Soul Food and memories

Biscuits and Gravy

This was a breakfast staple in our family growing up. My dad loved to get up and make breakfast on the weekends. One of my most loved memories as a kid was waking up to the smell of my dad cooking breakfast. There are several methods to creating this yummy breakfast favorite of mine. My dad and his sister used to argue over which method was the best. My aunt Sharron (who is an amazing cook) thinks that the whisk whisk whisk method is the best for no lump creamy delicious gravy. My Dad's method was to cook the sausage in the skillet, but take the milk and flour and shake it in a mason jar first. He believed that was the best way to guarantee no lumps. I listened to this back and forth conversation a lot as a kid. It usually took place when we would go back to Texas, and those two would be up making breakfast arguing out there methods. It used to crack me up, and it still does. My dad has been gone for 10 years now. I am so grateful to have these fun memories. Every time I make this for my family I think about them, but mostly my dad because I miss him so much. No matter how well I tell my daughter this story and other silly stories about her papa, it just doesn’t do it justice. I truly wish she would have had the chance to know him. They certainly would have loved each other so much<3. That being said I am so grateful for what a wonderful grandmother my mom is to my daughter. We went to Lagoon recently with her, and those two were running around going on all of the fun rides together. It made me realize that there are so many small things that fill my heart with so much happiness and love.

This is a picture of my mom and my daughter on a ride at Lagoon. My mom has her arms in the air and a big smile on her face. It made me feel so happy that I felt a little emotional. Life hasn't been super easy for my mom at times, but she loves life and has always known how to have fun. I don't know what I would do without her. Love you mom!



Ok Here is my recipe for Biscuits and Gravy. I have taken both methods and created my own for perfect gravy. I like to use Bisquick for the biscuits, but you can use canned biscuits too.

1 Package of sausage ( I use original)
3 cups of milk ( you can use more. It just depends on how much gravy you want)
3 cubes of butter
1 cup of flour
Biscuits either Bisquick made or canned
a few grinds of the Pepper grinder
1 tsp (sprinkle it around a bit) garlic salt
1 tsp ( a few shakes) chilli flakes

Directions:

Prepare the biscuits first that way when you start the gravy you can pop them in the oven. Brown the sausage in skillet season with the garlic salt and pepper and chilli flakes. In a pan scald the milk. When the sausage is browned add in the butter and flour, then begin wisking until the butter flower and sausage are well blended. Then add in the scalded milk. I like a lot of pepper in my gravy so I will pepper it a bit more. Keep wisking constantly until the gravy is a nice gravy Consistancy. Cut you biscuits in half and pour your delicious gravy over the top. Enjoy!

A New Recipe!

I came up with this recipe last night. I was not sure what to make for dinner but I needed to use up some mushrooms in my fridge. So I decided I would go with some sort of chicken, mushroom, and pasta creation lol. This is what I came up with. Give it a try and I hope you like it. It was a hit with the fam!

Chicken and Mushroom Pasta



Ingredients:

* 3 chicken breasts
* 1 package of baby porta bella mushrooms
* 1 package of thin spaghetti pasta
* 2 Tbls of grated parmesan cheese
* Olive Oil
* 1/2 cup of diced onion (adjustable of course)
* 1 clove of fresh garlic
* 1tbl fresh or dried parsley
* Garlic salt
* cracked pepper
* 1 cup chicken broth
* Lemon wedge or lemon juice
* 2 tbls of corn starch
* 3/4 cup of cooking sherry
* Lemon pepper seasoning


Directions:

Drizzle pan with olive oil. The pan should be well coated with the olive oil. Salt and pepper both sides of chicken and place in the pan covered turning once. When chicken is fully cooked reduce heat to low and remove chicken. Slice the chicken and add back in the pan with the oil. Add in diced onions and mushrooms. Season with garlic salt, cracked pepper, lemon pepper, dried parsley, squeeze lemon wedge over mixture. Add in the fresh garlic. When the onions and the mushrooms are cooked, deglaze the pan with the cooking sherry. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat add 2 tbls of corn starch stirring frequently to thicken the sauce. Add cooked pasta noodles to the mixture and mix well. Serve with a little parmesan and more parsley for color. Enjoy!

Note:

I thought maybe next time I might add a little milk to make the sauce creamy. You could always use cream of mushroom in there also.

Mckenna Lynn's growing up!

Yesterday my Mckenna Lynn started her first day of third grade.
I can't believe it. She carefully thought out what she would wear, even how she wanted me to do her hair. This year she not only entered a new grade, but she started a new school! She was very excited and a little nervous. Eric (her dad) and I walked her through the craziness to her new classroom. I could tell that now that we had come to the door way, her nerves were starting to get the best of her. Just then her new teacher came out and welcomed her into the classroom. She had a great first day. She came home very excited about some new friends. I was so happy to hear that she had a great first day. This is the year of me letting go, just a little more at a time. I have always been so protective of her. I have always worried about having her find her friends so she wouldn't have to wait outside by herself anticipating the bell to ring. This morning I walked her to the side of the school where the kids line up. I tried not to hover. I asked her if she saw some of her friends to line up with, and she looked at me and said " yes I think I see them". I walked away looking back ever so many steps glancing at her looking around for her friends. I realized that she needs to be on her own...it's the only way for her to gain her own self confidence. I know that she will be fine. She is a social girl, and has always been able to make friends fast. I am just letting go...letting her grow up on her own a little bit at a time.