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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Casserole recipe includes cayenne, jalapeño and chipotle chile powder to give it a kick that delivers. This trio of flavor allows for easy adjustment depending on your preference for spice.

In our house, the flavors must be kickin at all times. I do not want everything spicy but I do adore flavor. I am not a fan of bland foods. Is it wrong to want my taste buds to tingle or sing? I think not.

What inspired Mimi’s Kickin Corn and Rice Casserole?

Long ago my Grandmother and I discovered a corn and rice casserole from a Southern Living magazine. The recipe became one of her favorites to cook. I had forgotten about Theda Faye’s dish until recently while scanning one of my Aunts cookbooks from 2000 titled The Samson  Garden Club, I ran across “Billie’s Corn-Rice-Jalapeno Casserole”.

Billie’s recipe triggered a food memory that demanded I cook a version of it soon. My recipe is adapted from The Samson Garden Club cookbook.

Every time I serve this dish, someone will always ask for the recipe. Dish is delicious and economical to make. Mimi’s Kickin Corn and Rice Casserole is yummy even if you decide to leave off the bacon.  Thick crispy bacon does add a flavor all of its own but it may be avoided if you choose to do so.

In summary , add Mimi’s Kickin Corn and Rice Casserole recipe to your list for your next dinner party, July 4th celebration or any event that requires a covered dish.  One recipe provides a serving large enough for an average dinner party. Certainly, your guests will love it and come back for more.

Summer is a great time to enjoy being outside enjoying friends while serving BBQ and Mimis’ Kickin Corn and Rice Casserole. Alexa Shout out to Bob Marley and the Wailers for Sun Is Shining.

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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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Read manual and learn to use Old or New pressure cooker

Our good friend Focus gave us “the magic pot” AKA electric pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer and rice cooker. I am still harboring a bit of hesitation when using the magic pot. I remember all too well my Mom displaying red beans on our ceiling from using her magic pot. The old-fashioned pressure valve was scary enough to watch, let alone listening to the wobbly noise spit and sputter.

This new cooking technology is great.  If you have one of these cookers, I would check the internet for a brand search to make sure you have a good brand.  While researching best pressure cooking tips, I discovered pressure cooker class action lawsuits and accidents. Elmer Fudd said “Be vewy vewy careful!”

Read the manual before you use.  I have used my device several times and I still read before using this device. In general, I am a big fan of all my body parts and want to avoid any accidents. Follow directions, be smart and don’t drink and pressure cook.

Drowning Seasoned Pork Roast in Yesterday’s Wine will give a great quick meal to serve alongside any vegetables. If you have access to French Bread,  heat it, slather it with mayonnaise, shredded lettuce and top with roasted pork. You can thank me later. A table of southern vegetables will marry well together with this pork roast.

Veggie Options to serve with Drowning Seasoned Pork Roast in Yesterday’s Wine

Here are a few vegetable recipes from earlier posts.

A Vegetable Medley of Fresh Flavor 

Flavorful Italian Green Beans

Beach Ready? New Fresh Potato Salad Recipe

Truly, a slow cooker is another easy way to cook a Roast and walk away from the stove.  Let me know what you think about this recipe, Easiest Meal Ever with Roast, Potatoes and Carrots.  

Whichever cooking method  you choose will make a delicious and tender meal for your family. Happy Cooking Y’all.

Shout out to Alexa for Jason Isbell for “Alabama Pines”.

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As a mother it is good to be prepared because you never really know what’s next. From birth on Mom’s job is to make it all better and hold your hand when a hug won’t do the trick. Go for a walk. Watch a movie. Play a game. Share a bowl of Cauliflower Comfort Soup- Heals What Ails Ya’ and learn to listen more.

Listening before rushing to judgment or giving advice is something that I am working on. Moms must learn versatility and adapt quickly otherwise you’re in for a long slow haul. Coupled with if you have more than one, the little buggers will take you down if you’re not paying attention. Pay attention!

Did you hear me? Where are you?

Remember your babes are little but they learn quickly. Oddly, at times I thought I was talking to myself and clearly parenting will head you in this direction. Thankfully, I have it on good authority that talking to yourself is ok. The problem begins when the voices start talking back to you. Wee angels will do that soon enough.

When your little ones don’t run at the first mention of their angelic name, you may wonder if they have a hearing issue. Why else would you need to call their name that many times? It’s not just me, right?

Then one day from out of nowhere your offspring will admonish you with your own advice.  What? You were listening? Surprisingly this is not one of my favorite things. Yet clearly your child will love it.

Vaguely I remember pulling this one on my Mom. Sorry Mom! Truly it’s the voodoo your parents warn you about. “One day your going to have a child just like you.” I think my Dad said this, a-lot.

Serve Cauliflower Comfort Soup- Heals What Ails Ya’

Being a parent is certainly one of the hardest jobs ever and very rewarding too. Children will teach you many life lessons. Occasionally they will point out lessons as if your blind. Learning from each other is a gift that keeps giving. My heart is filled with love. Some days call for Cauliflower Comfort Soup- Heals What Ails Ya’!

Shout out to Alexa for  Teach Your Children by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released in 1970 on Dejavu. Sadly, Alexa does not have Chris Stills yet. Or Alexa is having difficulty with my southern as she is prone to do.   Chris Stills is an amazing talent. Love his cd Calling The Underground released in 2015. Looking forward to  his new release Don’t Be Afraid.

Happy Cooking Y’all!  Check out the soup category to see my other soups. Here is one that you may have missed Weary Souls Chicken Soup Recipe .

Disclaimer: This soup like most soups will offer comfort on a cold rainy or particularly trying day. The comfort it offers heals the spirit.

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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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Believe me when I say that I tried many times before  I called for backup and ordered a pizza. Creole Red Beans and Rice, Beef Stew with lots of vegetables, Persimmon Walnut Sticky Bread, Salmon Quiche, Pumpkin Bread and then some. Nothing brought a smile to his face.

Somewhere around week two, I started getting a complex . Grill Man requested Popeye’s red beans and rice. By this point  I really just wanted him to eat. Happy to buy the desired Popeye’s. His taste buds turned his nose up to this as well. Ha, I have to say I was relieved.

Use Turkey Carcass to support Waste Not Want Not

Despite the challenge, I kept cooking for my patient. Using turkey carcass creating white turkey chili was an answer to a prayer.  Finally, I managed to break thru the huge barrier  of the flipping flu wall and found something he would enjoy eating.

Chicken or turkey soup is good for what ails you or your patient. Although it’s not a miracle pill it will help your patient feel better. There is nothing better than a hot bowl of homemade soup on a cold wintry day. White Turkey Chili could also be made from a  rotisserie chicken. Follow the same method but swap chicken for turkey.

Using turkey carcass creating White Turkey Chili is part  of my Waste Not Want Not category. Using a turkey carcass offers great economy and a base for a healthy soup.  Homemade stocks are delicious, offer so much more flavor and health than store-bought stocks.  Yes they are more work but so worth the extra dose of love, flavor and benefits.

Shout out to Alexa for Harry Connick Jr, Recipe for Love. Great song Harry!

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While visiting friends in Laguana Beach, we were served Ham and Polenta Spoonbread and Mimosas one morning. The host was gracious and shared the recipe from www.finecooking.com by Bruce Weinstein and Marc Scarbrough.  I enjoyed Fine Cooking’s version. Ham and Polenta Spoonbread inspired the recipe that I  adapted. Polenta is a new ingredient for my kitchen.

I think that “grits” may be the country version of the city relative of “polenta”. Whether you choose grits or polenta, as with any food ingredient, it is important  that you choose quality and cook properly. Always add flavor whether it’s vegetables or spices to blend with other ingredients.

Many of the ingredients in this dish are typically on hand in a well stocked pantry. Polenta may be adapted easily deleting or swapping items. I prepared this dish for breakfast but it would easily serve as a side dish for company.

Breakfast Ideas for entertaining

While entertaining guests, I love having a variety of breakfasts casseroles and egg pies recipes to serve in the morning. Prepare Breakfast Spicy Sausage Polenta Recipe ahead  and bake as needed.

Pop the Breakfast Spicy Sausage Polenta Recipe in the oven after you stumble to your coffee pot. I love to enjoy my coffee time with house guests before we start the busy day. Coffee time on the porch is a perfect way to celebrate your morning.

Last week, I was happy to celebrate my mornings with my parents, baby sister and her family. My nephew Super-Baby is absolutely adorable. Happy babies are the best and are a joy to be around. Breakfast Spicy Sausage Polenta Recipe will serve your morning breakfast well. Pop in the oven, reheat another day and it is just as good.

Alexa, shout out to Caitlyn Smith’s soulful rendition of “This town is killing me”. Caitlyn Smith is part of the Listen Up Campaign Artist’s to Watch for 2017. If you’re not familiar with Caitlyn Smith, check out this talented emerging artist.

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Because recipes of this type will transport well, it is good to include in your summer entertaining whether it includes beach, picnic, vacation, hiking, camping, SUP, fishing, tubing, or July 4th plans. Since many of us try to jam all the things we love into every day while the summer sun is high in the sky.

Take along New Fresh Potato Salad Recipe

The fun days of summer include all of the things that we love. While your making plans for the day, include something new for you and  yours to do. It will add to the bonding of your group and keep everyone interested.

Step outside of your comfort zone and plan to learn a new activity.  Because it is good for us on so many levels to learn and attempt something different. Maybe even if we are not good at the new activity, it’s better that we attempt to learn and demonstrate a “can do attitude”. While repetition is comforting or easy it may also turn into boring. Monotony is not fun and  it’s unhealthy to our overall growth. Teenagers and young adults detest boring. Engage your inner child and just do it.

List of Activities to keep Family Engaged at Beach

Here are a couple of suggestions for your family:

1. Kayak or Paddle board rentals or lessons
2. Contest for Beach shells prettiest, largest, ugliest and unusual
3. Go Deep Sea Fishing– Charter a boat or join one of the party boats.
4. Rent Jet Skis or go Parasailing
5. Plan an evening of cards, board games or charades. Balderdash’s word game is my personal favorite. I promise you will laugh like never before.
6. Plan a beach scavenger hunt and split up into teams.  This site has a multitude of options for you depending on the age of your family or create your own list.  This type of activity is good for all age groups.

   

7. Divide your group in half and have a cooking competition. Plus this will split up the work duties in the kitchen.
8. Plan wine walk on the beach and watch the sun set on the water
9. At dinner, have everyone tell a favorite childhood memory or favorite story about their parents. Best story wins.

On any family vacation I would add in a good supply of your favorite libations. At some point, libations will be needed and wine is always good for what ails you. Yet, if you are more inclined to a cocktail, try one of my favorites.

Favorite Cocktails and Sorbet

Summer Rebellion Watermelon Martini

Good Intentions and Vodka Infused Kumquats

Country eggs raised in a Condo (sorbet drenched in vodka)

Most of all, time spent with family should be wrapped in love, surrounded with good food, drenched in fun and memories to last a lifetime. Unless your from that “one perfect family” members may challenge us like no other. Develop a couple of new choices to keep your crew busy and entertained. Especially important, bring along a dose of patience, kindness and remember to pack the libations. In conclusion, don’t forget the New Fresh Potato Salad Recipe for your time at the beach.

Alexa Shout Out to DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince for “Summertime”.
Take me to the beach, please.

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Soon the summer sun will beat down on my plants and they will whither away. Until then, I am cooking the little yellow gems.  Yellow squash are delicious just about any way that you may cook them, grilled, smothered, fried, baked, sautéed, pickled or raw in a salad.

Grill Man prepares the garden and plants. I watch over the produce and process the offerings. He would love me to help with his part but I am a delicate flower. Not a real big fan of playing in dirt. Although I recall making mud-pies in my back yard a lifetime ago. Although, I wasn’t playing in dirt, “I was cooking”. Imagination  and playing is a wonderful thing.

Why is play important?

Imagination and creativity are vital to all of us. We need to remember that  the “child” in us still wants to play. Even though you are wise in years it is important to play and have fun. Be spontaneous. Be creative. Break out of your mold, it will do you good. Plus, if you have children, it will keep them guessing.

And if for some reason you want to play in the dirt, let me know, please.  I have some plants that need moving from my garden. Some people call them weeds, I call them uninvited guests to my garden party. I’m begging you to move out the uninvited guests (weeds), I will prepare you a lovely lunch and a refreshing glass of sweet Peach tea.

As a bonus, I will send you home with some yellow squash so that you may try my Spicy Squash Pudding Recipe. What a deal, right? Call me, the garden is waiting. Until then, I am going to have to figure out someone to “Tom Sawyer” the weeds out of my lovely garden. Come over, we will have a garden party!

Shout out to Alexa for Ricky Nelson’s Garden Party. This song has a great piece of advice in it. Look it up on you-tube if you’re not familiar with the tune. It’s an oldie.

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