinegar by bragg apple-cider brochure from bragg AARP uses of ripe bananas Barbeque Bible beer can chicken debunked caramelized onions carrie...
Skillet Pork Chops
I used rib end pork chops. They were about 1/2" thick. Adjust cooking times if using thicker chops. These turned out delicious! Reminded me of my Grand Byrd's cooking! Ingredients2 pork chops (I've used rib end, and center cut which were about 1/2" thick)bacon...
Potato and Mushroom Frittata
Easy to do especially if you already have on hand the prepared mushrooms and onions.Ingredients8 eggs; whisked until well blended1 - 1 1/2 cup prepared Mushrooms and Onions (Click Here!)1 - 2 small red potatoes; diced1 - 2 cups Oaxaca Cheese (grated)Butter or...
Crustless Quiche
Ingredients1 tbsp. butter8 oz. cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced1 shallot, minced2 c. loosely packed spinachKosher saltFreshly ground black pepper8 large eggs1/4 c. whole milk1/4 c. oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped1/4 c. freshly grated...
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil2 tbsp. sweet chili sauce1 tbsp. SrirachaJuice of 1 lime3 cloves garlic, minced2 lb. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved (quartered if large)Kosher saltFreshly ground black pepper Directions Preheat oven to...
Dal
I adapted this recipe from one I found in the New York Times. Sherry loves this! The original recipe calls for double the amount of coriander, cumin, turmeric and ginger. Add more than the 1 teaspoon of each, if you like. Ingredients 2 tablespoons vegetable...
Cauliflower Snack Chips
IngredientsCooking spray2 c. riced cauliflower1 1/2 c. grated ParmesanFreshly ground black pepperDirectionsPreheat oven to 375°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Apply cooking spray lightly.Microwave the cauliflower in covered bowl on high for 1...
Chili Pie
I did a version of this for our Canterbury Students. Sherry loved the cornbread crust. I used mushrooms and spinach because I had them on hand and I wanted to "stretch" the results. For a more "Mexican" feel, you may omit these. I'm not a fan of ground beef, so...
Pizza Recipes
Pizza #1 For years, I made my pizza dough with corn meal as in the recipe pictured here. Have fun with it, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Pizza #2 Ingredients 1 package dry yeast3 tablespoon butter; softened1 1/2...
Mushrooms and Onions
Ingredients1 pound mushrooms; cleaned and sliced1 large yellow onion; diced2- 4 T soy saucegarlic powdersalt and pepper1 tsp, plus toasted sesame oilDirectionsIn wide skillet (with a lid) saute the onions in the olive oil for a few minutes; add the sliced mushrooms....
Oatmeal Muffins
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats1/2 cup flour1 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp baking soda1/4 tsp ground cinnamon1/4 tsp ground nutmeg1/4 tsp salt1 Large Egg, beaten3/4 cup yogurt1/4 cup milk1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup1 tsp pure vanilla extract1...
Sweet Potato Tots
You can make these ahead of time (before baking). Place frozen tots in oven and bake until done. Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Ingredients 1 3/4 cup mashed sweet potatoes (3 medium sweet potatoes) 1 egg yolk 1/2 cup grated cheese 1 small brown onion finely...
We Both Went Shopping!
I fired up the smoker and cooked two family packs of chicken wings. I got them on sale for $1.49/lb at Foodarama. Also cooked up a huge batch of green chili sauce. Why a huge batch? Because Sherry and I both picked up the same items at the grocery. A...
Hot Water Cornbread
I used to help my mother make this back in our Frayser days. Ingredients 2 cups Cornmeal (Yellow or White) 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons sugar 1/4 cup grated onion or chopped 1-2 tablespoons melted butter 1 cup ( or more ) boiling water Instructions In a...
Shrimp Etouffee by Paula Deen
Ingredients 1/2 cup oil 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra flour, optional 1 cup chopped yellow onion 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper 1 cup chopped celery 3 cloves garlic, finely minced 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon white pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne...
Spaghetti Squash with Peppers and Onions
We will definitely do this one again. Prepare Peppers and Onions, but without the cheese topping and without baking. That is, just do the stove-top part and use that to top your spaghetti squash "noodles" when serving. Ingredients 1 large spaghetti squash 1/2...
Bacon, Sausage, and Shrimp Tetrazinni
This makes up enough to fill two half-trays (9" x 13"). Ingredients: 1 lb breakfast sausage 1 lb bacon 24 ounces small shrimp 2 large sweet yellow onions, chopped 1 orange or red (or green) bell pepper, chopped 1 pound rotini pasta 1/2 pound grated cheddar cheese (or...
Instructions for the Smokenator
(Instruction Booklet PDF - 2017) www.smokenator.com (Phone 888.205.1931) ________________________________________________________ LONG Cook Times - Set Up and Temperature Management A loaded Smokenator box will fuel a cook of about 6 hours. To...
Hazael’s Salsa
Our son's good friend, Hazael, brings this over when they come to dinner. It's superb! The card to the right is Hazael's writing. Ingredients 3 red tomatoes, grilled and chopped1 poblano,grilled and chopped2 T olive oil1 clove garlic, mincedsalt and pepperjuice...
Apple Date Bread
I got this one off a package of dates. Ingredients: 1 cup chopped apples 1/2 cup chopped nuts 1 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup chopped dates 1/2 cup butter 1 egg, beaten 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon Instructions:...
Substitute for Canned “Creamed” Soup
We're not fans of canned soups because of their tendency to be LOADED with sodium. So when a recipe calls for a "Cream of This or That" soup, we like to use a version of this instead. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 1/2 cup chicken broth...
Pan Seared Scallops
Ingredients 1 to 1 1/4 pounds sea scallops2 teaspoons unsalted butter2 teaspoons olive oilKosher saltFreshly ground black pepper Directions Pat scallops thoroughly dry. Add the butter and oil to a 12 to 14-inch saute pan on high heat. Salt and...