Southern Cooking with Andy Bedwell

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 Famous Blueberry Dessert and Apple Surprise

The comforting sounds and smells of the kitchens of the South are forever preserved. The wonderful smells that I remember as a child that came from my aunt’s kitchens were unreal. My aunt, Sue Lankford, would always have a cake in the oven or a cake waiting to be sliced when you walked in her kitchen. Aunt Eva would have a “yeast smelling” kitchen. In her community, she was known for her homemade rolls. Matthew tells me that my kitchen always smells like cookies. I wonder why! Both of these recipes will make any kitchen smell FABULOUS!

Famous Blueberry Dessert

2 cups fresh blueberries

2 cups sugar (divided)

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup cornstarch

3 tablespoons water

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup margarine (soft)

1 cup pecans, chopped

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

9 ounces Cool Whip

Combine blueberries, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water in a saucepan. Cook on low heat until blueberries are soft (15 minutes). Combine cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water. Add to the blueberry mixture. Stir until thickened. Cool. Combine flour, butter and pecans. Press into a 13 x 9-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool. Combine cream cheese and 1 cup sugar. Beat until smooth. Fold in Cool Whip. Spread over baked and cooled crust. Pour blueberry mixture over top. Refrigerate.

Andy’s Note: This is a 5-star blueberry dessert. This recipe takes a little time to put together, but it is so worth the effort. It can also be made the day before it is served. Hope you enjoy!

Apple Surprise

1 can refrigerated flaky biscuit dough

4 apples, peeled, cored, and halved (Granny Smith)

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1/2 cup margarine, melted

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoons cinnamon

Butter a 2 quart Pyrex dish. Separate biscuit dough into 8 pieces. Flatten each piece of dough into a circle. Wrap one biscuit around each apple half and place, seam side down, in dish. Combine sugar, water, melted margarine, and vanilla. Pour mixture over apple dough in the dish. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown.

Andy’s Note: Some of you may have this “cute” little dessert, but I just had to share. I have been known to roll my apple halves in canned cinnamon rolls instead of the biscuits. I also have made two of these in one day. Please let your children or grandchildren help with this dessert. They will love it! Quick! Quick! Quick! and Good! Good! Good! Hope you enjoy! Apples and blueberries are everywhere this year.

Next week, I am going to share with you a recipe that was given to me by a wonderful cook who lives in Rainbow City.  It is delish!

Happy Cooking,

Andy Bedwell

“Southern Cooking with Andy Bedwell” can be purchased at Little Faces Doll Shop, Alabama Gift Company, and the Messenger on Broad Street.

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