Cookbook Review: "Pit Stop in a Southern Kitchen"

PeonyStreet Rating: 5 Stars!
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We love this cookbook! Here's why:

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First of all, we like cookbooks that also have some person stories included with the recipes. This one has little vignettes written by the Grandmother of Nascar racing legends, Dale Earnhardt and mother of Jeff Gordon. We usually pick cookbooks that have picture of the prepared recipes, and this one doesn't, BUT, and this is a big but(!), we don't need photos with this one--they are so easy to follow, you don't need pictures.

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The second, and most important reason is the recipes are simple, easy to follow, and everything we've tried so far has been delicious! The recipes don't need any "tweaking"--they are great as they are! They are wonderful for a person who doesn't cook gourmet foods, or who doesn't cook experimentally (like Bebe!) All the experimentation has been done already! We have no doubt that every recipe in this book will come out perfect and yummy! Bebe especially looks forward to trying the recipes out because she, well, she's not a great cook, but she can follow these recipes and do just fine!

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So far, we have tried the Beer Weiners, (yes, beer weiners! They are great!); the Sundrop Pound cake; Grandma Houston's Chow Mein (love it!); and the Crockpot Turkey Breast. Thank you to Martha and Carol for sharing your recipes!! You are the best!!

Eat Your Oatmeal

"Blueberries"

58x 51

(no pattern available)

Blueberries in Oatmeal

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This is our favorite way to eat oatmeal: with frozen blueberries, brown sugar, and butter. Mix your portion of oatmeal in a bowl(1 serving- 1/3 cup) with 1/3 cup milk and 1/3 cup water. (Whatever your portion of oatmeal, add 1/2 milk and 1/2 water, example: if using 1/2 cup oatmeal, mix in 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup water.) Microwave on high for approximately 90 seconds. You will have to watch in the last 30 seconds to make sure it doesn't boil over. To hot oatmeal, add approx. 1 table-spoon of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of butter and 1/4-1/3 cup frozen blueberries.

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Incidently, this was the inspiration for the "Blueberries" quilt! It is made with Baum fabrics that were out about 5 years ago. It is machine pieced, and appliqued, and hand quilted.

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So eat your oatmeal! You never know what may inspire you!

A Baby Quilt

Baby Quilt

designed by Elizabeth Hartman

made by Bebe

This turned out pretty good! It is a pattern by Elizabeth Hartman, called "Simple Modern Baby Quilts". It can be bought as a pdf immediately downloadable pattern, or a paper pattern. You can find it here. Finished size is about 40 inches square.

I got this pattern because I needed something quick and easy. It was fun to make. One thing I like to do on quilts is round the corners because I really don't like mitering corners on the binding. This is nice to do on a child's quilt, because there is no pointed corner to poke them in the eye. I also like to use a polka dot or striped fabric on the binding for a child's quilt for the "fun" factor. Cute!

I found this pattern at Pink Chalk Fabrics website. I really like their patterns and fabrics for sale. Check it out!

Look What I Found!

Paczki!

(pronounced like poonch-ki)

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This is a rich Polish doughnut, made with lots of egg yolks and is usually jelly filled (these are raspberry), or filled with Bavarian creme, or may not be filled. These are glazed, but some are covered with powdered sugar instead.

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Imagine my surprise to find these at the local Walmart! I never buy bulk doughnuts, but we had to have these! They are better than bismarks. There are also recipes on the internet if you want to make your own. Do a search for either "Polish doughnut" or "paczki".