By Andy Bedwell
Sunday family dinners at houses in the South were a nourishing part of childhood years. We gathered at my mother’s home where we were surrounded with the aroma of Southern cooking at its best.
Strawberry Cheese Ring
1 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup chopped, pecans
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 medium onion, grated
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 cup strawberry preserves
Combine first six ingredients. Mix well and chill in a round bowl. When thoroughly chilled, use hands to shape around a small serving bowl. Place on a dish and chill well. When ready to serve, fill the bowl with strawberry preserves. Surround with crackers.
Andy’s Note: I use pepper jelly sometimes. This is an old recipe and so delicious. The preserves are delicious when served along with the spicy cheese ring.
Summer Squash Bread
3 cups yellow squash
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 ounces small curd cottage cheese
6-8 ounce box corn bread mix
1/2 stick margarine, melted
Cut squash into chunks and cook until tender. Drain well and mince. Place the squash in a mixing bowl and add eggs, milk, salt and cottage cheese. Stir in corn bread mix and spoon mixture into a greased skillet. Pour margarine over top and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.
Andy’s Note: This is a good way to use our summer yellow squash. Sometimes I sprinkle grated Cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking.
Pecan Ice Cream Pie
1 cup flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup margarine, melted
1 quart French vanilla ice cream
8 pecan halves
Mix together flour and sugar. Add pecans and butter. Mix well. Reserve 1/4 cup of mixture for topping. Spread remaining mixture in a 10-inch pie plate. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool. Spread reserved mixture in a small dish and bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and crumble. Soften ice cream and fill crust. Top with crumbs and garnish with pecans and freeze. You may want to put a chocolate or butterscotch sauce over the pie.
Andy’s Note: This is delicious! It can be in your freezer indefinitely.
Happy cooking, Andy
“Southern Cooking with Andy Bedwell” may be purchased at The Messenger at 1957 Rainbow Drive.
