I'm thankful to have been born and raised in the South. My life has been so rich because of the culture of my Southern influence.
One thing I love is, of course, Southern cooking. My mother taught me to cook, so I learned from the best.
The only thing I don't use any more is bacon fat, which is not kosher, Gail-Friends. But I've learned to work around that in a healthy and tasty way by replacing it with chicken or vegetable bouillon.
One of my Southern traditions is to eat black-eyed peas and rice on the first day of January each year. This is what my Mama cooked and I do, too. She is in a nursing home now, so I cooked this and took her a big plate full.
What you see (clockwise) in the photo above is black-eyed peas with rice. On top is boiled okra and chopped fresh onions.
Then we have turnip greens and roots, boiled together. I prefer to use rutabagas, but couldn't find any. I like to add chopped banana peppers and juice to that on my plate. My daddy called it "pepper sauce".
Then we have cooked turkey link sausage. I am so thankful to have turkey products in place of the nasty old pig meat.
And, then we have Southern-style cornbread, which is not sweet. Mama called it hoe-cake, and mine never tastes as good as her's.
That, my dear Gail-Friends, is some good Southern eatin' right there. Here's what my stove looked like when I was preparing our meal. This is a fine way to start the year, don't you think?
What are you thankful for this week?
Thankful Thursday is my day to focus on and be thankful for the good things in my life.
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I'm linking up today with:
Dropping by from Spiritual Sundays. That I would love to taste:) My entry: Are you carrying a heavy load?
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Joy. So glad you stopped by today.
DeleteHi, Gail!
ReplyDeleteI am a born and raised Florida native, one of the few left. I love good ole` Southern cooking.
I, too, am learning to cook these meals in a healthier fashion.
I noticed a few things about our family...my dad called it `pepper sauce`, also.
I learned how to cook from my mom, and I still enjoy cooking.
My mom is in a nursing home and would love that plate of food.
Have a great weekend!
You are right, Michelle about the native Florida thing. You would probably enjoy visiting the Facebook page "True Florida Cracker". I was born in another state, but my parents moved here when I was an infant. I consider myself a native because I have lived here all of my life.
DeleteWe do have a lot in common - a true Gail-Friend. I hope you'll keep coming back to visit.
Blessings,
GG
I'm sure your dinner was delicious. My grandma was from the south and she was a wonderful cook and pie baker.
ReplyDeleteHi Lilly's Mom - that particular meal is one I only make on New Years Day and I always enjoy it. There's nothing like Southern cooking for sure.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, and please come again real soon.
Bless You,
GG
Ah, that brings back the dear South to me! What am I thankful for this week? Thankful that I at least grew up in the south!
ReplyDelete