Southern Cuisine
From Our Neighbor’s Kitchen by Tracy and friends!
S
ince the gardens will begin bearing the “fruits” of our labor this month, I contacted some local ladies to share their recipes for garden goodies this month. The best corn I have even eaten is my mother-in-law Mary Jane McCoy’s cream corn. She would say that it’s just like everyone else does it, but it’s not. It starts with the seed she and my father-in-law choose to plant. It’s called Candy Corn and it is sweeett! She cuts it off the cob half kernel and then scrapes the cob to get the “milk” out of it. She adds salt and butter and it is THE BEST! If there is a reunion or family gathering, deep in our hearts, we hope Mary Jane brings some corn! I am convinced it’s the love that goes into the planting, hoeing, picking, shucking and silking (done by Jim) and cutting it off using her favorite knife, and cooking it. The same love that these ladies put into the food they prepare for their families and in their jobs. So, I am pleased to share with you some great veggie recipes. Thanks so these ladies for allowing us to print their recipes.
Becky Cannon is Sonny’s sidekick and has been for many moons. She is “mama” to Johnny (and Kim) and Tammy (and Benson) and has five incredibly handsome grandsons. She and Sonny have been blessed with two great-grands too top it all off. If anyone loves their family it’s Becky! She and Sonny worked side by side for dozens of years in their family owned furniture store, Cannon Furniture that was a staple on Main Street. I imagine after long hours working in the store that she still prepared a home-cooked meal for her family and these beans were probably on that table. She learned to cook from her mom, Ruth Darnell. She said she rarely measures anything because she learned to add a dash and a pinch and that a quick bite’ll let you know what else it needs. I bet you’ll love these skillet beans this summer with a pone of cornbread, sliced tomato and a green onion!
Skillet Beans from Becky Cannon 2 lb. Beans strung and broke 1 cup water 2 tablespoons bacon grease Kosher salt Coarse ground black pepper Heat water, add beans, cover and cook almost dry. Add bacon grease! Salt and pepper to your taste! Simple but so good!
Mexican Potato Casserole from Rosalba Martinez
“I am Mexican and in love with food and I think that cooking is an act of love!” Rosalba Martinez discovered her passion 33 years ago cooking in her restaurant in Mexico. The Clayton Cafe opened the doors for her for the first time in Rabun County to cook Southern Food. She worked there for 7 years after working at LaPrades (Lake Burton) for 2 years, she was in the kitchen 7 years at Rumor Hazit and 2 years at Fortify Pi. The school nutrition system at RCHS opened the doors for Rosalba for 7 years. She also worked parttime at Life Teen for 12 years. Currently she is a food service coordinator at Life Teen at Covecrest. “I continue to feed my passion for food on the weekends by preparing authentic Mexican food.”
4 poblano peppers 4 potatoes cooked and cut into pieces 2 cups of corn kernels 2 Tbs of olive oil 3 tablespoons of butter 1 teaspoon oregano salt and pepper 2 slice onions julienne 4 cup Manchego or mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1/2 cup sour cream 3 tablespoons minced garlic
In a skillet over medium heat, place the olive oil, the garlic, the onion, the corn and the sliced julienne poblano pepper, salt and pepper. Sauté until the onions are transparent. Place in a glass baking dish, the butter 1/3 of cooked and chopped potatoes, salt pepper and sprinkle oregano. Add a layer of 1/3 of the onions and chilies sautéed and the corn. Place a layer of cheese manchego or mozzarella, 1/4 cup of sour cream and place another layer of potatoes and continue with onions, cream cheese and repeat this until you have used all of your ingredients. Finish with a cup of cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 min at 350 degrees. Uncover and let gratin (get golden brown) for 5 minutes and sprinkle chopped Cilantro. 68 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - August 2022
