Love Your Neighbor Cookbook - Randal's River City Diner

Greetings!

2012-01-28T23:59:00.000-06:00

Welcome to our cookbook. Thanks for visiting, and please feel free to send your comments, questions, and corrections. Note that some of the pictures in the two red columns are hyperlinks you might find of interest.About the AuthorHistoryCooking LinksOther LinksCategoriesA Cook Experiments with AcrylicsA Cook Experiments with PhotographyJim Nutter Responds to Pat RobertsonSaturday Morning

Banana Bread

2012-01-28T10:54:00.009-06:00

Sherry makes a delicious banana bread. It's from the old cookbook Lin Crutcher gave Sherry when we were married.(The inscription to the right is Lin's note [RIP] to Sherry inside the cover of the book. Dang, she had a good hand, eh? Click to see the full size.)Ingredients1 3/4 cup all purpose flour2 teaspoons baking powder1/4 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon salt1/3 cup soft shortening2/3 cup

Appetizers

2012-01-22T22:21:00.004-06:00

Jalapeno PoppersRachel's Stuffed CeleryStuffed MushroomsBack to Top

Rachel's Stuffed Celery

2012-01-22T21:53:00.004-06:00

This dish has been a favorite at Sherry's mother's house for as long as I can remember. It's loved by all in the family, and everyone who tastes her stuffed celery wants the recipe. We happened to have Rachel's hand-written recipe. Ingredients1 pkg cream cheese, softened2 pkgs blue cheese, softenedblanced almonds or pecans, choppedstuffed olives, choppedmayonnaisepaprikaCombine cheeses with

Shrimp Fajitas

2012-01-06T22:16:00.004-06:00

I've been threatening to do fajitas ever since Sherry and I did a drive to Round Rock and had some grilled beef at a little Mexican Restaurant in Giddings, TX.I threw this together and did it indoors with a bit of Liquid Smoke to give it that "grilled" flavor. Sherry says it's a winner, and I have to say it was pretty darned good. Ingredients3/4 - 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined1 onion; cut into

Sodium Content - Foodarama Chicken

2012-01-04T12:25:00.003-06:00

I wrote Foodarama to inquire about the sodium content of their chicken, and this is the response:Thank you for your inquiry. Here are the amounts of sodium in our chicken products:THIGHS-95 MILLIGRAMSBREAST-75 MILLIGRAMSWINGS- 95 MILLIGRAMSDRUMS- 95 MILLIGRAMSLEG QUARTERS 80 MILLIGRAMSIf you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.Thanks,Mike GrimsleyIT DirectorCox's

Fruit Cobbler

2011-12-28T08:04:00.009-06:00

Ingredients1/2 cup butter (8 T)1 cup plain flour1 cup sugar1 T baking powder1/2 cup milk2 cups fruit or pie fillingDirectionsMelt butter in a 10 inch baking dish and set aside. Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder. Add milk to dry ingredients and gently stir JUST until blended. Avoid over stirring.Spoon dough evenly over the butter; do not mix or spread. Pour fruit over the dough and bake at

Easy Turkey Meatloaf

2011-12-22T09:02:00.003-06:00

Ingredients2 lbs ground turkey (dark)2 eggs1 small onion (chopped)2 cloves of garlic (minced)small can of tomato paste (use only 3 tsps; reserve the rest.)cayenne (a few dashes)1/2 cup bread crumbssaltSauceReserved tomato pasteOnion (chopped)1 clove garlic (minced)1 red bell pepper1 cup watersalt & pepperDirectionsAdd meat, onion, garlic, tomato paste, cayenne, salt, egg, and bread crumbs to a

Stuffed Mushrooms #2

2011-12-20T20:24:00.008-06:00

As I noted in an earlier Stuffed Mushroom recipe, I often times experiment with different ways of preparing them. I whipped this up this afternoon just as a light snack. Sherry loved them, and suggested I save the recipe. Don't be afraid to experiment Ingredients1/2 pound white mushrooms; wiped cleanbread crumbsgarlic powderonion powderblack pepperOld Bay Seasoningwhole thyme (1/4 teaspoon +)hot

Pan Seared Pork Chops

2011-12-03T20:11:00.003-06:00

Found a family pack of pork chops on sale, and decided to pan fry them. Turned out pretty good.IngredientsSirloin Pork Chops (about 1/2" thick or so)SaltPepperGarlic PowderOilDirectionsHeat (medium high)a few tablespoons of oil in a cast iron skillet. Season chops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Brown first side; then turn and brown the other side. Cover while cooking the second side. Drain

Thanksgiving Day

2011-11-24T09:21:00.014-06:00

No, we're not doing the traditional feast. It will probably just be the two of us. So, no huge turkey; no pies; no sweet potato casseroles. But we ARE going to make some corn bread dressing with chicken using Rachel's recipe.I began several days ago by simmering some chicken leg quarters; deboning them and making stock with the bones. I made up a batch of chicken soup for Sherry to take to work,

Chinese Pork Ribs

2011-11-23T00:58:00.003-06:00

I picked up some "Chinese" pork ribs at the Foodarama with the intention of cooking them in the crockpot. Just about every recipe I've seen calls for pork ribs to cook for 8 hours or so. I cooked these on low, and they were done in four hours.Ingredients3 pounds Chinese style pork ribs (These typically are cut into short pieces.)ketchuphoneyginger (I used ground; fresh would work better probably.

Pan Seared Salmon

2011-11-21T23:19:00.003-06:00

We buy frozen salmon fillets at the Walmart. They come in one pound packs each containing four individually wrapped fillets. I thaw out one or two fillets (in the wrapper) under running cold water in just a matter of a few minutes. Easy, convenient, and tasty.Ingredients2 salmon fillets, thawedcooking spraygarlic powderonion powderblack pepperOld Bay Seasoningbutterolive oilDirectionsDry the

Crock Pot Pinto Beans

2011-11-20T20:18:00.004-06:00

Years ago Sherry gave me a book entitled Adventures in Mexican Cooking; Ortho Books, 1978. (Ortho was a division of Chevron Chemical Company, of all things.) In it was a very simple bean recipe that called for simply 4 cups of beans; 8 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of salt, and two tablespoons of oil or lard. I jazzed it up a bit with chicken bouillon, and seasonings, and did them in a 4-quart

Carrot Soup

2011-11-12T21:23:00.000-06:00

Ingredients2 teaspoons oil1/3 cup onion; chopped1 clove garlic; minced2 cups carrots; peeled and choppedjuice of one large orange1/2 teaspoon ground cumin1 teaspoon saltblack pepper1 cup stockfresh herbs for garnishDirectionsCook onion in oil until tender; add garlic just before onion is done. Stir in the carrots; cook for a minute; then add remaining ingredients except herbs.Bring to a gentle

Special Bulletin!

2011-10-30T22:21:00.000-05:00

Sherry had a bad fall off her bicycle. It broke more bones in her face than we can count. Plus her elbow and her shoulder. We set up a separate blog in response to the many emails and phone calls from many friends wanting to check on her. Read up on the details here. Back to Top

Swiss Cream of Potato Soup

2011-10-22T14:50:00.002-05:00

Wally's wife, Lin (RIP), gave Sherry a copy of Good Housekeeping Cookbook (Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., New York, 1963) when we married in 1971. This recipe has always one of Sherry's favorites. It's pretty good; if I do say so myself.Ingredients4 medium potatoes1/2 pound bacon, diced1 onion, chopped2 T butter2 tsp salt1/2 tsp nutmegdash Cayenne1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce3 cups milk1/2 - 1

One Pot Pressure Cooker Meal

2011-09-06T00:19:00.000-05:00

My mother gave me her old pressure cooker that must be at least 30 or 40 years old. I used it last night to stew some onions and peppers; and then added some shrimp and mussels. Turned out pretty darned good.Clean 3 or 4 mixed sweet peppers (green, red, yellow, etc.) Cut into a large dice.Do the same with a poblano or two.Peel four sweet onions, and cut a big X almost all the way through, leaving

Shrimp Boil

2011-08-25T02:24:00.000-05:00

Tonight I fixed up some boiled shrimp for Sherry. I peeled and deveined close to five pounds of head-on wild. (They were fairly small.) Seasoned them up with pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder.I brought about a half gallon of water to boil with a tablespoon or so of Zatrarain's Shrimp boil. Prepared a bowl of ice water and placed it on stove next to pot of water. I added the shrimp

Alaska Salmon Cheese Bake

2011-07-28T21:41:00.000-05:00

I got this recipe off a can of Honey Boy Pink Salmon and they have an online recipe site you can check out for more.Ingredients8-9 slices of bread1 1/2 cups grated cheese (Your choice; recipe calls for cheddar.)6 eggs3/4 cup milk1/2 tsp dill weeddash of salt and pepper1/4 cup sliced green onion1 Tsp melted butterDirectionsPreheat oven to 350 F. Cut bread slices into diamonds. Butter a 9" pie pan.

Chef Joel St. John

2011-07-25T11:42:00.003-05:00

Our across the street neighbor, Chef Joel St. John, is a real deal, award winning culinary professional. At first I was a bit daunted by the prospect of cooking for a real chef. The first meal I ever served him was my Kung Pao Shrimp, and I won him over big time. He also loves my Shrimp Enchiladas. Here's what he has to say about my pork spareribs. Yes, I'm bragging!OMG, the best RIBS I have ever

Coconut Shrimp

2011-07-20T19:37:00.000-05:00

We tried these tonight, and got rave reviews including from Chef Joel St. John.Ingredients1 lb. raw shrimp; peeled and deveined3 T flour1 T cornstarch1 tsp. salt1 T garlic powder1 egg1 beer1 T Ranch Dressing Powdergrated coconut1/4 cup corn or peanut oilDirectionsCombine flour, salt, cornstarch, Ranch powder and garlic powder. Add egg. Pour in beer and stir to blend. Probably will only need half

Cards in Honor of Daddy

2011-07-07T10:58:00.000-05:00

Click on an image to see a larger version. Then use your back button to return to this page.Back to Top

Nick

2011-07-05T10:33:00.000-05:00

Portobello Mushroom Burgers

2011-06-09T00:58:00.000-05:00

We've done these for years on the grill out doors. Tonight, I decided to do them indoors, setting out to pan fry or oven bake them. But, the notion struck me, "What about the George Foreman grill?" This is every bit as good as those we cooked outdoors.Ingredients2 Portobello mushroom caps, trimmed and cleanedolive oilSherry winegarlic powderonion powderblack peppersaltmelting cheesehamburger

Baked Kraut and Sausage

2011-05-19T13:51:00.000-05:00

Ingredients2 lbs. Kielbasa; cut into 2" pieces8-10 sm. potatoes; cut into quarters or eighths6 carrots; sliced1 lg. can sauerkraut1 onion; quartered and thinly sliced2 tsp. granulated brown sugar1 c. apple juiceDirectionsPlace kraut in a large baking dish. Spread evenly. Top with sausages.se. Arrange the sausage skin side up on the sauerkraut.Distribute potatoes, carrots, and onions over the

Turn on the Lights

2011-05-02T23:22:00.000-05:00

Acrylics on plastic light switch cover plate.Click on Image for Larger ViewBack to Art ContentsBack to Top

Acrylics on Paper

2011-05-02T20:57:00.000-05:00

Acrylics on PaperClick Image for Larger ViewBack to Art ContentsBack to Top

Billions and Billions

2011-05-02T20:50:00.000-05:00

Acrylics on 8" x 10" CanvansClick on Image for Larger ViewBack to Art ContentsBack to Top

Nude Sketch

2011-05-02T20:47:00.000-05:00

Ink on Card StockClick on Image for Larger ViewBack to Art ContentsBack to Top

The Blues

2011-05-02T20:38:00.000-05:00

Acrylics on 8"x 10" CanvasClick on Image for Larger ViewThe Blues Acrylics on Ceramic Tile"El Toro""Kung Pao""Pentecost"Sketch on Stick 'emInk on Paper"Six Moons""Craters"Sketch of a Nude"Billions and Billions"Acrylics on PaperAcrylics on PlasticBack to Art ContentsBack to Top

Sketch of Stardust

2011-04-30T14:04:00.000-05:00

Ink Sketch on Yellow Post'em NoteBack to Art ContentsBack to Top

Ink on Paper

2011-04-28T10:10:00.000-05:00

A preliminary sketch. Click on the image for larger view.Back to Art ContentsBack to Top

Craters

2011-04-25T10:53:00.000-05:00

Acrylics on 18" x 18" CanvasClick on Image for Larger ViewBack to Art ContentsBack to Top

Six Moons

2011-04-25T10:48:00.000-05:00

I shot a photo of Sherry's egg carton paint palette, and that moved me to try replicating the image on canvas. Well, sort of.Acrylic on Canvas 16" x 20"Click on Image for Larger ViewBack to Art ContentBack to Top

Acrylic on Ceramic Tile

2011-04-25T10:14:00.000-05:00

Acrylics on 8 1/2" x 13" Ceramic TileClick on Image for Larger ViewBack to Art ContentsBack to Top

Jalapeno Poppers

2011-04-18T22:14:00.000-05:00

I did these for the first time for a gathering over at our neighbors' house. I got the idea from my son and his friend, JR. This is really simple. Just keep an eye on them and try to bring the bacon to crispy without over doing the cheese. Once the cheese started to brown, I pulled these out of the oven.These were in the oven about 25 minutes. Ingredients10 jalapenosMexican melting cheesesliced

Collard Greens

2011-04-11T16:17:00.000-05:00

This is NOT the way my mother does greens, but I'm telling you, this is GOOD! I got the idea from our neighbor, Chef Joel St. John. Until I had his greens I'd never thought about all the other things that could be added to the pot. He sometimes adds tasso, venison sausage, and I'm guessing Andouille too if he has it on hand. By the way, if you have a lot of "pot liquor" left over, this soup is

Huevos Rancheros

2011-04-10T11:10:00.000-05:00

There are probably a million ways to do this simple dish. You can make it as complicated as you like. Simple is easy and tasty. I like to "poach" the eggs on top of the salsa. If you wish to do this, use a pan with a lid.Ingredients1 onion, chopped1 poblano, seeded and chopped1 sweet pepper, seeded and chopped1 clove garlic, minced14.5 oz canned tomatoes, diced (with juice)1 1/2 T chili

Acrylic on Plastic

2011-03-12T10:47:00.000-06:00

Sherry's refrigerator egg container that she uses as a pallet. To me, it's abstract art.Back to Top

Shrove Tuesday Pictures

2011-03-11T12:42:00.000-06:00

These are a few of the pictures from our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church. All proceeds go toward supporting Youth Mission Trips.Back to Top

Pancakes

2011-03-08T11:26:00.000-06:00

These are so simple and so much superior to the store-bought mixes. You owe it to your family to make pancakes from scratch.Ingredients3/4 cup flour1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon baking powder2 tablespoons sugar2 eggs1 cup milk1 teaspoon vanilla extractDirectionsCombine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Beat egg and combine with vanilla and milk. Quickly stir into the flour mixture. Don't worry

Digitally Altered Photo of One of My Paintings

2011-03-08T08:23:00.000-06:00

Saturday Morning Rassling

2011-02-18T22:39:00.000-06:00

A recent post to the Frayser High Class of 1969 website by Gary Harrison (class of ‘72) mentioned famous wrestlers, Tojo Yamamoto and Jackie Fargo.It reminded me of two other famous personalities from that same era, and I thought I’d relate this tale to my classmates. But first – some background.While I was teaching harmonica at U of Memphis, Memphis in May hosted an International Harmonica

Chicken Cacciatore

2011-01-22T10:26:00.000-06:00

This dish can be as Italian as you want; or you can shift gears and go Louisiana style. I tend toward the Cajun myself.Ingredients8 chicken thighs or legs; skinned1 onion; diced3 cloves garlic; minced8 ounces fresh mushrooms; chopped14 ounce can of diced tomatoes with juice12 ounce beer or a cup of wineoreganothymebasilcayenneblack peppercooking oilDirectionsSeason chicken to taste. Brown on all

Flounder Baked in Mushroom Sauce

2011-01-15T12:19:00.000-06:00

A good way to do flounder. Very flavorful; I just dreamed this up on the spot, and we were both very pleased with how it turned out.Ingredients1 lb flounder filetsOld Bay Seasoning8 oz fresh mushrooms; chopped1 onion; chopped4 cloves garlic; minced1 stick celery; chopped8 ounces fresh mushrooms; chopped1/2 cup white wine2 T butter1 T olive oilcayenne pepperblack pepperthyme 1/2 - 1 teaspoon;

A Very Special Ring

2011-01-09T23:58:00.003-06:00

A friend who owns a pawn shop gave this ring to my mother in law. She told me that she can't think of anyone she'd rather wear it than me. Check it out.

Mushrooms in Garlic Butter

2011-01-04T13:53:00.000-06:00

I stumbled across the delightful Smitten Kitchen cooking blog quite by mistake. I still don't know where I found the link, but I'm glad I did. I adapted the following recipe from Deb Perelmans Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms Visit her site and enjoy. She's doing a fantastic job there!Ingredients1 lb small mushrooms (cut the larger ones in half)3-5 cloves of garlic, finely minced3 T olive oil3 T

Oyster Po' Boy

2010-12-22T12:06:00.000-06:00

We used to get slam-bang Oyster Po' Boys at a place called Jerry's in Pensacola, FL. I finally decided to give a try at making this delicacy also known as a "Peace-maker." This is not quite like those we got at Jerry's or like those we've had at other diners between Houston and New Orleans, but they're good nevertheless. Enjoy.Ingredientscorn or peanut oil, for frying3/4 cup all-purpose flour1/4

Souvlakia - Marinated Pork, Peppers and Onions

2010-12-20T10:42:00.000-06:00

We used to do this a lot when we lived in Arkansas. For some reason, I think maybe I've not done this in the 12 years since we moved to Houston. Today, that changes.Ingredients1.5 pounds pork stew meat; cut into 1" cubes1 yellow onion, peels and cut into 1" square pieces2 green peppers; cleaned and cut into 1" square pieces3 T olive oil1 T lemon juice1/2 T soy sauce1/2 teaspoon oreganoblack

Taco Stew

2010-12-16T21:54:00.000-06:00

My friend, Kathy Jackson, served this at Vestry, and it was a hit. She kindly sent the recipe to a few of us who requested it. Thank you, Kathy!Ingredients1 lb ground beef1 medium onion, chopped1 (15 1/4 oz) can whole-kernel corn, undrained1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes, undrained1 (15 oz) can pinto beans in chili sauce, undrained1 (1 1/4 oz) envelope taco seasoning1 (10 3/4 oz) can condensed

Slide Show

2010-12-08T19:50:00.002-06:00

Mouse over the picture to see the controls; to pause, scroll back, etc. Stop the music by hitting the pause button below.Back to Top

Lima Beans

2010-12-06T14:51:00.000-06:00

My mother gave me her old Mirror pressure cooker that's probably close to 40 years old. We've been having a blast with it. We make chicken stock with it, and use the stock in recipes like this one.Ingredients1 lb small dried lima beans (soaked and drained)3 cups chicken stock1 onion, cleaned and chopped1 poblano cleaned and minced.3 gloves garlic, minced3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper1/2

Labels

2010-11-24T23:54:00.000-06:00

Americanappetizerart autobiographybeans bread bread breakfastcajun casserolechicken Chinese creole crock potDaddy dessertdressingeggsfigsfish tacosGreek greens grill IndianItalianKathy LagniappeMargaretmarinademeat mexicanmusicNickNikkiNutterorientalpaintingpan-frypastaperchpicklepizzaporkpostspotatopoultryribsriceringSaladsalmonsalsaSaucesseafoodshrimpside dishesslow

Apple Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce

2010-11-22T15:03:00.000-06:00

Ingredients2 cups cranberry juice1 (6-ounce) bag sweetened dried cranberries1 cinnamon stick, broken in half1 cup sugar2 Gala apples, peeled, cored and diced2 teaspoons corn starchDirectionsIn a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the cranberry juice, cranberries, cinnamon and sugar. Bring to a boil and let cook for 5 minutes. Add the apples and cook, stirring occasionally, until the

Green Tomato and Vidalia Onion Gratin

2010-11-07T11:49:00.000-06:00

Okay, I shamelessly stole this from FoodNetwork's Claire Robinson. (I just learned today that she's a fellow alumna of U. Memphis.) If you can't find Vidalia onions, try Texas Sweets.Ingredients1/4 pound bacon1 cup fresh bread crumbs2 large Vidalia onions, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds4 large green tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thickKosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper6 ounces

Sweet Potato Salad

2010-11-03T22:08:00.000-05:00

Ingredients2-3 medium sweet potatoes2 sticks celery, chopped1/2 small yellow onion, minced1/2 cup mayo2T prepared mustard4 eggsDirectionsBoil potatoes for about 30 minutes or until tender yet still firm. In the meantime, boil eggs; cool, peel and chop.Run potatoes under cold water and slip off the skins. Remove any dark spots or blemishes. Cut into ...cubes.To cubed potatoes, add eggs, mayo,

Boiled Shrimp

2010-11-01T13:16:00.003-05:00

I'm sure there are a thousand different ways of boiling shrimp. I've done it several different ways myself, and it's usually very good. The trick is to avoid overcooking. I adapted this method from The Frank Davis Seafood Notebook (Pelican Publishing Company; Gretna, 1988). Frank Davis is considered by Chef Paul Prudhomme to be a "number-one authority on cooking and eating the fresh fish and game

Chicken Pot Pie

2010-10-10T16:54:00.000-05:00

Ingredientscooking spray1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour2 envelopes rapid-rise yeast1 tablespoon parsley flakes1 tablespoon sugar1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup milk (very warm 120-130°F)2 tablespoons corn oil1 egg Filling2 packages chicken gravy mix2 cups cold water1-1/2 tablespoons minced onion1-1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed2 cups cooked diced chickenDirectionsMIX batter ingredients together

Peanut Sauce

2010-09-26T15:27:00.000-05:00

This sauce goes well with Satay Chicken.Ingredients1 cup peanut butter; chunky1 to 2 tsp hot chilie sauce (I like Sriracha.)2 cloves garlic; crushed3 Tbsp honey1 tsp cayenne1/4 cup lime juice1/4 cup soy sauce1/2 cup peanut oilDirectionsPlace peanut butter in food processor with chili sauce, garlic, honey, cayenne, lime juice, soy sauce, and peanut oil. Process until smooth. Correct seasoning by

Oxtail Stew

2010-09-23T14:22:00.000-05:00

Ingredients4 pounds oxtails cut into 1" pieces3 T peanut oil4 carrots; chopped2 turnips; peeled and diced4 stalks celery; diced2 yellow onions; peeled and diced3 cups stock1 cup red wine2 bay leaves1 tsp thyme (dried)1/2 cup par, parsley1 cup of brown rouxDirectionsBrown oxtails in peanut oil in a large pan; remove from pan; and set aside; Cook the veggies in the original pan until they begins to

Dwayne's Fettuccine with Bolognese Sauce

2010-09-17T00:13:00.000-05:00

My brother, Dwayne, prepared this meal for a family gathering at my Mom's house tonight. It was a big hit. The "girls" loved it. (The "girls" are our cousins Vicky from St. Louis, and Betty from San Francisco.)Ingredients3 tablespoons olive oil3 tablespoons unsalted butter1 small onion chopped fine1 carrot chopped fine1 stalk celery chopped fine2 pounds ground chuck4 oz. pancetta or prosciutto,

Mantia's Sweet-Dill Garlic Pickles

2010-09-14T15:46:00.000-05:00

My mother gave me this recipe she clipped from the Memphis Commercial Appeal.Ingredients1 gallon dill(not Kosher) pickles1 large head garlic, peeled and minced1/2 small bottle Tobasco sauce2 lbs (4 cups) sugarDirectionsDrain all the juice from the pickles and discard. Cut the pickles as desired (slices, spears, chunks, etc.) They will shrink, so cut them bigger than you want them to be in the

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

2010-09-05T06:09:00.000-05:00

Ingredients1 pound Andouille sausage ; diced3 pounds Chicken ; leg quarters, skinned1/2 teaspoon White pepper ; ground1/2 teaspoon Cayenne 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper 1 teaspoon Salt 1 pound Frozen sliced okra 4 each Garlic ; minced3 Onion ; chopped2 Bell pepper ; chopped3 quarts Chicken Stock 28 ounces Tomato ; canned1/2 cup Corn oil 1/2 cup Flour InstructionsDice the smoked sausage and brown well

Fig Bread

2010-08-11T14:43:00.000-05:00

We have a huge fig tree in our backyard. We used to put up preserves each summer, but this year we decided to freeze the figs instead. Just place on a flat sheet in freezer. Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags. I like to snack on the frozen figs like popsicles.Ingredients3 eggs2 1/2 cups sugar2 cups ripe figs, mashed (We have used figs from out tree which we froze.)3/4 cup vegetable oil3 cups

Pot Liquor Soup

2010-08-06T21:37:00.000-05:00

We had about a half gallon of delicious "pot liquor" left over from a huge mess of greens we'd cooked. It was delicious by itself, but I decided to experiment with this "Pot Liquor Soup." It's more like a pot of beans flavored with greens, but call it what you will. It's good.Ingredients1/2 gallon of left over "pot liquor" from mixed greens (Mine were mustard and Collards)1 bunch of fresh greens

Pop Tart Cake

2010-07-28T19:49:00.000-05:00

Ingredients 1 box yellow cake mix 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced 1/2 cup blueberries, halved 1 1/2 strawberry Pop-Tarts, crumbled 1 1/2 blueberry Pop-Tarts, crumbled 1 jar white icing (with sprinkles)Directions 1) Mix all ingredients (except icing) together in mixing bowl 2) Pour into greased cake tin and bake as directed until golden-brown 3) Ice center of cake and distribute sprinkles to resemble

Easy Boiled Chicken

2010-07-25T22:46:00.000-05:00

This is an easy way to boil up a chicken without cooking all the flavor out of it. We got this idea from Jeff Smith, the Frugal Gourmet. Ingredients3-4 pound whole chicken, thoroughly rinsed.DirectionsBring a HUGE pot of water to a boil. It's got to be big because you're going to submerge a whole chicken in it.When the water comes to a boil, carefully place the chicken in the water. The water

Guacamole Stuffed Poblano

2010-07-20T19:45:00.000-05:00

This is a bit decadent, but I had some extra chiles on hand along with some ripe avocados. Use your favorite guacamole recipe, or just throw one together following mine.Ingredients2 poblano chiles, roasted skinned, and cleaned of seeds and membranes8 ounces V & V Supremo Chihuahuan Melting Cheese8 ounces Saladorean cream (or sour cream)3 ripe avacados, peeled and diced2 Roma tomatoes, diced1/2

Old-fashion Basic Cole Slaw

2010-07-19T14:03:00.000-05:00

Nothing fancy about this slaw. It's similar to the one my mother makes. Plain and simple, and VERY tasty.Ingredients1/2 head cabbage; shredded or finely chopped3 green onions (or a quarter cup or so of finely chopped yellow onion)1 medium carrot; finely gratedMayonnaise; to tasteblack pepper; to tastedash of salt1 tsp sugar; or to tasteDirectionsCombine cabbage, carrot and onion. Add mayo black

Shrimp Tacos

2010-07-11T17:48:00.000-05:00

Ingredients1 lb shrimp; peeled, deveinedgarlic powdercayennewhite pepperblack pepperonion powderthyme, dried paprika8 corn or flour tortillas (We like whole wheat.)2 cups fresh garden salad (lettuce, tomatoes, jicama, fresh turnips, etc.)mayo or salad dressing to tasteBatter1 cup flour (plus an extra 1/2 cup for coating shrimp1 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp salt1 cup beer1 eggsalt and pepper to

Shrimp Pilau #2

2010-07-07T22:44:00.001-05:00

My friend, Nikki Merritt, turned me on to Shrimp Pilau, and the recipe she gave me is excellent. I did some researching on "pilau," though, and saw that it's very much like a jambalaya I'm more accustomed to cooking, but using bacon instead of sausage, and with less in the way of Louisiana style seasonings. I've tried a couple of different variations of this and have had good results. As usual,

My Play Lists

2010-07-06T08:52:00.000-05:00

I was a music lover and professional musician before I was the family cook. One thing I've found is that music and kitchen fun seem to go hand in hand. I like to put on good music and get in the kitchen and groove. It just comes natural, as the Beatles would say, "Like a Natural 'E'." (To the uninitiated, "E" is the top and bottom strings on a standard tuned guitar. Once the E strings are tuned,

Dwayne's Pork Ribs

2010-07-05T11:12:00.001-05:00

Dwayne does almost as good a job on ribs as Daddy used to do. I've found another recipe that is very similar to Dwayne's. Don't be afraid to experiment.Ingredients2 racks Pork ribs2 cups Pineapple juiceDry Rub for RibsApple ciderCooking OilInstructionsRub ribs down with spicy BBQ rub and refrigerate over night.When fire is ready mist ribs with a 50/50 mixture of apple cider and cooking oil, and

Corn, Tomato & Black Bean Salsa

2010-07-04T09:15:00.001-05:00

Ingredients1/2 cup onion, finely chopped1 teaspoon garlic, minced2 Tablespoons olive oil4 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped1/4 teaspoon cumin seed, freshly ground and lightly toasted1 jalapeno, minced2 Tablespoon cider vinegar1 teaspoon salt3/4 cup fresh corn kernels3 large ripe Roma tomatoes1 cup black beans, cooked1 - 2 ripe mangos, peeled and chopped3 Tablespoon Red Chili

Bacon & Kraut Casserole

2010-06-30T00:22:00.000-05:00

I created this one quite unintentionally. I had some fresh mushrooms I wanted to cook up before they got old, so I started throwing together things we had in the kitchen. This is what came out of that effort, and Sherry LOVES it. Ingredients1 1/3 cup brown rice2 2/3 cups chicken stock1 onion, chopped4 cloves garlic, minced2 stalks celery, chopped1 bell pepper, cleaned and chopped1/2 pound fresh

Casseroles

2010-06-29T23:01:00.000-05:00

As we added more recipes to our site, we found that some simply defy categorizing in one neat cubbyhole or another. To address this, I decided, at Sherry's urging, to add "casseroles" to our list of food categories. Yes, I know. "Casserole" means a very specific thing to some and means something else to others. The dishes listed here may or may not meet the classic definition of "casserole," but

The Mayor and I

2010-06-28T15:49:00.000-05:00

There once was a county clerk in Memphis, by the name of Dick Hackett. He was a hard line fundamentalist right winger who required female employees to wear bras. I wrote him and volunteered to be the county bra “inspector.” Needless to say, I didn't get the job.His brother, Mark, took over the Mayor's Action Center - handling complaints on stuff like weeded lots, trash pick-ups, etc. I figured

Fresh Fig Quesadillas

2010-06-27T15:53:00.001-05:00

Our friend from Palmer, Joey Hunter, brought us this recipe. It's credited to Fig Heaven: 70 recipes for the Worlds's Most Luscious Fruit by Marie Simmons (Willam Morrow - 2004). Wonderful combination here. (Joey adds that if you can't get fresh figs, that peaches, nectarines, or dried figs also work well.)Ingredients4-6 Fresh Ripe Figs; sliced4 large flour tortillas2 cups grated cheese (We use V

Non-cooking Links

2010-06-21T15:51:00.000-05:00

I have other interests, of course, besides cooking. And here are a few of them.Church StuffFrayser69 (My high school graduating class web site)Music LinksNewspapersMiscellaneous linksRadio & TVtodd creek tales the merrittsthe stricklinsmy virtual peace and justice centerWho Is Tommy Moore?

Church Stufff

2010-06-21T15:50:00.004-05:00

Jim Nutter's Response to Pat RobertsonSome pictures of our children at churchanglicans onlinebcpbibleBible Gateway bishop doylebishop doyle recommendsbishop greg rickelchildrens ministry onlinechurch calendarcpyudaily officeepiscopal cafeepiscopal churchepiscopal diocese of texas youth ministryepiscorificgod's politicskevin (martin) on congregationslifelong christian formationmain street mosaicmy

Newspapers

2010-06-21T15:50:00.001-05:00

Arkansas Democrat GazetteArkansas TimesAtlanta J&CAustin Chronicle Boston GlobeChicago TribuneChristian Science MonitorHouston ChronicleThe IndependentLos Angeles TimesMemphis Commercial AppealMemphis FlyerNew York ObserverNew York TimesPalm Beach PostSan Francisco ChronicleWashington PostWP - Clinton TestimonyFind Any NewspaperBack to Randal's Links

Miscelleanous Links

2010-06-21T15:49:00.000-05:00

AlterNetAmerican PoliticsAriannaBart CopBill Maher's BlogBush's House of HorrorsBush WatchCampaign DeskCapitol HillChristian GaysColumbia Journalism ReviewCommon DreamsConsortium NewsCrisis PapersCultural LiteracyThe Daily HowlerDaily WeaselDemocratic UndergroundDoonesburyThe Duyba ReportFire Lake DogGOPACHightowerKicking AssLandover Baptist ChurchLiberal OasisMatt Gunn[Back to Top]

Radio & TV

2010-06-21T15:48:00.000-05:00

abccbscnndaily showdirectvmsnbcnpro'frankenpacificapbstalleferowhaddya knowabccbscnndaily showdirectvmsnbcnpro'frankenpacificapbstalleferowhaddya knowBack to Randal's Links

Sherry's Apple Muffins

2010-06-18T23:00:00.000-05:00

Ingredients1 egg1/2 cup milk1/4 cup salad oil1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 cup sugar2 teaspoons baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup grated appleDirectionsHeat oven to 400 degrees. Grease bottoms of medium muffin cups. Beat egg; stir in milk and oil. Mix in remaining ingredients just until flour is moistened. Batter should be lumpy.Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and bake 20-25 minutes. Remove from

Shrimp Pilau ala Nikki

2010-06-17T10:56:00.000-05:00

My dear friend, Nikki Merritt, served this dish to the vestry. Once again, as we've come to expect from her, she hit a homer! Thank you, so much. (Nikki says this is from one of the Junior League of Charleston Cookbooks. When I read, "Receipts" in her email, I thought it was a typo. I've since learned, that's what they called recipes in Charleston in the 1800s. And who knows? Maybe they still do

Greek Tomatoes

2010-06-10T07:36:00.000-05:00

Ingredients2 1/2 pounds fresh tomatoes, thinly sliced1 red onion, thinly sliced3 ounces ripe olives, pitted and sliced1/2 pound crumbled feta cheeseFresh or dried oregano, to taste2 tablespoons cider vinegar1/4 cup red wine vinegar1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oilIn 9-by-13-inch glass dish, layer tomatoes, onions and olives.DirectionsSprinkle with feta cheese and oregano. In a small

Tex-Mex Chunky Salsa Salad

2010-06-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

Ingredients3 to 4 medium tomatoes, halved, seeded and cubed (3 cups)1 large Texas 1015 onion, coarsely chopped2 cucumbers, pared, halved lengthwise, seeded and cubed4 teaspoons minced garlic4 jalapeños or other small hot chiles, seeded and finely chopped (optional)1/4 cup fresh lemon juice1 tablespoon sugarDirectionsIn medium bowl, mix tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, garlic, chiles if using, lemon

Randal Byrd

2010-06-09T01:44:00.000-05:00

Married since 1971 and very much still in love, my wife Sherry and I are happy to have taught Sunday school for elementary, junior high, and senior high aged students for nearly 10 years. She likes me to add that we also taught at our previous church back in Conway, Arkansas - St. Peter's. (At the invitation of our priest there at the time, Greg Rickel, who is now Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia

Potato, Corn & Tomato Salad with Basil Dressing

2010-06-07T08:28:00.000-05:00

Ingredients2 tablespoons white wine vinegar1/2 cup olive oil1 packed cup fresh basil leavesSalt and freshly ground black pepper to taste2 1/2 pounds red potatoes1/2 pound cherry tomatoes, halved6 ears fresh corn, cooked, kernels removedDirectionsPut the vinegar, olive oil, basil leaves, salt and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Process until the mixture is emulsified.Place the

History of This Cookbook

2010-06-06T11:36:00.002-05:00

I've been the head cook in our household since 1983, when I got laid off at the same time Sherry returned to work from maternity leave. We soon discovered that I was a much better cook than she; plus I enjoyed it much more than she did. I began writing notes and pasting recipes into a spiral bound "cookbook" her mother had hand written for Sherry's brother, and which she then gave to Sherry in

Basil Salad Dressing

2010-06-05T17:09:00.000-05:00

Ingredients2 T white wine vinegar1/2 cup olive oil1 cup basil leaves, packedsalt and pepper to tasteDirectionsPlace all ingredients in blender or food processor, and process until the mixture is emulsified.Back to Top

Cooking Links

2010-06-01T12:04:00.004-05:00

These are links to sites having to do with food and cooking. I've set up another page for links to things having nothing to do with cooking.amazing ribsasparagus recipes - California Asparagus Commissionbig oven - Recipe SoftwareCooking Calculator - convert ounces to Tbs, etccrock pot recipes - Slow cooking every day for a yearfixmyrecipe.com - Interesting cooking videosfleishmann's 1-dishfoodtv

Latest Entries

2010-06-01T07:44:00.000-05:00

Coconut Shrimp (July 20, 2011)Baked Sauerkraut with Sausages (May 19, 2011)Photographs of Sherry's Pallet (March 12, 2011)Chicken Cacciatore (January 22, 2011)Flounder Baked in Mushroom Sauce (January 15, 2011)Mushrooms in Garlic Butter (January 4, 2011)Souvlakia - Pork, Peppers and Onions (December 20, 2010)Sriraca Sauce - Try this sauce. (Nov. 4, 2010)Sweet Potato Salad (November 3, 2010)Oxtail

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Soup

2010-05-19T17:48:00.000-05:00

This soup started out as Chinese, and suddenly evolved into Tex-Mex, Cajun, and soul-cooking all rolled into one. I started out with the notion of making egg drop soup, but with a twist. I had close to a quart of "pot liquor" left over from some REALLY good turnip/mustard greens. I also happened to have the other items here as leftovers from other meals. So, I decided to experiment. Sherry LOVED

Black Beans with Pork Neck Bone

2010-05-14T14:27:00.000-05:00

My mother gave us her old pressure cooker, and that's how I cook these. I'm sure they'd be just as good slow cooked too, so don't worry if you don't have a pressure cooker. We try to limit our sodium intake, so I skip the smoked neck bones. If sodium is not a concern to you, I suggest you substitute smoked neck bones for the fresh. This is So good! I like to put these between two corn tortillas

No-oil Salad Dressing

2010-05-10T07:39:00.000-05:00

A little horseradish gives a lot of zip to this tart cooked dressing. Cornstarch offers a convenient way to thicken this tangy blend without oil.Update: First report in - this is good stuff according to the lady whose lunch box I helped pack this morning. (May 11, 2009)Ingredients 1 tablespoon cornstarch1/2 teaspoon ground mustard 1 cup cold water1/4 cup vinegar1/4 cup ketchup 1 garlic clove,

Fool-Proof Boiled Eggs

2010-04-08T16:24:00.001-05:00

Special thanks to the American Egg Board for these instructions.Place eggs in saucepan large enough to hold eggs in a single layer. Cover with cold water to a depth of 1 inch over the eggs.Bring just to a boil; remove from burner and cover pan. Let eggs stand in hot water about 15 minutes for large or 12 minutes for medium size eggs. (18 minutes for extra large)Cool completely by immersing in