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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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, living near the Gulf Coast  with easy access to fresh seafood will spoil you for more than one reason. Being able to buy fresh shrimp, crawfish and  fresh catch fish is a luxury I adore. If  your landlocked and not as fortunate, most seafood markets will ship fresh or frozen seafood overnight. Trust me it is totally worth it.

Surprisingly, I have never cooked shrimp and grits. Yet I thought that it would be easy based on my love and familiarity  with the ingredients. What could go wrong with shrimp, butter, seasonings, shrimp stock, garlic and grits? Plus my grits were specially sourced from my Rural Alabama Trip To Inspire.

How to cook Spicy Gulf Shrimp Gravy, Andouille Sausage and Grits

As a rule, growing up Southern you  learn about grits early.  Since I am always trying to cut carbs I rarely cook grits. It is important for me to save carbohydrate allowance for my obsession, potato chips, Doritos, chili cheese fritos, ZAPS etc.   Thankfully, the grits package  will provide instructions. You will only need to read and follow directions.

All in all gravy requires more skill but you will manage it well. Spicy Gulf Shrimp Gravy, Andouille Sausage and Grits Recipe is easy to cook. At the same time, the hardest part of this recipe is peeling shrimp and making  stock. Great idea to recruit your man for peeling shrimp while you chop vegetables. Bribe him with a glass of wine or two if  you must. Trust me it is totally worth it.

Finally, shout out to Skate Mountain Records for Jimmy Lumpkin and The Revival  My Name is Love. I have only recently discovered this band but I love the soulful sound. Visit web site for tour dates and tunes. Trust me it is totally worth it.

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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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Grill Man is my favorite taste tester, although I don’t always like to hear his comments. If he doesn’t like something that I have cooked,  I know he will convey his  honest opinion. Then, the hard part is that I have to decide what to do with this information and how to interpret.  Many times I may cook a dish until we love it.

Love to hear that something is delicious and he agrees that I should include a recipe on  my site. Quiche- Albacore Tuna Spiced Up? Wow! recipe is a “one and done recipe”. One and done recipes are my absolute favorite but a bit rarer than I would like.

Keep a well stocked pantry

Always pick the best quality ingredients possible for you and your family. My preference is wild caught albacore tuna. Cooking this dish with fresh tuna would be the best option if  you have it available and it is a great last-minute, “I don’t know what to cook for dinner recipe.” Quiche- Albacore Tuna Spiced Up? Wow! recipe will come to the rescue when your at a loss.

Truly, Grill Man needs to get back on the water and soon to fill up my freezer. For adventure on the water charter a boat with friends or family. Boat captains typically make sure a fish haul if possible.

Deep Sea fishing is a great way to spend the day. Fishing on the Gulf Coast is fabulous with extremely varied species in Gulf waters. Wild Caught tuna is available for you to reel in if your willing to go out far enough. You must be  willing to fight for your catch.

Shout out to Alexa for Maddie & Tay’s “Shut Up and Fish”.

For other Quiche recipes, check out the following:

Spicy Sausage Cheese Egg Pies

Smoky Egg Pie with Sausage and Onions Date

Peeps, chickens and Egg Pie

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Sunday lunch was a great time to cook Flavorful Italian Green Beans and test it on my family. Whether your entertaining friends, organizing visits from family or dinner parties  you will need a stockpile of recipes for this time of year. I needed an easy meal to prepare, full of vegetables and low in calories. A meal that didn’t taste like diet food and or come in a box and would please the toughest critic.

Grill Man is the perfect critic. Thankfully, he loves me madly but absolutely does not mind critiquing. At times, I must make a facial expression that surely shows my displeasure with his comments. Grill Man’s typical reply is “You want me to be honest, don’t you?”  even before I have time to say anything. Hhhmmmmmmmm?

My judging panel consisted of Grill Man, his Mom  (my bonus Mom ) and son (my IT genius).   This trio of taste testers represent a good cross-section of palates. Sunday lunch offered an opportunity for me to share quality time with family and test a few recipes. A busy girl must learn to multitask if she is going to survive.

What’s on the menu?

Sunday Menu consisted of Easy Low Calorie Baked Salmon, Italian Green Beans, fresh okra from the garden and Lima Beans. Grill Man had been on the road a lot and needed a home cooked meal. This menu offers a low-calorie meal that is full of flavor and nutrients.

Over the course of our lunch our conversations centered around the meal and family updates. My baby sister and her family had recently visited our home. Her Super-baby is always a topic of our conversations, discussing his latest achievements and viewing recent photos. As his Auntie Mimi, I confess he is adorable and totally grabs your heart upon introduction.

I whipped out my phone to show the latest images of Super-baby. On viewing the latest photo, bonus Mom said “He’s a ditty-wa-sport!” What? I had to ask her to repeat because I wasn’t familiar with this vernacular. Through our lunch conversations, I learned Ditty-wa-sport is like calling someone a “Sport-T-Model”.

Reflecting on ditty-wa-sport made me think of my Granny Theda. My granny had the most unusual sayings of anyone that I have ever met, ever. For the longest time, I thought she created Waste Not Want Not. Mainly, because she said it all the time, gave it to my Mom who then forced  the concept on yours truly. It’s a blessing and a damn curse.

Does your family have unusual expressions?

The unusual sayings were all that I could think about. I sent my list of  “Granny-sayings” in a text to a few of my cousins and sisters for any to be added that were missing. After the continuous texts stopped rolling in, and the laughter had settled,  I realized my Granny enjoyed dark humor. I guess that is where I get it from.  Granny certainly gave me her love of cooking and entertaining , too.

My fondest memories are being at her house underfoot and sharing meals with her very large and loud family. Cooking and sharing meals allows for bonding and conversations that you may only experience while eating together. Don’t pass up an opportunity to learn about your family, some items only slip out at the dinner table. As a suggestion, wine may encourage the ‘slippin’-out, although not necessary.

Share Flavorful Italian Green Beans with your family. Please let me know how you like it. Also, if you have a family saying that makes you ponder and giggle, please leave a comment and share.   I will share mine soon. Happy Cooking Y’all

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Manchego Frittata  Mimi Style recipe is a salute to one of my favorite countries, Spain. Far too long ago, I was able to travel to Madrid and Barcelona Spain. I fell in love with Spain and everything that it had to offer. Bold colors, flamingo dancing, spicy food and passionate people who welcome you to their country.

Whether it is art, architecture, tapas, wine, water sports or shopping, Spain has a lot to offer a traveler. Food markets overseas make me long for the offerings of specialty meats, cheeses, exotic fruits and delicacies to excite your palate.  Manchego cheese is one of my favorites from Spain. Back home, we are blessed that Manchego cheese is accessible to add to a cheese platter or blend into a dish  such as Manchego Frittata Mimi Style.

Foods to try while in Spain

Travel to eat or eat to travel in Spain. I love the tapas concept when dining. It allows the diner to try a variety of items in smaller portions. Tapas in Spain will allow you to cover a broad range of offerings. Tapas are perfect to venture out and try new items outside of your typical comfort zone.  Order a bottle of wine, hot bread and try a few tapas. Here is a few items that you may see on the menu:

antipasta items
seafood cooked in many ways
meatballs served with a sauce
marinated vegetables served cold or grilled
fried vegetables at times stuffed with cheese
chorizo slowly cooked in red wine
Spanish Omelet
turnovers filled with variety of meat and vegetables
Iberico ham (cured ham from acorn fed pigs)

Paella should certainly be on your list to try while visiting Spain. You will surely find paella available to you with a ton of different ingredient options. Make sure that you try this Spanish specialty before you leave to go home, it is so worth it.

To siesta or not to siesta?

Remember to plan your day around the Spanish siesta to make the most of your day.  Shops typically close from 2pm-5pm. Restaurants and bars close from 4pm-8pm. Some locations stay closed until 9pm, check the hours of any place that you may want to visit. Dining late in Spain is part of the travelers experience.

Check with each destination prior to planing your trip to maximize your day. Remember all museum hours may not be affected by siesta closing. Plan a lunch and then siesta yourself back to the hotel to relax or read a book. While traveling in Spain a siesta is a good idea to recharge your batteries. Trust me it will make staying out late as the Spaniards possible. It will also prepare you for the routine of planning siesta’s at home.

Before leaving home, I get very excited about any trip. Discovering a new place, learning about the people and culture feed my inquisitive side. Traveling opens the door for us to try new activities, experiment with new foods, enjoy the local wines that are harvested and only sold locally.

Remember to not over plan your trip but allow time for you to discover your new travel spot organically. Make trying to lose your self in the locale and be open to change. Change is good for you and even has health benefits that will benefit you when you return home.

Near the end of a vacation, the yearning for home sets in. There is no place like home. Upon returning home after the dust settles and the laundry complete, I start reminiscing about my travel.  Photos provide visual refreshment of our trip.

Savor your trip to Spain and cook Manchego Frittata Mimi Style

My mind always wanders to the fabulous foods that I savored and possibilities for creating something similar.  Occasionally, I will plan a dinner party with friends to share and celebrate the travel experience. Manchego Frittata Mimi Style recipe is a perfect example of a new recipe.

Shout out to Alexa for Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” or Justin Bieber’s remix. Does that put you in the mood?

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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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