Tag #ComfortFood

NATIONAL COUNTRY COOKING MONTH

Jensperspectiveblog 8 Comments

June kicks off National Country Cooking Month and a time when we spend more time with family. Whether we’re taking vacations or visiting relatives, we almost always get to savor some country cooking.

Digging into the stick-to-your-ribs biscuits and gravy for breakfast always starts the day off right. Don’t forget fried chicken with some watermelon and green beans on the side at lunch. Wrap up the day with a good ol’ barbeque and a little bit of apple pie and homemade ice cream.

Cook It in Cast Iron: Kitchen-Tested Recipes for the One Pan That Does It All (Cook's Country)#CountryCookingMonth
Cook It in Cast Iron: Kitchen-Tested Recipes for the One Pan That Does It All (Cook’s Country)
Taste of Home All-American Cookbook: 370 Ways to Savor the Flavors of the USA#CountryCookingMonth
Taste of Home All-American Cookbook: 370 Ways to Savor the Flavors of the USA
Soligt Cookbook Stand for Kitchen Counter Adjustable iPad Tablet Recipe Book Holder Rustic Wood Cutting Board Style - Brown#CountryCookingMonth
Soligt Cookbook Stand for Kitchen Counter Adjustable iPad Tablet Recipe Book Holder Rustic Wood Cutting Board Style – Brown
Umite Chef Kitchen Cooking Utensils Set, 33 pcs Non-stick Silicone Cooking Kitchen Utensils Spatula Set with Holder, Wooden Handle Silicone Kitchen Gadgets Utensil Set (Cream White)#CountryCookingMonth
Umite Chef Kitchen Cooking Utensils Set, 33 pcs Non-stick Silicone Cooking Kitchen Utensils Spatula Set with Holder, Wooden Handle Silicone Kitchen Gadgets Utensil Set (Cream White)

There’s so much more to country cooking. The soul and heart that goes into it, and a whole lot of love. The people who cook the meals we love the most have been making them for our parents and sometimes our grandparents, too. We pass the recipes and the techniques done from generation to generation.

As I was born and raised in Florida Country Cooking inevitably includes Southern Traditions. Banana Pudding, Chicken N’ Dumplings, Sweet Iced Tea, Country Fried Steaks with Gravy, just to name a few. While I am not related to the likes of The Pioneer Woman or Paula Dean some of those traditions will definitely grace our table.

In each serving, we add the seasoning of love and good memories. That’s what country cooking is all about.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Grab a plate full of country cooking this month. Get in the kitchen and share your favorite recipes by using #CountryCookingMonth on social media.

SENSARTE Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set 13-Piece, Healthy Pots and Pans Set, Non-toxic Kitchen Cooking Set with Stay-Cool Handles, Silicone Tools and Pot Protectors, PFAS and PFOA Free#CountryCookingMonth
SENSARTE Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set 13-Piece, Healthy Pots and Pans Set, Non-toxic Kitchen Cooking Set with Stay-Cool Handles, Silicone Tools and Pot Protectors, PFAS and PFOA Free
Country Kitchen 16 Piece Pots and Pans Set - Safe Nonstick Ceramic Coating Kitchen Cookware with Soft Touch Wooden Removable Handle, RV Cookware Set, Oven Safe (Grey/Ivory)#CountryCookingMonth
Country Kitchen 16 Piece Pots and Pans Set – Safe Nonstick Ceramic Coating Kitchen Cookware with Soft Touch Wooden Removable Handle, RV Cookware Set, Oven Safe (Grey/Ivory)
Utopia Kitchen Saute Fry Pan - Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set 3-Piece - Frying Pan - 6 Inch, 8 Inch and 10 Inch Cast Iron Set (Black)#CountryCookingMonth
Utopia Kitchen Saute Fry Pan – Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Set 3-Piece – Frying Pan – 6 Inch, 8 Inch and 10 Inch Cast Iron Set (Black)
Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Lid – Dual Handles – Oven Safe up to 500° F or on Stovetop - Use to Marinate, Cook, Bake, Refrigerate and Serve – Blue#CountryCookingMonth
Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Lid – Dual Handles – Oven Safe up to 500° F or on Stovetop – Use to Marinate, Cook, Bake, Refrigerate and Serve – Blue
Amazon Fresh Prime Delivery

NATIONAL SOUL FOOD MONTH

Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

National Soul Food Month in June is steeped in tradition, tracing its heritage back generations.

While soul food and southern cooking may often be compared, African-American slaves developed soul food’s distinct character by creating outstanding meals from less-than-desirable cuts of meat and produce.
Whether the meal consisted of fried meats and vegetables or bbq and baked goods, the meals served to nourish the body and the fellowship that accompanied it nourished the soul.

According to culinaryhistorians.org, the term “soul food” made its appearance and became popular in the 1960s, giving a name to the flavorful foods, often fried in pork fat, that were becoming known in kitchens and restaurants in cities across the country.

However, soul food doesn’t have to laden with fat. Fresh from the southern garden, it can be just as flavorful as it can be light. Many of the old recipes are new again with spices and herbs and pinches of the old traditions.

HISTORY

Charla Draper founded National Soul Food Month in 2001 to celebrate the rich history of soul food.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Take a tour through soul food heritage. Graze the flavors and spices of the heritage. Have a conversation while you’re at it and feed your soul.  Listen to the history of the food, where it’s traveled, how it’s changed through the years.  Use #NationalSoulFoodMonth to share your favorites on social media.  Visit culinaryhistorians.org to learn more.

I Heart Soul Food: 100 Southern Comfort Food Favorites#NationalSoulFoodMonth
I Heart Soul Food: 100 Southern Comfort Food Favorites
Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time#NationalSoulFoodMonth
Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time
Zatarain's New Orleans Style Creole Seasoning, 8 oz#NationalSoulFoodMonth
Zatarain’s New Orleans Style Creole Seasoning, 8 oz
Spice Supreme Soul Food Seasoning, 5.25 ounces, (Pack of 2) Bundled with a JFS Recipe Card#NationalSoulFoodMonth
Spice Supreme Soul Food Seasoning, 5.25 ounces, (Pack of 2) Bundled with a JFS Recipe Card
Amazon Fresh Prime Delivery

Jen’s Greek Cassarole Bake

Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

Full of flavor, healthy and easy ro make, this dinner hits the spot for full tummies.  Filled with Ground turkey, Couscous, black olives, 2 kinds of sqaush, cheeses, and greek seasoning ant topped with lemon slices.  It’s perfect for a family meal, potluck dinner, and a good choice for lots of dietary needs.  So good I bet no one will even suspect it’s good for them…

Ingredients

1 Near East Couscous 5.9oz box

3 lbs ground turkey

16 oz sliced Pepper jack cheese

1 2.2 oz can sliced blak olives

1 8oz  spinach artichoke cheese dip

1/4 cup grated Parmesean Cheese

1 medium onion diced

2 tbls minced garlic

2 lemon sliced

2 Tbls Greek Seasoning

Zucchini

Yellow Squash

10 oz fresh grape tomatoes sliced in half

Directions

  1. Prepare a 9 x 13 glass baking dish             
  2. Prepare couscous as directed on packaging and set aside
  3. Chop zucchini and yellow squash into 1/2 pieces
  4. Brown Ground turkey with onion and minced garlic
  5. Drain, mix with spinach artichoke cheese dip,  set aside.
  6. In prepared dish spread browned turkey, couscous, vegetables and black olives in 3 layers. 
  7. Top bottom layers with Monterrey Jack cheese. 
  8. Sprinkle Paresean cheese and greek seasoning over top of cassarole.
  9. Top entire dish with lemon slices
  10. Bake @ 350° for 40 minutes until vegetables are cooked. 
  11. Top with grape tomatoes halves

Serve warm and Enjoy

Amazon Fresh with Prime delivery

NATIONAL QUICHE LORRAINE DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

May 20 is dedicated to the food holiday National Quiche Lorraine Day.

Quiche Lorraine is believed to have originated in the rural Lorraine Region of France.  The original Quiche Lorraine consisted of an open pie, made using a bottom crust with a filling of custard and smoked bacon. A cast iron skillet was used to cook the original Quiche.  The cheese was added to the recipe at a much later time.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy this Quiche Lorraine recipe. Use #QuicheLorraineDay to post on social media.

Quiche Cookbook: A Savory Pie Cookbook Featuring Only Easy and Delicious Quiche Recipes#QuicheLorraineDay
Quiche Cookbook: A Savory Pie Cookbook Featuring Only Easy and Delicious Quiche Recipes
Quiche Cookbook: Taste the Light and Simple Joys of a Homemade Quiche#QuicheLorraineDay
Quiche Cookbook: Taste the Light and Simple Joys of a Homemade Quiche
9 Inch Tart and Quiche Pan with Removable Bottom, Pie pans for baking, Non-stick Carbon Steel Quiche Pan for Pie, Mousse Cakes, Fruit and Desserts#QuicheLorraineDay
9 Inch Tart and Quiche Pan with Removable Bottom, Pie pans for baking, Non-stick Carbon Steel Quiche Pan for Pie, Mousse Cakes, Fruit and Desserts
Order Bulk Quiche Lorraine for Event - Gourmet Frozen Appetizers (Set of 8 Trays)#QuicheLorraineDay
Order Bulk Quiche Lorraine for Event – Gourmet Frozen Appetizers (Set of 8 Trays)

NATIONAL APPLE PIE DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 16 Comments

National Apple Pie Day, America’s favorite dessert, is observed annually on May 13th.

The first apple pie recipe printed was in England in 1381. The list of ingredients included  good apples,  good spices, figs, raisins, pears, saffron, and cofyn (a type of pastry crust).

While the apple pie existed well before the Pilgrims landed on the eastern shores of what is now The United States, Americans wax poetic about how American apple pie is. The phrase “as American as apple pie” has been around for more than 100 years.

Pyrex Easy Grab Glass 9.5 Inch Pie Plate (2-Pack) by Pyrex
Pyrex Easy Grab Glass 9.5 Inch Pie Plate (2-Pack)

by Pyrex

During the turn of the 20th century when whole toasted cereals were becoming the ‘health food’ fad, pie gained a bad reputation.  Apple pie saved the day of sorts, being more nutritious than other pies according to some.

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Pie & Pizza Server by OXO

Teddy Roosevelt was impressed to have a taste of home when he was served an American apple pie while traveling in Africa.

Soldiers during World War II were often quoted they were fighting “for Mom and apple pie.”   In 1970, advertisers used the patriotic connection with a commercial jingle “Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet.”

More Pie to love!

More Apple Days

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalApplePieDay

Share your favorite apple pie recipes. Another way to celebrate is by giving a shout out to your favorite apple pie baker.

Use #NationalApplePieDay to post on social media.

American As Apple Pie: The Only Homemade Apple Pie Cookbook You Will Ever Need#NationalApplePieDay
American As Apple Pie: The Only Homemade Apple Pie Cookbook You Will Ever Need
JJ's Bakery Apple Snack Pies, Individual Dessert, Fresh-Baked, Perfect for Snacks, Nut-Free, Kosher Parve#NationalApplePieDay
JJ’s Bakery Apple Snack Pies, Individual Dessert, Fresh-Baked, Perfect for Snacks, Nut-Free, Kosher
Duncan Hines Comstock Simply Pie Filling, Apple, 21 Ounce (Pack of 8)#NationalApplePieDay
Duncan Hines Comstock Simply Pie Filling, Apple, 21 Ounce (Pack of 8)
Andy Anand Apple Pie 10" Baked Fresh Daily, Made in Traditional Way, Amazing-Delicious-Decadent Gourmet Food, Birthday Valentine, Christmas, Mothers Fathers Day, Anniversary (4.5 lbs)#NationalApplePieDay
Andy Anand Apple Pie 10″ Baked Fresh Daily, Made in Traditional Way, Amazing-Delicious-Decadent Gourmet Food, Birthday Valentine, Christmas, Mothers Fathers Day, Anniversary (4.5 lbs)