Miss being here

My sweet Dollies. It's been too long and I have been on a break from commercial cooking. But me and my hubby are starting back up again. No excuses though. I miss writing for the blog a bunch and taking the cool pics of the step by step! So stay tend and stay updated on the journey to starting the cafe! Love you, Mama Joy!!!

Simple Beef Stew



Simple ingredients for a delicious stew!

Beef Stew

6 large potatoes

1 Bell Pepper

1 large onion

2 carrots

1 cup Corn

2 stalks celery

1-2 bay leaf

2 cups broth of your choice

2 cupswater

1/2 tsp. salt, pepper and garlic powder for sauteeing

2 Tbsp. oil for sautee

1 Tbsp corn starch

2Tbsp butter

1/2 cup milk

1 Tbsp of the following:

garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, seasoning salt or blend.

Sauteed your beef cubes in the oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Add all ingrediens and meat to a large 4 quart pot. On medium heat cook for an hour. Test tenderness of veggies and beef. Stir corn starch, and milk in a cup until blended. Melt butter until just liquified. Add to milk mixture. Stir into stew and cook for another 30-45 minutes covered on a low-medium heat until stew thickens and veggies and meat are tender.

Let stew cool down when done.

Enjoy!

  

I have been meaning to post this for a while my dollies! The ingredients speak for themselves. Fresh of course is best. Please make some stew for yourself. If it's cold outside, then you deserve it! Hearty is not the word!

I'LL BRING THE RIBS!!!

Hello my lovely foodie family!

Dollies,

I have not forgotten you. In fact, I think of you very often.

Currently, I have been busy with my gourmet treats, work and being a mom (and grand mom too). I am doing brownies and cookies for a few stores. It is a true test of my love and patience for food and work.

I miss blogging and am glad to be back in touch with you!


My hubby and I had a great time on our anniversary. He gave me a printed copy of my cookbook. I know! Where the heck is it? If I could just stick to one thing at a time Dollies, I would be fine but here is a pic of the meal for tonight.

It may not be elegant but it was so very delisheeoso!!!! I'm not just saying it either. It feels so good to be writing to you again.

Anywho,

RIBS AT HOME IN THE KITCHEN

I believe in using the broiler because life is busy!

• Please try liquid smoke if you can. Rub your little ribs in it. It's cheap and it's the real deal on flavor. People usually cannot tell. And unless you are going out for champion BBQer, why drive your self nuts with smokers and grills? Just a couple teaspoons rubbed into your ribs should be enough. Vegans, beef, pork or veal lovers, fish heads, chicken heads, whomever. USE IT!!!
• Next, rub your ribs in your favorite seasonings. You can't go wrong with garlic and onion powder, pepper (to taste), pre-made rubs and paprika. Do not use salt unless it is in a pre-made rub. Use about1 teaspoon each except for pepper, each per pound.
• Place ribs in a foil lined pan under the broiler on the rack furthest away from your heat source.
• Turn them every 1-2 minutes until the meat is chewy but done. Juices should run clear and have a char to them. 
• You can add a little honey or BBQ sauce drizzled over the ribs after they are nearly done. You have to watch sauces closely, the sugar in them can burn quickly. Enjoy!

Love you to pieces,

MJ

Food as medicine!

Checking in with my dollies!!!
I really hope food has been treating you well. I watched a documentary called, FOOD MATTERS. It covered the nutritional value of food. And also how food should be regarded as our source for nutrition and healing instead of medicine. It suggested that we should eat raw foods, at least 60% per meal. What I found to be incredibly worthwhile was the statistics of the last 20 years or so on medication related deaths compared to the less than a dozen deaths due to vitamins that were BTW unfounded. My? people this is not new info but definitely crucial information medicine is a business. Keep that in mind when planning your next meal!

MJ I love you to pieces!!!

Jumping for Monkey Bread!

NEWS AND UPDATES

Personal Stories
OOOOOOOOooohhhh my sweet dollies! I have missed you so very much. I have not posted in over a month. Please, please pray for my kids my son and his wife lost their little baby last month, my grand daughter, and we were devastated. Yet faith and time has a way of comforting us all! Therefore, I am praying for peace.

The Business
It has been really busy for Mama Joy. I really do miss putting recipes on the blog and seeing all the folks viewing us from as far away as Sri Lanka! It feels good to know that people love reading about food :-)
First of all the cookbook is available now via paypal on the website: http://www.chefmamajoy.com/.

Right now my treats are available at the "Liberty Deli" in Northern Liberties and we are expanding this month to the "Wired Bean Cafe' " on Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy!

The website is live and kicking! We are launching the cafe' fundraiser we believe that you don't have to borrow if you have good investors.

Troy (my hubby) and I are currently interviewing investors for the restaurant/cafe. If you or someone you know believes in food for the soul and gourmet dessert treats, done simplistically...give us a call. All contact information is available at: http://www.chefmamajoy.com/.

Okay, as you may or may not know, I am in a food ministry at my church and we basically learn about food. Every meeting we collect food for the homeless. Last meeting, we had a celebration for the young graduates in our group. Everyone brought dishes from home. A young man brought some Monkey Bread he made.

All I can say is...make it yourself!

It's easy and fun to make and eat...scrum-dill-ee-ishous!!!!!!

Monkey Bread


My kids ate ours before I could take
 a pic so I used this one!



Ingredients:

4 cans refrigerated biscuits
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter (3/4 cup)
1/2 cup white sugar  
2 Tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins (these are optional, it's great with or without them)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9-10 inch tube pan.

2. Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a medium sized plastic bag. Cut the biscuits into halves or quarters and place six to eight biscuit pieces in the sugar cinnamon mix. Shake well.

3. Arrange pieces in the bottom of the greased pan. Continue layering until all the biscuit pieces are coated and in the pan. If you are using raisins, place them among the biscuit pieces as you are layering.

4. In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the brown sugar over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute. Pour over the layered biscuits.

5. Bake for 35 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate. Pull apart and enjoy!

My dollies, Mama Joy has a few minor changes to the one I make, however, this is a great recipe. Please note that is your bread does not "pop" out, feel free to smack your flute or bunt pan a little. There is plenty of butter in this recipe.

Recipe taken from: Monkey Bread Recipe
Photo taken from: Monkey Bread Picture

Jazzy Desserts!

MJ's toffee, walnut, chocolate brownies and chocolate chip cookies

Mama Joy's Treats

Brownies & Cookies
***
Now selling at Liberty Deli
In Northern Liberties section of Philly!

For ordering:
Call 267-269-8615

 

What to Make for Mommy!



HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

My Sweet Dolly Daughters and Sons!


Do not go crazy burning things in the kitchen. All mom's are not alike but I think many of us just want to be loved. Please have any little ones in her life make drawings (make sure they are thought out and not too "thrown together"). My daughters and sons made some sweet thoughtful cards for me! Flowers are a nice touch.

If you are making breakfast in bed. Go easy. Make sure you know what Mommy likes and what is easy for you!

• Fruit with yogurt is good if Mommy likes it. Top with granola or nuts and cinnamon.
• Pancakes are yummy, so use the complete style; it needs only water. So make sure to mix it well and cook on medium heat with a nice lightly oiled or buttered pan. Watch for bubbles to form and flip.  
• If the kids practice a quick song it might jerk a few tears.
• If you don't want to cook, take mommy to a nice diner or restaurant for breakfast.
• If you cook pretty well try something fun like fried chicken and waffles or fish and grits or feta omlet with avocado and sweet potato fries.

My Mother's Day Breakfast was amazing! Daddy made eggs with cheddar cheese and peppers, Italian sausage, bacon, pancakes and a beautiful crystal glass of berry juice. I received beautiful thoughtful cards, gifts and hand made little treasures. I cried a little and smiled alot!

I hope you have the best mother's day ever and show or remember mommy in a special way!

MJ