A Southern Table: Buttermilk and Lemon Buttermilk Ice Cream

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Buttermilk.  Buttermilk has always, always been around, like a trusty, reliable friend.  How can you cook without it?  Buying buttermilk in the south is a very different experience than in the northeast where I am.  Low fat and non fat buttermilk is the only types available in our local grocers.  I am good with low fat or 1% buttermilk but I am very lucky that I live in an area with small farms that provide produce, dairy, eggs, poultry and meats.  So when I run across a market that has fresh, local buttermilk, I grab it.

Baking with Grains: Cracked Wheat Bread

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Sometimes if you want something, you just got to do it yourself.  Cracked wheat bread is one of my favorite types of whole grain bread and only on a rare occasion can I find it in my area.  So I either have to be satisfied with the occasional find or learn to make it yourself.  Then so be it, I'll make it myself. 

A Southern Table: Rhubarb Blackberry Crisp

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Pies are big in the south whether it be the classic double or single crusted pie, cobbler, or fruit crisp.  A fruit crisp is a like a pie, but much easier.  When time is an issue this is my "go to" dessert.  No pie dough to make, instead a quick mixture of butter, flour, sugar and spices is combined and sprinkled over the fruit.  I also add oats and nuts which are optional but I never leave them out.  I think the oats and nuts make the crisp topping by giving more depth of flavor and the all important crunch. Usually it bakes during dinner, so after dinner a delicious, warm fruit crisp awaits.  Break out the essential vanilla ice cream and enjoy.

Taste of Philly: The Italian Market

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The Philadelphia Italian market began in the late 1880s and was organized in 1915.  They are the oldest and largest continuously working market in the US. It all started when Antonio Palumbo, an Italian immigrant, opened a boarding house for other Italians.  They came, they started businesses in the area and the rest is history, literally.

At first look, you might think what is the big deal with this market.  Right away you see venders selling produce that most you can find in your local grocer, probably cheaper along with a couple of hard-to-find items.  But if you are disappointed at first glance and walk away, you will have seriously missed out.  Seriously.

 9th Street and Washington Ave.,   Italian Market, South Philly, PA

BBQ Sauce: My Favorite for Backyard Grilling

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 If you have ever witnessed conversations about barbeque preferences, you know it can get kinda heated like when people start talking politics or religion.  It is a subject that evokes a lot of passion.  Everyone has a favorite barbeque sauce or style.

In one area of the Carolinas it is vinegar based with a bit of cayenne and black pepper and in another area it is mustard based and yellow.  In the deep south, it is a tomato based, tangy sweet sauce and they are not adverse to spicing up.  In Alabama, where I am from, there is also a white sauce that is mayonaisse and vinegar based that is considered a regional classic and I don't think I have seen anything like it anywhere else.  Memphis is known for their dry rub barbeque but also has a sauce similar to Kansas City but is not as sweet and is thinner, but still tomato and vinegar based.  Texas barbecue is not so easy to categorize.

Chicken Chili Verde with beans

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 Ones of the benefits of blogging for me has been that I have to stop cooking like the Mad Matter.  Sounds a little crazy but let me explain.  Chili is something I have made for years.  Beef, chicken and vegetarian and every other version I or someone else was in the mood for.  I have not made the same pot of chili twice.  I might have come close but I never used a recipe and I never wrote one down.  It is totally fun but sometimes I wish I could replicate my favorite versions. I am now writing recipes down and taking notes.  Yes, notes.  If I don't get something right the first time, the next time I make it, I will or at least get closer.  This may not be a new concept to some, but for me it is revolutionary.