They ended up staying so late that they remained in Huntsville for the night and we’re getting together again today to enjoy the fun company before they head back. So in lieu of a post, I thought I’d bring you links to everything I cooked.

Griled Chicken Tenderloins – without the grill

This is one of Ricky’s favorites and we hadn’t had them in a while so I had a hankering

Fresh Fried (Creamed) Corn

Katy Rose and I shucked a good bit of corn and we served it fried, or creamed as I think most of you call it. Here is a link to that recipe complete with shucking and freezing instructions! There is NOTHING like fresh fried corn. I’d pick it over a dessert any day!

Sweet and Sour Green Beans

I also call these “Country Green Beans” and they’re just plain good!

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

You know how us Southerners like our double and triple starches with meals!

Hoe Cake

This is my family’s version (not the kind with corn meal) that comes out like a wonderfully fluffy biscuit with a crunchy crust. I served it with honey and molasses.

Bananas in Red Stuff

Okay I just made this because I’ve been wanting some and I wanted to have folks here to help me eat it

Deviled Eggs

My relish tray had deviled eggs…

Candied Dill Pickles

… and those Candied Dill Pickles that Julie Hutson shared the recipe for. I’ve made three jars this week!

I also put some garden fresh sliced tomatoes on the tray as well.

Dessert was a Totable Banana Pudding, a bit of a spin on my traditional banana pudding recipe but one that keeps better so you can make it well ahead of time.  Of course, I took photos so I’ll be putting the recipe on Southern Plate soon!

Afterwards the McKees spoiled our four legged kids completely rotten. This is Kent McKee and Zoe.

and Maralee loving on little Teaspoon.

The kids aren’t pictured because they were camping under a desk in the office with their flashlights .

Maralee and I were thrilled to discover that we are both going to be writing books at the same time! I told her it was like we were carrying babies together! Her book is going to be published by Harvest House and mine will be published by Workman. If you’d like to meet the McKee Family you can join Maralee over on her Facebook page by clicking here. I know you’ll love her sweet and kind spirit as much as we do. They are just wonderful people.

So now I’ve officially started working on my next cookbook and hope to have it finished just after the new year. I don’t have an exact publication date yet but I’ll keep you posted. This is going to be an entirely new cookbook with a FABULOUS theme that I think you’ll all love (can’t share it just yet though!). As always, I’ll be sharing the stories behind each recipe and inserting as much helpful information and instructions as possible. Special thanks to everyone who has picked up a copy of my first Southern Plate Cookbook and to everyone reading this for being such a great part of the Southern Plate Family! If you’d like to get a copy of my cookbook today, Amazon has it for just $15.62,  43% off of the retail price! Click here to visit my cookbook’s page on Amazon.*

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I’d love to hear what you have planned in the comments section below if you have time to share!

Gratefully,

Christy

Funny moment with my youngest that I shared on my Facebook Page:

Katy watches with interest while I cut open the bag and plop the fryer into my pot, covering it with water before putting it on the eye. “Mama, is that a REAL chicken?” “Yes Baby” “Real like the kind that used to go Bock Bock?” “Yes Baby” Then she leans in closer to the headless, featherless creature floating in water and says “Are you sure it’s dead?”

*This is my personal affiliate link so if you purchase the book by clicking on this link I will get a small percentage. This is the way I buy our coffee through Amazon so if you’ve bought a book through my links, Thank you for the java each morning!

]]> http://www.southernplate.com/2011/07/my-menu-for-our-dinner-guests.html/feed 21 http://www.southernplate.com/2011/07/5-summer-desserts-ready-from-your-freezer-anytime.html http://www.southernplate.com/2011/07/5-summer-desserts-ready-from-your-freezer-anytime.html#comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:40:34 +0000 Christy Jordan http://www.southernplate.com/?p=15394 This is the final post in my summer dessert series where I’ve been featuring cool and refreshing summer desserts that can be made ahead of time. I started it with my 6 Make Ahead Summer Cakes, then moved on to 6 Cool Summer Pies, and today I’m showcasing 5 quick and easy desserts than can be made ahead of time and stored in your freezer for no fuss entertaining at the drop of a hat.

Of course, if it is on SouthernPlate.com, you know it’s a favorite of mine so I hope you’ll enjoy all of these. Be sure and let me know which are your favorites in the comments section below and if you have time, I’d love it if you read my letter at the bottom of this post. I know you’re busy and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking a few minutes out of your day to spend with me.

Gratefully,

Christy

Almost No Sugar Ice Cream Grahamwiches

I dearly love these little wonders and they can be made at a fraction of the cost and calories of what you’d buy in the store. What’s even better is that they are absolutely delicious and super easy!

Frozen Cranberry Banana Salads

This was one of Granny Jordan’s signature recipes and I’ve never met a person who didn’t fall in instant love with them.

Ashley Mac’s Coconut Caramel Pie

Ashley Mac’s is a treasure located in Birmingham, Alabama. The owner shared her signature recipe for this delicious pie in a guest post on SouthernPlate.com!

Front Porch Salads

On those days where I’m really hot and need a special fruity treat, these really hit the mark. My mother loves them, too!

Mandarin Orange Pie

If you love the icing on my Mama’s Mandarin Orange Cake, you’re really gonna love his cool and fruity pie!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is just a sampling of some of the many shortcut and quick fix desserts on SouthernPlate.com. If there is something in particular you are looking for be sure and check out the index or type it into the search box in the top right hand corner.

To go directly to the dessert index, click here (scroll down a bit until you see Category: Dessert).

If you’re looking for some main course ideas that are easy on the budget, check out my 20 Recipes for Ground Beef post!

I hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend. I’m getting ready for my son’s twelfth birthday party tomorrow. We’ll be having a slumber party so y’all say a quick prayer for me that my walls are still standing when I take them all home on Thursday. He has become quite the trekkie as of late. So much so that his cake, instead of saying “Happy Birthday” is going to say “Live Long And Prosper”. ~giggles~ Don’t you just love your kid’s personalities? Both of my kids have added such sparkle to my life!

There is another significant birthday this week as well. Three years ago this Friday, I started my first post on Southernplate.com. It sure has been a wild and wonderful ride and I never expected all of the blessings Southern Plate has brought into my life. What I am most grateful for is my Southern Plate Family, which wouldn’t be the same without you.

I’ll be around this week, but in and out as I get ready for Brady’s birthday and prep for a little business travel but I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you. Southern Plate would be nothing without you and the rest of the Southern Plate family. I hope you know how very dear you are to me.

Gratefully,

Christy

“If you can’t see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.”

Jyl Nipper on her Facebook.

(You can join me on my Facebook by clicking here)

A note about Facebook: Have you ever wanted to make a difference in the world? Well let me tell ya, Facebook is a fertile field just waiting to be planted! Being positive in your status updates has a ripple effect on everyone who reads them so go ahead, inspire someone! In the end, I bet you’ll feel pretty uplifted and encouraged yourself!

Just click on the recipe name to go to the tutorial for that recipe and even print it off if you like! Recipe names in red are exclusive to the cookbook. For more great ideas, check out the index of SouthernPlate.com. So far I’ve got over 400 family recipes here with full photographic tutorials of each one.

Have a wonderful 4th of July and don’t forget to show your appreciation for our wonderful armed forces, past and present, who have given so much to ensure we can live in freedom.

Gratefully,

Christy

Alabama White BBQ Sauce

Cathie - Crockpot pork, Alabama White BBQ sauce, Coleslaw, Elvis Pressley cake!

Amanda – Lemon Meringue Pie.

Catherine – I’m making Beefed up Baked Beans and peanut butter cake.

Fresh Strawberryade

Monica – Strawberryade is a must!

Fresh Strawberry Pie

Jill – I’m seriously considering that Fresh Strawberry Pie!

Mandy – That strawberry pie you posted!

Lisa – I made the new baked bean recipe last night, mm mm, yummy! We will have mandarin orange cake, fire and ice salad, more baked beans and the best grilled steak.

Alana – Trying the Elvis Presley cake for the first time!

Becky - Beefed up baked beans!

Easy and Eggless Peach Ice Cream

Lauren – Homemade Peach Ice Cream, Fire & Ice Salad, Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Angie – the easy peach ice cream for one… =)

Debra- funny you should ask, I was thinking about the no egg peach ice cream.

Beth -Lemon Chess Pie….yum

Sweet and Sour Green Beans

Heather – Sweet and Sour Green beans! Made them last night – put them in a zip lock for traveling

Christi – Cobbler with strawberries and I’ve never made one w/ strawberries before, so this could be interesting!!

Southern Style Pulled Pork BBQ in the Slow Cooker

Ginger – Beefed up baked beans and the slow cooker Southern pulled pork for sandwiches!

Becki – Baked beans for sure, and sweet tea of course!

Vikki – Decisions . . . decisions!!

Miss Mary Anne’s Twinkie Cake

Mary Anne – That delicious baked ham from your recipe book. And my Twinkie Cake.

Denise – Crock pot pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, Mandarin Orange cake, beefed up baked beans & relish tray!!

Dalene – Mandarin orange cake!

Sandi – We are going camping, so river food will be on the menu!

Christa – Diet Dr Pepper congealed salad...yum. Can’t wait!

Ronda - Butterfinger cake!

Sharon – Sweet and sour green beans

Jody – Been looking at the baked beans recipe think i will make those

Christy – Mandarin Orange Cake…yum,yum!

Sharon -um, oh? You mean I have to cook/make something?????? Um…..welllllll, lets see here………will have to think on that one! LOL

Carrie – Mandarin orange pie! And sweet and sour green beans.

Grandmama’s Orange Supreme Cake

Ana – I am going to make Grandmama’s Orange Supreme Cake for the first time! I have all the ingredients…now just need a bundt pan

Sandra- Strawberry Cake!!!!!!

Danielle – Banana Puddin‘!

Sharon – Corn Bread !!

Demetra – Butterfinger cake

Judith – Another batch of Jordan Rolls and Daddy’s Coconut Cake.

Terri – Mandarin Orange pie and the Hash Brown casserole

Amanda – Im not doing anything i have to go the next day to have a baby im just going to relax (Christy – Congratulations! We’d love to see photos on the Facebook page!)

Debbie – Kind of off topic, but not really, because I MIGHT make it if I could….but do you have a recipe for dirty rice?? Since moving back to Upstate NY from Virginia a few years ago, I’ve tried to recreate it, and just can’t get it right. I miss Southern food more than anything…except my son….who was smart enough to stay put when Mamma move back north! Christy – Debbie, here is the link to my Dirty Rice recipe. Hope you enjoy it! Anytime you are looking for something you can either browse the SouthernPlate.com index or use the search box in the top right corner. I’ve got over 400 of my family recipes up here so far and still growing!

Kay – Going to a barbecue, asked to bring side dishes,taking Ms.Millies best coleslaw, Aunt Looneys Macaroni Salad and deviled eggs. Have a Happy ,Safe 4th !!!! We are celebrating our 51 st wedding anniversary on July 2nd.

Mary – Hodge Making the Chocolate Sundae Cake for a cookout tomorrow night, and the Fresh Strawberry Pie and the “Grilled” Chicken Tenderloins for a get-together on Saturday night.

Marsha -making your Daddy’s Coconut Cake tomorrow, so its ready Monday…oops, I mean Saturday, teehee:o)

Debbie – What is fire and ice salad? i would love to make this for the 4th thanks

Christy – Here ya go Debbie! It is one of my favorites Fire and Ice Salad

Just click on the name of each pie to go to the recipe post!

Gratefully, Christy

Old Fashioned Coconut Meringue Pie

You can’t go to the grocery store and buy this pie. Sure, they have coconut pies for sale in the freezer section but the only resemblance they bear to a true old fashioned coconut pie is their name. This is one of those pies that, if you find yourself craving it, you’re just gonna have to make it yourself.

But don’t worry, it’s easy to do and you probably have everything you need on hand already except for the coconut.

Lemon Meringue Pie with Cookie Crumb Crust

Y’all, don’t tell anyone I told ya this but my friends at Southern Living bragged on this pie and said it was the best they’d ever tasted!

You have no idea what a red letter day that was for me!

Fresh Strawberry Pie

I have one bit of advice when it comes to this pie : Always make two! One is just never enough.

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie

And a story about my Grandaddy

Cherry Cream Cheese Pie

My Grandmama always made this especially for me growing up, and it is still a favorite today.

Lemon Chess Pie

And old fashioned pie for those of us who can appreciate the simple, delicious, and lemony things in life!

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

- Mother Theresa Submitted by Jenny (thanks Jenny!). Submit your quote by clicking here.

Welcome to another edition of the Southern Plate Digest! I had so many great submissions and I’ve been working on getting them all linked to the recipes most of the day today. I ended up only doing about half of them because my kids really want me to get off the computer .

I want to thank everyone on the Front Porch Forum and Facebook who contributed and I hope you’ll enjoy the comments and discover some new recipes below! Simply click on the recipe name to go directly to that post. While many of the recipes can also be found in my cookbook, some are exclusive to the cookbook and can’t be found online. These are typed in red.

Did you know that SouthernPlate.com has well over 400 of my recipes right now? Each with photos of every step. Anytime you see me post a link on Facebook or The Front Porch and can’t find it later, simply visit Southern Plate and use the search box in the top right corner or browse the index.

I’d love to get to chat with you sometime! I’ll be hosting a live chat on Thursday June 23rd from 7:00-8:00 PM Central time over on the Southern Plate Front Porch. If you’d like to participate, head on over and join! Membership to Southern Plate’s Front Porch is entirely free but each account is personally reviewed (to make sure you’re a real person) before approved so register today so I or one of our great Admins can approve ya! There are OVER 17,000 posts on the Front Porch already. We share recipes, stories about kids and grandkids, talk gardening, offer and answer prayer requests, and more! To register, just click here and look in the top right corner for the registration link.

Gratefully,

Christy

P.S. If you find that one of the links below isn’t going to the right post, please leave me a comment and let me know which one so I can fix it. I’d love to hear from you in the comments section in addition to that though! I really enjoy getting to read each comment left by you. Y’all know all about me and I want to know about you, too! Thank you for being such a wonderful part of the Southern Plate Family.

Now let’s see what Southern Plate Recipes you’ve been cooking up! HERE WE GO!

Kim Johnson – The very yummy Strawberry Pecan Bread and my Dad’s favorite Rise and Shine Biscuits.

Ruth Dennison – My friend made me the Mandarin Orange Frozen Pie, it was sooooo good.

Veronica Farrar – Absolutely love the chicken and dumplings.

Joanna From the Front Porch – In the last couple of weeks I have made the following: The Strawberry cake and the Butterfinger Cake for a few birthdays at work recently. They were such a huge hit! I have been asked by all grade levels to make all birthday cakes from her on out  Fire and Ice Salad for a teacher luncheon….everyone loved this too! Deep Dish Pizza and my step daughter says this is the best pizza ever!

SundayCook from the Front Porch -I made Kathy’s country casserole this week. It is so good and filling! The only thing I added was a drained can of Rotel for a little spice.

Terrigodawgs from the Front Porch – Squash casserole and Daddy’s coconut cake

Hope from the Front Porch – I made the No Bake Cafeteria Peanut Butter Bars. They were my favorite in school! I remember watching the cafeteria menu to see when we were getting them next. ~giggle~ They were so easy to make and they taste even better the second day!

beebee751 from the Front Porch – I made the Butterfinger Cake to take to a pot luck at church this Wednesday night. It was a big hit! I had to give the recipe to several people and told them about Southern Plate. I stopped last week and bought a flat of fresh home grown strawberries and I have made the Fresh Strawberry Pie and the Simply Easy Pound Cake to help use them up. With fresh home made whipped cream they both were delicious! My family loves the Chicken and Dumplings and I make them at least twice a month. Another favorite at our house is House Autry Pork Chops.

Jen from the Front Porch – Here are some of your recipes that I have used recently: Dishpan cookies, chicken and dumplings, vegetable salad with the shoepeg corn, slowcooker chicken/wildrice, fire & ice salad, broc/cauliflower salad with purple onion, vanilla wafer cake, mandarin orange cake (a makeahead for Easter, since we are working). Thanks for all the great recipes, Christy! 

Deb from the Front Porch- I made the laundry detergent today with the Fels bar soap and it smells so yummy! my bedding from the pad up is being washed. Can’t wait to go to bed, i love clean sheets enough to do them ~2x/week…this may make it more often! 

Sonya from the Front Porch - I make the kraut and weenies when I’m too busy to cook anything complicated! I like to mix half plain cabbage and half kraut so it’s less sour. The lemon chess pie is one of my husband’s favorites! He loves lemon and that one is easier than a lemon meringue pie! I made Daddy’s Coconut Cake for Easter- half as cupcakes to take to the extended family gathering and half as a 9″ single layer cake. I just happened to have all the ingredients!

Christy from the Front Porch – I have been reading your cookbook in bits and pieces and find myself laughing, crying, and feeling a little homesick. I can’t wait until my sister gets her copy – I think she’ll enjoy it as much as i do. The story you wrote about listening to the old folks was wonderful. I suspect the rest of the women in the family will be getting a copy for Christmas or sooner – they’re all there in your back yard. Have a wonderful weekend.

Kim Stone - I made your yummy hamburger steaks recently for my husband who LOVED them along with the fried cabbage! I also made your strawberry-pecan bread a few weeks ago for decoration at my church & everyone raved about it. Being a newlywed I need all the meal-inspiration I can get & SouthernPlate.com never fails to deliver!

Veronica Farrar – I know the lemon poppy seed bread was not yours, but it’s a hit here at home

Kristan Stanton – Well I’m always cooking the pb fudge iced brownies (its a no fail crowd pleaser-its also REAL impressive to be so easy!) I also made the mandarin orange pies and those were the easiest pies EVER! My 5 year old just might be able to make them Your orange cake with the mango necter so moist so good a refreshing summer dessert! I served the pie and the cake at the same function to give people options and they all had to have “a little sliver of both” which turned into seconds!

Kimberly Bird - Butterfinger Cake is a favorite around here now, I mean, it’s an addiction.

Veronica Farrar - The no bake cafeteria peanut butter bars are to die for!! I’ve renamed them the Reese Cup Bars!!

Sandy Combs - We’ve been eating lots of Texas Caviar this week. So cool and yummy. A great summer side dish.

Betsy Brown - Your coffee concentrate! It’s easy, delicious, and it’s saving me a TON of money! I make it strong and pour it over ice with milk. Delicious!

Marina Kutsch - The chicken stew was just what my sick teenager needed to feel better. When our guest from out of town got here late tonight I served them the rest of stew with grilled cheese sandwiches. They loved it.

Diana Casabar - That iced coffee was to die for!

Jeanine Wilson -Love the Crunchy Beef Casserole, hamburger steaks & the cubed steaks w/gravy were so good! OH that pimento cheese was awesome… great appetizer w/wheat thins!! I especially love the stories in the cookbook, very sweet…the CZ one.. Awwwww!!

Wendy Slopsema - I know I’ve used a bunch, but the ones that I have bookmarked are MeMe’s mashed potatoes, Thanksgiving Menu Bonanza, and your Holiday Fruit Salad! They were delicious! Whenever I want a recipe for anything, I first search your site before trying anyone else!

Bettielou Welch - laundry soap made it last night all ready washed 3 loads love it

Alisha Courtney - Fresh strawberry cake with cream cheese icing. Everyone loves it and asks for the recipe. One friend even said it was better than her Grandmother’s!

Jill Sanders - My family LOVED The Apple Doozie! Will definitely be a staple on my menu from now on and so easy!

Shelby Henderson My daughter and I made your corn casserole last night, and we are having your Chicken Planks tonight! My children love them with milk gravy. Thank you Christy & Southern Plate!

Susan Helton I keep a bowl of Texas Caviar in my frig at all times so good I eat it for a quick lunch.

Virginia Edmunds Hamburger steaks, tater tots casserole, pulled pork.

Joyce Kaiser Chocolate Sundae Cake…big hit with my family…thanks Christy!

Mary Harris My favorite all time recipe is the chicken chicken. It was delicious! of course, almost everything else I tried was wonderful as well. I have bought your cookbook and given it as a gift many times over!!!

Cara Burrows I’m making the strawberry bread today!

Judy  Blaise I made the fiesta chicken on Tuesday night and my DIL and Son really liked it. (My two grandkids even liked it!)

Julie Church My husband asked for chicken ‘n dumplings…”soon!” I love the ease of that recipe and he loves the down home taste!

Tiffany Huffer lots of strawberry shortcake. my 3 rd old loves the left overs for breakfast and i love making the homemade shortcakes and fresh whippng cream – YUMMY

Allison Saylor The baked mac and cheese, chicken and rice in the slow cooker, banana bread, banana pudding, and old timey butter roll dessert!

Beverly Baker I made the Cheesy Chicken and Corn recipe but my husband isn’t crazy about corn so I left out the can of corn and added a can of black beans instead. It was awesome!

JoAnn Walsh I haven’t done a lot of cooking lately, but I will share a comment from my husband about the chicken stew I made….”This is good, keep it in the rotation” which is what he says when he really likes something and he wants to make sure I make it again. He’s actually said that about quite a few things I’ve made from your cookbook. Thank you for the “no fail” recipes Christy.

McKenzie Crisp Made the Apple Snack cake and it was a HUGE hit!

Amanda Fierce Slow cooker BBQ! My family and co-workers can’t get enough. I love how easy it is with spectacular results every time!

Betty Solomon Nothing could be better as a summer dessert than your Fresh Strawberry Cake. I even put a few of the strawberries in the cream cheese frosting, completely ignoring your advice about how messy it can be! Yummy.

Anita Cannaday I live in Wisconson and waiting on our tomatos to grow for “Fried Green Tomatoes” … brings me back to my “Southern” roots ♥

Linda Watters I’ve made your thin boneless fried pork chops, like the ones that you make on a biscuit (minus the biscuit) several times and we really enjoy them. I had never bought them before I saw this recipe because I thought they would be dry and hard. Boy, was I wrong! They are tender and tasty and a quick meal. Thanks for sharing this recipe, Christy.

Darby DeFonzo Strawberry Pecan Bread is amazing….but lately I’ve been making those House – Autry pork chops. And last night I used the same recipe but substituted chicken breasts. Sooooo yummy! My girls had theirs on biscuits. Delish and SO EASY!

Tamara Harris My fav: fruit cocktail cake! I love the recipe on your website! It’s just like the one mom used to make. A great cake to make for those summer picnics and all year around!

Michelle Ryan Love, love, love the Vidalia Honey Vinaigrette Dressing over romaine lettuce, dried cranberries, pecans and chopped green apple. That is my go-to lunch and when I pack it for work, it’s easy not to be tempted to eat out every day. Yum!

Amanda Naff I have made chicken fingers, mashed potatoes, squash casserole and the fried chocolate pies. Not all at the same time though.

Debi Can I just list your cookbook as what I have been cooking? : ) Chicken Planks, Autry Pork Chops, Nilla Wafer Cake, Jordan Rolls, Squash Casserole, Tomato Melts, Fried Corn, Fried Okra, Home Brew, Home Brew, Home Brew and much more…. We Love It All!

Eve Ruth, the Manderin orange pie recipe .I made it earlier this week and it’s fantastic. Perfectly cool and refreshing and just right for summertime! I also made the strawberry pecan bread lately and it’s also very tasty!

Angela Woodie TONS AND TONS of the iced coffee…… my hubby and i are sooooo addicted…… Home Brew is AMAZING!!!!

Teryl  Shields OMW the berry cobbler is to die for! Since reading your cookbook (cover to cover in 2 days!) that one recipe is the one my family asks for at least once a week! Love, love, love the Southern Plate cookbook!

Teryl  Shields Also, had a cooking presentation to do for a culinary class I took in Fall 2010. Made the broccoli salad and won 1st place in the salad division! Thank you Christy!

Lauren Bobo I made the strawberry pecan bread, and it was AMAZING & easy to make!

Carrie Ivy The mandarin orange pie, fried cabbage, brownies w/ pb fudge icing, fried cabbage, cinnamon rolls, fried corn and did I mention fried cabbage?! There is no such thing as too much fried cabbage, love that stuff

Kelly Tagge ‎’Deep Dish Pizza‘ is so easy and dang good too! ‘Strawberry Cobbler’ recipe but I made it with what I had on hand which was blackberries. Ummm goooood!! All your recipes are made the easy way and you can always taste the love in each and every one of them. ;~)

Carolyn Fulton Rise and Shine and biscuits are great! So easy to make and yummy!

Jacquelyn Primrose The Mandarin Orange pie was a hit in our house. It was so easy to make and a bonus because it makes 2 pies at one time. Everyone loved it!

Shirley Reeves The Sweet and Sour green bean’s ….we just can’t get enough of them . They are so easy and yummy .

Gail Caler Ur Crock Pot Lasagna.. it was the bomb !!! my family and i loved it.. it was awesome.. I will never make Lasagna again in the oven.. I wrote the recipe down in my Southern Plate Cookbook, i will make it alot more times in the future.. Thank you for shareing that recipe.. it was great

Mumaw Beth You can win my heart over any day with peanut butter. The no bake cafeteria peanut butter bars are an 11 in my book.

Wendy K Duncan I would like the rerun of freezing tomato’s Please…..and canning salsa if any…..Thank you so much!

Cindy Reed Just got your book yesterday and marking off recipes to try. Today, tomato melts…have some fresh basil to use up..,mmmm

Lydia Cook Strawberry Pecan Bread-my husband’s favorite. We will be spending the next few days at the baseball fields with our boys, so I’m making it in muffin tins so that we can take some with us easily.

Angie Carter Just this week made your Taco Soup and Skillet Chili Bake from your “10 Favorite Quick and Easy Suppers”. Both were a hit…so easy and oh, so good!! Didn’t have to heat up my kitchen by using the oven either since they both were “stovetop” meals! Thanks!! =)

Connie Dockler Uhmm, Squash Casserole with Tillamook Smoked Cheddar Cheese is so, so good.

Rachel  Ashworth I fixed the mandarin orange pie. Absolutely delicious.

Judy Johnson The sweet and sour green beans….they were really good and so easy to fix. Didn’t have frozen beans so I used my home canned Blue Lake…..Yummy

Linda Meyers I made the zucchini bread recently which was delicious!!

Debbie Strum I guess you could smell that I FINALLY made your Butterfinger Cake! But you didn’t have to get organize a parade to celebrate the fact! I DO understand what all the fuss is about that cake, though! It IS deLISH! You looked pretty good in that majorette outfit, BTW! ~snickers~

Happiness keeps you sweet, trials keep you strong,

sorrows keep you human, failures keep you humble.

Success keeps you growing, but only family keeps you going.

Submitted by Susan Crane. Submit your quote by clicking here.

Don’t forget to enter to win one of 5 prizes valued at over $100 each! Click here and leave a comment to enter- Winner chosen Sunday!

There’s been lots going on on SouthernPlate.com in the last two weeks so I thought I’d bring you a digest of what I’ve been cooking up as well as some of the dishes you’ve been making and reporting on!

Lets start with what you’re cooking!

I had over sixty replies when I asked what you’d been making from Southernplate.com. Thank you to everyone who answered me on Facebook! I’ve chosen a few of your comments to highlight here.

Today’s “Home Brew” - Secret to great iced coffee without the great expense!

Terri Leverett says: Some of our SP newcomers might not have seen your post about the coffee…it is so budget-friendly.

Lane’s Honeybun Cake

Terri also says: I love to make Lane’s Honeybun cake and Brady’s Monkey bread, 2 of my favs and they always get great compliments

Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken

Amy Matheson said: I made the slow cooker Fiesta chicken and rice last night. I varied it by not shredding my chicken, just cut the chicken into large chunks and served over rice instead of stirring it in – my 4 year old took a bite and told me “Mommy! you need to make this a lot!!” Anything that gets that response is a hit! We all loved it.

Easy Chicken And Dumplings

Jessica Arrant said: I’ve made chicken and dumplings, rustic beef stew and spaghetti sauce recipes!! Loved them all. My dad said the chicken and dumplings were the best he has ever had!

Old Timey Butter Roll Dessert

Amy Walton adds: This month alone I have made BBQ Joint Stew, Chicken & Dumplings, Fried Cabbage, Banana Crumb Cake, Butter Rolls…oh I have used your site this month more than any other that I am sure I have forgotten a dish

Again, thank you to everyone who responded! I’ll highlight more comments in the next digest. Here is what you might have missed on SouthernPlate.com over the past two weeks…

We’ve had two guest kitchen posts, both courtesy of Susan Spencer from her mother’s recipe collection:

• Blue Ribbon Brownies
• Pufky’s Picnic Chicken

I had two posts in my Life At Bountiful Section of the site, this is the section where I put non recipe posts and is not included in my regular Southern Plate Subscription. You are welcome to subscribe if you’d like to, though. It is free, of course! Click here to subscribe.

• The night I’ll never forget – a local book club chose my book as their book of the month and decided to have a Southern Plate potluck – I showed up and surprised them!

• My Notes on Marketing Your Blog - I spoke at a blog conference recently on how to market your blog and here are my expanded notes for anyone interested.

You might want to check out:

Better For Your Diet Southern Recipe Collection

More Recipe Tutorials!

I also posted recipe tutorials on Peanut Butter Fudge Iced Brownies, Quick and Easy Strawberry Soup, Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken and Rice, and Quick and Easy Beef Stroganoff – with a story about where I’m from.

“There are two ways of spreading light:

to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”

Thank you Cara! Submit your quote by clicking here.

I thought I’d compile a list of what everyone has been cooking (special thanks to all the folks who answered my question on facebook this morning to make this list easier to compile!) with link to the recipes in case you get a hankering to head in the kitchen and whip some of these up.

So, What’s Been Cooking in the Southern Plate Family?

HERE WE GO!

BBQ Joint Stew

Lots of folks have made this since I posted it earlier in the week.

Rachel Wesley said: “I fixed your BBQ Joint stew last night and the first word out of my husbands mouth was, ‘Wow!’ It was definately a hit.”

Banana Crumb Cake

Kelly Watson said: “I made your banana crumb cake! Since it made 2 cakes we got our snow boots on and walked the other one to our pastor and his wife (just down the block). Everyone LOVED it!”

Chicken Planks

Crock Pot Chili

Kimberly Duncan said: “I made your chicken planks the other night.. Won over several northerners! Last night we had your chili and again, Big Hit!! I’m from southern Missouri but live in Wisconsin.. My kids are constantly dragging their friends home to ‘eat real food’!! Haha!! Oh, and the Banana Crumb Cake, everyone’s new favorite!! ”

Chicken Stew

Bama Steak Sandwiches

Celest Koncul said: “I made your chicken stew and we loved it! Had your Bama steak sandwiches last night-that has become a stand by for me.Keep em coming,please!”

Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

Debbie Strum said: ” Just made the Double Chocolate Chip Muffins and OhmytheyareSOOOgood!!! I feel so content now. Gonna have to put more cocoa powder on the shopping list. You’ll have NO REGRETS making these! And trust me, they’re just as good the next morning. Well, if there are any left! Gonna splurge and have another one with some hot chocolate. Christy, no wonder yer younguns think you’re the “bestest cooker” and Mama in the whole world! DANG WOMAN!

Mama’s Hoe Cake

Mary Mounts said: I had never heard of “hoe cakes” until I saw your recipe. I’ve made it 6 straight days now and both my hubby and I love it, especially with butter in the middle. A million thank you’s Christy.

These are just a few of the recipes folks have been whipping up this week from Southern Plate. I hope you’ll visit the links and make a few of them appear on your table soon, too. Be sure to check out the Southern Plate cookbook if you haven’t already!

I’d also like to thank Melissa Herring for posting this photo, which is sooooo true! ~giggles~

Southerners Enjoyment Of Snow Over Time

(Click on photo to make it larger)

Have a wonderful Friday!

Gratefully,

Christy

Are you a food blogger or want to learn more about how to become one?

Join me January 22nd in Birmingham Alabama for FoodBlog South!

This full day blog conference will feature some of the most amazing people in the food industry. Learn photography and food styling tips from Southern Living’s finest (and the photographer of my book!), I’ll be speaking on how to market your blog and there will be numerous other sessions on everything from Blogging 101 to going from blog to book! This will be a great day filled with priceless information and networking. For more information, click here. Registration closes soon so hurry!

Old Fashioned Stovetop Hot Chocolate

I’ll never forget the first time I had homemade, real, hot chocolate, made on the stove and not with a mix. Although we made our ownmix from scratch (and it was delicious) there was just something about that extra chocolaty decadence of classic hot chocolate, with that little extra bit of cocoa lingering for the last sip that had me hooked. Click here to print recipe.

Homemade Cinnabuns – The Easy Way!

These cinnamon rolls have power behind them – real power. You could pretty much get anything you wanted if you showed up toting a plate of these babies, warm with icing oozing down the side.

Our Family’s Chicken Stew Recipe

Please make this chicken stew.

Its that good. Its so good that it actually bothers me to think that some of you might only look at the photos, read the tutorial, and never make it. Its so good that if I could, I would seriously arrange a time and place for all of us to meet up under a tent somewhere in the middle of the country just to serve you this chicken stew. Its just……..its…..well folks, its just so good!

Mama’s Hoe Cake

I can honestly say that this is a rare recipe, having searched and not found it anywhere online. I do hope you will try it and guarantee that if you like biscuits, you’ll LOVE hoe cake.

This is especially good with Crock Pot Apple Butter!

• Want more recipes? Check out the index at SouthernPlate.com where you’ll find well over three hundred recipes complete with tutorials.

• If you’re looking for more ramblings to read, I’ve been posting up a storm over in the Life At Bountiful Section of Southern Plate- Click here to read!

Also, Amazon.com is now selling the Southern Plate cookbook for a little over $15.00 so pick up your copy now at this great price!

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth,

for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:

it is the time for home.

~Edith Sitwell

Submit your quote or read some others by clicking here.

Sawdust Pie

If you’ve never had Sawdust pie before, I really do feel it could become a fast family favorite. The taste is rich and buttery, and whipped cream and sliced bananas set it off to sheer perfection.

Homemade Cinnabuns – the easy way

These cinnamon rolls have power behind them – real power. You could pretty much get anything you wanted if you showed up toting a plate of these babies, warm with icing oozing down the side.

Mexican Wedding Cookies

My mother used to make these especially for me when I was a little girl because I loved the Danish Wedding Cookies that were sold in the grocery stores. They were a bit pricey, so she made these for me instead – which were MUCH better anyway!

THANK YOU for supporting the book and SouthernPlate.com!

I love what I do and am forever grateful to you for allowing me to continue to do it.

Dear Family,

I’ve made it to the home stretch of the book tour! This is my last week of heavy travel away from the kids and we are really looking forward to getting back to whatever our new normal ends up being. I’m looking forward to being home to get them ready for school and tuck them in at night. I’ve had a wonderful time getting to meet you all, but I am soooooooo meant to be at home with my family.

As I head out to Fairhope and Birmingham Alabama this week, you can watch for me tomorrow on Talk of Alabama in Birmingham and come meet me at either of those book signings. I have a hug with your name on it! For more information, please click here.

Be sure to check out what I’ve added December 29th! It’s a special surprise. I’ll have another surprise to put up there soon, too! A lot of people have read about that surprise date and asked if I’m bringing the family with me. I’m actually going to fly in and fly back home as soon as I can. 1. It’s very expensive to fly four people up there. 2. As beautiful as New York can be at Christmas and New Years, Alabama has all that I need.

Thank you for lifting me up and loving me back.

Gratefully,

Christy

Every person ever created is so special that their presence in the world makes it richer and fuller and more wonderful than it could have ever been without them.

]]> http://www.southernplate.com/2010/11/november-favorites-sawdust-pie-cinnamon-buns-wedding-cookies.html/feed 13 http://www.southernplate.com/2010/10/20-ground-beef-recipes.html http://www.southernplate.com/2010/10/20-ground-beef-recipes.html#comments Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:20:09 +0000 Christy Jordan http://www.southernplate.com/?p=11989 If you have kids who like to be read stories, click here and let me read my new favorite children’s book to them!

As I’m bee-bopping around on this book tour of mine, I thought I’d bring you a few compilation posts from time to time. Today’s post is all about that good old family favorite: Ground Beef. Below you’ll find some of my personal favorite ground beef recipes and a list of just about every ground beef recipe on Southern Plate (I may have left one or two out but I think I got ‘em all in there).

I hope you enjoy these recipes and keep your eyes open for my next post, which will be sweet as honey! ~winks and grins~

Ground Beef Stew (with a secret!)

Hearty, filling, easy, economical, and bursting with flavor!

Deep Dish Pizza

Made this the night I came home from the first week of touring. It hit the spot!

Hobo Packets

Ever feel like your family expects you to be a short order cook in the kitchen? You’ll love this recipe, then! Hobo packets are a snap to put together and easily customizable to suit everyone!

Pizza Rolls

This was a favorite at our house when we were teens and is a favorite at my house any day!

Taco Soup – World’s Easiest Supper

Gotta love a recipe where you throw everything in a pot and come back to supper fifteen minutes later!

MORE ground beef recipes!

Christy’s Crock Pot Chili

Not  Your Average Joe Sloppy Joes

Meatloaf! Making, Freezing, and Small Batch Options

Baked Sandwiches

Taco Pizza (and my version of Border Patrol)

Super Easy Spaghetti Sauce

Crunchy Beef Casserole (and my casserole dish collection)

Daddy’s Hot Dog Chili

Meatballs Make Many Meals

Dirty Rice and a tale of no refunds

Janice’s Stuffed Peppers

Slow Cooker Meatloaf (A Flat Christy post) – I’m going to do more of these soon as I have time

Mama’s Taco Casserole - oh how I love this!

Shipwreck Casserole, ARR!

Slow Cooker Lasagna

**THIS POST is how I process large quantities of ground beef. The post is pretty old but it still shows it just as well. I prefer to buy large quantities of ground beef and cook it all at once. I then freeze it to have cooked ground beef on hand anytime I need to whip up a quick meal. This is my #1 timesaver!

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Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together.

Thank you so much, Susan Crane, for submitting this quote. To submit a quote or see others, please click here.