Blackberry goodness…

January 23, 2018

Every good recipe has a story; whether it’s who you received it from, where you first ate it, who made it for you, or who or what special occasion you’re making it for, chances are you’ll associate these things with that recipe..at least I do. I especially love recipes that I’ve received that are in the giver’s own handwriting. I love the memories that accompany or are associated with the recipes. It’s similar, I believe, to the fact that sense of smell and memory are closely related; particular smells often evoke specific memories for people.

Yesterday I took advantage of the fact that blackberries were on sale! My hubby thought I was cleaning out the store, but I had a particular blackberry cobbler in mind I wanted to make. I don’t pick or purchase blackberries often so I knew exactly what I would use them for; they would be put to good use in this cobbler.

The story or memory behind this particular recipe involves one of our sweet new neighbors (neighbor, as in 3 blocks down the street – same thing 😊 ) and family friend who brought us this yummy cobbler to ‘welcome us to the neighborhood’ shortly after we got married and moved in to our new home. It was so sweet, but she is indeed a very sweet lady. Not only is she a neighbor and family friend, but she also happens to be a former coworker and the nurse that oriented me when I was a new RN just starting at the local hospital. (Funny thing is she went on to be a school nurse as well.) A very sweet lady… Who makes a killer cobbler; I was thankful she shared the recipe. (How cute is this recipe card!?)

So, I made this yummy cobbler for a neighbor (friend and coworker) as well! My family and I enjoyed some week night company; my poor kids talked her ear off. I made a new chicken recipe with green chilies and cheese too; but my favorite part by far was dessert! (Big surprise 😛 )

Blackberry Cobbler
(Recipe adapted from Ms. Betty’s)

1 1/4 cup flour
Dash of salt
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup milk

4 cups berries
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp corn starch
1 1/4 cup water

Stir dry ingredients, then cut in shortening. Then add milk, stirring with fork. Set aside.
Prepare berries as follows: In a small saucepan combine 1 cup sugar and 1 1/4 cups boiling water. Bring to a boil, then whisk in corn starch, once boiling again, stir in berries. (May need to add a small amount of corn starch again.)
Pour berries into greased 9×9 pan; drop dollops of biscuit like mixture on top of berries.
Bake at 350* for approximately 20-25 minutes, until cobbler is lightly brown.

Sprinkle with some sanding sugar for some extra goodness! (I forgot to do this tonight!)

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Enjoy with a neighbor!

Turkey Trot…

November 23, 2017

Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday (to 4th of July), some of my favorite things are my traditional morning run and cuddling with the kids on the couch to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Today was no exception.  Finished 8 that felt really good- another day with no aches and pains so I was thrilled!

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Spent my entire run praying- thanking God for many things and lifting many people, friends, family, random people, even strangers up in prayer.  It was a great start to my day.  Then after a quick shower I was exactly where I wanted to be – on the couch cuddling with my two kiddos, enjoying the parade.  I love traditions that I grew up with and passing them on to see my children enjoy them as well.

Lastly, the day wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t discuss what I was contributing to the Thanksgiving meal at my in laws this year… 1. Green Bean casserole, the hubby’s fav. 2. Baked Corn (my mom’s recipe) 3. Homemade cranberry relish- MY fav! (recipe below) And 4. I’m always good for a dessert and this is one of my Thanksgiving favorites: ‘Chumpcan’ Pie… Cheesecake, pumpkin & pecan all in one!  I cannot take credit for this beautiful thing… you can find the recipe here: http://www.parsleysagesweet.com/2011/11/15/11750/

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We all love cheesecake, and then you add the fall flavor of pumpkin, and top it with what is my favorite part, the crunchy, slightly gooey pecan topping; it’s truly the best of all dessert worlds because it doesn’t make you choose between the three desserts after an over satisfying Thanksgiving meal. I chose to make mine in a spring form pan with a graham cracker crust, rather than a traditional pie crust like the recipe calls for (my hubby isn’t a big pie crust fan).  Additionally, the recipe gives you two options for the pecan topping, I went with the traditional pecan pie topping over the ‘gooey’ pecan pie topping- I’m sure either would be delicious though!

To enjoy your own cranberry relish see the simple recipe below.  Each time I make this I think of where the recipe came from (as I do with all handwritten recipes), and this came from a former coworker kindergarten teacher who makes this with her students at their annual kindergarten Thanksgiving feast. So simple and yummy.. if you don’t like the canned cranberry sauce, try this anyway! And if you do like canned cranberry sauce, after one taste of this, I’m sure you’ll never go back!

Cranberry Relish

Combine all in the food processor:

2 (12 oz) bags of fresh cranberries

2 apples (cored) (no need to peel)

2 oranges (I peel one and leave one unpeeled)

2 cups of sugar

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ENJOY!