Living 2 Eat |

Saturday

Hello Foodies,

Well, I do hope that each of you had a terrific Thanksgiving feast.  If you are like me, you are trying to decide if it is time to diet or just gain another 20 pounds and try the starvation diet beginning January 2^nd.    The curse of loving good food… huh.

During this holiday season, I am paying tribute to family and friends.   This coming week, I will focus on some all time favorite recipes from the great state of South Carolina.   My mother’s family hailed from that State, as did many of my father’s relations.

The terrific recipes are perfect for the holidays and include many that will make your mouth water.   All recipes can be found in the newly printed South Carolina Farm Bureau cookbook… check it out… it makes for a great gift to any foodie.  I will be interested in knowing which recipes you all like best.  Also, if you have a favorite recipe that is rooted in South Carolina, please let me know.

Happy eatin’!

Ben

P.S.  The picture is of caramel flan with blood oranges and pomegranate seeds prepared by Pastry Chef Lauren Mitter of the Red Drum Gastropub in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Dear Foodies,

Wow… what an incredible past couple of days.   Food, food, and more food.  I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed each and every bite.   Living in the city it is rare that I get an honest to goodness Southern feast complete with family, friends and fun times.

My immediate family was scattered this year – parents went to my sisters in Arkansas, brother went to his in-laws, and I headed to Lake Placid for Thanksgiving with my grandmother and cousins.   Being single, I am blessed with the ability to be somewhat of a free agent during the holidays.  Over the years I have enjoyed holidays with good friends, and extended family.   This year, I was so thankful for the opportunity to be in the company of countless relatives (some that I have not seen in a very long time).

Our meal was nothing short of blatant gluttony.    As Southern Baptists, we do not imbibe, but we often overeat.   Since gluttony is rarely preached upon in the Baptist church, we can overlook a day or two of extra calories, carbs and sugars.

The meal time began with everyone holding hands, a scripture reading from the Bible, and everyone sharing what they are thankful for.   Cousin Mary Lou started off the circle of thanks and told how she praised God for having a wonderful Christian mother who taught her the importance of faith and family.   I gave thanks for being with my extended family and being able to meet some of them for the first time.

After a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving, it was time to eat… and eat we did… the kitchen counters were a makeshift buffet and not an inch of counter space could be seen.   Here is a sampling of what I feasted upon:

Fried turkey breast

Roast turkey

Smoked turkey

Fried venison (aka Bambi; deer meat)

Macaroni & cheese

Stuffing (my grandmother makes this and it is wonderful)

Candied sweet potatoes

Sweet potato soufflé (with an incredible topping)

Turnip greens

Squash casserole

Creamed corn

-         A table of appetizers included fresh fruits, spinach dip with bread chunks, boiled shrimp and several other things.   I didn’t spend much time at this table because I was saving room for the main course.

-         I cannot begin to even tell you what was on the dessert table as I was so full that I did not eat one more bite of anything after my second plate of food was consumed (our plates were the very large Chinet platters).  I was stuffed.  But, several cousins raved about the red velvet cake.

NOTE:  all of these items were fresh, nothing canned and nothing processed.   The ladies (and gentlemen) in the family are all excellent cooks and all take pride in their culinary concoctions.

Cousin Cecilia reported later that evening that the potato salad and deviled eggs were forgotten in the refrigerator. 

A Southern family gathering is always a treat.    Our meal was huge as each dish was prepared in huge pans akin to what can be found at any industrial kitchen.   We are big eaters!  Needless to say, we had enough food left over that 50 people could have eaten and probably not emptied the pans.  

Regardless of the economy and world happenings, I am rich…  surrounded by family, able to celebrate my faith and give thanks, and have plenty to eat.  Praise God for His goodness to all of us.  

Ben

Dear Foodies,

Today, November 4^th, is election day in the United States.  

The greatest right we have in America is the right to vote and enjoy the democratic process.   Countless brave men and women have fought to help insure our freedom and staying home on election day is inexcusable.

Although this website is not advocating McCain or Obama, it is advocating being a part of the electoral process and making your voice heard.   When good people do nothing, bad things will happen.  

To all the candidates (Democrat, Independent or Republican), thank you for subjecting yourself to the American public and being willing to have every aspect of your life scrutinized.   This 2008 election has shown us partisan politics at its worst – half truths, dubious allegations, and mud slinging.  Heaven help anyone who runs for office.

Once our election is over, I think our country would be well served if we would all invite someone of the opposite political party over for a meal and find common ground.   Over a nice dinner, learn about the heart of the other person and by the time dessert is served, I bet we will all find that we love America and have the ability to work together for the common good.

So, begin planning a post-election meal to celebrate America!

Ben

Growing up in Immokalee, Florida, I can remember each Halloween visiting the home of Orville & Margaret Rainwater.   Mrs. Rainwater would spend many hours making candied apples for the countless kids that would ring the doorbell and belt out…  ‘trick or treat’.   

In these store bought days of bulk candy from wholesale clubs, it makes my memories of Mrs. Rainwater’s homemade Halloween treats all the more special.   Of all the nice things I remember about Mr. & Mrs. Rainwater, this memory is one that lasts a lifetime.

Old Fashioned Candied Apples

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups corn syrup

1/3 cup cinnamon candy

1 cup water

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp cloves

3/4 tsp red food coloring

6 apples

Remove stems from apples, wash, and pat dry. Insert a wooden skewer in each apple, running through the apple from stem end to base without protruding all the way through the bottom end.

Combine sugar, corn syrup, cinnamon candies, and water in medium-sized saucepan. Cook until candies dissolve, stirring constantly. Be careful not to boil. Add cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, and food coloring. Mix thoroughly. Boil mixture to 300F using a candy thermometer without stirring.

While mixture is boiling, generously prepare a baking sheet with cooking spray so it’s ready ahead of time. As soon as mixture reaches 300F, remove it from heat and quickly dip each apple-one by one-into the mixture until it is thoroughly coated.

Set coated apples, standing on their bottoms with skewer pointing up, on baking sheet until mixture hardens. Let apples reach room temperature before eating.

Sunday – October 19, 2008

Dear Foodies,

Two nights ago, I received word from a good friend who is a minister requesting my assistance in helping him book a rental car in Flint, Michigan.  His beloved grandmother passed away and the rates he was given were nearing highway robbery.

Having recently left a job that required extensive travel in/out of the State of Michigan, I was quite familiar with the Flint airport and the staff.  I immediately phoned my contact at the local Hertz desk and arranged for my friend to have a great car for pennies.   

This month I have purposely held off on remembering the dozens of clergy I know as I wanted to insure that I could do something really great for just one of them and make it meaningful.   I felt certain that my finances would not allow for a gift for each, however, for one I could do something nice.

The communication requesting help with the rental car reminded me of something so basic… we each have the ability to do something major for the clergy without having to spend money.   My dear bereaved friend was elated with his newly found rental car deal, and I was somewhat bewildered as I didn’t think my actions were anything noteworthy.   My friend reminded me that it was a huge deal to him.

As we are rapidly closing out of October, let us remember that this month is dedicated to Clergy Appreciation.   Regardless of our economic abilities, we all have the ability to do something powerful for those fearless spiritual leaders we count upon.

Good cookin’

Ben

Sunday – October 12^th

Dear Foodies,

My mother called about two months ago to insure that Sunday, October 12^th was reserved on my calendar… it is “Homecoming Weekend” at my home church, First Baptist Church – Immokalee, Florida.

Our church was always a special place because of the warm friendly spirit that seemed to characterize the community.   Most of our preachers relocated to Immokalee from elsewhere and every one of them commented on the generosity of the membership.   Something about small towns lends itself to giving unselfishly.

Building upon October’s designation as Clergy Appreciation Month, I offer some suggestions for blessing your spiritual leaders:

Date Night – arrange for your leader and their spouse to have a nice romantic evening out without worries of childcare or limited budgets;

Car Wash – contact a local auto detailer and arrange for a first class auto detail.  Go all the way, and have this done once a month for a year;

Open the flood gates – contact each lay leader (Sunday School teacher, Bible Study host, Youth Group Chairman, etc.) and enlist their assistance in doing something special for each member of the church staff (including the janitor).  A gift of several dozen thank you notes from a children’s class can be extremely uplifting.

If you have any terrific ideas for encouraging the clergy, please share.

Good cookin’

Ben

Sunday – October 5

Church attendance throughout the South was somewhat obligatory as opposed as to voluntary because of the charismatic personailities embodied by preachers, ministers, reverends, bishops, pastors, brothers… all names that define leadership within Christian churches.   In the Jewish faith, their leader is called Rabbi.   An encompassing word for all religious leaders is ‘clergy’, and October is Clergy Appreciation Month.

During the month of October, I am going to encourage each of you to pay tribute to clergy each Sunday.   These unsung heroes are never properly recognized for the late nights spent in prayer, hospital visits, weddings, funerals, counseling, etc.   These folks have endured countless suggestions, ‘brilliant ideas’, and members who only serve God in an advisory capacity!   

Having graduated from a Southern Baptist school - Palm Beach Atlantic University - I know many clergy, and all are faithful servants who give of themselves tirelessly with little public recognition.   Some suggestions on how you can honor a member of the clergy:

Cook a special dinner in your home using your finest silver, china, crystal and linens.  Honor clergy and their families with a very special evening… and don’t ask 101 Bible questions at the dinner table.  Allow them to be guests, not a psychologist or marital counselors.  Have each member of your family express why they are appreciative for the clergy’s leadership;

‘Adopt’ a member of the clergy’s family and invest in that person – birthday, holidays, encouraging notes, attendance at his/her special events (graduation, athletic games, drama productions, etc.).   A happy minister is a minister who has a happy family… and often their families are overlooked, burdened and expected to live lives beyond reproach;

Compliment and encourage the church leadership each week… even when you do not agree with their every decision.   Pray for them, don’t gossip about them.   Encourage your friends to do the same and this will probably be the greatest gift you can ever give the clergy.

For those who are not involved with church but admire clergy, find a local church with a terrific outreach ministry (food bank, clothing closets, etc.) and write their leader a nice note.    Or, clean your cupboard and closets and give something in their honor.

As you can see, these suggestions are easy and can so encourage our weary leaders.   Clergy are in impossible situations as they cannot please everyone and must continually wage war with the countless factions that are always a part of any church.  

Honor clergy for their faithfulness because we surely would not want to carry the load they do.   Serving others ain’t easy, just ask Jesus Christ… he paid the ultimate price for being a faithful servant.

Good cookin’

Ben

Sunday – September 28^th

Dear Foodies,

Last week, I wrote about how my Sunday’s were spent as a young man… and that post reminded me of many Lord’s Day meals spent with friends, family and visiting clergy.    Our home was always open to church leaders and if I can brag a bit, they all raved about my Mother’s fine cooking!

My family would often eat Sunday dinner at the home of Emory & Bobbie Johnson.  ‘Miss Bobbie’ is a wonderful cook from Alma, Georgia, who always fried chicken to perfection.   Her meals never included fancy recipes, but always featured fresh vegetables and desserts made from scratch.  An invitation to Miss Bobbie’s is coveted as you are guaranteed a fine Southern meal.

Below are four incredible recipes that I consider synonymous with a Southern Sunday dinner.   Because I now live in the city and folks here rarely cook, I will welcome an invitation to your home when you try these fine dishes!

Good cookin’

Ben

This is going to be short and simple… clean your closets, clean your garage, and get rid of anything you have not used in recent years.  

Foodies always have closets full of clothing in all sizes, get rid of the ‘when I lose 100lbs’ outfits.   By the time you and I lose 100lbs, the clothing will be outdated.  Plus, if you lose 100lbs your family will be in shock and willingly buy you new clothes!   

If you have boxes in the garage that have not been opened in a few years, do not even open the boxes, just give it away.  Trust me on this, you must clear the way for blessings in your life… empty your house so that you can then refill it with newer (and nicer) things.  Live on faith.

The local Salvation Army will gladly come to your home and pick up items in GOOD shape.    They will not pick up junk, nor will they pick up your rusted cans of beets that have been in the pantry since the Reagan Administration! 

Countless community organizations are currently making arrangements to ship items to Texas to start clothing closets for those who have lost everything — including their sources of income.   Children still need school clothes, so involve the entire family.

Rule of thumb when cleaning:  If you are too embarrassed to give the item to a neighbor, then do not burden the organization with something that should be thrown away.

If the Texas shaped sugar cookies look good to you, click here!