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My NEW blog address is
bj-sweetnothings.blogspot.com

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thanks, bj

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

SOUL FOOD..and good for the spirit, too.

ONCE a week, when I was still living at home,
my mama would have an 
all vegetable dinner...
well SUPPER, we called it back then.  

well, we still DO call it supper sometimes...
 ONE of my very favorites, THEN and NOW...
FRESH black-eyed peas, seasoned with a tiny bit of BACON drippings, salt and pepper..

FRESH corn, scraped off the cob,
butter...a little bit of sugar...salt and pepper...
PURE BLISS 

ummmm       
AND, the best part of all..
HOT WATER CORN BREAD
 
MERCY...it brings one to their ever-lovin' KNEES  
 My mama could make THE BEST...
I can still see my Aunt Lillian and Uncle Lee, sitting at the kitchen table
while my mom made a batch of these.
My aunt would have a knife in one hand and her other hand holding the tub of butter.

Mr. Sweet and I seldom eat FRIED foods any more..
but ever so often,
we actually CRAVE these..
and come HELL OR HIGH WATER,
BY GOSH......
WE'RE GONNA MAKE SOME  !!
AND, we smother them in butter...
A small STREAM of BUTTER.
(do you HEAR me, PAULA DEEN..?..BUTTER!!)
I used my mom's recipe for years..
then, I found one EVEN BETTER .......*I whispered that...
It is one of those NO FAIL recipes..
I've used this recipe a thousand times and never has it failed to be 
SOOO GOOD 

If you've never tried HOT WATER CORNBREAD,
please DO.....
SOOO good.
 DO you have any of your favorite recipes taped to 
the inside door of a cabinet ?
I do ...

One of my fondest memories (and, at MY age, I have a LOT)
is opening my mama's cabinet doors and seeing recipes from
aunts, friends, cousins.....her favorites taped inside the cabinet door
for quick reference. 
THIS one, I cut out of a COUNTRY LIVING magazine several years
ago simply because I thought it was so pretty...
I always thought I would enlarge it and put it in an awesome frame for my kitchen.
I just never got around to it.
It was only tonight that I noticed HER name at the bottom..
SUSAN BRANCH
Back years ago, I had never heard of her..
Now, I stalk her like a mad woman.
No WONDER I fell in love with this beautiful recipe.
O.....
and I HAVE made this delicious ham many, MANY times..

I am linking with
FULL PLATE THURSDAY 
FOODIE FRIDAY
FESTIVE FRI. FIESTA 
 TICKLED PINK FRI.
HAPPY HOUR FRIDAY 

37 comments:

Trisha said...

That is exactly the way corn should be prepared! I will definitely have to try the recipe for corn bread...thank you!

~Trisha

Sunflowers With Smiles said...

First time I ever heard of this cornbread.m but I do have to say corn on the cob shaved with butter and a little sugar is heaven.

Kathleen said...

Never had it, but it sure looks good!

Blondie's Journal said...

I never heard of the cornbread but I do trust mama and grandma and the rest of the ladies that passed these recipes on down! Sometimes you might find a recipe that's a little better, but the main idea is the same.

My mother always called a meal before 5:00 dinner, and anything after, supper. I just call it, "It's on the table!".

XO,
Jane

Becky said...

BJ your dinner sounds delicious.
I have an easy dessert for you.
1 can of crushed pineapple in its own juice. A BOXED ANGEL food cake mix. Mix the 2 ingredients together and bake according to the box. I made mine in a bundt pan. We made it Sunday when the kids came over. It was gone by evening. Very enjoyable. Blessings, Becky

Michelle said...

I always enjoyed my paternal grandmother's cornbread, but I don't think she made it with hot water. I will have to try this!

Lynn said...

I love meatless meals every so often BJ! Still have to try the hot water corn bread, gonna save this post:@)

Kathleen Grace said...

I am afraid I have never had ANY of these foods! That cornbread sure looks good slathered in butter! My mom has always had recipes taped to the inside of her cabinets, and I had some too until I painted the cabinets a couple years ago. Then I didn't want to maar the paint with tape. Lol

Madeline's Album said...

Everything sounds delicious. Your photos really show off the yummy goodness. Have a blessed evening. Madeline

LV said...

That is the kind of food I was raised on. I could be a vegetarian real easy. Love my veggies. I do not have a booth in Canton but would meet you if I were here. I am going to see my sister Sunday and will not be back in time. Enjoy your trip and hope the weather will be nice.

Beth said...

Everything looks delicious!

Unknown said...

Hubby and I often have meatless suppers. Since I retired, I usually cook breakfast and supper. We love corn (off the cob). The only thing I add to mine is a little oil, butter, salt and pepper, and just a little water. It's to die for (if I do say so). That's how my mama did it too. Your peas, corn and cornbread look so good. Enjoy!

On Crooked Creek said...

BJ,
Don't believe I've ever eaten fried corn bread before, dear friend!!! But, darling...anything you make to eat tempts me beyond control!!! Ha!!!
Fondly,
Pat

Vee said...

Goodness, I've never even heard of hot water cornbread. I can't imagine...is it like a bagel? I do love your descriptions and anytime you mention slathering anything with butter, my antennae are up!

Yes, I have all my used often (but this brain doesn't remember everything) recipes on an inside kitchen cabinet door.

Carol said...

I've never heard of hot water cornbread. Putting it on my to make list! And, yes, I have recipes taped to the inside of my cabinets. Great minds think alike!

Smiles,
Carol

Cheryl @ TFD said...

From the first glance, I just knew that had to be a Susan Branch recipe! It has that distinctive artistic touch of hers all over it! Love her blog.
I've never had hot water cornbread before, so I'll be trying this recipe! Thanks for sharing!

Lorrie said...

I've never heard of frying corn bread - how delicious that would be.

When I saw the ham recipe clipping, I was sure it had to be Susan Branch's work. Isn't she talented?

Anwar Fazil said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Debbie said...

I tape recipes to the inside of my cabinet doors too. In fact, I had a mess of tape to deal with when I was redoing the kitchen. I haven't put them back yet. I was thinking about some magnetic paint for the inside of some of them for magnets but haven't decided.

But to your post... I love an all veggie dinner, and my philosophy would be that since your dinner is so healthy, you have earned the right to fry the bread. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

It. Looks. Yummy.
Especially with the butter.

Theresa said...

Oh that corn brought back some SWEET memories of my childhood:) We lived off of food from the garden! Love remembering those days! I have never tried cornbread that way but you can bet I WILL be trying it:) Have a blessed day dear BJ, HUGS!

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

BJ, this looks so good! My mom used to make hot water cornbread frequently for Sunday dinner. I make it occasionally for my girls. They LOVE it!!!

Audrey said...

Hi bj ... You are always coming up with something different and delicious looking. Love cornbread, but never made hot water cornbread and fried it. We don't eat much fried food, but I will try this. Looks too good not to. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Hi bj, your dinner looks so cozy and comforting! I have never made hot water cornbread or even tried it! I will have to change that. The ham sounds wonderful, too. And yes, I have recipes taped inside the cabinets, too. xo
Thanks for your sweet visit!

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

This way of preparing cornbread is new to me!! Looks delish! And I also love Susan Branch - I have all of her books, and they are so much fun to just browse through, and the recipes are great!

Anonymous said...

bj now you talkn southern gurlfriend.

I could eat my weight in fresh corn,peas and cornbread.

I bet your mama could really dish up some great cooking.We miss our mama's.
I need to get familiar with Susan Branch,she seems like my kinda cook.

Have a great end of week.
Jo @ LoblollyLane

Kat said...

Hi BJ. Thanks so much for visiting my blog and entering my giveaway. I am now following you too! Have a wonderful weekend.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I should NEVER EVER visit your blog at night. From now on you are going to be on my morning list to visit!!
(vexed because now she is dying for some of that BUTTAH!)

xinex said...

You are such a good homemaker. I wish I am too. Love the corn!....Christine

Leslie Anne Tarabella said...

Mmmm. I usually start craving meals like this in the summertime when the garden is full. Tomatoes, corn, beans - it's all so good, and yes, cornbread ties it all together! I'm going to look into making your version. Sound delicious!

bj said...

TO BECKY...you didn't leave a way for me to contact you...it's a NO REPLY. Please, next time, leave me a way to say THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I can't wait to try that recipe you sent me...sounds sooo good.
xoxo bj

Becky said...

BJ I thought my email daddy was on there. We loved the cake. I threw in a little bit of coconut.
Have a great weekend BJ.
beckyp47@roadrunner.com

Pondside said...

BJ, I ALWAYS seem to leave your posts and head for the kitchen! You make me hungry! We're having ribs tonight, but you've made me want some of that cornbread....and I've never, ever heard of frying cornbread. I can well believe it is scrumptious.

shannon i olson said...

there is nothing like some down home fried country food from time to time! I know it isn't good for you, but notice how those folks that ate it so much and worked so hard in their life- usually lived a long good life? hmmm

Sarah said...

BJ, some of my favorite foods. '-)
Will try the hot water cornbread. That's a new one to me. Have a great weekend.......Sarah

Miz Helen said...

We call it super here and there would not be a bite left. It all looks so good and it is pure soul food. Your recipe is fabulous and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday. Have a great weekend and come back soon!
Miz Helen

Donna said...

Hi BJ!!! :)

Your Soul Food recipes look heavenly!!! I am going to have to try that Corn Bread!!! :) I will let you know how it turns out!

xoxoxoxoxo
Donna

Winnie said...

Vegetable food is definitely for me (I'm a vegetarian)
I've actually never tried cornbread and I just LOVE what I see here!
I have to try this recipe
Thanks!!