Summertime and Peaches

 I grew up in what is known as the Peach State but it didn't take me long to realize South Carolina actually has the best peaches. I suppose no matter where you live, fresh peaches are hard to beat. There is just something about peach season that makes me want to bake. It doesn't matter that it may be hot as blue blazes outside—if fresh peaches are on the counter, you can't risk letting them go bad, so you bake. Today, I was also lucky enough to have a nice amount of fresh blueberries, so a recipe was made.

Fresh Peach and Blueberry Cobbler

Cobbler:

• 1 stick of butter
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of milk

Fruit:

• 4 cups fresh South Carolina peaches, peeled and sliced (I blanched the peaches first to make the skin slide right off)
• 1-2 cups fresh blueberries, washed and drained
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Melt butter in a large, shallow casserole dish. Mix together flour, 1 cup of sugar, and milk until blended. Pour mixture over melted butter, do not stir.

Combine peaches, 1 cup of sugar and water in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  With slotted spoon, spoon peaches on top of the batter.  Sprinkle fresh blueberries on top. Add the liquid from the peach simmer and dust with cinnamon.  Bake 35 to 40 minutes until light brown.  

 

Enjoy!  

Southern Living Magazine comes to life!

One day last week I was able to do some major window shopping at the  Southern Living (yes, the magazine company's) only store in the United States.  The widow displays alone made me drool.  But when you walk in...it is all over....

Every detail, from live Southern Living Plants, to even the cutest T-shirts, everything in this store  called my name.  There was even a golf bag and club covers calling my name and I don't golf!  This is definitely a store I could get myself into some major trouble...from cute clothes to the perfect napkins and my dream swing bed, I wanted it all!

And, of course, how can a Southern girl not love a store with a variety of deviled egg plates to choose from? 

Even decorative Okra was available...now, you can't get much more Southern than that!!! 

Make sure not to miss this gem if you are in the area:

Visit the Southern Living Magazine Store!

Christmas 2012!

Yes, I just titled a post in June, "Christmas 2012!"  Don't let anyone tell you that I am slow on the draw, no siree! 

When I picked up my mail this afternoon I was so excited to see that brown cardboard box from Southern Living!   Y'all this a high light of my summer (YES, SUMMER) every year!

Whoot! 
Guess what I am reading by the pool this afternoon??? 

Welcome Spring...Southern Living Style

A few days ago the March issue of Southern Living arrived in my mailbox and I have to say the cover was just stunning.  It was the perfect welcome to Spring.  I had to try the recipe for the cake shown on the cover, Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake (click link to recipe).  It just looked too good.  My husband and sons said it was my best effort...EVER.  Not "a really good cake"...but the best EVER!  Take my word for it, these boys know their cake and if this is the best EVER, you should definitely try it!

It baked up beautifully and the only deviation I made from the recipe was that I had to bake it for 10-15 minutes longer than the recipe called for.  Of course, that could just be my oven issue! 

 Beautiful!

It is so nice to have a recipe turn out just as pretty as when it is staged for the magazine!

Now, I can't wait to try the Key Lime Pound Cake with Key Lime Glaze from the same article! 

Thank you Southern Living!

Southern Lit. Pick of the Week: 2010 Christmas With Southern Living

The Christmas Season is upon us and if you haven’t already gotten some of that holiday spirit, I have a book that should get you going! This isn’t my usual fictional tale, but rather what I have come to think of as the bible of Christmas decorating and celebrating. It is the 2010 Christmas with Southern Living!

I have been collecting these annual gems since the mid 80s and have copies from as far back as 1982 and I still use them for ideas and inspiration every year.

This year’s edition does not disappoint with luscious recipes for both entertaining and gift giving. There are also tons of great decorating ideas that will get your creative juices flowing and inspire you to bring a touch of Christmas to every part of your home. I can’t wait to try the BLT Dip that is served with endive leaves as dippers and the Chocolate-Mint Brown Pops that will make perfect gifts (if any make it out of the house!). One really great section includes recipes for spa gifts such as Scented Bath Salts, Gardener’s Hand Scrub and even one for the men in your life, Outdoorsman Aftershave. I am thinking that several of my friends may be receiving my own “spa” creations this year thanks to Christmas with Southern Living!

Not only are there amazing recipes but there are also some really unique and fun decorating ideas like this square wreath with silverware. Wouldn’t this be perfect for a kitchen wreath?



Additional holiday helps included in the book are: 

• Full-color photos for nearly every recipe

• Recipe banners to help quickly identify types of recipes, from make-ahead to editor's favorite

• A bonus Holiday Planner filled with calendars, charts, and tips to make holiday planning a breeze

• A complete cross-referenced recipe index, a decorating index, and a where-to-find-it resourcelisting for many of the items shown in the book

Trust me when I say this is a keeper that you will refer back to, time and time again!

This post was written as a member of the Southern Mommas Writers

Please check out the Southern Sisterhood @ Southern Mommas

Saturday...it is cold so lets cook!

My husband is truly a Southern man! Yes, he thinks Banana Pudding is the best dessert/snack around. I have found this to be a particularly strong love among our Southern menfolk. Do they do Banana Pudding up north? Honestly, when we lived up there, I never remember seeing it. Where as in any self respecting Southern Home Cooking restaurant, it is a standard....much like our Mac-n-Cheese being listed in the vegetable category! Now, that is just how it is done ~ don't' ask questions! Anyway, due to my DH's great love of this dessert and my particular love of him, I have learned to make it pretty darn well (oh, and it must be topped with meringue - NOT whipped topping! So, step away from the Cool Whip and we will all be OK).

So on this cold, windy Saturday I thought I would share the recipe that I use. Now, it isn't "my" recipe, it came from the hallowed halls of Southern Living! This is truly the best recipe and includes that illustrious HOME MADE CUSTARD....be still my heart, oh, heavens! Yes, it does....

Banana Pudding (done right!)

1/3 cup all purpose flour
dash of salt
2-1/2 cups milk
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups (more or less) ripe bananas (I usually just cut the as I layer to get as much as I want)
Vanilla Wafers
4 large egg whites (at room temperature)
1/4 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine flour and salt in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milks and yolks; stir well. Cook over medium heat 8 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract. Do NOT just start eating this yummy custard now or you won't have any for your 'nanner puddin'.

Arrange banana slices in bottom of a 2 quart baking dish. Spoon one-third of pudding mixture over banana. Arrange a single layer of wafers on top of pudding. Repeat layers twice, use any remaining wafers around the edge of the dish (turned up on their sides!), push into pudding.

Beat egg whites at high speed of a mixer until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue evenly over pudding, sealing to edge of dish.

Bake at 325 for 25 minutes until golden brown.

***Banana Pudding may be a bit soupy when you first remove it from the oven. Let Cool at least 30 minutes before serving. YUMMMMM.

This is my banana pudding before spreading the meringue.
Here we are with unbaked meringue.

The final shot....amazing stuff, really!

You can't take 'em anywhere...

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that DH and I were going to tour the Southern Living Idea home located in Dahlonega, GA and I got many comments an emails telling me how lots of husbands don't like doing those (like my DH (dear husband) used to be). Well, maybe that is because the average husband doesn't act like a goof ball during the tour...

Yes, yes...that is my DH laying on the Master Bed in the Idea house.

Oh...and it gets better...yes, that would be the Master Bath Tub.

Saturday Date with DH!

Tomorrow my DH and I are going on a date! We are going to go tour one of the Southern Living Idea homes. This particular Idea Home is located in Dahlonega, GA in a gorgeous neighborhood called Achasta. http://www.southernliving.com/marketplace/achasta-newsroom-00400000045162/

I love walking through and seeing all the current trends in design and construction (remember, I used to be an Interior Designer in a previous life!). When we tour homes like this I get inspired to improve our home and that is why I like to go. It took a long time for my DH to understand this, as he felt looking meant I wanted newer, bigger, better (translated in man speak to mean more $$$). Thankfully, he can now go and appreciate that these are fantastic platforms for improving and updating our own living space even if that living space isn't a Southern Living Idea House. If you are in the vicinity of North Georgia this would make a great road trip! Here is a link to some photos: http://www.achasta.com/media_room/photos/southernliving

P.S., my little surprise is almost ready to announce!

Southern Living and Southern Somedays..

Last week I was thrilled to open my email box and find a note from Southern Living asking if they could profile me as the Southern Mama Blogger of the Week on their website! Well....YES! Southern Living not only has a great magazine, but they also have a fantastic website filled with recipes, decorating, travel and Healthy Living information. IF you haven't ever visited or it has been a while, head on over!

Here is a link to my little shout out from Southern Living:

http://livehealthy.southernliving.com/2009/03/southern-mama-blogger-of-the-week-southern-somedays.html

This made my week, y'all!

What's on your coffee table?

I can’t resist a bit of amateur psychology…here are the 3 magazines on my coffee table (and, yes, I have subscriptions to all 3) ...Southern Living, Victoria and Garden & Gun.

So what do you think it says about me or my family?

Yes, I occasionally cook...

Last weekend I got inspired and wanted to try some new recipes. The funny thing is that both came from "Southern" magazines (yes...magazines...again!). I made Southern Living magazine's Corn-and-Crab* Chowder with Southern Lady's homemade Garlic Cheddar Muffins. Oh my, they were yummy and so nice for an early fall dinner.

*The Corn-and-Crab Chowder gave the option of using a pound of peeled and cooked shrimp instead of the crab meat and that is what I opted for (which was about a $12 difference in the cost of the meal).

I am, admittedly not a gourmet, but this meal turned out so good! It is definitely a "company meal"!


Garlic Cheddar Muffins

* from September/October 2007 Southern Lady magazine, page 70

makes 12

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
¼ Cup Butter
¼ Cup Chopped Fresh Chives
1-½ teaspoons Minced Garlic
2 Cups Baking Mix
1 Cup Grated Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
¼ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
1 Cup Buttermilk

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan with olive oil.


• In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add chives and garlic, and cook for 2 minutes; remove from heat and set aside


• In a medium bowl, combine baking mix, cheese, garlic powder, and pepper. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk and butter mixture. Add buttermilk mixture to baking mixture, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. Let batter stand for 5 minutes.


• Evenly spoon batter into prepared muffin pan. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing.

NOTE: I brushed on a bit of melted butter mixed with garlic before serving.

Corn-and-Crab Chowder

*from October 2007 Southern Living, page 102

6 Bacon Slices
2 Celery Ribs, Diced
1 Medium-size Green Bell Pepper, Diced
1 Medium Onion, Diced
1 Jalapeño Pepper, Seeded and Diced
1 (32 oz) Container Chicken Broth
3 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
3 Cups Fresh Corn Kernels (6 ears)
1 lb. Fresh Lump Crab Meat, Drained and Picked***
1 Cup Whipping Cream
¼ Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro
½ Teaspoon Salt
¼ Teaspoon Pepper
Oyster Crackers
Garnish: Chopped Fresh Cilantro

• Cook bacon in Dutch oven over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 Tbsp. drippings in Dutch Oven. Crumble bacon and set aside.


• Saute' celery and next 3 ingredients in hot drippings 5 to 6 minutes or until tender.


• Whisk together broth and flour until smooth. Add to celery mixture. Stir in corn. Bring to boil; reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Gently stir in crab meat (or shrimp) and next 4 ingredients; cook 4 to 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.


• Serve warm with crumbled bacon and oyster crackers. Garnish, if desired.

***1 lb. peeled cooked shrimp or chopped cooked chicken may be substituted.