Andy Bedwell

Spring is here! I think one of the big reasons people do not cook anymore is the notion that it takes too long and it’s just too hard. I hope you learn from my recipes that good home-cooked food can be quick, easy and good. Pies are a great dessert to make ahead of time

This week I am continuing recipes that I collected from people who attended Cottontail’s Village in Birmingham. Even though I have not yet tried any of these, they sound delicious! I plan to try all of these this week. Baked Marinated Chicken Four boneless chicken breasts Lemon pepper Bottle of Italian dressing One tablespoon Dale’s

Cottontail’s Village 2020 at the BJCC in Birmingham was a great success for us this year. In fact, I signed more cookbooks than I did last year. The highlight of the weekend for me was talking to so many wonderful cooks from all over our great state. Mary and I asked many cooks what their

Pineapple Congealed Salad 1 small lime Jello 1 cup boiling water 1 (4 oz. ) cream cheese 1 cup small marshmallows 1 small can crushed pineapple 1/2 cup evaporated milk 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 cup diced pineapple 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 cup chopped pecans Combine Jello, water, cream cheese and marshmallows. Stir over low

As the weather is still cooler, we Southerners welcome our soups to the family dinner table. So, grab your ladles, bowls and spoons to try these delicious and comforting recipes! Remember a soup is a “souper” addition to any kind of meal. Andy’s Leftover Vegetable Soup 1 can corn 1 can of peas 1 can or

When I mentioned to family and friends that I was working my way through hundreds of recipes for my cookbook and what fun I was having, someone would proudly chime in with a comment about their momma’s or aunt’s famous recipes. Some of my recipes may seem dated by today’s measure. A few may even

Valentine’s Day is that special time when thoughts of those we care about come to mind. The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart. – Helen Keller Half-Time Rocky Road Candy 1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips 1 (11-ounce) package butterscotch

Love me tender, love me sweet, never let me go… You have made my life complete, And I love you So. These recipes are “straight from the heart” and have something that is guaranteed to have you falling in love all over again. Strawberry Bon-Bons 3 (3-ounce) packages of strawberry jello 1 can Eagle Brand

Memories of Sunday dinners at my Grandmother Icy’s house were just a wonderful feeling of comfort. Her stove was covered with the most delicious dishes that I have cherished since my childhood—everything from fried chicken, heaping bowls of mashed potatoes, slaw that she had shredded with a sharp knife, green beans topped with new potatoes,

Like most Southern cooks, I enjoy a lot of time baking as the holidays approach. Some of the baked goods are gifts for family and friends and some seem to end up in my kitchen cookie jars. The month of January comes along and it seems like after soup recipes that I am anxious to

I love cookbooks! My love for cookbooks and recipes began many, many years ago. I know that my best memories of growing up were the wonderful smells that came from my mother’s kitchen. She could put a pie together as easy as most people could make a sandwich. I do not like recipes that are

There are some things that you have to know how to make to be a good Southern cook. Fried chicken is a must, but homemade soup and good Southern cornbread is a close second. I am so fortunate to be in a long line of relatives who enjoyed cooking. This week I am adding some

An appetizer is served before a full meal and it is supposed to stave off your hunger. I have always considered an appetizer as something extra and it also is a fabulous way of extending warm Southern hospitality to a group. I have tried to assemble recipes for appetizers that are prac-tically no work at

“I bring you good news that will be of great joy for all the people. Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11 Home Style Beef Casserole 1 pound ground chuck 1 (14-oz) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano, undrained

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11 My mother always made the best peanut butter fudge. When I was young, she would always make sure there was enough left in the pan for me to taste. I loved the “scrapings”

While you’re at it, why not deck the cookies and candies with boughs of holly, too. Christmas time inspires us to entertain. Whether you’re hosting an open house, luncheon, or potluck at the church, every occasion deserves a special ending. When I was baking for friends, my most frequently requested Southern dessert was my mother’s

By Andy Bedwell “For there is born To you this day… A Savior Who is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:11” Carolyn Barron’s Coconut Cake 2 cups self-rising flour 2 cups sugar 5 eggs 1 cup oil 1 teaspoon coconut flavoring 1 cup buttermilk 2 cups coconut Glaze: 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup plus 2

By Andy Bedwell May joy fill your heart, May peace touch your soul, May love fill your life this Christmas and Always Christmas Blessings to you and yours. Every year, as soon as the last bite of cranberry sauce and the final morsel of Thanksgiving turkey has been devoured, neighborhoods begin to look like fantasy

Baked Ham, Mary Virginia’s Dressing, Corn Casserole and Mother’s Pecan Pie Happy Thanksgiving! “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” – Colossians 3:17 Baked Ham Put fresh ham (never been cooked or sliced) in a paper bag (go

Cafeteria Macaroni and Cheese, Nancy Wood’s Corn Pudding and Vanilla Wafer Cake Once my family has decided what entrée we will have for Thanksgiving, the next step is figuring out what goes along with it. These are some of my favorites. Cafeteria Macaroni and Cheese 1 pound elbow macaroni noodles 4 eggs (4-ounces) heavy cream

By Andy Bedwell Long before we knew anything about watching cholesterol, counting calories, cutting back on sodium,  there were always sweets that would bring us running home from school. Nothing satisfied us more than a glass of cold milk and a big ole fat chocolate chip cookie. It really didn’t matter what kind of cookie,

Andy’s Homemade Chili, Easy White Chili and Mother’s Coconut Pie Pumpkins piled high in roadside stands and supermarkets signal the coming of fall in the South. Summer may be over but you can still have a taste of the season. My mind floods with the beauty of the vegetables that I have in my freezer

By Andy Bedwell Southern Taco Soup 2 pounds ground chuck 1 large onion, chopped 1 can Rotel tomatoes 2 large cans of tomatoes 1 can white shoe peg corn, drained 1 can yellow whole corn, drained 1 can chili beans 1 can pinto beans 1 package taco mix 1 package Hidden Valley ranch dressing 3

By Andy Bedwell I have always enjoyed a brunch, both as a hostess and a guest. One reason I particularly enjoy having a brunch is that you can serve almost any food you prefer, from an egg and cheese dish to a tenderloin. When I begin thinking about which of my favorite dishes I usually

By Andy Bedwell This week I am continuing some great apple desserts. About the best call to breakfast on Sunday morning, or any day, is the spicy aroma of an apple coffee cake drifting through the house. Cinnamon and nutmeg are two of my favorite spices especially during the fall. Apple Pudding Cake 3 1/2

Old-Fashioned Apple Sugar-Free Pie and Million Dollar Apple Bars There is so much to enjoy about the fall in Alabama. We go from lazy days of summer to busy days filled with my favorite activities and foods. Football games, craft festivals, picking up pecans, filling jars with muscadine jelly, the DeKalb County Fair in Fort

By Andy Bedwell Do you want to start a conversation? Read a cookbook in public. That’s what happens to me all of the time. I always have a cookbook with me. “What are you cooking?” the young lady who sat beside me asked as she peeped over my shoulder. “Just checking out a recipe I

Today’s Menu Meat Loaf Plate Mashed Potatoes Turnip Greens Corn Bread Chili Hot Dogs and Burger Drinks: Cokes, Pepsi, Tea, Coffee, Beer I saw this sign in front of a little café on our way to the beach a few years ago. Only in a Southern small town would you ever see this kind of menu.

Crock Pot Dressing, Whipped Sweet Potato Bake and Pineapple Fluff Cake My sister and I grew up with a  mother who enjoyed cooking and was a wonderful cook. She taught us the importance of presentation and taste. During our school years, we entered our home daily with something on the stove simmering or a new

Chicken Salad, Vegetable Salad and Fluffy Pink Salad There are so many foods that are unique to our region of the country. Sweet tea, pimento cheese, deviled eggs, fried chicken, fried catfish and tomato sandwiches are all wonderful staples in the South.  I always evaluate a new restaurant by the quality of the sweet tea!