Remember when a can of cream of mushroom soup with the equivalent amount of milk in a saucepan over low heat was a family favorite? I do. Thank goodness times have changed; the sodium alone could bring on a small stroke. 

If you're like me, I'm of the age where I watch my salt intake, sugars, carbs, you name it, I watch it. I don't necessarily want to live forever but in the time I do have left on this earth I want to feel good and be active. 

That said, eating a hot bowl of soup during cooler temperatures is comforting but not always heart-healthy and definitely can cause an upset stomach. I know buying a can at the market is the easiest route to get that happy feeling; you know the one that brings on the warm fuzzies, however, canned anything isn't being mindful of a healthy lifestyle. In addition to watching salt, sugars, etc., some of us suffer from digestive issues. This means that we may have gluten sensitivities or lactose intolerances. If that's the case for you, I have a cream of mushroom soup that will turn that frown upside down. It's quick, easy, and delicious!

Ingredients:
A couple or so handfuls of mushrooms...your choice, I like shiitake
1 1/2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 yellow onion
Fresh or dried thyme (1/2 teaspoon or a couple of sprigs) or sage
1 cup of lactose-free milk
3 T. of Bob's Red Mill Gluten-free1-to-1 1 flour (available at Walmart or Amazon)
3 T. of unsalted butter
S & P to taste

Directions: Slice the onion and dump it into a large pot with the chicken broth, mushrooms, and thyme or sage. Cook on medium to medium-low for 15 - 20 minutes or until onions are soft. Turn off the burner and let it cool for 10 minutes. Add the mixture to the blender and blend. Stop short of making a puree. It's good to see the tiny mushrooms floating around just as you would in a can of cream of mushroom soup. Also, reserve a few whole mushrooms for garnish. 

Place the butter in a separate sauté pan and melt. Add the flour. Make a paste. Slowly begin to add the milk. It will start to thicken like white gravy. After it thickens, add the mushroom mixture, a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook on medium-low for a few minutes. Serve. Add the set-aside mushroom to each bowl. If you want more soup, double the recipe. 

My family loved it. I used the remaining cream of mushroom soup for my chicken casserole. Fabulous!

.It's a gluten-free, sugar-free, lactose-free satisfying snack for those with sensitive tummies...dark chocolate avocado truffles.

Addictive dark chocolate avocado truffles are the way to go when eating gluten-free and sugar-free. I made these bad boys in a matter of minutes. So, easy to do. Wonderful texture. What I did was use 100% cocoa. No sugar.

Next time, I might try 85% cocoa. 100% cocoa is very bitter and needs a bit of sweetness that I couldn't achieve with the Swerve sugar alternative. As it stands, I'm not a diabetic, just trying to keep sugar low for better health. If I tried the 100% again, I would make a simple sugar with Swerve. I would melt the Swerve in a bit of lactose-free milk. If a little sugar is ok with your crew, go 85%.

Here’s the recipe:
6 oz. Dark chocolate
One ripe avocado
1/ tsp. Vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
2 T. Unsweetened cocoa
Tsp. Of orange zest (optional)

Using the double boiler method, melt the chocolate with vanilla, salt, and orange zest. Mash the avocado. Once the chocolate is melted, add the avocado. Stick in the freezer for approx. 20 minutes. Take out and make truffles. Roll in unsweetened cocoa. Stick back in the freezer for five minutes then place in the fridge. Keep in the refrigerator for a late-night snack.

In my quest to prepare comfort food that's healthy, delicious, and tummy-friendly, I'm experimenting with gluten-free products, sugar-free alternatives, and lactose-free dairy items.  As I read to educate myself on cooking/baking foods for better digestive health, I regress from time to time and daydream about desserts, thick juicy burgers on brioche buns, and the like. I've always been partial to cobblers, especially during the summer months as fresh fruits like blackberries are readily available.

Speaking of fresh fruit, I remember an abundance of blackberry bushes at my childhood home in Arkansas. Growing up in the 60s, it was very normal for kids to play outside all day without parental interference. After breakfast, kids in the neighborhood would meet on the fringes of backyards to ride bikes, play games, and be kids. I'm not sure whose property grew the blackberries but everybody was invited to his/her fair share. After playing all day in and around the berry bushes, I recall returning home with purple-stained feet and hands. Feet from stepping on the excess number of blackberries that fell to the ground and hands from shoving the sweet treat into my mouth (I'm sure I ate them off the ground too). 

I remember my mom made a delicious blackberry cobbler. Her cobblers were always very sweet and we would add vanilla ice cream to cut the sweetness. I have no doubt she picked a few blackberries from the neighborhood bushes to make the scrumptious after-dinner delight.  Whether you prefer blackberry, blueberry, peach, cherry, or even strawberry; the sweet, tart, buttery, warm, dessert was always a crowd-pleaser. 

The question is... can cobblers be made for someone with special dietary needs?  The answer is Yes! In my recipe, you'll notice a couple of secret ingredients too that provide additional sweetness and flavor. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
Two cups of blackberries
One cup of raspberries
Cup of self-raising gluten-free flour (Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Baking Flour)
Cup of Swerve sugar substitute
3/4 cup lactose-free milk
Stick of melted unsalted butter
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. cinnamon 

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add blackberries and raspberries to one bowl and sprinkle with baking soda and cinnamon. Set aside.

Melt butter in an 8 x 8 pan (use aluminum, glass, non-stick, whatever your preference). Set aside.

Combine sugar, flour, and milk. Mix.

Spread batter over the top of the butter. Don't mix. Add berries on top of the batter. Bake for 50 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Serve with vanilla ice cream and a sprig of mint on top. 

Food that is simple, quick, and delicious is number one on my summertime playlist. I'm one of those people that loves to be outside when the weather is warm. Granted, heat in the 90s and above may require some indoor activities and that's when I create my simple dishes. I use ingredients that I love to cook and create with; after all, that's the point...wouldn't you agree? If you're going to enjoy food, then enjoy food. Cook for yourself. 

Realistically...

There are probably more in your household than you alone, and considering their likes and dislikes is ideal. That's why is important to find the freshest and most tasty ingredients. 

I'm sure many of you enjoy eating seafood pasta salads. Oftentimes, I'll go to the local deli and order a single serving of the good stuff. However, this 'good stuff' may cost almost as much as it would cost to make eight servings. That said, with the rising cost of food and crazy gas prices, I decided, out of necessity and a good 'ole craving, to make my own.

The idea came to me out of my love for shrimp and cocktail sauce. Is there nothing better on a hot, summer day than dipping ice-cold shrimp in a spicy cocktail sauce? I say not.

Here's the recipe. Hope you enjoy it. I loved it so much that I licked the bowl clean and turned around and made it again. 

Ingredients:
One pound of large shrimp (If you don't want the smell in your house, have the fish market boil it for you at very little cost and in minutes. If not, buy the shrimp boil and boil at home). 
Small pasta shells (I use gluten-free and found a delicious brand Ancient Harvest)
One cup of mayonnaise plus 2 Tablespoons
Two T. Dijon mustard
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
Dash of hot sauce
Squeeze of lemon
Whole red pepper
Three stalks of celery
1/4 cup of fresh dill

Directions:
Boil and peel shrimp. If large, cut and slice in half or thirds, depending on how large. You still want it chunky. Set aside.

Boil the pasta according to the directions on the box. Place in a colander and run cool water over all the shells. Add to the shrimp. 

Mix together the mayo, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, lemon, and dill. Add the sliced red pepper and celery. Add the shrimp and pasta. Stir. Chill. Serve with a few dill leaves sprinkled on top. 

​FRESH!!

After taking note of a social media post about 'what to do with green beans', I started recording all of the various green bean recipes FB friends were suggesting for Thanksgiving. Surprisingly, most weren't weighted down with heavy sauces, creams, and soups but were made with few ingredients and for the most part, healthy.

That's a 180 degree turn from the 70's when casseroles were all the rage. It was during this era, a Campbell's Soup Company employee, Dorcas Reilly, created the green bean casserole. She decided 'the bean' was boring and needed a flavor boost. So, she dumped a can of cream of mushroom soup in with 'the bean' and viola, a new holiday favorite was conceived.

In case you're unfamiliar with the recipe...here it is: 

One large can of string beans (drained and rinsed) then poured into a square or rectangular glass dish. Add four to five pats of butter and heat through in a 350 degree oven until the butter melts. Add a can of cream of mushroom soup and spread over the beans. Top with the French's fried onions and bake until golden brown. Make sure you look for the bubbly soup 'doing its thing' along the side of the pan. 

Did you know that green beans didn't make the cut for the traditional Thanksgiving meal until the 19th century? I can't imagine not having the green,  go-to vegetable on the holiday table. 

In fact, the first recorded Thanksgiving, more likely than not, had turkey, along with other fowl, pumpkin (not pie), potatoes, nuts, herbs, and grains.

How did the first Thanksgiving gathering come about? Governor William Bradford organized the feast in 1621 commemorating the Pilgrim's first successful corn harvest. He invited members of the colonies and Native American allies.

Since those early days, we've come full circle with vegetables. We're getting back to our traditional roots by eating whole foods like the early American settlers.  Check out the recipes recorded in the comments of the social media post mentioned earlier. 
​
Mexican Green Beans: Cut raw bacon into one inch squares. Cook in a frying pan on high heat for 3 - 4 minutes or desired crispness. Add a can of drained jalapeno/carrot mix (jalapenos in escabeche - located in the Mexican food section) and cook for two minutes. Add a can of drained and rinsed green beans and cook until the beans are heated through. 

'Take it up a notch' Green Bean Casserole: Start with wild mushrooms sautéed in olive oil. Once browned, add one tbsp. of butter and flour. Stir in a cup or so of black garlic infused cream (substitute with roasted garlic and a few drops of balsamic vinegar), then pour over trimmed - blanched French green beans. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in French's fried onions and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Top with a few more fried onions the final few minutes until golden brown. 

Chinese Green Beans: Deep fried green beans smothered in black bean sauce.
Organic Green Beans: Steam and top with sliced almonds and bread crumbs.
Junior League Green Beans: Fresh green beans covered in a ginger and orange sauce.
Go Go Go Green Beans: Spicy with extra mushrooms
Chi Dynasty Green Beans: Sauté fresh green beans in olive oil with lots of garlic.
Stir Fry Green Beans: Blanche then stir fry in olive oil, butter, minced garlic, sea salt, black cracked pepper and roasted, slivered almonds. 
The BEST Green Beans: Fresh green beans, very lightly coated in cream of mushroom soup and seasoned with garlic powder and red pepper flakes. Bake at 350 degrees until warm and bubbly. No fried onions. 

Popcorn balls for a combination birthday-Halloween party 

It's a very interesting day when you're trying to combine a holiday with a birthday. You want it to be special. You want it to be true to the day. You want it to be the perfect combination of both  special days. 

My princess (granddaughter) wants a pink party and it's Halloween. One of the treats to serve at the pink party is pink popcorn balls. Since Halloween is one day away, I'm making this post short and sweet, literally. It took little time and effort to create this fun snack that works for the pink birthday party and Halloween. 

Ingredients:
Two bags of microwave popcorn (butter or without)
Two Tablespoons water
Half a bag (16 - 20 large marshmallows) 
Two cups confectioners sugar
Food coloring
​Spray oil (for your hands)

Directions:
Pop the microwave popcorn as directed. Place in a large bowl. In a medium sauce pan, add two Tsp. water and 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick). Once melted add the marshmallows and the sugar. Over medium heat, begin stirring. It will take approximately 10 - 15 minutes to bring the mixture to a boil. Once the sauce is at a rolling boil, add a few squirts of food coloring. Continue boiling for another couple of minutes. Take off the stovetop and pour over the popcorn.

Quickly, begin to mix the popcorn and caramel/marshmallow mixture to coat the corn. Once mixed, it's time to form the balls. If it's still too hot to form with your hands, wait until it's cooled. Spray your hands with a vegetable oil/olive oil spray. Begin forming the balls. You may have 12 large popcorn balls or 16 -17 smaller popcorn balls. Time to eat!

Whole foods are medicine to our bodies that heal, protect, and boost our immune system.  One of those 'powerhouse' (term used by WebMD) whole foods is the leafy green vegetable swiss chard. 

My last shopping trip to the grocery was a quest for interesting, colorful vegetables. While searching for veggies that 'popped', I ran across rainbow chard, the leafy green that got its name from its multi-colored stem. My first impression was 'I gotta try it.' 

There's no doubt first impressions matter, not only in job hunting or physical attraction but also in food choices. Think about it, our first encounter with food is based on how it looks...our first impression. After the initial encounter, we make a decision to either take the next step or walk away. If we decide to continue on, a type of 'food seduction' takes place and we test the pheromones, I mean the aroma of the food.  If it smells good, we take a bite. Only one of the five senses is left out of the equation...hearing. Of course, if your dinner companion is a lip-smacking open-mouthed eater, you may not ask him/her out on a second date. 

What are the health benefits of rainbow chard? There are seventeen nutrients found in our leafy green friend: potassium, fiber, protein, calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K. 

​I've tried many leafy greens except for chard. I'm so happy I gave it a whirl. It's delicious and I'm using my 'go-to' recipe for sautéing leafy vegetables.  

Ingredients: 
Large bunch rainbow chard (or any swiss chard)
2/3 T. EVOO
2 garlic cloves (chopped and minced)
1/4 Tsp. red pepper flakes
Lemon Zest
Fresh squeeze of lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Wash your leaves and pull away from the stems. Chop the stems into 1/2 inch slices. Chop the leaf into two inch slices. 

Add an S-shaped amount of EVOO to a sauté' pan. Turn to medium/high. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté until the smell of garlic hits you in the face (a minute or two). 

Add the stems until slightly softened. Turn the heat to medium. Then, add the leaves. Turn the heat to medium/low. As they begin to wilt, salt and pepper to taste. Add some lemon zest and a generous squeeze of lemon. 

​After a couple of minutes, take the chard off the heat, add a few more red pepper flakes to top-off the dish and serve. (One bunch serves 2-3).

Last year, the holiday season was overshadowed by all things Covid leaving many of us longing for gatherings with family and friends. This year, with the aid of vaccines and a clearer understanding of how the virus spreads, we're able to reach out and touch our loved ones once again and appreciate the little things in life. 

One of those little things is pumpkin-shaped yeast rolls. It's good to try new recipes.  These dinner rolls will create a little whimsy and magic at the dinner table.  Even more exciting is the extra effort behind this little project is incredibly easy. The only drawback is a little time waiting for the dough to proof. No big deal.  If you're ready to try it, I've got the recipe complete with tips and a video. 

Direction and Ingredients needed for Pumpkin-shaped yeast rolls.
Two packages of yeast
Two cups warm water
One Tbs. of sugar
Mix and let sit for 10 minutes
Add to the following:
½ cup sugar
Two tsp. salt
¼ cup of extra light EVOO 
1 egg (beaten) and at room temperature
Five to six cups of all-purpose flour
Four cinnamon sticks cut in thirds. If making smaller dinner rolls, you'll need eight cinnamon sticks. 

After the yeast has dissolved, add to other ingredients. Start with four cups of flour. On medium speed, mix until smooth. Side note: I used a Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus Food Process with a dough setting. I've had this machine for close to 20 years and have never used it for bread. There's always a first time. At this point, add another cup of flour and mix. The idea is to have a stiff dough. If you need to add more flour, do so at this time.
 
Once the dough is a good consistency, begin to knead it on a surface that’s been floured. Knead the dough for approximately six to seven minutes. The dough should be pliable, flexible.
 
Next, add the dough to a large bowl that’s been greased. Place the dough ball in the bowl and flip it one time so the entire dough has some grease on it. Cover the dough and place in a warm place. It may take an hour or less to proof. Check it after 30 minutes. After the dough has doubled in size, punch down the dough. Begin dividing the dough into 12 round balls. If you want smaller dinner rolls, cut into 18 - 24 rolls. 
 
After forming the dough balls, set on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes. Now, it’s time to wrap twine around each ball. Cut 12 – 32 inch strings from the kitchen twine (adjustment to the length of the twine is needed if making smaller dinner rolls). Each ball will be wrapped like a present and rotated until the ball is cut into eight pieces, like a pie. Be sure and pull the string tight enough to make small indentions in the ball.
 
Next, brush each pumpkin with egg whites for browning with a little shine. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. The pumpkin rolls should brown. After taking the rolls out of the oven, cut the strings off each roll. After the string is off, add the cinnamon sticks to each pumpkin roll.

Iron skillet chicken with fennel, onion, jalapeno and an herb-based sauce drizzled across the top of the chicken. Fresh roasted corn will be added to the skillet after a quick sauté.   

It was a rainy Friday and not much to do other than eat. After opening the freezer and seeing the three chicken breasts alongside three hamburger patties; I chose chicken. Most of the ingredients were available in my pantry and refrigerator except the fennel. If you've tried roasted fennel, it's a sweet treat with a bit of a licorice flavor. It's not overpowering and more flavorful than celery. 

There's a particular marinade that I make that's a go-to for many of my grilled meats. I decided to add a few more dried herbs to the special marinade to pour directly over the chicken before roasting in the oven. 

Most of the ingredients are readily available in cupboards and refrigerators. If you're missing one or two items, you may always improvise.  Let's get to it!

Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts
3 T. olive oil
A pat of butter
A medium onion
A fennel bulb
3 ears of fresh corn on the cobb
A large jalapeno (seeded and membranes removed)
2 T. lemon juice
Tsp. lemon zest
Tsp. of oregano
1/2 tsp. of dillweed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 cloves of garlic (chopped and crushed)

Directions:
Lightly salt and pepper the chicken breasts and sear in the iron skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil. Go ahead and sear both sides. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. 

Make the herb olive oil with the remaining oil (two tablespoons), salt, pepper, 2 T. lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, dillweed, and garlic. Whisk together. 

Slice the fennel and onion and chop the jalapeno. Place in the iron skillet. Add the seared chicken breasts. Drizzle the herb olive oil over top the chicken. 

Shuck the corn and cut off the cobb. Heat a pat of butter in a small skillet. Add the corn, salt and pepper to taste, and sauté for a couple of minutes. Once sautéed, add the corn to the skillet with the chicken.

Cover the skillet with aluminum foil and place in a 400 degree onion for 30 to 40 minutes. Halfway through the roast, spoon some of the liquid over the chicken. Once chicken reaches 165 degrees, take the skillet out of the oven to sit for 10 minutes. Serve.  

Late summer is the best time of year for plum-like tomatoes that are ready for canning; and in many cases, the tomato plants will keep producing until the first frost. In western Kentucky, the 2021 tomato growing season has produced flavorful red, yellow, green, orange, pink, and purple fruits. Now is the time to prepare winter pantries with delicious stewed tomatoes, tomato sauces, and salsa.  

A good friend and gardening expert, Holly Roberts Walker, shares two tomato canning recipes to delight the taste buds. If you're interested in a sweet and savory tomato sauce or batch of stewed tomatoes, two recipes will follow for the readers of WKY Community Living. 

To prepare tomatoes for roasting, one must core, score, freeze/thaw, and take the skin off. Scoring the tomato makes it easier to remove the skin. 

"You like potato and I like potahto. You like tomato and I like tomahto. Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto! Let's call the whole thing off!"

From the movie, 'Singin' in the Rain' starring Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Ginger Rogers, came the famous lyrics to the song 'Let's call the whole thing off.' Whether pronouncing the fruit as tomato or tomahto, nobody would ever suggest 'calling off' nature's sweetest summertime harvest. 

Holly Roberts Walker and her husband Eric have a fantastic backyard garden called 'Urban Gardenology' nestled in the sleepy, little town of Paducah, KY.  In the garden there are 184 tomato plants with 23 new varieties planted this year; that's a whole lot of sweetness being cultivated from this backyard blessing. Holly's famous tomato taster, Eric, shares his talents with those interested in choosing tomato seeds for next year's garden from the overwhelming selection of products on the internet. 

In addition to testing, Holly has supplied the readers of WKY Community Living with her famous salsa recipe and 'best picks' seed companies. 

The Marglobe tomato is a determinate (meaning they are bred to stop growing usually around 3 - 4' tall). These heirloom tomatoes were created a century ago and are designed to be crack and disease resistant. This variety is a favorite among home gardeners and one of the best on the market. "It's thick-skinned and an amazing slicer...a 10!," said Eric. 

​The White Tomesol is a pale yellow-white fruit with a blush of pink. It's an heirloom tomato that is fragrant and bursting with flavor. It's an 80 day tomato that is indeterminate (meaning they could grow between 6 - 20' tall and produce fruit until the first hard frost). It's sweet and good to eat!

The Mountain Gold is an 80 day determinate that yield 8 to 12 ounce golden yellow tomatoes. It's disease resistant and grows well in the south. The tomato was released in 1991 by a horticulturalist in North Carolina. "It's very flavorful and clean tasting. A bit heavy on the pulp," said Eric. 

The Green Zebra is chartreuse in color with deep lime-green stripes and determining when it's ready for pickin' can be tricky. For starters, feel the tomato for firmness with some give, look to see if the lime-green stripes have turned yellow, and watch for the yellow stripes to begin to show a blush color. "It's light, refreshing, with an apple consistency," said Eric. 

​The Black from Tula is a beautiful tomato and a good slicer. It's been described as 'mealy' with soft flesh. Eric said it wasn't as flavorful as some of the other varieties. 

Brad's Atomic Grape are indeterminate elongated multi-colored cherries that grow in clusters. The interior is green with a blushed red when extra ripe. The heirloom tomato is rugged with a high productivity. Eric said that it's crunchy, firm-skinned, and middle of the road in terms of flavor.

The Evil Olive average 75 days to maturity and is one of the most gorgeous heirloom tomatoes. It's a very productive, non-determinate, cherry tomato that's good for salsa, snacking, and salads. "It's meaty, (not mealy), sweet-sour, perfect for hamburger slicers," said Eric. 

The Violet Jasper are a pretty violet purple fruit and known for its jewel-like glow. They average around one to three ounces and are high producers. Eric said it's 'big flavor' for a cocktail size tomato. It will be on Holly's 2022 grow list!

The Bosque Blue Bumblebee is a bright yellow with dark-blue marbling. They develop the dark-blue coloring as they continue to grow. The more the sun shines, the deeper the color. It's tart in flavor. 

Of course, this is only a small sample of the selection of heirloom tomatoes from Urban Gardenology. As far as seed companies go, Holly said, " I have between 80 and 100 seed companies I use to search and find specific seeds I want." Her top 10 companies are: Baker Creek, M I Gardener, Botanical Interests, Trade Winds Fruit, Urban Farmer, Johnny’s Seeds, Fruition Seeds, Seed Exchange , Renaissance Farm, and Annie’s Heirloom. 

Holly went on to say, "It also depends on what seeds I am searching for at the time.  Some companies are wild plant based, some are Heirloom fruits and veggies, some are focused on developing new species and some deal in large bulk (for farms). I have specific herb-based companies...it really depends!"

Holly's Salsa Recipe:
7 lbs. tomatoes (cored and quartered)
10 total jalapeños and nadapenos (slice in half and roast. For mild sauce use 3 jalapeños and 7 nadapenos. For a hotter sauce, use half and half). 
Two onions quartered
1-2 cloves garlic
1-2 bunches cilantro
Fresh lemon/lime juice (either will work)
​
Roast tomatoes, onions, garlic cloves, and jalapenos/nadapenos for 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours at 300°. Char/blacken to desired amount. Ninja all roasted items. Add leaves of cilantro and juice of one lemon or lime. Mix thoroughly.  Yields three pint-size canning jars.  Use immediately.

You've heard the old saying, "If you can't beat them, join them." As the desire to imbibe still ensues me, I've decided to get creative with the liquor cabinet. I used to really enjoy a good cocktail; a nice salty dog, mojito, or bourbon on the rocks. So, it struck me, I'll turn the occasional evening cocktail into a seductive, after-dinner dessert.

This next dessert was inspired by summertime parties, outings, and late nights on the deck. The gin & tonic is crisp, refreshing and hits all the right notes. Here's what you'll need to make this sweet, memorable cake. 

Cake Ingredients:
Box of white cake mix
3.4 ounce box of white chocolate instant pudding
Four eggs
Juice of two limes
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup gin
1/4 cup of water
Cup of macadamia nuts (crushed) 
Assortment of berries (blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries)

Gin & Tonic Glaze:
1/2 cup gin
1/2 cup tonic
Cup of sugar
Stick of butter

Buttercream Icing:
Three cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter (softened)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 - 4 T. heavy cream
Dash of gin and 1/2 teaspoon of lime zest

How to make the cake batter: Mix the white cake mix and the pudding together. Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl then add to the dry ingredients along with the lime juice, vegetable oil, gin, and water. Mix until just smooth. Be careful not to overmix. Tip: Overmixing can result in a gummy texture. If this should happen, slowly add in sifted flour a tablespoon at a time. You can also stick the batter in the refrigerator for a few minutes. 

The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees. You'll need two equal size nonstick pans for a double-layer cake. Grease and flour both pans. Pour equal amounts of batter into each pan. Place in the over for 20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes. The gin and tonic glaze will come next. 

How to make the glaze: Add the butter, gin, tonic, and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves (approximately five minutes). Stir continuously. 

Once the glaze is made, you'll want to add it to the cakes. Take each cake out of the tin. Add a 1/4 of the glaze to the bottom of each pan and reinsert the cakes. Punch holes in the tops of the cakes with a toothpick and add the remaining glaze to each cake distributing equally until the glaze is gone. If you have 30 minutes, let the cakes sit to soak up the gin and tonic glaze. 

How to make the buttercream frosting: Using a mixer, combine the powdered sugar and the butter. After combining, add the vanilla and the heavy cream. Once the buttercream is mixed, add the gin and lime zest and mix. 

Assembling the cake: It's a two layer cake. After the first layer is placed on the cake plate, add a layer of buttercream frosting and crushed macadamia nuts. Add the second layer to the cake and frost the entire cake. Decorate with berries, slices of lime, some crushed nuts, and a little lime zest. Serve with a stiff drink or a flavorful cup of coffee. 

The Buttery Rum Orange Liqueur recipe was created from the availability of different liquors and liqueurs in our liquor cabinet. Making cocktails and after dinner drinks isn't standard around the Latta household these days.

The question is...what to do with all the fabulous booze in the cabinet. I thought, why not cook with it. There are many wonderful recipes to be created from our stash of goodies. The first of those recipes is the heavily infused boozy cake. 

Let's begin with the ingredients for the cake:
Cup of chopped walnuts
Package of yellow cake mix
Package of vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounce)
Four eggs
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup of a freshly squeezed orange
Teaspoon of orange zest
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup dark rum (I like Myers's)
3/4 cup of unsweetened coconut

Ingredients for the glaze:
A stick and a half of unsalted butter
1/4 cup of water
2/3 cup of sugar
1/4 cup of dark rum
1/4 cup of orange liqueur (Grand Marnier, triple sec, whatever you have in the cabinet)

First, preheat the over to 350 degrees. Grease the Bundt pan with butter and flour. Then, add the cup of chopped walnuts to the bottom of the pan.

In a large bowl, add the yellow cake mix and the vanilla pudding mix. Mix together. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the whisked eggs to the large bowl along with the 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup squeezed orange, oil, 1/2 cup rum, orange zest. Mix all ingredients to a smooth batter. Sprinkle in the coconut and stir. 

Add the cake mixture to the greased Bundt pan. Place in the oven for approximately 45 minutes. Insert a toothpick and if it comes out clean, the cake is baked. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes and take it out of the pan. Set aside. 

For the glaze, mix together in a saucepan over medium heat the butter, 1/4 cup water, and 2/3 cup sugar. Once it comes to a boil, stir until the sugar melts (approximately 4 - 5 minutes). Stir continuously. After the mixture comes off the heat, add the rum and orange liqueur. 

Once the glaze is ready. add half of the mixture back into the empty Bundt pan. Place the cake back into the pan as originally baked. Pour the remaining glaze on top of the cake (which of course is the bottom of the cake). Let it sit a couple of hours, if you have the time, so the cake soaks up all the glaze. When ready to serve, flip the cake out of the pan. FYI: If you don't have time to wait for the cake to soak up all the glaze, brush it on until all the glaze is gone. 

Using fresh whipped cream on top of each slice of cake makes it extra special. Also, if you want to add a sprig of mint to the whipped cream for presentation, it's a desert meant for fine dining. 

If you haven't watched the Netflix series High on the Hog it's time to sit down and binge. The food elevates the senses and the backstories reach deep into the soul. The entire four-part series will leave you wanting more.  

High on the Hog features stories about African American cuisine and how these dishes came to be. For me, part of the joy of cooking is trying something new.

Much of my knowledge of cooking has deep southern roots. My grandma was an excellent cook, and many of her dishes have been passed down to my mom, aunts, cousins, and me. 

That said, I try to put my own spin on many of the generational recipes. It's more fun and hopefully, healthier. 

Bellevue broth is an absolute delight to the palate. I had my husband give it a try and he said it's so good, it tastes like the first course from a five-star restaurant. I have to agree. 

I don't have the complete recipe from the show. I listened carefully and have my way of preparing the shellfish stock and a quick and easy way to nip the chicken stock in the bud. 

Bellevue Broth is part shellfish stock and chicken stock. To begin, I didn't make the chicken stock. I bought the Knorr chicken bouillon cubes and followed the directions. I did make the shellfish stock from scratch using my recipe. 

Shellfish stock:
Leftover shells from cooked shrimp, crab, King crab legs, etc. Since I knew I was going to make this broth, I took home my leftover King crab leg shells from a local restaurant, placed them in a baggy, and stuck them in the freezer. Once I decided to make the broth, I took the shells out of the freezer, beat them with a rolling pin, and they were ready to go. 
Ingredients:
1/2 pound shells (or pound if you want to double the recipe).
1/2 yellow onion
Carrot
Celery
2 cloves of garlic
2 T. olive oil
Salt/pepper to taste
2 bay leaves
Lemon squeeze
Five cups water
I large stockpot, add your olive oil, shells, carrot, celery, and onion. Sauté for 15 minutes or until turning brown. Add the garlic for a two-minute sauté. Add your squeeze of lemon to get the brown bits off the pan. Pour in the water. Add the bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Let simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. Strain the broth using a cheesecloth and throw away the veggies and shells. 

Knorr Chicken Bouillon: I made three cups by following directions

Whipping Cream: Buy heavy whipping cream, whip it. Add a pinch of salt while whipping. 

The assembly of Bellevue Broth. It's a one to two ratio. One part shellfish stock to two parts chicken broth. Mix these together. Add a dollop of whipped cream just before serving and top with a bit of parsley. 

Incredibly delicious. Quick and Easy (be sure to bring home your shellfish shells from the local restaurant...or make your own). You'll believe you've died and gone to heaven. If you enjoy learning about different cultures and how food originated, you'll love the Netflix series, "High on the Hog." 

It's a joy to cook in the summertime with all of the fresh vegetables. I've seen pictures of gardens growing all over Facebook. The Latta garden is producing and we're very excited. 

I've got to give my mom a shout out; it's her garden too. She has the perfect spot and graciously agreed to share the space. First, it was the green leaf lettuce, spinach, kale, and romaine. Now, it's the squash' turn. 

Pepperidge Farm Cheesy Garden Squash Casserole

Five average size squash
1/3 onion (chopped)
Four pats unsalted butter
1/3 bag sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1/4 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
2/3 cup Pepperidge Farm Stuffing
Salt/Pepper to taste

Slice the squash. Cover with water. Boil until soft (approximately 15-20 minutes). Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt after water comes to a boil. Drain the squash in a colander. 

In the pot used to boil the squash, add two pats of butter to sauté the onions (the buttery onions will be added to the squash). Salt to taste to bring out the sweetness of the onion. 

Combine the squash and the sauté onions to a square or round glass bowl. Salt and pepper to taste. Add the cheeses (reserve a bit of the parmesan for topping) and the sour cream. Mix together.

In the same pot, add two pats of unsalted butter and melt. Add the stuffing and sprinkle remaining parmesan cheese. Mix together. Pour on top of the squash and cheese mixture. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Half-way through the baking time, take the aluminum foil off. Watch for the bubbles on the side of the casserole. 

​Take out and let sit for five minutes and serve. 

If you're from the south, there's nothing better than BBQ. Growing up, my favorite food was BBQ ribs. Weekend grilling with my dad as master chef, my mom as sous chef (makin' the sides), and me and my brothers waiting for the best meal ever...it's  one of my favorite memories. 

Sam's is a great place to buy a rack or two of ribs. These beauties required little preparation before placing onto the pellet grill. Our party of eight ate until we were full and had few 'to spare'. 

My husband was master smoker and he did a fabulous job. Here's the directions on how to smoke the perfect ribs on the pellet grill. 

Pork ribs: Feeds 8 - 10 
Two racks of pork ribs
Wood Pellets: Hickory
Spritzer of equal parts apple juice and apple cider
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup apple juice
T. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup apple juice
Heavy duty aluminum foil

Preheat the pellet grill at 180 degrees for 15 minutes. While the grill is preheating, remove any of the silver membrane from the bone-side of the ribs. A butter knife will do. Combine the Dijon mustard, 1/2 cup apple juice, and T. Worcestershire together and brush onto the ribs. When the grill is ready, place directly on the grates, meat side up. Smoke for three hours. Tip: Take your spritzer of apple juice and cider and spritz the ribs once an hour to add moisture. 

After the three hour smoke, remove the ribs from the grill. Turn the temperature up to 225 degrees. Wrap the ribs in heavy duty aluminum foil. Tear a couple of pieces per rack so you can keep moisture in more tightly. Before placing on the grill, add the honey, dark brown sugar and remaining apple juice to the ribs. Continue to smoke for another two hours. 

After the two hour smoke, remove ribs from the aluminum foil and place, once again, directly on the grate for another 30 minutes to an hour. During the final smoking process is when you add your favorite BBQ sauce. 

Once the ribs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees, take off the pellet grill and let them rest. Serve and enjoy!

The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club is known for their famous sandwiches. The first is the pimento cheese. 

The Pimento Cheese Sandwich
​
Eight ounces of cheddar cheese (preferably freshly-grated)
1/2 cup cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup of pimento or red pepper (finely diced and squeezed)
3 T. favorite mayonnaise (or substitute avocado)
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
Kosher salt/pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients and spread onto your favorite bread. Serves four.

Another Augusta classic is the egg salad sandwich. It's  traditional egg salad with fresh dill. 

Classic Egg Salad Sandwich

Eight eggs boiled (for the perfect boil, place eggs in pot covered in water. Bring to a boil. Turn the burner off. Let sit for exactly 14 minutes. Cool down with water. Peel).
1/2 cup mayo (again, you may substitute avocado)
2 celery stalks (finely chopped)
1/4 cup sweet onion (finely chopped)
2 tsp. fresh dill (finely chopped)
1 tsp. mustard
Hint of ground pepper
Dash of smoked paprika
After the eggs are boiled and cool, separate the yolk from the white. Mix the yolk, mayonnaise, mustard, pepper, and paprika. Add the whites, onion, celery, and dill. 
Once tossed together, spoon onto your favorite bread and serve. Makes four sandwiches. 

The last of three sandwiches for the Masters Tournament roundup is the chicken salad sandwich. This is California chicken salad which is sweeter than the traditional chicken salad. It's more sweet and savory. 

Chicken Salad Sandwich

Three large chicken breasts (roasted at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees. Season with olive oil, Kosher salt and pepper).
Cup of red seedless grapes (chopped in half or thirds)
Cup of pecans or walnuts (your preference)
2 celery stalks (finely chopped)
2 green onions (finely chopped)
1 tsp. chopped dill
Cup of mayonnaise
1/2 juiced lemon
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
After the chicken has roasted and cooled, cut into small pieces. Add the grapes, nuts, celery, onion, and dill. Mix the mayonnaise, lemon, mustard, salt/pepper. Combine the two. Scoop onto your favorite bread and serve. Makes six to eight sandwiches. 

While traveling down the river by Point Pleasant, West Virginia, at the confluence of the Kanawha and the Ohio, chef Jeff created his delicious apple tarts with a surprise element for this particular crew. As a riverboat chef on the Hines Furlong Line, Sunday's are special and made for comfort food.  

If you've heard of Point Pleasant, the town became famous by sightings of a Mothman that appeared in the area in 1966. Witnesses said the red-eyed creature had wings with pointed tips and long legs. In 1975, the creature inspired a book, "The Mothman Prophecies" which was later made into a movie starring Richard Gere.  After half-a-century, the Mothman is still part of the folklore and celebrated at the annual Mothman Festival. 

Of course, this story has nothing to do with the recipe. It was Jeff's wife Dawn that inspired the surprise hidden inside the apple tart. He said she always eats her apples with peanut butter or Nutella. What a wonderful treat for the crew inspired by his lovely wife as he floats down the Ohio River on a sunny afternoon. 

"I love fresh salmon." Whether grilled, baked, smoked, sautéed, I'm all in. The little market in Lone Oak, KY. catches fish from the Gulf Coast in Alabama each week and hauls it back to Kentucky in a refrigerated truck. Taking advantage of the fresh fish for flavor, heart health, and the joy of cooking is such a gift to the community. 

I'm not negating the wonderful fresh fish available in our neck of the woods. The rivers, lakes, and ponds that surround western Kentucky are such a blessing for those who enjoy fishing, cooking, and eating their catch. 

A couple of weeks ago, we bought a pellet grill. Nothing fancy. Kevin ran across a deal he couldn't walk away from at the local Lowes Home Improvement Store. He got a close-out on a grill, regularly-priced at $500 for $200. That's right. There were six available. He called a few of his buddies at CSI and the grill's flew off the shelves. (If there were more, I would've shared with my readers). 

It was time to test out the new smoker/grill on fresh salmon. Now, Kevin isn't a big fish fan....so, in his attempt to eat more fish, he gave it a whirl and I'm oh so glad he did. If you want the recipe...let's get to it. 

Two pounds of salmon (or whatever you need for the meal)

The Brine
Quart of cool water (make sure your fish is covered)
1/3 cup Kosher salt
1/3 cup brown sugar

Mix together the brine and place the fish in a plastic or glass container. Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. This process helps to eliminate excess moisture in the fish as well as infuse the fish with the salt. 

The next morning, take the fish out of the brine and pat dry. Let it rest in the fridge, skin side down, for a couple of hours (minimum of two hours).

Smoking on the pellet grill

Rub the skin with a bit of oil so it won't stick to the rack. For the wood pellets, Kevin used the apple wood. You'll start with a small fire and gradually work your way up to a higher heat. Smoke/grill at 140-150 degrees for about an hour gradually moving to 175 degrees for three hours. Once the internal temperature of the fish reaches 140  degrees, it should sustain that temperature for 30 minutes while on the grill. 

Basting

After the first hour, baste the fish with pure maple syrup every hour. 

After the salmon has held its internal temperature of 140 degrees for 30 minutes, take it off the grill and let it rest on a rack before serving or placing it in the fridge. Once wrapped in plastic and refrigerated, smoked salmon will last for 10 days.

Have you ever thought about making your own pinwheels? I can honestly say I haven't...until now. Pinwheel cream cheese treats are an excellent choice for a snack that's light and filling. 

Friend Jody Davis shared this recipe with my Aunt Marge, Mom, and Uncle Danny. Jody and Danny are married and live in Florida. Another reason why my mind is on 'Florida, Florida, Florida.' 

The crew got together for some family time and Jody brought the pinwheels. Everyone fell in love with the flavor, the ease of making the dish, and the idea of taking almost anything you love and adding it to a cream cheese base.  

For this particular recipe you'll need the following:
​
8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 
Four green onions, chopped
Bunch of cilantro, chopped
1/2 chopped red pepper
1/2 chopped yellow pepper
Small can of chopped black olives, drained
2 ounces of green chilis (optional)
6 large burrito size (gluten free) tortillas...of course, regular flour tortillas will do

Mix all ingredients, spread equal portions of the cream cheese mixture on all of the burritos. Roll up. Wrap in saran wrap. Chill for an hour. Cut into bite size pieces...in the shape of a pinwheel. Serve. If you want to use any dipping sauce, try your favorite salsa. Add some fresh cilantro and green onions for extra flavor.