What a Blessing
What a blessing to have been raised in Memphis by a country cook who knew what she was doing. Good cooking was just a way of life in our household and among our extended family. My mother prepared the best fried chicken in Tipton County (We grew up in Memphis, but our reunions were in Tipton County.) according to my aunts, uncles, cousins, and great aunts & uncles; I have no reason to doubt their words of praise. I saw at every family reunion whose chicken was the first to go.
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Daddy Cooked Too
And my mother wasn’t the only good cook in our house. My daddy was a master at the grill and could throw together a variety of tasty snacks inside as well. He specialized in oyster stew & Bleu Cheese Dressing; and sitting down with Daddy as we built snacks of smoked oysters, cheeses, crackers, olives, and anything else he could scrape together was a banquet in itself.
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Let’s Get Cooking
The blog entries below come from recipes we enjoy around our household; from recipes I’ve yet to try; from recipes given me by friends and family, and things I’ve read about on line or in real print. Yes, I do still subscribe to magazines that come in the mail. Also there are posts about cooking equipment, techniques, sources for more information, etc. I hope you find something of interest. By all means, feel free to write (rbyrd@rbyrd.net).
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Tequila Citrus Marinade for Poultry
Ingredients1/2 cup fresh orange juice 1/2 cup fresh lime juice 1/2 cup tequila 4 garlic cloves ; sliced1 jalapeno pepper ; minced1 teaspoon cumin 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1/4 cup minced cilantro ; (optional)1 teaspoon kosher salt + salt to taste 1/2 teaspoon pepper +...
Spatchcock Chicken
Instructions 1. Place the chicken breast-side down on a cutting board. Using poultry shears or a very sharp knife, cut from the neck to the tail end along either side of the backbone to remove. You'll be cutting through flesh and small bones, so you'll have to use...
Tipton’s BBQ Sauce
I'm not sure, but I believe this recipe appeared in the Covington Leader a few decades ago. I got it from my mother.Ingredients 6 tablespoon salt6 tablespoon chili powder4 cups ketchup4 cups white vinegar4 cups water1 onion1/2 cup sorghum Instructions Bring all the...
Scallops in Wine Sauce
Ingredients1 pound Scallops ; thawed1/2 cup Milk 1/2 cup Bread crumbs 1 teaspoon Salt 1 teaspoon Black pepper 4 tablespoon Butter ; divided2 tablespoon Flour InstructionsBoil scallops gently in the milk for about 4 minutes over medium heat. In another pan, combine...
Pizza Crust #2
For years, I made my pizza dough with corn meal as in my first recipe. These days, though, I favor this sweeter version, but sometimes add 1/2 - 3/4 cups corn meal (as in the other recipe) for a bit of texture. Have fun with it, and don't be afraid to...
Garlic Creamed Spinach
10 ounces frozen spinach 1 onion 6 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 tablespoon flour 1/2 cup 2% lowfat milk 1 cup Parmesan cheese salt and pepper Cook spinach according to package instructions. Do not over cook. Drain thoroughly. Melt...
Cornbread & Oyster Dressing
Ingredients2 tbs. oil 3 cups chopped celery w/ leaves 2 cups chopped onions 2 tart apples ; cored and chunked (do not peel)1 lb. bulk pork sausage 1/2 pound of shucked fresh oysters 1 cup pecan pieces ; (optional)3 cups stale cornbread cubes 3 cups stale regular bread...
Green Chile and Cabbage Soup
Ingredients 8 tablespoons Butter1/2 head Cabbage shredded10 ounces Potatoes new, unpeeled, diced (small dice)1 Onion medium, chopped1 pound Mushroom sliced thinly8 tablespoons Flour8 cups Chicken stock1 cup Poblano chiles roasted, peeled, and cleaned2 teaspoons Salt1...
Bobbie’s BBQ Sauce
I got this from my mother. It’s fantastic. Make up some and add to your pulled pork to keep it moist. Put the rest in a bottle and serve at the table. Ingredients 1 1/2 pints white vinegar 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoon salt (try cutting back a bit on this)...
Mustard Based BBQ Sauce
Ingredients 5 tablespoon dry mustard 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon flour 1/2 teaspoon salt dash cayenne 1/2 cup vinegar 2 egg 1 tablespoon butter InstructionsCombine dry ingredients in double boiler. Add eggs and vinegar. Stir constantly. When thickened, add...
Onions Marinated with Feta Cheese
3 onion ; thinly sliced1/4 pound feta cheese ; crumbled1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoon wine vinegar 2 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon oregano salt and pepper 1 teaspoon sugar ; or to tasteMix cheese and onions together in a bowl. Combine remaining ingredients and...
Mexican Style Cream Corn
Ingredients 3 tablespoon butter1 onion1 garlic2 Poblano Chiles1 tomato ; chopped1 pk frozen corn ; thawed (Of course, fresh would be even better!)1/4 teaspoon pepper1/2 cup milk1/2 pound cream cheese - cubed Directions Roast the poblanos over...
Parmesan Black Pepper Crackers
My wife, bless her heart, has this fascination about home-made crackers. And they're low sodium to boot! Ingredients 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter3 ounces grated Parmesan1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour1/4 teaspoon kosher salt1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves1/2...
Beer Can Chicken
I have a couple of those contraptions made especially to hold the beer can in place and to stand the chicken upright. I have done it without the special chicken stand, but I prefer the stability the special "stand" provides. Check at your local grill store, or maybe...
Rachel’s Cornbread
Ingredients 1 cup white corn meal1 cup all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking powder1 teaspoon salt1 egg1 cup milk1 tablespoon sugar Directions Mix dry ingredients together. Add egg and milk. Use additional milk if mixture is too thick. Turn into a greased black...
Cabbage in Tomato Sauce
Ingredients 1 cabbage 1 pound bacon 1 Onion ; chopped1 cup brown sugar 1 cup tomato sauce salt and pepper Directions Cut cabbage coarsely and cook (either in microwave or in a bit of water in covered pot) until barely softened. In the meantime in a sauce pan, fry the...
Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2023
Sam Byrd is a freelance contributor to the Houston Press who loves to take in all of Houston’s sights, sounds, food and fun. He also loves helping others to discover Houston’s rich culture. PS - Sam also contributes to Outsmart October 5, 2023 – Houston Chamber...
Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2019
Sam Byrd is a freelance contributor to the Houston Press who loves to take in all of Houston’s sights, sounds, food and fun. He also loves helping others to discover Houston’s rich culture. PS - Sam also contributes to Outsmart December 31, 2019 – Tony DeSare...
Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2017
Sam Byrd is a freelance contributor to the Houston Press who loves to take in all of Houston’s sights, sounds, food and fun. He also loves helping others to discover Houston’s rich culture. PS - Sam also contributes to Outsmart December 26, 2017 – Sounds of the...
Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2016
Sam Byrd is a freelance contributor to the Houston Press who loves to take in all of Houston’s sights, sounds, food and fun. He also loves helping others to discover Houston’s rich culture. PS - Sam also contributes to Outsmart November 29, 2016 – World AIDS...
Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2017
Sam Byrd is a freelance contributor to the Houston Press who loves to take in all of Houston’s sights, sounds, food and fun. He also loves helping others to discover Houston’s rich culture. PS - Sam also contributes to Outsmart December 26, 2017 – Sounds of the...
Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2017
Sam Byrd is a freelance contributor to the Houston Press who loves to take in all of Houston’s sights, sounds, food and fun. He also loves helping others to discover Houston’s rich culture. PS - Sam also contributes to Outsmart December 26, 2017 – Sounds of the...
Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2023 #3
Sam Byrd is a freelance contributor to the Houston Press who loves to take in all of Houston’s sights, sounds, food and fun. He also loves helping others to discover Houston’s rich culture. PS - Sam also contributes to Outsmart
Sam’s Houston Press Articles – 2023
Sam Byrd is a freelance contributor to the Houston Press who loves to take in all of Houston’s sights, sounds, food and fun. He also loves helping others to discover Houston’s rich culture. PS - Sam also contributes to Outsmart October 5, 2023 – Houston Chamber...
Inform Your Face You Are a Christian
"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7 In a recent sermon, Father Nutter told us the story of a preacher who asked his congregation if they are Christians? Of course, they...
Sam’s Houston Press Article – 2022
Sam Byrd is a freelance contributor to the Houston Press who loves to take in all of Houston’s sights, sounds, food and fun. He also loves helping others to discover Houston’s rich culture. PS - Sam also contributes to Outsmart December 28, 2022 – ECHO...