THIS COUNTRY GIRL COOKS

Memorial Day eats:

I cannot think of quintessential summertime dishes without a great cobbler coming on board the raster.  I believe Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the summertime season.  Campers head out, kids mentally check out of school, and there is usually a great BBQ thrown into the mix somewhere.

Especially a great cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream.

Cobblers are the lazy woman’s pie to me.  And this woman loves being lazy.  There is no crust to make and roll out, it’s basically tossing all the ingredients into a baking dish and letting it bubble away in the oven.  And it’s just too heavenly to resist.

Read the rest of this entry »

Why does a big old bowl of smokey beans always make me think of Dennis The Menace?

Possibly because I was, and frankly still am, terrified of the bum from that movie.  And the scene, with said hobo and Dennis under the railroad tracks, eating a big pot of beans will be forever engraved into my twisted little brain.

Thank Heavens it did not ruin my love or appetite for beans.  I’m pretty sure obsession that stems from my father.  The man loves beans like no one’s business, and I guess this apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.  

I love them for their protein, their comfort food appeal, and their simplicity.  They basically go with everything.  Or at least I try to pair them with everything…

Read the rest of this entry »

My thoughts and prayers are with those in Oklahoma.

There are days when I seriously am at a loss for words.

Thoughts; well those are a different story.  I cannot seem to turn my brain off, ever.  But as far as writing clever, cheeky little remarks everyday to imaginary friends over the interweb can be challenging on days when I feeling speechless and blah.

I do admit, we have the perfect relationship for the fact that I spout off about whatever ramblings are rolling through my head, and you go kindly listen.

I hate people, have I told you this before?  Not really, but I cannot stand traffic, and mass crowds of consumers.

Maybe that’s why I love our little corner of the earth in the country.  Where I can be somewhat of a recluse and kick it all day with a few horses, a herd of goats, and a few dogs thrown in for good measure.  I think I’d rather be surrounded by our animals than people.  Truth.

But, don’t get me wrong.  I do love you.  That’s why I slave away every day to bring you tasty recipes.  I am just a natural born giver, what can I say.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s the simple things in life that make things wonderviou.

Like spending an entire evening reading nothing but great magazines.  Or filling a Sunday afternoon with your boo painting a really exciting project.  Orr stuffing a pepper with everything Southwestern and delectable and baking it.

Yes, it’s the little things that keep my heart beating alive and well.

Have a lovely meatless Monday friends.

Read the rest of this entry »

Why is a blankie woven of cheese Heaven so indescribably beautiful?

Few things in this life will ever be as glorious as memorizing to me, as melting cheese.  Maybe my husband, but it’s a really close call. 

So we now have a heard of goats.  Literally.

We started with 3, and now we have 6.  It’s getting a little frightening, “we are not goat people” says the man of the house.  I find the babies running a muck our yard, trying to climb inside my whiskey barrel flower planters, and eating my roses!  Cute little buggers. Where was I going with this you may be asking?

Well, because we have two mama goats, I keep getting this urge to milk them, and make my own goat cheese.  Would we call this cheese obsession going too far?

Read the rest of this entry »

Pink is my new obsession…

Pink it’s not even a question…

Pink as the bing on your cherry…

Pink cause you are so very…

Can you guess what we’re having?!?!

I know, she actually baked!  It’s amazin’, right?

I went ahead and made mini loaves.  I thought this was a safe way to ensure that I wouldn’t be left alone with a large whole loaf to devour (if I got ravenous), I wouldn’t have to wait an hour while it baked, and I could give a few loaves away to my favorite people.

This was a strong decision on my part.  I feel good about these choices, and I felt extra good having a slice for a mid afternoon pick me up.  It was just what I wanted.

Read the rest of this entry »

There is just something about pulled BBQ chicken that screams summertime!

I love it, I love everything about it.  I love the crisp bite of the coleslaw, the smack of heat from the jalapenos, and the smokey sweet from the BBQ sauce.

I also love that these sandwiches are a great way to use leftover chicken!

Dinner can be tossed together in a matter of 15 minutes.  Another love I have for this sandwich?  It’s actually really healthy.  Not a lot of fat going on, but all the renderings of a masterpiece.

Read the rest of this entry »

Happy Monday my friends.  And welcome back to another addition of Meatless Monday.

This time we’re going for tacos.  Lentil and kidney bean mashed tacos.  Oh my lands, they are good too!  So healthy and filling, that you won’t even miss the meat.

So, this isn’t the prettiest picture (note to self: lentils are really unappealing to photograph), but don’t let it deceive you, they are quite good.

Even meat lovers (who “hate”, or so they think, meatless Mondays), loved these.

Read the rest of this entry »