Is cheeseburgers on your menu?

Not long ago my Bonus Mom suggested that we cook cheeseburgers instead of making a big fuss. Smiling first at the thought of putting my feet up while Grill Man organized the grill, I thought about it for a minute. I replied that her son and others would rebel if cornbread dressing and pecan pie went MIA. My Bonus Mom’s Pecan Pie needs it’s own James Beard Award. (Recipe under the dessert section)

Even I know she loves cheeseburgers. Although it was all about making sure that we didn’t make a fuss. Yet, even when I tire myself out in the kitchen, I am where I want to be. Cooking is a labor of love that I enjoy sharing with my family and friends. Hopefully Southern Zipper Peas and more from Mimi’s table will help with a few suggestions to make your dining table special.

Having guests over may add to your list of duties. Early planning will help you reduce kitchen mayhem. As you know Mr. Mayhem only arrives when you need him the least and company is heading your way. One of my latest recipes will come in handy because it is best prepared days in advance so that the flavors blend. If you like coleslaws or marinated salads, you will enjoy this recipe.

Easy Make Ahead Side Dishes From Scratch

Entertaining for family or friends is one of my joys. Along with it of course is a lot of extra work but it is worth it. Set aside time to dine slowly with your loved ones and enjoy real conversations. Start a revolution, have everyone leave their phone in the car. What? Is it possible?

Recently, I watched a movie about three adult children returning home for the holidays and the drama that usually ensues in “some homes”. This movie included standard sibling rivalry, aging parents, grandchildren running amok and other chaotic events. If this scene creates dejavu for you , even to the point of secretly desiring proof of your adoption papers. My plan would be to feed them well and have adult beverages on hand.

At least while you share a meal you may find something in common. Entire dinner party conversations could surround the safety of food talking points. From the local food sourcing and farms to the complexities of the wine served. While dining ask everyone to share their favorite food memory or favorite dish and latest food love.

Food is something that we should be able to agree on without coming to blows. Stay away from politics, covid, and other long standing taboo family topics. I certainly could curate a conversation around food. Food is a safe subject, right?

Desserts just make us happy

No dinner table is complete without dessert. Desserts just make us happy. Whether you let them eat cake, brownies, pie or cookies you will need a sweet treat. Desserts are another great recipe to bake ahead of event and set aside. All your best days should include dessert even if it’s only a kiss.

If chocolate is your love, the dessert category has several options for you to bake and serve. Top dessert off with a side of ice cream, coffee and Kahlua and call it a day.

Southern Zipper Peas and More from Mimi’s Table is only an sampling of the many choices listed on the site. Review the archives to see what you may have missed. If there is something that you would like to see in the future, please let me know.

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How to start with your sous chef?

Long ago my Mom started me on the yellow brick road to Kitchen Wonderland. Although I wasn’t sure that I even wanted to go on that well-traveled journey. At the time it seemed like a full dose of drudgery wrapped around dishes that would pile up consistently.

My mom taught me the basics. From grating carrots for Carrot & Raisin Salad with that annoying handheld grater to making vegetable juices that she would force us to drink. By the way, if you hold your nose and drink celery juice at the same time, you barely taste it.  Kitchen duties with Mom taught me small things one at a time and opened the door for future lessons.

Are you cooking with your children and teenagers? Cooking with your babes is a special treat for both of you. Clearly your teenager may not want the lesson but it is so important to learn. Being able to step into a kitchen and prepare food is a gift that keeps giving.  My fearless sous chef in training has learned great skills that she too may pass on one day.

During the last visit we made Squash Pickles. My fearless sous chef in training has always been a big fan of these pickles. I found the recipe in a cookbook by Anne Byrn Phillips , Cooking in the New South. Phillips recipe is courtesy of Pat Bruschini of the Cobb County Extension office.

Cooking Squash Pickles is an easy way to sneak in a vegetable. To date, I love this pickle recipe most of all. Recipe is easy to make for all skill levels. Great idea for hostess gift or sharing with your loved ones. My sous chef in training handled her first preserving class like a champ.

Use Time in Kitchen to Bond and tell stories

When I step into the kitchen by myself again, I will miss having her close by to chat with and listen to her talk. No one can stir a sauce, set the table and grate the cheese like my Sous Chef in Training. Oh yeah and I love her help with those dishes that pile up all too quickly.

Who’s cooking in your kitchen? Let me know your favorite recipe to cook with your little ones. If you need a suggestion, try Can you make a Snake Pancake?  

PS- Always make a tempting treat for your chef in training to enjoy.

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Recipes for Mimi’s Celebrate Summer Menu Before It Disappears

Clearly, I needed a   Summer Rebellion Watermelon Martini recipe. Refreshing cocktail and perfect way to sneak in watermelon into your day. Cocktail, fruit and vitamins all rolled into one delicious drink. Vitamins count in a cocktail, right?

Longing for Summer is an idea that grabs us as little ones in the throes of attending school. Daily grind of school, home work and lesson plans teach us that life is better during Summer. Extra time for all outdoor activities that we truly love. To assist with your busy life Beach Ready? New Fresh Potato Salad Recipe will pair well with any meal or Labor Day Weekend.

Whether its people watching on the beach, digging your toes into the sand while listening to the waves crash , swimming in anyone’s pool or chilling with your friends, more Summer is exactly what we need. Summer vacations to the beach designed for lazy days having fun outdoors or rainy days tucked in reading the latest best seller or drooling over a cookbook.

Make Ahead Beach Menu- Freeze, Transport & Enjoy

Make ahead Beach Menu- Freeze Transport is perfect for your last Summer Beach Trip. Menu allows you to prepare items ahead, freeze and then pack in an ice chest for your family  beach trip or Labor Day Weekend. When company arrives,  it is always nice to  have a  menu plan that allows for some relaxation even though you may have house guests.

Drowning Seasoned Pork Roast in Yesterdays Wine

Flavorful Italian Green Beans

Black Pepper Cabbage

Love the family and Oh my, That Pecan Pie

Updated 100 year old Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

Days of Summer are designed to have more freedom to choose our daily destiny. Freedom to leave behind the long list of things to do that we create in mass quantities and then secretly wish we could hit the delete button. We  want to  do it all  but Father time forces us to choose. Remember that it is acceptable to decline an invitation as long as we do so graciously.

Make the most of Summer Days

Clock is ticking on the remaining 35 days 10 hours 11 minutes and 59 seconds left of Summer. And yes https://days.to/until/summer does all the math for you. Easy access of information is available on the internet if you only know how to ask the right question to his Royal Highness Google.

With this reminder of the dwindling days of summer I hope that you will pack in as much outdoor enjoyment as you may. In the South our summer climate slips into Fall and allows for water activities longer than our friends to the North.

Another idea for your Summer menu  is to include soups. Soups and salads are a great way to cut calories and offer a filling meal. Soups also may be cooked ahead of time and easily added to freezer. Visit all the soups on my site and see which is your favorite. Please comment and tell me which is your favorite soup.

Weary Souls Chicken Soup Recipe

Waste Not Want Not Series Shrimp Chowder

Mimi’s Celebrate Summer Menu Before It Disappears will give you some ideas to answer the dreaded, “What’s for Dinner?”.

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How I started in the kitchen

All of us have to start somewhere in the kitchen. My Mom drug me into the kitchen to help her  while she was cooking.  Not exactly kicking and screaming but you get the picture. Wisely my Mom started me as any chef starts an untrained employee, with lots of dirty dishes. Over time I became the snarky untrained sous chef.

In the beginning, I looked at this  time as an unnecessary interruption in my busy schedule of a teenager. Often, I would attempt to rush through the kitchen tasks to hasten my time on the job. When my Mom noticed me rushing she would remind me “if you do it right the first time, you won’t have to do it again”.

Clearly this statement would evoke an eye roll and possibly something mumbled under my breath. With each new task in the kitchen I starting developing skills  despite myself. New tasks and new recipes eventually led me to a path of confidence in the kitchen and the willingness to try something new.

How to build confidence in the kitchen

New recipes or trying different cooking techniques may be a challenge. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Be bold and fearless in the kitchen. Everyone makes mistakes in the kitchen whether it’s overcooked or under cooked or destined for the trash.

In my house, I am the Queen of Burnt  bread. At any point, as a guest over for a dinner it’s highly possible that I have put you in charge of watching the hot buns. Timers help in the kitchen but practice makes perfect.

Even Doctors with medical degrees are still practicing medicine. Why should cooking be any different? Give yourself a hall pass, it is ok to fail in the kitchen. It just means that you are trying to cook. Over time with practice and paying attention  you will achieve success. Some times success is defined as “you didn’t burn the bread”.

When your loved ones enjoy eating a meal freshly cooked or your friends ask for a recipe you will have a sense of accomplishment. Teaching your little ones to cook is a gift that will last a lifetime. I love the special time that I have shared with my daughter in the kitchen.  All of my babes enjoy cooking with Mimi as much as I enjoy sharing my time with them.

So, can you slice, dice or whip it good? If the answer is no. Please consider that you should learn, whether it’s a cookbook, blog site, video or cooking channel or taking a cooking class start today. Cooking at home is a great gift to give yourself or loved ones. And I won’t even mention all the health benefits from  cooking at home.

If you need a few suggestions for recipes, take a look at the following list. They are delicious and will impress your guests. If you have questions reach out, Q and A.   

Spicy Sausage Cheese Egg Pies

Muffins, Meatloaves and New Chef

Sweet Baby Limas

 Kickin Corn and Rice Casserole

Never Fail Spirited Fig Pecan Bundt Cake

If your on the road to Can you slice, dice and whip it good, please keep me posted on your progress. I am happy to make suggestions for your cooking journey whether it is a recipe, technique or places to start. Even though led into the kitchen unwillingly I have enjoyed my practice and turned it into a passion.

Where would my kitchen skills be if my Mom had not drug me in? I say whip it, whip it good.  Alexa Shout out to Devo‘s Whip it Good.

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Sadness and joy bubble from the lessons that one of my loves taught me. Often times the lessons included a portion of tough love. Love with a hard edge and occasional scratchy surface. Yet, I always felt her love surround me even if I thought she wanted to give a swift kick.

My Grandmother Theda Faye was a character larger than life. Granny or Sargent Granny as some of my cousins called her always had more energy than anyone else in the room. Quick to give her opinion whether you asked for it or not. Always, she thought it was important to pass on her wisdom.

As an adult I believe that Granny voiced her concerns because she did not want us making some of her mistakes. Not that she admitted any at the time or through the years. Most of Granny’s mistakes i.e. opportunities I learned about after she died, sadly.  When we speak of her opportunities now I think of many questions that I wished I had been able to ask.

Certainly, my Granny had the best  sayings to share her wisdom. Any time that you spent with her would include  a gem or two that would indelibly imprint.  Sentences that you could not forget if you wanted to.  Quotes that live on in my head and remind me of her  spirit as if she is sending a message.

A few words of wisdom

I realize my Granny did not create these words of wisdom. As a young adult, I giggled at a few of her  sayings and wondered what the
“back story” consisted of.  Here are a few Granny-isms.

All that glitters is not gold.

It’s better to be an old man’s darling than a young man’s slave!

A boy will tell you anything to get in your drawers.

They get taller when they sit on their wallet.

They will steal your eyeballs if they catch ya’ not lookin’ out them.

Enjoy love here and loves from afar

My Mom worked hard to imprint acts of kindness, love and self-sacrifice on her children. Granny would have smiled to see how all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have developed over time. Surely, along with praise would come counseling by the truckload for us. In your family, what imprints are you leaving as nuggets of wisdom?

In summary, love here and loves from afar, hug your loves close and often. In a blink of an eye, life changes for any of us. Ideally, use your time wisely. Theda Faye said “Life is short and don’t work yourself into dither!”

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