Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Ginger Cookies




This is a special post and one that is written with love and memories close to my heart. This blog is done in loving memory of my grandfather, "Lut" Hudson Joseph Mayeux, Momou's husband of 70 years. "Grandpa" left us last week to go home to be with our Father in Heaven. My heart breaks to think of my precious Momou without her soul mate but I know Momou is a believer and she knows that one day she will see Grandpa again when she meets him in Heaven.

I was not able to go home to Louisiana to attend Grandpa's funeral last week so I did what any food lover would do in attempt to create comfort in a time like this. I baked. But I didn't just bake anything, I baked Grandpa's favorite cookies, "Ginger Cookies. You should see this recipe for Ginger Cookies. It is written in Momou's handwriting (in pencil mind you) on very yellowed notebook paper with all sorts of stains dated with the year "1940" on it. This my friends is when you know you have a good little recipe in your hands.

These cookies are truly amazing. That Grandpa was onto something:) When you bake these cookies your entire house will smell like the Autumn season. I promise! You know, I think that Yankee Candle might need to create a candle with this very scent and name it "Ginger Cookie". I guarantee it will be a best seller because the smell of these cookies fresh out of the oven is to die for! It smells of all sorts of delicious spices mixed in with the secret ingredient of molasses. I think this recipe will be one that you will want to whip up each holiday season. In honor of Grandpa, I hope to create a tradition to make these cookies each year right before Thanksgiving.

Ginger Cookies
1 cup sugar
1 egg
4 tablespoons molasses
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2/3 cups cooking oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix cooking oil and sugar.
3. Add egg and beat well until mixture thickens.
4. Stir in molasses.
5. Sift all dry ingredients together and add to mixture.
6. Make balls size of large marbles.
(Bonus step added by me: Roll balls in Sugar In The Raw. You will
need about 20 small packets).
7. Put balls on cookie sheet 3 inches apart.
8. Cook 8 minutes.

Makes 4 dozen.

If you follow this recipe to the "t", your cookies will come out perfect...you mark my words. Moist and perfectly sized little cookies. I hope you enjoy them and share them with others. Even though I was not able to make it to Louisiana for Grandpa's funeral, I was lucky to be able to share these cookies with family here in TN who knew what these cookies meant. And that made me feel even more comforted...

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Saturday, November 14, 2009

Rice Cooker Potatoes


Right now, blogging about a Momou recipe is all I can think to do to somewhat feel close to my family in Louisiana. Today is a special and bittersweet day as my family will gather to celebrate my grandfather's 90th birthday and his 90 years of life...and I can't be there. I figured that since I always feel close to home when I blog a Momou recipe that this will have to do for now.

On a lighter note, who exactly has ever heard of rice cooker potatoes? That's right...potatoes cooked in a rice cooker. I have always heard of Momou's famous Rice Cooker Potatoes but could never bring to mind a time that I have had them. Well, I am here to tell you that I know now why these little potatoes are so famous. They are DELICIOUS and easy! If you have some potatoes and a rice cooker (if you don't, then I suggest you run out to get one right now) then you are in business! I know it doesn't sound like anything special but I promise these potatoes were not too shabby for Lisa! The really great thing is that you can add whatever your little heart desires to this recipe...various spices, cheese, sausage...you name it! See below to find out more and I am warning you that this may be just the easiest recipe you ever did see!

Rice Cooker Potatoes
1/2 stick butter
4-5 medium potatoes-peeled and cut into small pieces
1/2 small onion sliced
salt and pepper to taste (Of course a little Tony's too!)

Mix potatoes, onion and salt and pepper in bowl. Put margarine in rice cooker and add potato mixture. Turn rice cooker on. Cook about 1/2 to 3/4 hour or until the rice cooker turns off. Stir occasionally.

And there you have it...done and done! These potatoes remind me of a zesty hash brown dish. What a cheap and quick recipe and one that you truly can fix and forget! In a day where life is so busy and it is important to save money,this recipe is perfect to have on hand. The special part of this recipe is that it is a "Momou original" written in her handwriting which means it is definitely a recipe to add to your "tried and true" collection. Enjoy!

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