Monday, November 27, 2017

SEASONED SOUTHERN STYLE: Our Traditional Southern Dressing and Giblet Gravy Recipes



In our family, we called it Mom's Dressing Recipe, but it was actually passed down from my Grandmother. . .who got it from her Mom. . .Heaven only knows how far back through the generations it goes. . . The thing is, there was actually no recipe. . .Each daughter was taught how to make it by their Mom's instruction. . . I suppose I was the first in the family to write it down on paper. . .I stood beside Mom as she mixed together the ingredients, trying to estimate the measures. Grandmother and Mom went by the way it looked, the way it tasted. . .and all was based on how much bread they had on hand. . . . Bread was the essential item. . .left-over biscuits and cornbread. . .the ends off loaves. . .scraps and pieces saved and frozen from months before. . .Lots and lots of bread. . .too much to be mixed in a bowl. . .They didn't have a bowl large enough. . .so they made-do, utililizing the bottom of a huge, old roasting pan. . .It was the official Magers family pan for dressing. . .Grandmother passed the pan to Mom. . .and yes. . Mom left it for me. . .


Most Southern states have variations of our traditional dressing recipe. . .It wasn't exclusively my family's. . .It's no huge, closely kept secret. . .Many Southern women made a variation of it, as older recipes can attest to that fact. . .Passing recipes around was a common practice. . . I grew up in a small community where recipes were shared, to the point that the original creator often got lost in the shuffle. . .Which brings me to the dressing served at the church's annual Harvest Dinner. . .It was the same as Grandmother's. . .Whether it came from her recipe box or not, I have no idea. . .but she had been a Charter member of the church and of the Women's Society. . .way back in the early 20th century when those Harvest Dinners began. . .I'll never know for sure, but I like to think she had something to do with it. . .
In this community the dish was referred to as the  'Methodist Dressing'. . .Not as opposed to the 'Baptist Dressing'. . . Most Baptist made this dressing, too. . .It was simply in reference to the Harvest Dinners put on by the Methodist women every year as a money-making project. . . Dell women were known for their delicious food, so their dinners were always sold out. . .In fact, they had to sell tickets for different time slots in order to serve everyone. . .People came from near and far. . .literally. . .From all over Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. . .from Tennessee. . and Mississippi. . .There was one year that they had two nights of dinners. . .two-three shifts each night.
Mom was president of the WSCS (Women's Society of Christian Service) several times and organized these dinners. . .obviously, a massive effort. . .She began in September,  lining up donations from the grocery stores. . .ordering the turkeys. . .visiting the bakeries for left-over bread. . .obtaining green beans, corn, peas and other vegetables from the Bush Cannery. . .The Franklin Press donated the printing for tickets and posters. . .She began getting commitments from the ladies as to which dishes they were to make and how many. . .organizing kitchen crews, servers, and hostesses. . .appointing those who would decorate and set up the tables. . .No paper plates or plastic allowed. . .The fine 'Methodist' china, crystal and silver came out of the cabinets. . .The tables were spread with their white linen tablecloths. . .The food was buffet style with beautiful silver bowls and platters. . .crystal serving dishes. . .and every  year gorgeous floral centerpieces. . .It was quite a production. . .Festive. . .Ticket holders themselves considered the dinner a special occasion. . .attending in their Sunday best. . .Not only was it a money-making project, it also brought the community together during our Fall harvests of cotton, soybeans, and wheat. . .These ladies were celebrating in the way that Southern women do. . .It was a time of thanks and gathering families in. . .of sharing their LOVE through their food. . .
Those Harvest Dinners were often talked about for months later. . .It also took about that long for the ladies to recuperate. . .


NEEDS NO GRAVY

There is a difference in our Southern dressing compared to the more common cornbread dressing that most people know. . ..It does include cornbread, usually made with white corn meal, but the addition of white bread, eggs and much more stock results in a light, puffy moist perfect side dish for turkey or chicken. . .In fact, it is so moist and flavorful that John maintains. . .'It needs no gravy'. . .Don't think he doesn't use gravy on it, though. . .He's a true Southern boy. . .


One of the things I enjoy about this recipe is that it is so forgiving and versatile. . .Armed with my jotted down notes, I find myself rarely referring to the recipe much at all. . .Just like Mom, I adjust it based on the taste and quantity of bread on hand. . .I can make more or less. . .add extra eggs or not. . .I have the option of making it plain. . .or. . .making it a meal in one by adding left-over turkey or chicken to the mix.

Sadly though, the old roasting pan for mixing hasn't been used in years. . .Our family has scattered. . .and dwindled. . .Over the years, I've been able to cut down the recipe so that my largest mixing bowl is the right size. . .I no longer have big bags of biscuits or left-over breads. . .but I have found that the Italian breads, left out for a day to dry a little, works well. . .

THE RECIPE

GIBLET GRAVY

You thought I said this delicious dressing needed no gravy, didn't you?. . .Well, it doesn't. . .but Giblet Gravy is still a must to add flavor on top of flavor. . .for more richness. . .Serve it on the side, though. . .so each can ladle his own. . .I, myself, cover the slices of turkey, too. . .


So now you're set for a true Southern Turkey and Dressing dinner. . .Whether it is called Mom's Dressing or Methodist Dressing or Southern Dressing. . .it's still the best of any I've ever tasted. . .Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without it. . .Not in this family anyway. . .


To round out the meal, add your own side dishes. . .
or try a few of Mom's favorites. . .
(Some Recipes will be posted later.)

Sweet Potato Casserole with Coconut, Pecans, and Marshmallows
Green Bean Casserole
Collard Greens 
Fresh Creamed Corn with Pimento
Company Peas

and top off the meal with Southern sweetness:

Martha Ruddle's Fruit Cake
Pecan Pies
Grandmother's Buttermilk Pie
Mincemeat Cobbler 

Yum. . .Christmas can't come too soon. . .


 



Saturday, November 11, 2017

Telling Their Stories: A Tribute on Veteran's Day


It's Veteran's Day. . .a day to remember those who have kept our Nation free. . .those who sacrificed much in order to defend what we hold so dear. . .

On this day, I would like to honor the Veteran that I knew so well. . .and miss tremendously. . .My Dad. . .Curtis C. Duncan. . .who joined the U S Navy in 1942 and served in World War II as a Yeoman of the 8th Amphibious Command Headquarters in the Mediterranean Operation. He was also on board the flagship of Rear Admiral Frank J. Lowry. . .the USCGC Duane. . .for the Invasion of Southern France. . .one of the vast communications operation crew.  He always said he fought the War behind a typewriter. . .but I have found he did much more. . .

Daddy was always so good to write letters to me, wherever I was living.  Many of them were about the garden, his photography, Mom's cooking. . .So I had the idea to ask him to jot down some of his stories for me when he'd write. It didn't need to be long or formally written. . .Simply what he wanted to tell. . .He seemed thrilled and worked hard on the letters. Over a ten year period, he poured out his memories. . .little by little. . .never lengthy enough for details but he was able to remember the basics. . .There are two large notebooks full, but they don't begin to touch on the details of the life he lived. . .Yet, with much research, and reaching back into my memories of the stories I heard, I've begun to put his story together and have realized what an extraordinary man he was.



USSCGC DUANE CREW--Y2c/S1c C C DUNCAN 1st Row Left--DALE ROOKS PHOTO

"You have served in the greatest Navy in the world. No other Navy at any time has done so much. For your part in these achievements, you deserve to be proud as long as you live. The Nation which you serve at this time of crisis will remember you with gratitude. . ." James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy
 I noticed that a large group of landing craft was coming into the harbor at Naples, Italy. Since I was stationed on the USCGC Duane and Com 8th Amphibious operation ship, I did not think too much about it. The LST's, LCI's, destroyers and the landing craft were loaded with tanks, trucks, jeeps, plus the army personnel. We were gathering a landing force for Southern France. Two days before sailing, all liberties were canceled. I got up one morning and all you could see was ships--slow ships running at 5 to 15 knots. We were on our way. . .  from the C C Duncan Journal: The WWII Years by Dru Duncan 2017

Y/2C Curtis C. Duncan, Back Row Left

Daddy's story is not  a singular one. It's the story of thousands of others who served in World War II. They have been called "The Greatest Generation." For them, hard times were nothing new. They lived through both the Great Depression and World War II and survived to help build a new and prosperous America that has endured to this day. Through their stories, we can learn what it means to sacrifice for others. After the war, they came back home victorious but changed in many ways as they took on the task of rebuilding this nation. Their love for our country was obvious in everything they did. I consider it an honor to be the daughter of one of those great, but humble, men. . .and to tell his story. . .from the C C Duncan Journal: The WWII Years by Dru Duncan, 2017

 USCGC Duane decked out for the King in Naples Italy, July 1944. CC Duncan on board. DALE ROOKS PHOTO

Please do remember ALL VETERANS this day. . .for their SERVICE to our COUNTRY. . .
whether it was a time of war or peace. . .They each deserve our RECOGNITION.

    Shake a Veteran's hand and tell him
'THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE'
not just today. . .but each time you meet one. . .
Encourage them to tell their story. . .the story of their service to this Nation. . .
STORIES which never should be lost. . .




 And to my Dad. . .a SPECIAL THANKS from me. . .
for enriching my life with HIS STORY. . .



Thursday, November 9, 2017

SEASONED SOUTHERN STYLE: Simply Good Food



". . .It was a revelation to find, when I first went north, that what we ate was not what everybody else in the country eats, because southerners, no matter where they were on the social ladder, ate pretty much as we did. The ingredients were the same, although the preparation might differ with the level of affluence. . ." **

GRAPE NUTS TEA BREAD***  (RECIPE LINK BELOW)

As I've discovered in life that SIMPLE can be the best. . .and the healthiest. . .so have I found it to be true of the foods we eat. . .

After years of trying new recipes with a long list of ingredients, seeking healthy alternatives to gluten and dairy, trying to eliminate preservatives and pesticides, I have decided to return to the food of my childhood. . .simple foods made from scratch (mostly) and of the freshest ingredients I can find. . .I think today's term for this way of thinking is 'eating clean'. . .I call it common sense. . .

In this community, we have had numerous octogenarians and at least four that I can count right now who are still living in their 90s+. . . My own great Aunt Pearl lived to be 101 (or was it 103?) years old. . . How did they do it? What was their secret to longevity? . .I can think of several reasons. . .and most definitely I'm convinced their diet played a huge roll. . .They ate whole  foods. . .grew their own gardens. . .canned their own fruits and vegetables. . .used mostly basic and easy recipes. . .They ate meat from the chicken yard. . .the hog pen. . .the pasture. . .and the woods. . .There were no GMOs. . .Few chemical preservatives. . .No additives. . .Simply Good Food. . .
There is no doubt the ladies in our community were terrific cooks. . .It was an art. . .and one that is fast becoming lost. . .It's how I ate for at least 30 years. . .but then it became easier and it saved time to grab prepackaged items than baking my own cookies. . .than canning my own veggies. . .than spending time in the kitchen. . .Easier but not healthier. . .for I have become 'food sensitive' and/or 'food intolerant'. . .I know, I know. . .It sounds funny, but let me tell you, it is not. . .Ingesting just a smidgen of my trigger foods, I can get violently sick for days. . .and it can take weeks for me to completely get over it. . .In my search for a diet that would take out those foods and preservatives, I realized that family recipes and the old foodways. . .with a few changes. . .were exactly what I needed. . .and maybe what others might need, too. . .
Come with me on my journey to healthier eating through recipes from the 1920s to the present day . . .I'll share the original recipes and processes of cooking homemade. . .Where I've tweaked a recipe for myself, I'll share that with you also. . .This will be just good homemade food. . .I plan to share recipes for 'company dishes' such as my Mom's dressing in time for the holidays. . .and her candied sweet potatoes with lots of butter, pecans, and coconut. . .along with foods for everyday eating. . .and all Seasoned Southern Style. . .
To get you started, here are a few links to recipes I have shared in the past. . .
























Mouth watering, yet?
I'll be back soon with my Mom's Dressing Recipe. . .
a combination of white bread and cornbread and lots of flavor. . .
Get your taste buds ready. . .It's delicious. . .




**Passage from Born in the Delta by Margaret Jones Bolsterli, 1991