New Years Eve - wow how fast the year has gone by!  I was thinking tonight about how once a year has come and gone - our opportunity to do something different is also gone.   Looking back there are several things I wish I could change!  Spending more time with my Mom, cooking at home more, exercising more, and doing more for someone needing help!  Now what am I going to do about that reflection - hopefully I will make some meaningful resolutions tomorrow and make sure I follow through. 

I've also thought about a good kitchen and what one needs to begin to be a good cook!  There are six special ingredients  that I absolutely could not be without - unless I wanted to serve really bland food.  They are good black pepper, fresh garlic, cayenne pepper, great cinnamon, Mexican vanilla, and a sense of adventure!  That may sound like a strange combination - but give me those ingredients and I guarantee I can make food taste better.  The "sense of adventure" comes in because when I mention a recipe I've tried - the response is "so what did you change or add?" - and usually I have.  There are only three things I absolutely will never change from the original - my Mom's Chicken and Dressing, her Chicken and Dumplings, and her Coconut Pie!  No one could ever improve on those!! 

Now - I'll let you in on a secret weapon I use in baking (and get rave reviews when I do) -- if a recipe calls for one teaspoon of vanilla - make it one tablespoon!  (I'll tell you the secret I use to make"mile high" meringue some other time!

Here is the recipe I promised last night:

OLD FASHIONED BUTTERMILK PIE

1-1/2 Cup sugar           1/3 Cup butter, melted
1 Cup buttermilk           1 Tablespoon vanilla
3 Tablespoons flour       3 Eggs

Beat eggs and add buttermilk and vanilla.  Continue beating.  Add sugar and flour together to egg mixture.  Continue beating and add melted butter.  Beat well.  Pour into unbaked pie shell.  Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees, then bake at 350 until done.  About another 25 minutes - don't let cook until it is hard! 

Now what about the crust -- well - here comes the truth - I usually use either Pillsbury's  or store brand's rolled crust that are in dairy case with canned biscuits, etc.  I love it when I have my Mom's homemade crust but I just don't take the time to make them and these make a  very good second!  I always put a sprinkle of flour in the bottom of my pie plate and then just unroll the crust and pinch the edges.  That is all that is necessary when you are cooking a pie like this!  Now make it for someone you want to please!

Well - I am going to go watch for 2010 to arrive - hope you have a safe evening and I'll talk to you next year!

The beginning of Jon Carole Cooks - December 30, 2009

Welcome aboard - I hope you will find this exciting and helpful.  My love for cooking began long ago when I would stay in the kitchen with my Mom - always a great cook - even now at 92) - talking, watching, tasting, talking!  I think I got the bug for cooking by osmosis!  I didn't even realize I really knew how to cook until I got married!  My cooking has evolved over the years and now I like to make my meals more gourmet than ordinary - but sometimes I have to try and revert back to "old fashion" just to please my husband.  Like tonight I made an old fashion Buttermilk Pie and he loved it. 

Cooking doesn't have to be a chore but let's see if we can make it an adventure!  Ever used cayenne pepper??  Not to make whatever you are cooking "hot" but to give it some zip!  Here is your tip for tonight-- Use a dash (know what a dash is?  -- A dash is take a little between your thumb and first finger and sprinkle it in) of cayenne when you are scrambling eggs -- and oh, when scrambling -- also beat a little ( oh - a little is about 2 tablespoons of half and half into the eggs, salt, pepper and don't forget the "dash" of cayenne( and Please don't "scramble them to death and into little pieces) -- let them start to set and turn them gently until not runny!

Well - that is it for tonight - sign in tomorrow night for the next tip - maybe the recipe for an "Old Fashion Buttermilk Pie" and you can please someone too. 

Good night and Happy Cooking!