Southern Stewed Potatoes

 

I can’t believe that I’ve never made delicious “soupy” potatoes (as we called them when growing up)!  I think I feared that I couldn’t make them exactly the way Mom did and I’d be disappointed!  These potatoes were always a treat and we often enjoyed them served along with cornbread and black eye peas.   I had a corned beef brisket cooking in the slow cooker and wanted something other than mashed potatoes so voila!  Soupy Stewed Potatoes.  Now, this is NOT potato soup.  It’s chunks of potatoes, cooked with butter and thickened with flour and milk.  And it's easy!  I don't know why I waited so long to make my own soupy potatoes!

INGREDIENTS:

·         4-5 large potatoes, peeled and cubed, about 1-inch cubes

·         salt and pepper to taste

·         2 tablespoons flour

·         ½ cup water

·         ½ cup milk

·         3 tablespoons butter

DIRECTIONS:

1.     Peel and cube the potatoes; place them in a medium sauce pan and fill with water until it's about an inch above the potatoes.

2.    Bring to a boil and then lower heat and simmer until the potatoes are fork tender (not falling apart).

3.    Once the potatoes are done, keep them in the same water you cooked them in and reduce to a low heat.

4.    Whisk together the flour and half cup of water in a bowl until the flour is dissolved and no lumps remain.

5.    Stirring constantly, add the dissolved flour and water to the pot with the potatoes and water. Allow a few minutes to cook on simmer so that it can thicken.

6.    Add more flour if you want it thicker, or more water if you want it thinner.

7.    Add milk, salt, pepper, and butter.

Glazed Lemon Pound Cake

It's strawberry season!  This is one of my most favorite times of year!  We are fortunate to have a few strawberry fields near us, as well as a local farm market.  I came home with enough strawberries to share with neighbors, enjoy with yogurt, and atop a lemon pound cake!  Growing up, we enjoyed strawberry short cake in many versions!  Fresh sliced strawberries served with warm biscuits and whipped cream, served on Mom's fresh baked toasted pound cake, and with a luscious lemon pound cake. 

INGREDIENTS:

1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix*

1 (3 ounce) package instant lemon pudding mix

4 eggs

1 cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

  For Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

2 Tablespoons milk

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour one 10-inch bundt pan

Combine cake mix, pudding mix, water and oil in a large mixing bowl.  Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. 

Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes

Pour into prepared pan

Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 to 60 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean

Let cake cool in pan for 5 to 10 minutes; remove from pan

Drizzle glaze over cake (or sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar)

*Note – most cake mixes are now 16.5 ounces.  To make a more “home made” tasting cake, add 3 Tablespoons all purpose flour.

Slow Cooker Spiral Ham with Brown Sugar and Maple Syrup

I just love Honey Baked hams!  But I procrastinated and didn't get online to order one in time for Easter.  There is a Honey Baked store about 45 minutes away; but there just wasn't time to get there.  Lowe's Foods to the rescue!  I purchased a 9 pound Smithfield spiral sliced bone-in ham and brought out my large slow cooker to do the work.  This is so easy!  Just don't overcook the ham... I think  you can go a bit over 3 hours, but don't cook it for 6 or 8 hours or it may dry out.  This ham is delicious served with Nancy's pineapple cheese bake!

INGREDIENTS:

·         1 8-10 lb spiral-cut ham (boneless or bone-in)

·         2 cups brown sugar

·         1/2 cup maple syrup

DIRECTIONS:

1.     Remove ham from packaging and place in a large slow cooker. Discard flavor packet (if any).

2.    Spread 1 cup brown sugar in slow cooker.

3.    Place ham flat-side down over the brown sugar.

4.    Generously rub remaining brown sugar all over ham.

5.    Pour maple syrup over the ham.

6.    Cover and cook for 3 hours on low heat. 

7.    Spoon juices over the ham and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes.

8.    Remove ham from slow cooker and serve!