In the process of heating the magic sauce, my Dad walked into the kitchen and complained about the strong vinegar smell. He has a strong aversion to all things vinegar. At that point, I wondered if he would even eat the salad.

With his complaint officially registered, I had my doubts if he would make a happy plate. Would I attempt his method of parenting about food? I can almost hear me saying, “Here is a big spoonful. You can’t leave the table until your plate is clean. And Mother can’t save you.”

Can you hear the evil cackle?

I’m not sure if this glimmer into my childhood is making you cackle or not, but I’m laughing. Oddly enough even with his vinegar aversion, my Dad enjoyed the Unprocessed Candied Jalapeno Coleslaw. Pretty sure that it surprised even him.

What to do if little ones don’t want Unprocessed Candied Jalapeno Coleslaw?

My nephews also tried the coleslaw but I didn’t ask for a review. Little one manages to lick his lips on cue for photo opp. However they both enjoyed the corn pudding and caramel cake that I served along with the coleslaw. It takes time for little ones to really enjoy food unless its pizza, burgers, or sugar.

If you’re struggling to get little ones to eat a variety of foods it makes life difficult for everyone. A local writer wrote a post about this idea and I thinks its a good one. Read all about, The Two Bite Rule.

I decided to cut this salad fresh myself in lieu of processed coleslaw packages. All of the ingredients were stored in my refrigerator or pantry. If you don’t have candied jalapenos, check out this recipe from Foodie With Family.

If you enjoy spicy and fresh food, prepare Unprocessed Candied Jalapeno Coleslaw. It is a side dish that will stand along side any protein. Let me know what you think about this recipe, I would love to hear from you.

Lagniappe: Grill Man and I both think Unprocessed Candied Jalapeno Coleslaw would be awesome on a pulled pork sandwich.

Alexa Shout out to Louis Jordan for Coleslaw

Stay well!
With love from Mimi’s Kitchen,

Mimi

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Certainly all of us benefit from eating more fresh fruit and vegetables. As I age, I am painfully aware of the necessity to take care of my body. This possibly could be due to the length of time I have actually spent inhabiting the space and my overall attachment to it. Preventive maintenance is a smarter path to take than trying to heal or cure an ailment.

Eating a healthy food and regular exercise is the closest thing that we have to a fountain of youth or anti-aging magic. If you know another secret, please hook a sister up.

Winning Trio Health Benefits

I love the way I feel when I eat turnips and rutabagas. Is there a reason for this euphoria? What are the health benefits? Why should you eat greens and roots? Should anyone avoid eating greens?

Here is a short list of ways that the winning trio may improve your overall health but not comprehensive by any means.

• Improved healthy skin and hair
• Reducing anemia
• Osteoporosis prevention
• Aids with digestion
• Strengthens immunity
• Aids in weight loss
• Aids in cancer prevention
• Aids in improved sleep and mood
• Aids patients with Diabetes
• Aids in reducing cholesterol

It is always important to be balanced in any changes that we make in our life or diet. If you have any concerns, please research and consult with your physician.

Risk associated with increased Vitamin K or high Nitrate diet.

Warning: If you are currently taking a blood thinner you should discuss with your Doctor or Pharmacist for acceptable amounts if any are allowed in your diet.

Personally I love the pure earthy taste of greens. The slightly bitter flavor is a perfect companion to a piece of cornbread or skillet bread. Greens pair well as a side dish served along fried fish, grilled fish, meat loaf or barbecue of any type. Remember, raw greens are a great addition to any salad or smoothie.

If you need a menu suggestion to go with the Salubrious Turnip Greens and Roots, check out these posts from the archives.

Menu suggestions to serve with Green

Drowning Pork Roast in Yesterdays Wine
Mashed Potatoes Or Rice dish
Sweet Baby Limas

Dessert Pie Choices
Pecan Pie
Chess Pie
Chocolate Pie

Salubrious Turnip Greens and Roots is a good recipe to make ahead for your dinner party. It reheats or freezes well without any loss of obvious quality in the recipe. Recipe will make a great addition to any BBQ, Labor Day or holiday event. Please cook recipe and let me know what you think.

Lagniappe: Farmers markets will often sell pre-washed local greens in the refrigerator section. Using pre-washed greens will reduce your time in the kitchen. For anyone that has purchased turnip or collard greens from a farmer or off the back truck by the side of the road will completely understand what I mean. My earlier recipe for Southern Turnip Greens will provide extra details if you need instructions for taking greens from farm to table.

Alexa shout out to Billy Currington for Good Directions and Turnip Greens.

Love from Mimi’s Kitchen

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This hot and hearty meal  is easy to cook one day and serve another. Recipe may be cut into serving slices  and popped in microwave for 40-60 seconds as needed. Bacon lovers will enjoy Busy Mom’s Beckon The Bacon Frittata recipe. Grill Man feels cheated if meat is missing from the meal.

If you have a couple of picky eaters, cut the onions and peppers very small. Or be really sneaky and purée them  in your blender. The nutrition and flavor will be there but not as visible .

In this dish cutting the cheese  in lieu of grating will allow the cheese to stand out and be noticed. Grated cheese has a tendency to hide in a baked dish. Who doesn’t love a cheesy bite? I didn’t specify the cheese in this dish. Use your favorite cheese whether its cheddar cheese, havarti, monterrey jack or cheddar with scallions.

How to create a frittata?

Use this basic recipe and design your own frittata dish.  Throw in your leftovers and make a few changes. Swap out peppers and onions for another veggie. Replace the bacon with leftover sausage or boudin. Be adventurous! Busy Mom’s Beckon The Bacon Frittata recipe is waiting to join your busy week.

Company’s coming? Quiches and frittatas freeze well. Make ahead and use as needed when you have a house full of company. Your guests will be none the wiser unless you let them in on your secret.

Here are a couple of oldies but goodies.

Salmon Sockeye It To Me Quiche

Spicy Sausage Cheese Egg Pies

Manchego Frittata Mimi Style

Quiche- Albacore Tuna Spiced Up? Wow!

Alexa shout out to Superwoman by  Alicia Keys. Even when I’m a mess….

Even when I’m a mess
I still put on a vest
With an S on my chest
Oh yes
I’m a Superwoman!

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Save a Ham Bone, Feed a Cowboy Soup Recipe leaves no doubt that it delivers a hearty bowl that will satisfy your hunger. I love cooking soups from items on hand. It is a great way to feed your creativity, use leftovers, maximize time for your passions. Serving soup in the evening is an easy meal to reheat after a long day at work or play.

Spring and Summer call out for easy meals to serve late afternoon after work.  Meals that will allow you to put in 9 holes at the golf range or paddle board in the lake or bay while watching for the sun to set gently down. If your busy you should  want to squeeze every ounce out of those daylight saving hours that magically appear. Use it or lose it.

How to use your leftover Ham Bone and Ham scraps

To save time and money is important to everyone. Save a Ham Bone, Feed a Cowboy Soup Recipe makes great use of the left over ham bone. Remember, waste not want not.  Check out this category for other ways to re-purpose leftovers.

Always, make the ham stock and use right away or freeze for later use. Depending on how busy my schedule is will typically determine when I use. Using the freezer gives you options for how and when to process. Save any extra stock to use for other recipes.

Remember, a stock rendered from a ham bone and scraps could be used in variety of recipes for soups or cooking any variety of beans. Homemade stocks breathe soul into your cooking in a way that store-bought stocks do not. Of course it is more steps and time but it makes your food have more hidden layers of flavor. Ham and potato flavors marry together well in any dish.

Of course, adding two types of potatoes white and sweet give a creamy base for the soup. Homemade stock and  dried porcini mushrooms elevate this soup to another level.  Porcini mushrooms offer health benefits that are worth looking into further. Grill Man loved the flavors in this simple soup. I think it is worthy of your next dinner party. Please let me know what you think.

Finally, shout out to Alexa for Ronnie Wood and Bo Diddley, I’m A Man recorded Live At The Ritz  New York City in 1988. This recording will get your cowboy boots moving in one direction or another.

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Of course, my Momma’n’em used a pressure cooker and I have a very healthy respect for this device. To the point of being in awe of anyone brave enough to use one. On more than one occasion during my childhood, I saw the effects of a pressure cooker that had “gone rogue”.

Rogue Pressure Cooker

Momma like to cook Creole Red Beans in her pressure cooker which had a giggly top otherwise known as pressure regulator. On more than one occasion Momma’s pressure cooker spewed Creole Red Beans on our ceiling. Clearly Momma had a hot-pot which failed to work correctly whether it was the pot or operator error.

Thankfully no one was ever injured from the rogue pressure cooker but it was probably only a matter of time. As a teenager viewing the red beans being cleaned off the ceiling and everywhere else was a sight. Momma’s rogue pressure cooker managed to leave a lasting impression on me. To the point that I have always been hesitant about using one.

Just the thought that I might wind up having to clean the ceiling pretty much does it for me. In  my house, it’s hard enough to keep the walls and floors clean, let alone washing the ceiling down. I have to admit the speed of a new electric pressure cooker minus the giggly top sounded positive. Yet, still not brave enough to buy.

Southern Girls Instant Pot Intro- Venison Cutlets

Until one day our friend Focus delivered a big, shiny new Instant Pot to us.  Great gift for a busy foodie even if she is a big ‘ole scaredy-cat.  Instant Pot whips up all sorts of yummy goodness. From venison cutlets to roasts, main dishes, stew, soup, rice, yogurt, dessert all cooked very fast. Quickly a roast is delivered to the point of submission and mouth-watering tender.

Speed alone is a reason to use. Warning: Read the manual before you start using your pressure cooker. Then read it again. Do not skip reading the manual because improper use may lead to worse things than red beans on the ceiling. Scaredy-cat reads the manual every time I use my magic machine.

Even then, I am a bit nervous as I follow all the steps.  Each new cooking phase adds a little more adventure to your evening meal. Instant Pot does not have a giggly top but it does click away while cooking. FYI probably not a good idea to have a glass of wine while using this device.

In my research I discovered class action lawsuits on certain brands of  pressure cookers and a new field called Pressure Cooker Injury Lawyers.  I imagine someone saying “Y’all watch this!” just before they did something really stupid.

Read the manual. Pay attention and save wine to drink with dinner for Southern Girls Instant Pot Intro- Venison Cutlets. A friend gave us venison and it turned out delicious in my brand new shiny but intimidating Instant Pot. If there is a deficit of venison in your freezer beef cutlets could be swapped out.  Alexa Shout out to Hank Williams Jr, A Country Boy Can Survive.

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Salmon Sockeye It To Me Quiche will pair nicely with a salad  and a glass of viognier or pinot grigio for evening meal.   Which white wines are your favorite? Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling or Pinot Grigio may be on the standards list.

Step outside of your comfort zone and try French Viognier or Vouvray. If you need help stepping out of your comfort zone, visit The Wine Wankers.  Conrad and Drew are all about the wine, without the wankery. Love a guy with a sense of humor.

What do I cook after a busy day?

Whichever wine you may select popping a Quiche in the oven will help with the dreaded “what do I cook?”After a busy day of work or shopping a simple meal that does not consist of fast food is what I want. Cooking at home will allow you to control the sodium, fat or address any food allergies and diet restrictions.

This time of year D-I-E-T is a ugly four letter word that no one wants to talk or think about especially me. Sadly, every time I step on the scale I jump off again. A couple of times, I stepped back on thinking I had failed to step on it correctly.  Ha!  Can you give me a new number, pretty please?

Apparently, my scale numbers don’t work well going down. Surely it must be broken. I may need a new one. Another item to add to my shopping list. In between work or shopping, buy ingredients to make Salmon Sockeye It To Me Quiche. Quiche recipes are great to make ahead, cook and then freeze. A busy life makes for an extra busy wife. Precooked meals are nice to have in the freezer for those hectic days that sock-it-to-you.

Alexa Shout out to Isley Brothers for  a classic , Its Your Thing.

Lagniappe: Double recipe and make two pies. Cook both at the same time. Eat one and reserve one for freezer.

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My friend Sunshine and I made a date for her to serve as guest chef. Since we both hail from Louisiana, we love cooking and entertaining. Sunshine is a great cook and I love cooking with her. Our cooking sessions include stories and laughter.  In our conversations about family memories and meals, Sunshine mentioned one of her Grandmother’s favorites, Cabbage Dressing.

Is it stuffing or dressing?

Dressing as in cornbread or stuffing not salad dressing, clearly dressing is a very southern term. Have you heard of cabbage dressing? In my review of food,  I located a million cabbage dressings for coleslaw. After my research, I was ready for Sunshine to introduce me to her Grandmother’s cabbage dressing.

Sunshine’s Grandmother Iris B. Lemoine served Cabbage Dressing on her large southern antique table. You could always count on Iris’s table to include delicious food including calas. The Lemoine family home started in Cottonport Louisiana on the bayou. A southern home filled with love, antiques and a porch to host story-telling.

Iris’s family were German and migrated from Nova Scotia and settled in Louisiana. Iris married a Frenchmen, Theofield Lemoine and raised  the family in Cottonport. Sunshine speaks lovingly of Iris and Theofield captured in  memories which center around an idyllic childhood. Memories which include listening to grandparents speak in French so little ears would be protected.

Life in a small town

In Cottonport, life centered around the Catholic Church, small town events and life of the bayou. Iris shared her love and happiness with all that came into contact with her. Passing lessons of love on to her family including  manners and etiquette.

During December, Lemoine’s would host a Christmas on the Bayou. An Open House for friends, family and neighbors. Of course, tables of food, huge pot of gumbo and treats to tempt the palate. Surely, if I close my eyes, I can see the huge mimosa trees covered in moss bordering the bayou, shading the Open House.

Lush green grass filled with chairs and blankets for guests to relax and share a meal. In the background, nature, laughter and Christmas music infiltrating the southern day on the bayou.  Uniquely, if only I had a ‘back in time” button, I would press it to meet Iris B Lemoine and her Frenchmen Theofield. For certain, I would love our time together.

Family and friends called Iris “The Pink Lady”. Sunshine describes her Grandmother as a Grand Lady. Iris loved entertaining, cooking,  her family and everything pink.” Clearly Iris could share secrets of being a great host and Southern belle. I am dying to know how she introduced boots to her classmates at LSU .

After all, Iris B Lemoine’s Cabbage Dressing is an old southern rice dressing recipe. Certainly, not a recipe that I have been familiar with but I love it. Sunshine and I spent an afternoon in the kitchen  cooking during which I learned how to make Cabbage Dressing. Sunshine shared memories with me while we cooked cabbage dressing and reminisced about families.

In conclusion, whether you call it Iris’s cabbage dressing, cabbage stuffing or old southern rice dressing  this recipe will yield rave reviews from your guests. Serve as a new side dish on your holiday table and start your own tradition with family.

Alexa Shout out to Billie Holiday’s “I’ll be Seeing You”.

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I don’t recall the conversations of those visits. However, I do recall knowing Louise and friends were sharing secrets.  Probably conversations that my Mother would not have approved of for little ears. I remember that I loved every minute of it, even though I was shellin’ peas. If you have a secret, send me an email. I will pick up a bushel of peas and we can sit on the porch for a spell.

In season, you may buy fresh baby lima beans at your local farmer’s market fresh or frozen. Fresh baby lima’s are available from June to September. Typically you may buy frozen lima’s all year-long from your grocer’s freezer. Baby Lima’s store well in the freezer.

When to serve Sweet Baby Lima’s

Within less than an hour and minimal involvement, you will have a healthy and tasty side dish. Fresh baby lima’s may enter the pot hard but easily yield to a creamy bite of delicious. Sweet Baby Lima’s will stand up to any protein that you may choose to serve alongside this versatile bean. Lima beans may also be cooked ahead and reheated before serving.  Always a good idea to have a couple of “make ahead recipes” in your recipe box.

In addition to the flavor of lima beans, this baby bean delivers nutrition in a tiny bite. Lima Beans are low in cholesterol and fat. Lima beans are high in B vitamins, folate,  iron, protein,  fiber and potassium. Lima’s also contain phytochemicals coumestrol and saponion which may have anticancer benefits. Add Sweet Baby Lima’s  to your menu planning, they will complement your meal.

As early as the 1500’s the baby lima bean was on the table for diners. The tiny bean originated in Lima Peru and shared the name. Amusingly, the pronunciation did not go with the lima bean to the South. These baby beans have always been called lye-ma beans not lee-ma  beans as in Peru.

Early Sweet Baby Lima Drama

No matter it’s origin, as a child, I still remember my horror at being served succotash. And you want me to eat that? Our parents really wanted to see empty plates before you left the table.  Succotash included lima’s, corn and tomatoes mixed together. Even I didn’t want to eat succotash as a child. Who mixes limas, corn and tomatoes all together?

Alexa Shout out to Sly and the Family Stone’s “Hot Fun in the Summertime”

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Soul Food and Southern Turnip Greens

Southern turnip greens have always been on the dinner table throughout my life.  I don’t recall the first time that I ate greens. I do recall the first time that I had greens that tasted of magic. My Dad invited an elderly friend, Sister Miles to our house to cook her special greens.  He really wanted the recipe. Sister Miles really wanted to keep it.

Our family devoured the pot of turnip greens. I wish I had been smart enough to stand in the kitchen and watch her create the mouth-watering greens loaded with spices and some type of pork fat. Memories of those greens left an impression on my young mind.

Randomly Dad would drive Sister Miles to the market and we would wait for the magic in our kitchen. Dad would harass her for the recipe and she always would politely reply “No baby, just come pick me up and I will cook the greens”. I enjoyed her in our kitchen with her easy laugh and I loved her greens. Secretly, I was in awe of someone telling my Dad, “No”.

Fast and Easy Southern Turnip Greens

Home cooks and chefs look for ways to adapt recipes to their kitchen, life style, time restraints, budgets,customers,  health and flavor palate. My Granny Theda Faye introduced me to my next type of Greens. Granny’s focus was saving time and money. After my divorce Granny would come and visit with us. As a single Mom, saving time and money is important always.

On one of her visits I returned from work to find Granny in the kitchen with a great home cooked meal. One of the items served was southern turnip roots in greens. Of course, they were delicious. I asked Granny for the recipe. She giggled as she proudly went to my trash can and pulled out a large can of “Gloria’s turnip greens”.

I was in denial. The greens tasted fresh and delicious. The shortcut was using canned greens but only this brand. If you have ever cleaned fresh greens you realize the time savings. Undoubtedly, she had tried several and found them lacking in taste. Granny’s secret was to buy lots of fresh turnip roots and add them to the pot of canned greens. The fresh brought new life to the canned greens along with garlic. Nice trick Granny.

“Jes Greens” or Southern Turnip Greens

My turnip greens have evolved over the years adding in different spices, jalapeño peppers  or proteins. When I married Grill Man he raved about his Momma’s greens. I thought that I cooked good greens until I had her flavor combination. The first time that I had Wathon’s turnip greens, I was amazed that they did not have anything added other than salt and pepper. No jalapeño peppers or meat added or needed. It was “Jes greens”.

Turnip greens pulled fresh from the earth, cleaned thoroughly and properly prepared are a special offering. Under Wathon’s instructions, I have learned to cook greens so that it is all about the fresh sweet, savory and bitter combination that the greens and turnip roots offer. Enjoy the flavor of Southern turnips greens, they need very little else. Thanks, Mom.

I have enjoyed the offerings from many talented cooks that whip up a simple vegetable from the garden into a mouth-watering dish. Farm to table is hard combination to beat. Add a slice of cornbread or skillet bread to my plate and I am happy. It is possible that turnip roots in greens is an acquired taste. I love them.

Turnip greens are an healthy addition to any diet. Food should give us nutrition in addition to enjoyment and fuel for our bodies. This recipe is gluten-free, vegan and low in calories. Buy a bunch and serve a dish that says “I must love you!” It is so worth the extra work!

Alexa Shout Out to the band from Denmark,  Turnip Greens for Creole Man.

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While my “go-to” recipe box is jammed packed with my favorites it includes a star-studded list of recipes that my friends and family have shared with me. A treasure trove of delicious food that will make you and yours smile. For your recipe collection, add Southern Zipper Peas.

Zipper Peas  will compliment any protein. Serving it as a bowl for lunch with a plate of sliced tomatoes, avocado, onions and cornbread is also an option. Since I love flavor combinations, I add chow-chow or Tomato Pear Relish to my peas.

Although an antique wooden box is antiquated when you compare the advantages that a computer offers. What a box lacks in speed and efficiency it more than delivers in the form of memories and personal touch. I smile as I sift through the handwritten recipes from Grandmothers and Mothers. My family and friends are a group of fabulous cooks.

Because they generously share their recipes it benefits many. Share my zipper peas with someone soon. Cook this dish for dinner or  put in freezer to be used later and shared with your loved ones.

Also in my “newest wooden box”, I found a ton of Southern favorites. I discovered the box in my favorite city, New Orleans. You may read all about my adventure in the Garden District,  along with my recipe for “Southern Comfort and Oh That Chocolate Pie“. This pie is dangerously delicious if you love chocolate.

Without a doubt, your “little wooden recipe box” or whizz-bang-techno-recipe iPad or computer device  should have Southern Zipper Peas. Healthy,  easy to make, and inexpensive are a few reasons to try this dish. You may find zipper Peas for sale locally fresh or in your grocer’s freezer.

Alexa, Shout out to Black Eyed Peas for “I Gotta Feeling”. Tonight’s gonna be a good night!

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