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photo by Marcus Frazier
Velma Washington talks about the collard greens she grows in her front yard. The Dart fell on Washington’s Hampton Court garden this week.
Home greens are best
Published Monday, March 24, 2008
NATCHEZ — About two years ago Velma Washington decided to get back to her roots — and grow some greens.
Washington’s parents were farmers in the county and her brothers still make their livings tilling the soil.
So Washington decided she would start growing her garden, albeit a small one.
“I planted the seeds right there,” she said. “And they just popped up.”
In the small plot in Washington’s front yard on Hampton Court — where the Dart fell — the greens, some close to two feet tall, have sprouted tall and straight.
Their stalks bear the marks where the broad leaves have been taken and then cooked.
Washington said she originally thought to plant her own greens because the store-bought greens don’t taste as good as the ones she could get from her farming family.
“You can definitely tell the difference,” she said. “You can taste the fertilizer (on store-bought greens.)”
Washington’s said the fertilizer used on commercial greens often make her ill.
“This is much better,” she said pointing to her patch.
Washington uses no fertilizers; instead she bolsters her growing plot with the rich soil that surrounds a decomposing tree in a neighbors yard.
While Washington’s latest growing expedition is the first to yield food she has actually been gardening for some time.
“I’ve been planting flowers for years,” she said. “They make the yard beautiful.”
But now Washington is slowly turning her gardening concentration toward edible vegetation.
“Next year I’m planting turnips right there,” she said pointing to a small bare patch in the garden.
Surprisingly Washington has generated a high yield garden in a very small patch in the yard.
In a space about five feet by five feet, Washington has an assortment of flowers, greens and space for turnips.
While Washington said she has enjoyed gardening for years now she gets to enjoy a new aspect from her labors — eating.
Washington said the best greens are always cooked with good salt-meat.
And like the fertilizer Washington can’t tolerate, utensils also dampen the flavor of well-cooked greens she said.
“You have to use your fingers,” she said. “They don’t taste right with a fork.”
Comments
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about a mess of greens and a big ole pan of cornbread! Ok, I have tonight's supper planned out.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My Mom used to take bacon grease, sugar and vinegar and cook the greens in that, sure was good.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd enjoy having dinner at Ms. Washinton's house. Sounds yummy.
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yall are making me hungry....i think im going to cook a big pot of greens with some fat back in it and a skillet of home made cornbread
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw a package of cracklin's at the grocery store yesterday. I think I'll add them to my cornbread batter to go with my greens tonight. Oh, and I have some leftover peas that would go heavenly with my meal. Goodness, it's too early to cook.
Hey beam...my mama cooks them the same way!!! Yum. Does she slap a wad of bacon grease in the pot? Mama adds it to her cornbread and coats her black skillet with it. I'm surprised we don't have heart cloggage. (Is that a word?)
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now, you all know that you need a fried pork chop to go with the greens.
Cornbread sticks instead of a pan of cornbread.
Sliced onion would be nice.
And of course, some homemade pepper sauce.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mmm huh, that all sounds yummy, some greens would help after yesterdays meal. What I'd like to know is what that grassy plant is called with the little red flower next to the greens? I'd sure like to meet Ms Washington and get some tips on gardening.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Heck yea, Mr. McCullars!!!! My sweetie's mama makes homemade pepper sauce and I NEED it on my pork chops. I'm quite stingy with it, but luckily I'm the only one in the house toting a love affair with the stuff!
Yall keep on giving me ideas for tonight's supper. So far, it's greens n cornbread, peas, porkchops with pepper sauce, aaaaannnnnnnd............
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, how about some pinto beans or black-eyed peas?
Or some soft fried potatoes or stewed potatoes. I do like stewed potatoes over my cornbread.
If there is room for dessert, shame on you!
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Okay, if you must have dessert, how about lemon chiffon pie??
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You all are making me sooooooooooo hungry!!!!!! I'm already in anticipation for some good ol' home-grown tomatoes. A BLT with some real tomatoes. I can't eat those store-bought ones. I know it's a ways off but I can't help thinking about it. You can take three, no four, things and make a good meal. A tomato, knife, plate, and shaker of salt (well maybe three or four tomatoes). lol
Posted by overthehill60 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Greens, black-eyed peas, fried pork chops & cornbread. That's a meal fit for a king!
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I figure that all one needs is a red, vine ripe tomato and the salt shaker. Go easy on the salt.
Now, that brings back memories of working in my uncle's tomato fields.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll be back after awhile, I have to get the greens out of the freezer and start a pot of pinto beans. later
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You all are pure torture when talking about food?
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What time will dinner be ready??? Y'all have gotten my mouth to watering, so I'm on my way!!!! *LOL*
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What are greens?
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((notfromnatchez)) greens are novelty money you can eat! It grows on trees.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Peace, I believe the plant in the front with red flowers is a Dianthaus. It blooms early Spring, Fall, and sometimes winter. It will last several years too.
I was going to have hamburgers tonight but think I might run down to the store for some pork chops!
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BTW, the pinto beans and greens are cooking.
Grilled pork chops would be good but I have my appetite set for a fried pork chop.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gosh it all sounds so good......
Greens,peas,fried pork chops,cornbread...Geezz it dont get any better than that....Unless you were to add some smothered pot and onions oh my....
we finally got to plant our pot. friday.....Hope they do good...
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
fire I hope you meant potatos and not pot! LOL
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Smothered pot and onions could be the same dish that I call, soft fried potatoes.
Some oil. preferably bacon grease, heated up to saute some sliced onions until clear. Add potato that has been cut up like French fries. Stir and cover. Stir mixture every so often until the potatoes are done.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey guys, how about some buttermilk cornbread, macaroni and cheese, candied sweet potatoes, and oven baked cinnamon bar-b-que chicken to go with those greens? (mustard greens to be exact) That's my favorite meal!
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((gemccull) my sister loves potatos and used to make that dish when we were growing up! However, after they were fried and the oil was poured off, we seasoned the potatoes, added rings of sweet Vidalia onions, added a little water, covered the skillet, and let them simmer for about 15 minutes or until nice and tender. Real good with pork chops or smothered chicken!!!! Add some biscuits to sop up the gravy . . . ummm, ummmm, finger-licking good!!!
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, ((draw))!!! Are you cooking that meal tonight??? If so, I think I just may head to your house instead!!! *LOL*
All this talk about food is making me REAL hungry. ((drawpaintsing)) you just reminded me of some sweet potatoes I bought but forgot to cook yesterday. For Easter, I baked some cornish hens, wild rice, fresh green beans with new potatoes and french bread. I'm going to whip up those candied yams right now to go with the leftovers. Thanks!
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One other comment directed at Ms. Washington . . . you sure did bring back some memories talking about eating those greens with your fingers (it was considered a crime to eat them with a fork in my grandmother's house). *LOL* As a matter of fact, when we got older and used to go to Cock of the Walk restaurant Under the Hill, we would break out in laughter when a family member would commence to eating the greens with their fingers. Then, they would look around and realize that they were in PUBLIC and not home!! It would just too funny. It took some effort to break that habit.
Another dish people used to eat was buttermilk and cornbread. HATED IT myself because I don't like the taste of buttermilk if drinking it straight from a glass or bowl, so I would eat hot cornbread with "sweet" milk, sometimes. But so many elderly relatives would have a nightcap of cornbread and buttermilk in a bowl. I don't hear that dish mentioned anymore, I guess our appetites have changed or we consider it to be a "po' man's meal" now. *LOL*
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"po' man's meal"
I still enjoy cornbread crumbled up in sweet milk.
I would drink buttermilk when it was made at home. It was not my favorite drink with a meal. The commercial buttermilk is just not as good. In fact, it is only fit for cooking. Yeah, I know, it is all in the head but it's my head.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((gemccull)) No, it's not in your head!! So much of what we buy from the supermarket has lost its taste. Just as Ms. Washington mentioned in this article, the greens you buy from the supermarket tastes nothing like what you grow in your own garden. I guess the fertilizers used and the quality of the soil it's grown in has something to do with it. The same thing with tomatoes . . . absolutely no taste if you buy them from Wal-Mart. I try to buy mine from my local "Farmer's Market" where they are grown by small farmers and brought downtown to an open-air market to sell.
As far as Wal-Mart is concerned, in my opinion, nothing they sell in the produce section can compare to the home-grown version -- just does not taste the same.
I like Ms. Washington's efforts to combine her garden with her flower bed, making it an ornamental garden. I believe those little red flowers are dianthus or "Sweet Williams" and are perennials, depending on where you live in the country. Several years ago, I planted some rosemary in my back yard around my gas grill and to camouflage pool equipment and it has really flourished and looks beautiful all year 'round. When I want some fresh rosemary for a dish, I just pinch off a piece and keep going!
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know i'm going "breakfast" on y'all, but I remember my grandma cooking some home-made scratch biscuits(catheads or terrapins if you prefer). She would also fry up some deer sausage. I would run across the holler to my aunt's and borrow some home-made muscadine or possum grape jelly.....mmmmmmmmmmmm.....mmm! Talk about some good stuff. I miss those days.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No cathead biscuits for me, thank you. Yes, I will eat them but I discard the middle.
A good biscuit has to thin with a heavy bottom and top crust without much in between.
================================================
You know, some fried cornbread would be good with the pintos and greens. Since I had some of that last week and I am feeling kind of lazy, the cast iron skillet variety will do just fine.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now, I'm not familiar with "cathead" or "terrapin" biscuits. What are they and how are they made? I like my biscuits thin, with a heavy bottom, too, (like gemccull) and a nice medium-to-dark brown top crust.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A cathead by my definition is a big thick or thick biscuit. Lots of center mass between the bottom and top crusts.
I had never heard of the term, terrapin biscuits. Live and learn, huh!
Posted by goodwitch2008 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't like Greens.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 5:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
freedom42 lol that was funny and yes i was talking about potatoes not pot lol....Never tried pot must less pot and onions lol....
Some hot cornbread and milk yummmmmyyyyy....
I love a cathead biscuit..or any biscuit..Just can not make them:(...Anyone have a easy recipe for biscuits???PLEASE PLEASE pass it to me...
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh wow goodwitch...Have you had them cooked right for you????
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was grown before I learned to appreciate greens.
My wife does not eat greens. So, when I get a mess of greens, I have to cook them down and freeze individual size packages.
Of course, the greens would be better directly out of the garden into the pot but that is not an option for me.
Posted by patparker1979 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Reading all the comments about homemade meals. I have to agreed we you. A large amount of the foods purchase in the store do not have the same flavor. Another issue I have found with today's food is that people outside of the South can not cook. I have not found a resturant that bring back memories of my mother's cooking. Therefore, I am always glad to come home to Natchez to get a home cooked meal. I can not wait to come home to eat not only greens but seafood. I would love to have some crawfish and not the kind they sell in Walmart.Catfish that was not raise in a pond.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 6:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Making biscuits is easy but an art form. So, I had to practice and practice.
I have made biscuits with regular flour, self rising flour, some cake flour added, Bisquick, shortening, vegetable oil, mayo, butter, buttermilk, sweet milk, Sprite, beer, sour cream, etc.
Of course, a little salt, baking powder and/or baking soda may have to be added.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well i dont think i can do that gemccull lol..Can you give me a easy recipe for biscuits not the one where i have to add salt,baking powder etc lol..PLEASE
Posted by josey (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm like gemccull, I had to be grown up to appreciate having home grown vegetables and fresh deer meat and the likes. My mom has been gone for 15 years and I would love to have just one more of her home cooked meals. Nothing like coming home to mama's and getting fed right.
My dad would make cat head biscuits and OMG!!!!!........so good. Eat them with gravy for supper and if there were an left over get the Blackburn syrup and some butter and have your dessert!!!!!
Posted by dottie (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have had dinner, greens and ham, but you folks have
made me hungry again. I like cornbread & biscuits too. I don't know how to cook stewed potatoes but I
love them. My Mom used to cook them. I've enjoyed all
your comments---brought back a lot of memories.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tomatoe gravy and biscuits mmmmm
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Stewed potatoes are easy i can do them lol...Just take you some bacon grease chop your onions up in them let them saute add your potatoes cover let them cook until done stirring occasionaly so they wont stick...Best if done in cast iron:)
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey ((josey)), you mentioned Blackburn syrup (which I like, too) . . . have you ever tried H&M Syrup??? I grew up on it and LOVE it. Several years ago, you couldn't find H&M Syrup on the shelves in Natchez's local supermarkets. So I dug around and dug around until I got in contact with the owners and manufacturers of it. The owner, a very sweet lady, and her husband, were former employees with IP but lost their full-time jobs when it shut down. She and her husband had relocated to Jackson to gain employment. They were commuting back and forth every day until their youngest daughter graduated from high school, then they were making Jackson their permanent home. Well, they sold the H&M Syrup label to another couple. I have not been impressed with their business skills -- they didn't resume making the syrup for almost a year later. Then, they changed the recipe and it's not as good as it used to be. Now I have to mix the H&M with another good quality syrup to get close to the original flavor that I like.
So many of us born and raised in Natchez were raised on H&M and always had to get our H&M Syrup, garlic sausages from Passbach's, and Ms. McGrew's hot tamales -- just couldn't come home without bringing those staples back!!!
Posted by tolduso (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now this is it.The real winner here is the fact we are talking and getting along as americans. Nothing soothes the soul as well as down home southern food. Just talking about it bring us together as one big family.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No, fire39212, you are wrong or misguided about the best gravy. LOL
The best gravy is milk gravy!
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh no gemccull....
we have a friend that makes syrup it is the best i have ever tasted....They live in Laurel...He works with my husband gosh it is even better than h&m believe it or not i use to think H&M was the best till i tasted this oh my....
So you going to give me that recipe for biscuits gemccull????
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just finished dinner/supper. Fried pork chops, pinto beans, hash brown potatoes, sliced onion, cornbread and mustard greens with homemade pepper sauce. Boy/Girl, I am hurting. I do not have room for dessert.
I hope the paper does not publish another story about food for awhile! Ya'll are terrible about whetting someone's appetite! lol
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lol@gemccull...
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 24, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
fire39212, I do not have a biscuit recipe. I start with a bowl and spatula, then I start adding ingredients. Sorry!
It is the feel of the dough when I know that I have it right,
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember one time that my grandma didn't have any cornmeal so she used some instant potatoes to make some cornbread in the skillet. She called it "tater" bread and I tell you it was some kind of good. Home cooking is a dying art. The only thing I retained from my mom was how to make some good burgers. I know it's not hard but I will add eggs, milk, bread crumbs, garlic powder, pepper, and Tony's seasoning(my extra ingredient) and voila, some good burgers. I have learned how to fry squash and to smother them down in a black iron skillet with some onions. Good stuff.
Posted by dottie (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
fire, I can't make REAL biscuits either. The best I
have ever eaten were made with plain flour and baking
powder was added. They were so light and fluffy. I did buy Bisquick and followed their recipe. The biscuits were real tasty, but had a rugged look. I
clearly lack the right touch. For sure, my biscuits
will never be served to company. Give it a try, OK?
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I dont care what they look like as long as they taste good lol.....
My husband can make some good biscuits problem there is getting him to make them lol
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You know whats weird i can make some killer dumplings but cant do biscuits crazy huh...
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just please remember when you buy food products, please buy American-Made Products, thus you are supporting American Agriculture and Farmers! Sounds like all of you are "expert" cooks! Keep up the good work!
Posted by jerrip (anonymous) on March 24, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
biscuits from scratch
2 cups self rising flour
1/2 milk
2 heaping spoons of mayo
shake the milk and mayo together and add to flour, makes about 10
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 25, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ty jerrip...Sweet milk or butter milk or does it matter...
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on March 25, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yall still talking about cooking? My sweetie demanded leftovers last night so I didn't get to cook my pork chop, peas, greens, and cornbread. Tonight is MY meal. I'm taking the pork chops out of the freezer NOW.
I really had my heart hurt when I couldn't have greens and cornbread. Too many leftovers to justify cooking more.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on March 25, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For those than can't make a decent biscuit try the frozen Pillsbury biscuits. You buy them where the frozen foods are, they are very good & easy just throw them in the oven for 20 min. on 450.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on March 25, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yea those are the kind i cook dixiemama lol...They are good just not homemade...
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on March 25, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So, what's for dinner tonight yall?
I can do the greens and cornbread tonight myself, since I had left-overs from Easter last night. I don't do bisquits, I buy the frozen kind and cook however many I need at the time. My bisquits could be used for WMDs, you could chunk em and knock somebody out.
btw, while I was reading the above comments, I got tickled thinking how you all sound like a bunch of hillbillies with IAD (internet addiction disorder)...LOL. Ok, just kidding, but did you see that article on yahoo?
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 25, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hillbillies huh?!?!?!!? *LOL* -- I AM WHAT I AM!!!!!
What's the saying: "You can take the girl/boy out of the country but you can't the country out of the girl/boy!! Well, that's me!!!!!
((Peace007)) what Yahoo article are you referring to? Do you have a link?
BTW, I have tried the Pillsbury biscuits, also and they are very good. But I have a tip for making them taste almost like homemade . . . dust them lightly with flour, shake off the excess -- then bake them.
Bon appetit!!!!!!!!!
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 25, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"bunch of hillbillies with IAD (internet addiction disorder)"
Well, Peace007, you may be right.
However, even the great chefs in the most expensive restaurants are always looking for different ways to prepare dishes from the same old, basic ingredients.
While preparing meals involves science, cooking is more of an art form than science.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on March 25, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Though I like biscuits, I'm a cornbread eatin' hillbilly! (((Hahaha Peace007)))
He won again...He cooked a ham, so we're having eggs, grits, toast, and ham. I hope he meant that he'd cook the entire meal. This is the second night in a row I salivated for the meal we've been jawing about and I have to eat his idea...again. I said, "What about the leftovers? Didn't you say we had to eat 'em up?" Rats...but hey, I'm not complaining...he cooks up a mean ham. The house smells like Christmas. Yummy.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 25, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Biscuits or cornbread?
Well, it depends on the menu. And sometimes, it a toss up whether you have biscuits or cornbread.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 25, 2008 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess it's like deciding to have red or white wine with your meal!!! For me, my vegetable(s) determine if I have cornbread or biscuits.
I always want cornbread with greens -- with one exception . . . if my mother cooks one of my favorite meals: fried chicken with mustard greens and homemade biscuits WITH SYRUP. You talkin' about finger-lickin g-o-o-d!!!! There's nothing like sopping that syrup up with those hot biscuits!!!!
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ij, I can't find the one I was reading yesterday on yahoo, but seems that it has it's own wiki page, lol... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_ad...
and here's a couple from google search:
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/heal...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/ar...
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 12:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm a hillbilly toooooo, and an internet addict. Yea, I can see us all now at the meeting...hi, I'm peace and I'm an addict. I stay online til I can't hold my eyes open any longer, then I bounce off the walls going down the hall to get to bed. I wasn't always this way, but staying up online until I start falling asleep beats tossing and turning for hours trying to get comfortable.
ij, when I was little, every night at bedtime, if we had bisquits for supper, I would ask my moma for a bisquit and syrup. LOL, first she would have to stick her finger in the bisquit to make a hole, and then squirt the syrup into the hole, and that's the only way I would have it.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 12:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
don't mind me gemccull, I was just joking. I only said that because I was told recently that I sound like a hillbilly when I speak, and the internet addiction article seemed to fit all of us regulars, lol. Please keep on with the recipes. You haven't put up one yet, that I didn't want to try.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 1:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
((Peace007)) or should I say ((fellow hillbilly and internet addict)) *LOL*!!!! Since I just reading your most recent posts supplying those links, I have not had an opportunity to check them out. However, this evening, I did hear a feature on ABC News or CNN regarding IAD. I can see it now, IAD support groups popping up everywhere! It's too funny but, then again, a real serious problem depending on one's degree of addiction. *LOL*
So, you have that thing for biscuits and syrup, too!?!?!?! Mom had to stick her finger in it and clear out a hole for the syrup, huh? Otherwise, Lil' Susie wouldn't eat it!!!! //(*_*)\\
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 2:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All that talk about biscuits made me go out to Wal-Mart this morning and buy some frozen Pillsbury Southern-style biscuits in the blue bag. I put a little flour in a small Ziploc bag, shook a couple of those babies around and popped them in the oven. Ate them with some preserves, a couple of eggs and a big glass of orange juice.
I know, I know . . . where's the meat??? Hey, a sausage or two, or a couple of slices of bacon, would have been nice but I'm trying to cut back a little. I've been buying only turkey bacon for the past several months because I'm trying to wean myself off the pork and (pork) bacon.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ij, that might make a cute nic...HillbillyInternetAddict, lol. Or would that make one appear to be from Arkansas? LOL
I always buy the Great Value brand of frozen bisquits, and having purchased other brands, I find the WalMart brand to be less expensive and taste best. I can't recall if I've ever purchased the Pillsbury brand, but I'll look for them next time I'm bisquit shopping. One brand of frozen bisquits I have purchased would get all sticky, but that tip you provided above about the flour in the ziploc bag would probably have helped.
I used to get the microwavable round frozen sausage patties, also Great Value brand, and place them inside my bisquit with some scrambled eggs...quick (except for the 20-25 minutes to cook the bisquit) and the result tastes better than McDonalds sausage-egg-bisquit. But like you, I had to cut down on my pork and salt intake (high b/p).
One other thing about the frozen bisquits, you can thaw them out and flour them, and then cut them up to use for dumplings in chicken and dumplings...they make great dumplings, btw.
Aiight now, I may not be quite as hillbilly as some of yall, so don't be giving me no buttermilk (gag). I have to have sweet milk on my cornbread.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
patparker, do you have a problem finding iced tea outside the south too?
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey everybody.... Thought I'd give you a recipe that my family loves. When shopping next pick up a can of corned beef. Not hash, just corned beef found in the canned meat section. Comes in a funny shaped square can, opens with a provided key on the side. Break the canned meat up into bits. I use a casserole dish for this.
Items needed: Can of mushroom soup diluted with half cup milk.
Sliced onions
Grated cheddar cheese
potatoes peeled and cut into bite sized pieces
Build in layers, start with potatoes, add some of the broken up corned beef, add onions, then grate cheese on top of this, smother with soup mixture,continue with as many layers as you want to build. Ending with grated cheese topping. Bake in 350 oven until potatoes are done. (15 or 20 mins)
It's actually a very easy recipe and my family loves it. If you like it you can adjust the ingredients as desired depending on how many you cook for.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That sounds good ((destiny))! Even though I've never eaten corned beef in my life, that recipes sounds good enough for me to try it!
((Peace007)), I'm not hillbilly enough to like buttermilk either -- makes me gag!!!!! Give me my cornbread in a bowl with "sweet" milk! *LOL*
As for chicken-and-dumplings, instead of making the dumplings from scratch, I usually buy the Pillsbury canned biscuits found with the dairy products and tear each biscuit apart in little pieces. They will fluff up and make nice dumplings. Let them cook for about 15 minutes, or until they sink back down into the pot -- then they are done.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ij, Pillsbury needs to hire you, lol. I've used canned biscuits before too, and also, store bought flour tortillas for dumplings. Hey, I just realized I've been mispelling biscuits, lol.
I've made that recipe before, destiny. It is good. Tonight I made something similar, but with browned hamburger meat, chopped potatoes, and cream of mushroom soup. I decided to try it a little different tonight, however, and added a can of chicken broth and a handful of baby carrots. I call it hamburger stew and just cook it on the stove top. I have layered it before with onions and covered the top with grated cheese and baked it. I suppose you could take that recipe of yours and substitute any meat you want. I've had it with link sausage sliced in bite size and layered with onions, potatoes and cream of mushroom soup. I wasn't that crazy about that one, but some others loved it. I love casserole type meals.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((Peace007)), yeah, I think Pillsbury needs to pay me because I'm a walkin' and talkin' advertisement for their products!!
I did try the flour tortillas once for my dumplings and they were okay. However, I do prefer the biscuits because they have a little bit more substance and are more traditional to this country (hillbilly) girl.
The recipe you mentioned that you may fix tonight sounds good!! It will probably be good with ground turkey as a substitute, too. Whenever I use ground turkey, especially with my burgers, I like to use a packet or two of Lipton Beefy Onion Soup (in the blue box). I usually scramble 1 or 2 eggs, add about 1/2 or 1 cup of water, then pour the packet(s) into it and let it stand for about 10 minutes to let the onions soften up some. It adds a real good flavor to ground beef and ground turkey. Have you ever tried it?
A dish my husband likes that he taught me to cook is ground beef with Ranch-Style beans (in a can) with hot cornbread. It is a real fast dish to cook up. You put your ground beef in a skillet, season the ground beef with a little salt, pepper and seasoned salt; add finely diced onions (about 1/4 - 1/2 cup); OR (USE JUST A LITTLE SALT & PEPPER) and use a packet or two of Lipton Beefy Onion soup mix (mix it with 1/2 cup of water first, then pour it into the cooking beef). After the ground beef has fully cooked, pour off the excess oil/liquid; add 2 - 3 cans of Ranch-Style beans; heat them over low heat until the beans are heated through. You can sprinkle some cheese on top and serve with hot cornbread . . . and some good ole southern tea!
Side Note: Ranch-Style is the brand (with a black and brown label) -- the beans are in a red/burgundy colored sauce and can be purchased with Jalapeno, with bacon, or plain.
Cooking time is approximately 20 minutes and it will render 4 - 6 servings.
Bon appetit!!!!!
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ij, no, I've never tried that with the scrambled eggs and onion soup mix. Do you just add that mixture to the raw ground turkey or beef before making the patties, prior to cooking the meat? I have used a package of onion soup mix and 1 raw egg in ground beef prior to making burgers. I'll give it a try your way and see how that tastes. I bet your mixture would be good used in a meat loaf too.
I use a package of onion soup mix on roast with a can of cream of mushroom soup. In a crock pot, you can just pour it all in and let it cook all day, then at supper time you've got your roast and gravy ready to serve over mashed potatoes or rice. Or you can add potatoes and carrots in the beginning when you first put it all in the crockpot.
I haven't ever used the Ranch style beans, but I have used 2 cans of Bush's Chilli Beans and added browned ground beef to make a quick chilli, served in a bowl with grated cheese on top and crackers, or cornbread.
Do you make hamburger soup? I brown the ground beef (or turkey), drain, add frozen (or 2 cans) of mixed vegetables, fresh diced potatoes (or 1 can of diced potatoes), 1 can of tomato sauce, 1 can of diced tomatos, 1 beef bullion cube for each cup of water added...served with hot cornbread. That's another crockpot meal or it can be cooked faster on the stovetop. (And I bet you could use your beefy onion soup mix in that recipe if you wanted too. You could probably sprinkle it over the ground meat as you were browning it and the juice from the meat would soften the onions) (Or, you can just leave out the meat and go vegetarian, lol). I've found that kids love hamburger soup; it's a great way to get them to eat vegetables, and they usually ask for another bowl.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You can take a small juice glass and cut a hole in the center of one piece of bread. Put some margarine in a skillet on low heat, let it melt and get hot. Place the bread with the cut out in the skillet, break an egg and place it in the hole in the middle of the bread, break the yolk, then let it cook, then flip it over to cook the other side. You can put the hole that was cut out of the bread in the same skillet while cooking the bread with the egg in the center, and you will have a little round fried bread to put jelly on and serve with the egg in the center of the bread.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
peace007, my family called that, "gas house eggs," because we had a little structure built over our butane tank and our chickens would often go in there and lay their eggs. I still often cook them that way and love'em.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((ijohnson)) I agree you can make some scrupulous dumpling from the frozen Pillsbury biscuits. Be sure to have the chicken broth real brothy.
BUTTERMILK & bacon grease are a necessity to to make good cornbread & bicuits.
If you ever go to The Cracker Barrel be sure to get some cornbread mix. You can also get biscuit mix. It's worth the drive to get it.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on March 28, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((Peace007)) good recipes!!! I must try that "bread and egg". A couple of months ago, Christina Hall posted a "Taco Soup" recipe. I tried it and it is really good and quick to make. It calls for ground beef but I made it with ground turkey and cooked the meat with "mild or medium" taco seasoning). The kids even wanted a 2nd and 3rd helping! I serve it with Tostitos brand tortilla chips on the side -- which can be crumbled up in smaller pieces and dropped into the soup for some real good texture. It's an easy recipe, too.
BTW, use whatever brand tostitos chips you like because I I'm beginning to sound like a walking ad for all these brands!!!! *LOL* However, I like to mention the name of the products I use because sometimes it makes a difference in how a recipe tastes. And some people like to know the specific brand of products used.
((dixiemama)) for my dumplings, I don't use the frozen Pillsbury biscuits but the thawed ones in the can that is in the dairy section with the margarine and cookie dough. And, yes, you really need to have the broth real "brothy" because those biscuits will soak up a lot it.
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