My Eastern Kentucky Reunion Journal

Merry Wonderland of Delectable Dishes ~ Transform your Holidays into a flavorful festival of fabulous foods! These dishes are so yummy you'll want to serve them again and again before the next Holiday rolls around.  Join us for a taste-tempting trip through a merry wonderland of delectable dishes!

Ida's Ky Mountian Kitchen ~    Ida in pink.  Ida & Clifton, grandparents of my five children..Youngest, Angie, in front of mamaw, Jamie, green dress, Cindy, Scott behind, then Craig (almost as tall as papa).  Those were the good old days. Ida was always in the kitchen cooking or canning vegetables from their garden.  Her Corn Relish was tops, sooo delicious.  I have found Corn Relish in the store only once.  Seems no one has it.  Now, I'm canning that same good flavor.  Corn Relish is wonderful with pinto beans!

Mother made the best canned corn relish and this blog is in memory of her and her tasty home cooking.

Winter's Grace ~   A festive jewel-tone tablescape provides the perfect backdrop for hosting a warm tea by the fireplace.    Add a photo of your winter tablescape with memories and your favorite recipes. HEARTY WINTER SOUP 1  pound ground beef 1  pound smoked beef kielbasa, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds 1  small onion, chopped 2  garlic cloves, minced 4 large carrots, chopped 2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans with liquid 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with liquid 1  3/4 cups beef broth 1 cup water 1/2 cup red wine 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon coarse pepper 2/3 cup elbow macaroni   Brown meat in large Dutch oven over medium to high heat.  Add kielbasa, onion and garlic.  Cook for 7 minutes.  Drain fat.  Add remaining ingredients, except macaroni.  Bring to boil and cover.  Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes.  Add macaroni, and cook 10 more minutes. Makes 6 servings.

Strawberry Butter for Strawberry Scones ~   1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature   1/4 cup confectioner's sugar   1/4 tsp. salt   1/2 cup hulled and coarsly chopped strawberries Using electric mixer, beat butter, sugar & salt until light, about 1 minute.  Add strawberries and beat until combined, but not totally uniform.  Freeze up to 2 months.  Can cut into heart shaped butter pats. Share your tasty butter mixes.

June:  National Iced Tea Month!  Celebrate!