Andy Bedwell

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!

Corn Casserole, Tomato Broccoli Casserole and Chocolate Pudding I have decided that I have an appetite for the South and all of its Southern food. When my garden begins to produce, my mind immediately craves a casserole of sunny, yellow squash topped with cheese, ripe red tomatoes, pearly ears of corn and Mexican cornbread with

By Andy Bedwell When I mentioned to my friends and family that I was working my way through my cookbook and what fun I was having, someone would proudly chime in with a comment about their momma’s, aunt’s or grandmother’s recipe being included. This was just music to my ears and definitely to my heart.

Peach Parfait Pie, Chocolate Crust Lime Pie and Lemon Velvet Pie Let them eat pie! Me? I prefer pies. One does not have to worry about them rising (or falling) or trying to get the icing to just the right consistency. It is sin-fully easy to buy a ready-to-fill pie shell right off the grocer’s

More recipes from the garden! Mrs. Fielder’s Cornbread Salad 2 packages of Mexican cornbread mix 1 large bell pepper 2 fresh garden tomatoes, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 1 pint mayonnaise Mix cornbread as directed on the package. Bake, cool and crumble into small pieces. Add other ingredients, mix

By Andy Bedwell I just discovered a few days ago that a covered dish gathering is a whole different thing from potluck. A potluck get-together leaves the possibility of folks bringing store-bought food. Covered dish is something you make at home, pour into your casserole dish and stick a cover on top. The covered dish

Southern Potato Salad 5 pounds red potatoes, chopped medium size, boiled and cooled, (salt potatoes really well while they are boiling) 1 large onion, chopped small, green onions also 5 eggs, boiled, chopped small 3/4 cup sweet salad cubes, (if you want them like a relish, use the food processor) 1 teaspoon mustard (just enough

By Andy Bedwell Let’s do some recipes of the 1980s! My favorite recipes are from the 1980s and 1990s. They are oldies but goodies. Cheese Crisps 1 cup margarine, melted 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated 2 cups Rice Krispies 1/4 teaspoon red pepper 2 cups self-rising flour, sifted Combine all dry ingredients; mix well.

Andy’s Favorite Cheese Ball, Yummy Enchiladas and Lemon Dump Cake Anyone who entertains knows that the purpose of serving appetizers is to have your family and guests linger by the food, chatting, sharing stories and generally having some sort of human contact. When my sister Mary has us over for Christmas, she always has a

Andy’s Favorite Popcorn, Peanut Butter Popcorn, Ice Box Nut Cookies and White Chocolate Party Mix By Andy Bedwell Let’s have a snack party! Popcorn is one of the oldest snacks in the world and is now the trendiest. Many of us remember shaking a pot full of kernels on top of the stove just waiting

By Andy Bedwell What would we do without chicken? Actually, the better question would be how do we give chicken a distinctive flavor? Dress up that everyday bird in an easy sauce that usually consist of some kind of cream soup. This is one of the few recipes that is easy, and everyone will think