Sweet Apple Lovin'!!!

Happy Day, Happy Day my Dollies!

Today we are going to flirt with the sweetest of foodie delights! I hope you enjoy it. We started out early today because Troy and I have a whole lot to get done! The cousins are over so it is a full house. Mama Joy has to facilitate a 1st grade school project, assist in choreographing a dance for the 5th grade Spring Talent Show, do hair (three girls!), and of course more editing to the cookbook!

Anyway my peeps, this little confection is sweet, sweet, sweet.
Forgive me but I made it from "scratch, scratch" which means I just made it up as I went along. Unlike the chili where I took a year long course and read 5 cookbook recipes. This is what I call:

MJ's APPLE CRUNCH CRUMBLE

(An Apple Crumble uses more butter, the Apple Crunch sometimes uses more oats, nuts etc. MJ uses both, hence the name :-)

Filling

5-6 extra large tart apples peeled, and placed in lemon water bath (you will slice later!)

1 Tbsp cinnamon

1 tsp flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 Tbsp lemon juice

Dicing cold butter for topping

Crumble Topping

1/2 cup almond slithers

1/2 cup instant oatmeal

1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar

1 stick butter (cold and diced)

1 tsp flour

Preheat oven to 400*

Peel your apples then place in bowl of water with lemon juice.

Do not slice until topping is prepared. Place all crumble ingredients in food processor, pulse until mealy and coarse. If you do not have a processor, chop all dry ingredients with a sharp knife, add diced butter and blend with fork. Set aside. Core and slice apples. In a medium sized bowl, add cinnamon, sugar and flour, mix. Add sliced apples to mix, cover completely. Grease a 9"X13" casserole dish. Place apples in dish. Pour syrup over apples. Evenly pour topping over apples. Bake at 400*for about 40 minutes or until top is brown and apples are boiling. Let cool so filling can set. Eat with Milk, ice cream or sour cream. Enjoy!

Inspired by you,
MJ

Yummy Lunch OUT!

Hello my loves,

First a few special shout outs today!!! Happy Birthday to my beautiful sister Rhoda :-) I love you honey!!! Welcome to two new "COOKED followers", Mecca Woods my talented movie making cousin and songstress, Ms. Tanja Dixon!

I had a wonderful business lunch about three days ago at the Marathon Grill 16th and Sansom. Honey, I haven't been there since the 80's and they have seriously changed. You knew this??????? Any who, I had the GRILLED VEGETABLE & GRAIN SALAD. Field greens, asparagus, zucchini, portobello mushrooms, red onion, oven dried tomatoes, pearl barley and couscous. I added the Moroccan chicken.  It was seasoned to perfection with a dry rub to die for! The salad dressing was a creamy yet light lemon vinaigrette! The young lady who treated me to the fabulous fare had the chicken pot pie!

Can I tell you how I am going back for that one! Imagine a large white squared off bowl with creamy soup and fat shredded pieces of juicy chicken and in the center of this bowl of heaven, with dark green flecks of tarragon, and a potpourri of veggie colors is a triangular shaped thick crust like dumpling creation! I am dying in a good way! The whole time we are forgetting about the topic of this meeting and going on and on about how delicious this meal was!!!!

It explains why it's one of the most busy lunch time restaurants in the Center City area! Our waitress was amazing I apologize for the fact that her name escapes me. May I ask you all a question? Do look like a movie star??? (Oh you say the sweetest things) Maybe it was my Kristin Hobo by Coach but hopefully not because the host, the manager and some other guy was truly interested in what we thought of our meal!

Ok finally, my Dollycakes! We did not ask for dessert. Yet, these folks wanted to make an impression...which they did! Why???? May I ask did some woman (staff) say "You ladies look like you could use something sweet. So we wanted you to taste this, it's a banana bread pudding." This thing! This incredible thing was RI-DANK-CUL-OUS!!!. They had the nerve and audacity to plate it on a little raspberry and I think chocolate sauce. Can I also ask you why they went ahead and topped it with a little glaze????? NO!!!! Whipped cream you say????.... Heck NO! Yes they did! Party people they did!!!! They went ahead and topped it all off with vanilla bean ice cream! That was not necessary but extremely
DEE-lect-A DILLY-OCIOUS!!!!!!!!!

Please have a wonderful snow day!!!

MJ (Mama Joy)

CHILI

Hello how are you my Lollypop Dollies????
I wanted to get this to you before too late oh noooo, too late. Hey I was up with the children and they come first. They demand that they come first. You know what I mean
 :-) Try it out and tell me what you think.
This is a great cold evening dish!

 COOKBOOK UPDATE: A most humbling experience. My husband sent out the recipes. And they have plenty of typos!!!! I am so upset :-( However, I have decided to accomodate the test kitchen chefs the best I can. Better now than later. Please enjoy. Also, wonderful people...please hang in there with me when I promised a meal. Life sometimes gets in the way! Please be well.

TONIGHT'S Dinner:

SPICY CHILI URBANO

 

Chili Seasoning

1 Tbsp chili powder

1 Tbsp garam masala (If not available check ingredients online to make your own)

1 Tbsp onion powder

1 Tsp black pepper steak seasoning

1 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp Lawry's Seasoned Salt (R)

Veggies to be sautéed
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro (minced)
1 small yellow onion (diced)
1 red onion (diced)
1/2 green pepper (diced)

Meat and Seasonings
2 Tbsp oil
2 tsp Lawry's (R)
4 shakes Worcestershire sauce
2 lbs ground beef
2 lb steak cut into small cubes

Mix in sautéed veggies then meat. Set on "high" for 1 hour or when boiling fr 20 minutes. Spoon out excess juices and set aside just in case it runs out. Lower heat to "low" over night. Stir when you can. Serve over night.

Beans, Tomatoes and Chili
2 Tbsp Asian Chili Sauce (If you do not have it use 4-6 Tbsp of Louisiana Style hot sauce if you like it spicy, get this sauce)
2 Tbsp Louisiana Style Hot sauce
2 dried whole chili peppers just lay it in there (whew)
1/2 marinated fire roasted pepper (not hot at all diced)
1 can diced tomatoes (drain well)
1 can diced tomatoes with chilies (drain well)
1 can black beans (drain well)
1 can kidney beans (drain well)
1 can pink beans (drain well)
1 cup spaghetti sauce

First, add all chili seasonings in a freezer bag. Blend/ shake well. Set aside.
Second, add all of the items from the beans, tomatoes and chili pepper section to crock pot set on high. Stir in sautéed veggies and chili seasonings.

Third, season ground beef and steak separately by evenly dividing the seasoned salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Sugar is meant for ground beef only. Season the meat separately. Heat a large pan on medium-high heat with 1 Tbsp canola oil, add ground beef, sauté continuously by chopping ground beef with spatula into small morsels until brown not crispy, drain and set aside. If you must wipe/ clean the steak, make sure to pat it dry with a towel. Add 1 Tbsp oil to pan again. Season the cubed steak with remaining seasonings. Sear steak in hot pan by pressing meat with spatula. Turn when meat is has browned well. Sear second side until meatis at a "medium" temperature. Add all meat to crock pot. Cook chili on high until boiling. Let boil for 15 minutes. Cook chili on low over night. Feel free to add toppingsbelow!

Toppings- All Optional
Sour cream
Splash of Lime
Cheddar Cheese
Diced Avocado
Crumbled Bacon


My Doll babies...That is enough,

Love you to pieces!

MJ

To the FOODIE point!!!

My Doll Babies!
I love my son TJ...He let's me know that is time to quit working on the cookbook and blog by literally pulling the plug on my project. I did not know where to find the saved drafts so I freaked out a tiny bit...we're good now :-)

So, I am getting to the point by giving you an update:
The cookbook editing is 1/2 the way done and I am looking for printing houses. I have narrowed the serach down to two. Remember to complete what you love my friends!

Ok so tonight we are getting creative!


Cooking Theme TIP:
Basically, I am suggesting that you use an inspirational restaurant to boost your boredom in the kitchen!

Not too long ago my family and I visited Chima's  a Brazillian steak house you may have heard of. Another we have here
in Philadelphia is Fogo de Chao these two are chains but great to visit if you love buckets of meat. If you are bummed out because you want to hangout and your funds are insufficient, switch up your spot. Use candles and nice fabric...may rearrange your furniture to create a cool vibe for your themed meal.

For a Brazillian steak house theme at home;

• Grab some metal skewers and small plates
• Use maybe three different meats (lamb, chicken, beef, pork, veal...etc)
• Create some various marinades from your favorite, vinaigrettes, dressings, herbs, spices and wines.
• Grill or broil your meats, high heat and marinating will result in a nice dish.
• Create an antipasto dish of various cold cuts, cheeses, olives and peppers
• Serve your guests, wine and beer from a couple of different regions
• Play your favorite music, maybe videos set on mute for mood an voila!

With all of that meat who needs dessert??? YOU DO!!! Creme Bruillee, sherberts and fruit compotes are great and not as filling:-)

Me doing the blog and editing tonight! Note my babies reading, even TJ on the left :-)

PLEASE BY ALL MEANS SUPPORT RESTAURANTS ESPECIALLY LOCAL ONES. THEY ARE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS FAST. BY GOING OUT AND PATRONIZING THESE BUSINESSES, IT ASSISTS IN REBUILDING THE ECONOMY...SUPPORT PASSION!!!

Thanks my Dollies!!!!
MJ

MLK Day...Black Eyed Peas!

Dollies!
Did you do something great in remembrance of Dr. King? If you did, I am proud of you. And if you did not...there is always today :-). I did a little project with my kids they had fun.

When we came home, dinner was wholesome and simple.

Last night's Dinner:

Black eyed peas with smoked meat and curry rice
Salad and Lemonade


Edits to the cookbook are going strong! Might have to bake something nice tomorrow.

Don't want to bore you. But I am glad to keep you company..Night, night my loves!

MJ

Chit-Chatting and Chewing!

Hey my LOVES!!!
I realized that my last post did not go through, my apologies! My husband, Troy made dinner a couple of times since I talked to you last. He is the best! OOOooo, I cannot wait until the Valentine's Day BlogXOXO <3<3<3.The editing of the book is going well! So many minor details but this is a cool experience. I spent last evening with my two sisters, Salim and Sinyan we laughed all night! I cooked dinner at Salim's as a thank you for having us over.

This morning my sister-in-law Des and I had a great talk about food and sisters, women, and/or girlfriends sticking together! Such an important topic. Many times cooking together brings about personal conversations that helps each other. If you can be a blessing to someone else, please do so.


LAST NIGHT'S Dinner:
We had 2 Baked Chickens w/ Rosemary and Lemon I halved the chickens (with Salim's great kitchen shears!) and Roasted, Potatoes w/ butter salt and pepper and green beans w/ corn. I feel very comfortable in my sister's kitchen. Salim always buys the best quality foods and seasonings. The children played all night and the sisters had girl talk, the guys did guy stuff (I guess :-).

COOKBOOK UPDATE:
Sending out the recipe assignments to our test kitchen staff at the end of next week. Which is the next to the last step in the editing process. After all edits are done, we are sending out for a proof copy. Printing dates, book signings and the promo tour will be posted here! Please tell your friends about the book and the blog. Be the first to follow the blog and the first 100 to order you books. Book order information will be posted soon as well!

I absolutely love you all! Smooches!
MJ
(The children I was with yesterday, pic from a couple summers ago)

Counter clockwise, Me with my little boy TJ, Cydney, Kendal, Mary and Kay Kay!

WE DID IT...now what?

My Dollies!

The Cookbook is Done!!!!

I first give God all of the glory around this seriously, I do. If it sounds redundant good! Thank you too for all of the support and love! All of you can say  that you were here first when it all started:-)

Ok soooo what's next for the Cookbook? EDITING of course. That is what you do after you finish writing your book. DO NOT try to edit while you write. It will stunt your process. Let your creative juices flow! Please finish writing your books, plays, songs, etc. Dollies, you will feel a sense of accomplishment yes but more importantly, new projects will come more easily and you will inspire others. Ok so we are back for scrumptiousness. I love food I absolutely Doo-BA-lee-Doo!

I also want to welcome Ms. Candice Smith to our blog family! She is a long time friend and she is proprietor of a natural hair salon! Look her up on facebook support, suppport, support each other!

Two things! I have a video that I want to share with you and a recipe.

TONIGHT's Dinner: actually, last night's and today's lunch!

Lasagne w/ a Ricotta Substitute: Cream Cheese

I started to shelf this dish due to my having no ricotta.
I must say the cream cheese held its own.
While ricotta is better, this was a mean pan of lasagne!
I used:

 

2 boxes of cooked lasagne noodles (follow box instructions)

3 lbs. ground beef cooked in a large pan. (no oil should be needed, if so, use a little at a time). Add 1/2 tsp parsely, minced garlic (as much as you want!), onion powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp Lawry's (R) seasoned salt and Italian seasoning while cooking continue chopping with spatula until meat until it is course and mealy, set aside.

2 jars spaghetti sauce.

1 1/2 packs of softened cream cheese

6 cups of you favorite shredded cheeses.

Saute:

 2 onions. 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper and 1/2 carton of grape tomatoes halved.

Set aside.

Keep the same seasonings (except Lawry's (R) ) that you used for the meat out to use for the layering:

Drain noodles and rinse then drain again.

Spray a 9"X13" pan (Ohh this is a big portion your about to make!!!)

pour about a 1/4 cup sauce on bottom of pan. Begin Layering noodles the first layer does not need all noodles about 3. Layer in this way throughout

Noodles, Cream Cheese, Meat, Sauteed veggies, then Cheeses or do it anyway you feel suits you better. For the final layer of noodles, I like to spread on the sauce then shredded cheese and seasonings on top! Bake at 350* until your baby is sizzling and the top is just browning! Many people add egg and parsley to the ricotta which is dee-lisheeee-oooooooo-soooooo!

Enjoy!

TIPS:

Place a small round cake rack in the bottom of the pot so that those big beautiful noodles won't stick to the bottom of the pan. Also, use salt and oil in the boiling water to avoid the sticky noodles tearing when you pull them apart!

To cook or not to cook the noodles... that is the question! I have done both. Can't say much about either except that, if you do not cook the noodles, you should use a good amount of sauce that covers the noodles so that all the noodle will be soft. However, as you can see closely in my pic, the ends harden as they bake even if you boil them! Boiling is more work too but I like doing it that way.

Making your own sauce: Yes you will be sooo very pleased if you make your own sauce. A great substitute is slowly cooking your "jarred" sauce until the sauce thickens and darkens. 

My son actually called last night while I was baking to ask about making Veggie Lasagne.

Love you Dollies!
MJ

I'll miss you! Be back tomorrow!

Hey Dollies!
Mama Joy has to check on her Grandmom Rhoda who's mentioned in the cookbook. Her cuisine is close to that of islanders many wholesome ingredients and spices. My grandmother is 95. God Bless her!
Love you all, check back for Sunday Night's Dinner!
Toodles my sweethearts!!!
MJ

Let them...

Ok it's done...I am sleepy and must win the battle. I just hate promises is all. So, my darlings my dollies, the chapter on Desserts is coming... I cannot let you down. I like the cake I really do, it is making the house smell like Betty Crocker's couches!!! However, I did something that was not necessary. I added melted butter down the center of my cakes. The sugar was FAB but the butter was me over-compensating. Remember sweeties, confidence is key! If you know what you know, go for the truth in your cooking. DO NOT hide behind the butter!  (Oh, the bowl was in the microwave, I was softening the butter). And the butter center was really tasty! Sorry I flew off the hadle and into the on comig car with dramaticism but I am passionate about everything I do for you!

TONIGHT'S Midnight Snack:

Citrus Pound Cake with Lime Glaze and Whipped Cream (MJ Version)

Ingredients:

Lots of Butter
Lots of Flour
Whole Heck of a Bunch of Eggs
A Good amount of Sugar
Zest of some lime
Lemon juice
1 Secret (It's not hard to figure out if you try) 
Extracts of Lemon, Vanilla and Almond
Heat on 350* for a little while. Enjoy!!! 



Love, MJ "The Insomniac"

HOW DO YOU LOSE A BOWL THE SIZE OF YOUR FREAKING HEAD??????

I know this is abso- FREAKING -lutly ridiculous!!!!!!

Where is my bowl????..Again with the late night, no sleep, and getting up at the butt crack tomorrow, take the kids to school by 8! get to work by 8:15...My life doesn't stop. Who??? Who told me to have deadlines and a blog and  WHERE is the freaking bowl????? By the time I bake the cake the only people who will give a freak, is 1 lunatic in freaking Bagladesh or  some swamp chick in a bayou some freaking place!Anyway, I promised a pound cake and to finish my next chapter tonight...I hate promises so I will see you later on at about 1AM with a delicious pound cake.

Oh and it's sooo much more than the bowl! My last lemon. My good vanilla extract my new can of baking powder and the butter is NOT at room temperature! Troy says that I'm going to become obsessed with the BLOG... the girls are still up! They are going to bed late. "Oh girl how do you keep it all together?". You are wonder woman! You do it all!!! This is the real Mama Joy ok!!! OBSESSING over a pound cake that I said would be done!!!! Is this dooming me, my book? My restaurant? My 12 fans, the person in Singapore or the 3 people in Canada who all won't join the discussion. I love this but it's slowly killing me just like all of the butter I plan to put in this freaking cake as soon as I find my favorite BOWL!

Peace Dollies,

MJ

AM I LATE?

I am??? So sorry babies! I had to go shopping after my crazy day and picking up the "boo boo" from daycare.

Tonight's dessert should be...
Citrus Pound with Lime Sauce and Whipped Cream

Hey Lovies, my beautiful Dollies!!! I want to send a shout out to Desiree' who wishes the blog well my cooking sister from another mother!!! Welcome Sabrina to the cooked family she is now following us! Hello honey ;-). 

Not a lot of time to chit chat Dollies...the cookbook's end is closing in! The Juice 2 pager section is done! Kid's Favorites is done! Tonight's Chapters include: the rest of desserts and the Health and Wellness Chapter is the finale!!! May be completed tonight however no more promises my loves!

If there are any foodie topics you would like to discuss, please send a comment we can "hash" it out nothing like comparing "apples and oranges"..sorry cutie pies stick a fork in me cause I'm done :-)

TONIGHT'S Dinner:

We ate our's with chicken but good for Daniel Fasters and Vegans

Steamed Cabbage with Basil and Onion

1 head of green cabbage chopped
2 onions sliced
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Steak Seasoning or Course Black Pepper
1 hand full (1/2 cup) fresh basil
2 Tbsp olive oil
Splash vinegar
2 cups water

In a 4 quart pot place all ingredients. Cook on medium heat until water begins to boil. Stir occassionally. When cabbage starts to wilt, reduce heat. This dish is great when the cabbage is bright green! So don't go old school on me with the gray cabbage! Taste as you go, decide for yourself (like me) if you want more basil or pepper.

The chicken is fried. I make a rub after I quick fry it. I pour melted butter over the chicken then add the rub. It's made with seasoned salt, Old Bay (R), garlic powder, black pepper and paprika. Then I broil it under alow heat. So good!!!!

Okay My Biscuits (made those too!) I am going to bang out some cake for later and the latest additions to our cookbook!

Love you truly!

MJ

What's on Tonight???

Creativity is on for tonight!
Anytime you feel down or are missing recipe ingredients, remember that food is an incredible art form that you can make out to be what ever you want it to be
-Mama Joy, 2011

This is cute: A friend of mine from work, Mady had to make a little something for a potluck party she'd been invited to. Well sir, she made a cake that she had made a million times before that came out looking a hot mess! She went over the steps several times in her head and could not figure out what went out of whack.

While talking to her grown son on the phone about it, she noticed 4 eggs on the counter! But time was a waisting! She put the crazy behind thing in a bag and took it to the party! All of the other food at the party looked like it belonged on Food Network! Just fabulous! Her lonely pitiful thing was sitting by itself until... FATE! Some random, funny-looking, lonely man tasted the funky looking thing and was like WHOAAAA girl!!! That thing is bodacious!!!

She said, "oh yes!" And without hesitation...she lied..."It's a flat cake made by the spiritual Papaya people of the Platypus Islands in West St. Crocus. The people there worship chicken and they would never think of touching an egg... their messiah! So alas! The flat cake was born!" Honey, let me tell you, it was the hit of the party! She is quitting her job next month and starting an all Papayan bakery!!! OK, OK, OK none of that is true... well except the part about forgetting the eggs. All of the rest was me. But you get the point. Right? Never lie about eggs! Alright, moving on Dollies.


TONIGHT'S Dinner:
I made left overs today much work needed on the book "Kid's Favorites" is done and the next chapter is a cut and paste job!!! After that 2 chapters to go with 50% of those done! Let's shoot for POUND CAKE tomorrow :-) I promise a pretty pic of it too!!!

Night night Dollies,
MJ

My Hubby and my Babies are the BEST!!!

My children are sooo supportive with the blog and the cooking. Doing homework and waiting to eat before Mommy gets the right pics:-) Wow! You cannot ask for more than that. The photo credit for tonight's dish goes to my wonderful and loving husband Troy. He and my kids are the absolute best!!!You little cuties!

Lots of folks from all over checking out the blog! I edited a part of the last recipe. Please take note. I did not say welcome to my sweetheart of a friend! Little Ms. Theresa! Thanks Lady love ou much :-)

Love ya!



This is not all of my children more pics to come!



MJ

Troy and Joy

Warm and Cheesy Goodness!

My Dollies, My Loves!

This is a wonderful little treasure I found on the Philly Cream Cheese box! Good for when there is nothing to eat that's different.

I doctor up every recipe I touch. Therefore no one can sue me! Just kidding cuties!

TONIGHT'S Dinner:

Beefy Goodness
2 lb ground beef
2 boxes of cheapy mac and cheese in the box
Package Philly Cream Cheese
1 Jar Salsa
2 Tbsp ketchup

Ok get ready...go! Fry up the beef in a large skillet. Chopping it up into fine morsels..you cool? Great! Meanwhile go nuke the package of cream cheese with the salsa together!
Check on the meat!!!!!! When the meat is done, add enough water in the skillet to cover noodles (hee hee...skillet :-D) Add one cheese packet from the box. Continuously stirring on medium heat so the noodles won't stick. Check on the sauce. You need to make sure the cream cheese melts. Stir it all up baby yeah! Get it! Ok when the noodles are done you shouldn't need to drain it. The meat and pasta took care of that :-). Go get the sauce and ketchup. Why ketchup? Because salsa is spicy for little ones and ketchup is sweet. Ok booyah!! You're DONE!!!! Scrumdiliosooo!!!

Sweet Cream Cheesy Dreams Dollbabies!

MJ

How is this possible???

I am cleaning up the house a little for tomorrow's morning rush...I change the cover on the couch and of course there is a stick of butter there in case I need spread for a biscuit or something!

MJ

Deelisheeohsooooo!!!!

Bon Appetit Dollies!!!

Just sitting here cooking and having fun with the kiddies!!! Well actually, Troy and I are trying not to drive ourselves crazy while I cook after getting over a small flu and they keep as quiet as possible:-).

I am so excited to say that we have an audience in Croatia, Canada, Singapore, Belgium and of course the good 'ol USA!

I am keeping it short and savory tonight baby dolls because I want you to check out what's for dinner! Tell me what you think!

Love you all,

MJ


TONIGHT'S Dinner:

Lime, Tarragon and Basil Roasted Chicken with pan Fried Potatoes


This is so simple.

1 Whole Chicken
2 Cloves Garlic (Minced)
Juice of one lime and slices for garnish.
2 Tbsp dried Tarragon
2 Tbsp (my favorite) Basil infused oil
1 tsp Garlic Powder (no it's not redundant just dee-lish!!!)
Little Salt and Pepper to your liking

(Sear your little buddy first) Roast uncovered and naked in roasting pan on low broil both sides for 15 minutes each less if you have a hot oven. While roasting in a Ziploc (r) blend all other ingredients for a nice dressing/ marinade. Pull out chicken saturate her or him. Then roast on 355 until juices run clear about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending upon chicken weight. When your chicken friend can stand five more minutes in the sauna, pull him out sorry her ... pull her out and give her a splash of the lime juice. Put her in again for 5 minutes and voila! She is good. Don't orget the lime slices for looks and chicken fashion!

Toodles my dollies!

OH! as for the potatoes... Cut them up and fry them in a pan!

is something burning?

YES IT IS!!! Hi Dollies,
I want to first say thanks to shaisister for hanging out with the food mama and friends! Just burning the midnight oil and getting geared up for one chapter to close and the next to jump off. I am anxious and wow ready to hear from you! Let me know what interests you or questions around food.

TONIGHT'S DINNER:
black eyed peas with smoked turkey legs and rice. Onions, bay leaves, garlic,black pepper and Lawry's,
love ya!
MJ

Happy New Year Dollies!!!

WOOOHOOOO!!! Another year...God is Fabulous! While I did not meet my deadline, the book is soaring along :-) I brought in the New Year on my knees praying with my family at my church. Don't sleep on prayer my loves, it's the coolest thing you could ever do for yourself and those you love, trust me.

OK the whole day, the whole New Year's Day I spent with the family my kids and love of my life in bed with me typing, typing, typing. Can I just say that "MEATS" is done! "Kids Favorites" is almost there and I forgot that I am adding my juices from when I was a HIPPIE poet of the '90's. Yes there is a joyjuice section.

TONIGHT'S DINNER: While I made black eyed peas and turkey stew, we could not eat it because the triple crock pot I received for Christmas (thanks to my mother & father-in-law!!!) was set on "warm" instead of "high" or "low" would have worked. I can't remember the last time I missed BEP's for January 1'st?????

1/3 pounder burgers with red and yellow peppers, red onions, cheese whiz, blue cheese, drizzle of hot sauce and Colby jack shredded cheese on corn bread.

Try it! The consensus on the corn bread was split. You tell me!

Do you this year Dollies...Deuces, I'm OUT!