The other day while coming through her garage, I stumbled on one of her recipe books (and yes, it has her famous Snickerdoodles recipe hidden in it). I sat up that night and looked through every single recipe in her time and true book...some of them I remembered from growing up, and others were brand new to me. More than anything though, I just loved looking at it, seeing her handwriting and reading her "cook's notes".
My first night for dinner there, as we were setting the table, she pulled out a tiny plate and set some frozen Belgian mini cream puffs. She placed them with our dinner, in the middle of the table. Right then, I went way back in time. I had completely forgotten that when we had dinner with her growing up, Grandma always put some type of little dessert for us to enjoy after dinner. It could have been a jello dish, fruit salad, cookies, her angel food cake...something always sweet was waiting for us when we finished our meals and I just love that! Such a special memory.
Before I arrived, my Aunt was so nice to make up a batch of soup for us. I found the recipe in Grandma's book. It was so, so good. Perfect meal for a rainy, Oregon night. I made some cornbread to go with it that evening. The next day, I cut it up and baked homemade croutons for the first time! Yummy!!
Wintery Day Bean Soup
Courtesy of GGMa
2 cups mixed dried beans (at least 7 varieties)
2 Tbl salt
2 quarts water
2 cups diced smoked sausage, kielbasa or ham
1 large onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced (or more if desired)
1 Tsp chili powder
1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes, chopped
2 Tbl lemon juice.
Rinse beans and place in large kettle. Cover with water and salt and soak overnight.
The next day, drain water from beans. Add 2 quarts water and sausage or ham. Simmer for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Add onion, garlic, chili powder, tomatoes, and lemon juice. Simmer for another 45 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
One Year Ago: Rosemary-Parmesan Garlic Popcorn
Two Years Ago: Italian Sausage Surprise
Three Years Ago: 2020 and Time Out
Four Years Ago: Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
Five Years Ago: Pork Wellington
The next day for our dessert at dinner, I made a batch of lemon bars for us and cut them up in perfect little bite sized presents...they were perfect to end our meal together.
Beautiful pear orchard that I walked by during my outing one afternoon with "Bandit".
The hillside looks like scenery right out of Tuscany.
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