Pecan Pie

Spiced Potatoes


. These potatoes are parboiled then drizzled with olive oil, dusted with spices and baked until crispy.

Spicy Garlic Lime Chicken

 

Merry Christmas from the Thomas Family



Catherine, Roline, Camille

 

Christmas Menu

Baked Turkey

Cornbread Dressing

Mac & Cheese

Lima Beans

Shrimp Pies

Garden Salad

Sweet Potato Pie

Pecan Pie

This is my first Christmas without my girls. They left 2 days ago to be with family in Houston. They love spending time with family, therefore, I am grateful they had an opportunity to visit with their aunts, sisters, "brothers", neice, nephew, and cousins.  As for Earnest and I, we will chow down on our own meal and then we will visit and dine at the Romes (good friends).

Last Sunday's Dinner 12/19/10

On December 23, my kids will be journeying to Houston to be with family for the Christmas Holiday. This will be my first Christmas without my children. Catherine wanted us to have our Christmas Dinner this past Sunday. So I obliged....well somewhat obliged.

I had already planned my Sunday Dinner menu. At the last minute, I headed to Wal-Mart and purchased dinner rolls, making our meal an official Christmas dinner. So here's my non-traditional 2010 Christmas 6 days early menu:

Garlic Spicy Chicken

Potato Salad

Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

Dinner Rolls

Notice in the picture below that my food is not touching. That's one of my idiosyncrasies. I hate it when my food is touching.

Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

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Sunday Dinner

May 2007 - Talent Show
5th grade

Sunday Dinner won’t be a typical Sunday dinner. Why? Because I have 2 additional teenagers in my home! Camille’s friends are spending the weekend with us. Camille, Alexis and Mekaylah have been together since their elementary school days. Back at Otter Creek Elementary, those three young ladies were inseparable. They each possess beauty and brains. In the 5th grade they entered their school’s talent show. I, along with the other girl’s parents, was a little nervous because our rhythmically challenged children decided to perform a dance routine for the show. Shockingly and in spite of some great competition, the girls were the best performers for the show. Although the talent show was not judged, the girls were spotlighted as the grand finale of the show. The best were saved for last.

Camille, Alexis, &
Mekaylah ( May 2007)

Camille’s friends are like family. They are very much at home in our home. They’ll cook, do hair, get into my make-up, and beg to wear my shoes. Along with my other at home daughter, Catherine, friends, I have a very large extended family consisting of many “children”. I love my life. Catherine’s friend, Gabby, usually spend a portion of her Sunday with us. Coincidently, that time is usually at the dinner hour.

So what does one prepare for 5 hungry teenagers? SPAGHETTI & MEATSAUCE.

Camille, Mekaylah, & Alexis
September 2010 - 9th grade

Sorry no recipe. I dumped some Ragu Tomato, Garlic & Onion Sauce in the pot. I doctored it up with a few more seasonings and sugar. Sugar just may be a New Orleans thing. I got the sugar tip from my sister.

Here’s the Sunday Menu:
Spaghetti & Meat Sauce
Green Salad
Garlic Bread

French Toast



My mom, Henrietta Green Acox
circa 1990

Next to egg & rice, French Toast was a favorite breakfast in my childhood. My mom made the best French Toast in the world. In an attempt to pass on her recipe, I took the time to measure the ingredients so that future cooks would know exactly what amounts would be needed. I think I got it close to hers as possible. Try not to use fresh bread. Fresh bread tends to quickly absorb the liquid thereby becoming too soggy. Stale or close to stale bread works best.
Don’t be afraid of the amount of sugar the recipe calls for. It doesn’t taste as sweet as you may think. I made French Toast for my mom when she lived with me during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mom said my French Toast wasn’t sweet enough. Go figure!



French Toast Mixture



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Easy Taco Salad

I first became acquainted with the Taco Salad some 15 years ago during a weekly Bible Study group. We’d feed on the Word spiritually, and then break bread together physically. This is a very easy and quick dish to prepare. It’s great for the family and parties.

Prepare Meat
1 lb ground beef
1 pack taco seasoning
Prepare ground beef according to package instructions.
Serve meat on top of tortillia chips

Toppings I used in my salad:
Shredded Lettuce
Tomatoes
Picanté Sauce
Sour Cream
Jalapenos
Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Happy Thanksgiving - What's for Dinner?



My Sister Rhonda, "Ma-main-na",
& Me in the 60s

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. I am cooking a Thanksgiving feast for my family and a few friends. I am very excited because my sister, Rhonda, is here visiting us from Cleveland, Ohio.
In the Thomas household, we have established a tradition of sharing what we are thankful for before we eat. We go around the table allowing each person to testify of God's goodness. Isn't that what Thanksgiving about---celebrating God's goodness. I have so much to be grateful for. Salvation, My husband and family, my church family, sanity of mind, decent health, and more.

I'm also thankful that I have memories. Each Thanksgiving, my grandmother, Momma Anna (we called her Ma-main-na because as kids, we couldn't speak well. LOL)  prepared gumbo, meats, vegetables and delectable desserts for our Thanksgiving family gatherings. How I remember eating those hot buttered rolls. back then, cooks did not measure the ingredients.

During Ma-main-na's life, I was too young and/or not interested in kitchen activity. I wish she would have penned her fabulous recipes. All of her treasured recipes are lost, never again to be duplicated. However, this has inspired me to begin writing down some of my recipes so that I can pass along my culinary skills to my children and generations to come.

Ma-main-na proved to be the thread that held the family together. After her death, much of our family scattered and.or lost touch. Her sister, "Aunt Lillian" carried the tradition of hosting the Thanksgiving Family Gathering. for the few who remained in contact.



My Grandmother's sisters Lillian & Alma sitting.
My cousin Paulette standing. All are deceased.
Circa Late  70s

My 2010 menu (stay tuned for links to recipes and pics):
Meats: Ham, Baked Turkey (injected with Cajun Seasoning)
Sides: Green Beans, Seafood Pie, Stuffed Peppers, Macaroni & Cheese, Candied Yams, Cornbread dressing & gravy
Bread: Dinner Rolls
Dessert: Chess Pie, Sweet Potato Pie

My Thanksgiving plate---I couldn't eat it all

What’s for Dinner?

Last Thursday I cooked up a batch of the chinese dish, Mandarin Chicken. Judging from the cleaned after dinner plates, I’d have to say, my family absolutely enjoyed this meal. This time I didn’t add the carrots. Why you may wonder---I simply didn’t have any on hand. I’m one of those cooks that sometimes get a sudden craving for a dish only to discover I don’t have all of the ingredients. I work with what I got! A word of advice---it's better with the carrots.

My sister, who arrived from Ohio this past Saturday, discovered leftover Mandarin Chicken in the refrigerator. She said my dish was quite delicious.

You can find the recipe by clicking on the link: MANDARIN CHICKEN

 

Breaded Pork Chops



Orage Bell, circa 1986

 Working at Coca-Cola privied me to the world and teachings of Mr. Orage Bell. Bell was an older gentleman and  fellow Lab Tech who took me under his wings. Not only did he teach me job skills, but also life skills. Over a 2 year period, Bell generously shared insightful wisdom in the areas of, lab test, job production tips, money management, male/female relationship, buying the right car, as well as the history and other facts relating to the Masons. Oh yes, Mr. Bell was a proud Mason. More importantly, Bell could cook! He was my mentor who was  a huge influence on my life during that time. It was at Coca-Cola that I "grew up". I greatly benefited from his insightful wisdom. His love for cooking and sharing became the catalyst that helped me to become a much sought out caterer and a great cook for my family .

Me, hard at work & looking very surprised.

We were working the night shift when Bell brought mouth watering pork chops. The chops were so good that I went home and slapped my momma and my daddy. Well, maybe not, but I did prepare the pork chops for my parents. Back then, I lacked culinary skills, however, this dish became a highly requested meat for me to prepare. It took a long time for me to reveal the "secret ingredient" that caused those chops to taste so goo-googily-good. Thanks Mr. Bell for sharing the secret with me.

BBQ Shrimp

I love shrimp and this has got to be one of my all time favorite appetizers. Did I mention I LOVE shrimp. Yummy! Interesting enough, this dish is not prepared on a grill, nor does it utilize barbecue sauce. So why call it barbecue shrimp? I haven't a clue!

The dish is a great finger food, but have plenty napkins on hand. Peeling them can be messy. This is a very easy dish to prepare for small parties and get togethers. Your guest will be delighted. Cor the recipe click here: BBQ Shrimp  . Did I tell you I LOVE shrimp!

Potato Au Gratin 2

It's 3 am! I can't sleep. Decided to update with some pics and recipes that I have been accumulating. Let's see how long it takes me to go back to sleep. LOL!

First up is a Potato Au Gratin dish I cooked a few weeks ago. For a meat, I served up Camille's BBQ Battered Chicken Nuggets.

AuGratin Potatoes

BBQ Battered Chicken Nuggets

Cream Cheese Cookie Cake

Thursday night I hosted a Marriage Ministry group in my home. We feasted on physical food as well as spiritual food. We have a pot-liuck meal so I prepared Cream Cheese Cookie Cake. These recipie was given to me by the late Josie Williams, who was a member of True Believers BC in Wills Point, TX, where my husband pastored.

Twice Baked Potatoes

Hey mom, I like them!
Can you make more?

At a luncheon this past August, I experienced my first "Twice Baked Potato." It was pleasantly delightful. Today, I cooked my own! Surprisingly, my two finicky teenage daughters loved them. I knew Big Daddy would love them---it isn't much that dude won't eat. 



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October 19, 2010 - Menu

Today, I cooked a special treat for my hubbie, Pastor T, or as I affectionately call him, Big Daddy. He's been sick, 5 days, with a cold. Also, the past few weeks has been somewhat stressful on his job. He was very delighted to see that I had prepared his favorite meat. Here's the menu (click on the link for recipe):

Meatloaf
Twice baked potatoes (this was a hit with my picky kids)
Lima Beans

Shrimp Pasta Salad

It's been a while since I've had Shrimp Salad, so today became a great day to prepare this dish. I'll probably be munching on this salad all weekend long. Enjoy

P. F. Chang's

At this moment in time, P. F. Chang's has to be my favorite resturant. This may sound silly, but I really don't like most of the items on their menu. What I do like I LOVE!! Shrimp Fried Rice. I sometimes eat it alone. As a matter of fact, that's exactly what I treated myself to today---an order of P.F. Chang's Shrimp Fried Rice. By the time my kids returned home from school, I had eaten it all. Other items I like at P.F. Chang's include, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Chang;s Ribs, and Sakt & Pepper Shrimp (not on the menu, but just ask).



Shrimp Fried Rice



Today's Menu is a Health Nut's Nightmare! LOL!

Breaded Pork Chops
Collard Greens
Flavored Rice

Red Beans And Rice

There aren’t many food traditions that characterize New Orleans better than Red Beans & Rice on Mondays. Women did laundry on Mondays while their pot of Red Beans simmer all day. Red Beans on Mondays continue to be a New Orleans tradition. In this day, in resturants you will find the special of the day is Red Beans and rice. I cooked my beans on Monday.Sorry, no recipe. If I tell you what's in it, I may have to.......you get the idea! LOL!

Mmmmmm.....

Baby Back Ribs

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I'll take a better pic the next time I cook these. Trust me, they are good!

 

DivaT's Jambalaya

First Day of School -- Let's Eat!

Today is the first day of school. Both of my girls are finally in the same school, therefore, they both will be riding the bus together!!! Can we say--- NO MORE TRANSPORTING!!!!! No more school traffic. No more waiting in the heat/cold!! Woo-Hoo!

Camille starts her first year of high school. Here is a pic of them before they left this morning.

I am going to cook a special meal today, commemorating this milestone. The fact that I cooked on today is worth celebration. Here's the menu (will post recipes later):

Jambalya

BBQ Ribs

Corn

Bread (haven't decided exactly what type)

My Tea Set

Here is a pic of the tea set I purchased during a June 2010 trip to Pignon, Haiti . The seller started out with a price of $40. The final price was $12. Notice the picture of me & Camille. It's our kitchen therefore it deserves our portrait. The ceramic figure is one I painted.

Banana Pudding

I don't like a banana pudding that is overpowered with a banana-ry taste (A sista is entitled to make up descriptive words as needed. LOL!). Vanilla pudding tones down the taste. Try it, you'll like it!

Ingredients

Quesidillas

Luncheon Menu 8/14/10

Camille & I are hosting a luncheon on tomorrow. This evening camille set the table for our guest. I think she did a fantastic job! Check it out:

I'll post the recipes later and link it up on this post as well. Some are already posted. Here is the menu:

Chicken Tetrazinni
Bacon Rolls
Stuffed Eggs (there's nothing devilish about them! LOL!)
BBQ Shrimp
Green Salad

Party Punch

Banana Pudding
Chess Pie

Meatloaf

Today's Menu (8/1/10)

Saturday, I cooked our Sunday Dinner. We had:

Turkey
Cornbread Dressing
Macaroni
Green Beans
Dinner Rolls

Camille's BBQ Battered Chicken Nuggets

Camille put her foot in this one! She cooked enough for 2 days, but we ate them all up in a day.

Oven Fried Chicken

Today's Menu / Recipes

Today we had a lite Sunday Dinner. It is Camille's birthday, so I prepared something she would love that was pretty quick & easy to prepare. Click on the link for available recipes. We dined on:

Smoked Brisket
Baked Beans
Potato Salad

Baked BBQ Beans

Potato Salad

 I'm the one that everyone requests to make the potato salad.

 

Enchiladas

BBQ Shrimp

Camille designed the shrimp presentation in the picture. She calls it a "star". Isn't it pretty. The shrimp tasted even better than it looks. The dished was served to guest at my luncheon. I think they loved this dish the most.

Crab Bites

Roline's Almond Pound Cake

Mandarin Chicken

We (actually Camille did most of the work) cooked this dish today (7/19/10). Mmm, Mmm, GOOD!!! It' didn't take to long to prepare.

Mandarin Chicken by Camille

Prepared 11/10/10