Tag: foodie

5 Reasons Why Your Food Doesn’t Taste As Good As Your Mama’s

On By Lady GIn Food, Dining, Entertainment, YoutubeLeave a comment

…Or your grandma’s or granddaddy’s or whoever your culinary hero happens to be—personally, I have several!

Anyway, now that we’ve got that settled, please feel free to accept or decline the following holiday cooking Public Service Announcement, from me to you.

LadyG: Seekthebestblog.com

Flat out, your food will never taste as good as mama’s.

Come on now, somebody must tell you why your apple pie is pallid and your fried chicken is fretful. 

Apparently, I am that ‘somebody.’

Yes, my love, I know… It hurts.

But be of good cheer, there is joyful news!

Yes!

I’m here to call out your mistakes and to help you figure out how to fix them.

As such, you may refer to me as your culinary ‘good fairy’ or ‘kitchen witch.’

Allow me to thank you, in advance, for welcoming me into your home.

And so…

Let us commence!

There are at least 5 reasons why you’ll never reach ‘legendary’ cooking status within the realm of mama–and they are as follows:

You chose to use different brands. In the words of my brother, Tack, if you want your food to taste like Mama’s, you gotta buy what Mama buys. So, if Mama used ‘Dixie Crystal,’ do not get ‘Thriftymaid.’

You make unnecessary modifications. Substituting margarine for butter, using the ‘lite’/’light’ version of things, using canola for shortening in the can, Splenda for sugar, or, God forbid, canned fruits and/or vegetables for fresh. Of course, you must follow your doctor’s dietary guidance if you have certain medical conditions.

You fail to time your cooking. Simply put, you cannot start cooking all of your food at the same time. Start slow cooking things first, then gradually cook other items as you go by cooking fast cooking foods last.

You’re doing too much with seasonings and spices. Stop experimenting with everything you ever thought you heard about how to season things. As for my mother, she typically only used about 2 or 3 seasonings. Baking is the only real exception to that rule; however, my mom was decidedly not a baker.

You’re not cooking your food long enough (or vice versa) or not blending, stirring, or mixing long enough for certain items. ‘Nuff said!

Now that you know better, do better! LOL! By the way, there are plenty of other reasons why you can’t beat Mama’s cooking! LOL!

LadyG loves YOU!

*This post is NOT sponsored, brand names shown are for illustrative purposes only. It’s all in fun!

Video:

Evening Porch Talk Podcast With LadyG | Southern Churchgoing Rules Back In The Day

On By Lady GIn Evening Porchtalk With LadyG13 Comments

In this video, I’m on my porch talking about rules oldhead Southerners had to follow regarding churchgoing back in the day.

I also share a nice bowl of redbeans with rice and a good old cold can of coke.

Don’t forget the Texas Pete hot sauce!

I also show you what I did with the prepped mushrooms that I shared in a previous video about meal prepping.

I made a nice Alfredo pasta dish with langostino, scallions, and spinach.

Okay, enough about that, let’s go out on the porch and sit a spell.

So let me go ahead and lay out these old school churchgoing rules:

Church was pretty much non-negotiable!

No church?

  • No TV
  • No radio or record playing–what was a computer or a smartphone?
  • No playing outside
  • No alternate spiritual activities like meditating or lighting candles – that was considered to be devilish! Me chatting about the moon would have been considered damn near satanic–in fact, in many places in the South, it still is! LOL!
  • BTW, we hedged our bets on hoodoo and rootwork though–do your thang, just don’t tell nobody!
  • If you went out Saturday night, you best be in church on Sunday. If you’re well enough to go out in the street, you’d better GET well enough to go to church the next morning.

Let’s not forget the good part–Sunday dinner, no fast food!

Clearly, times have changed, but personally, I think we should all consider doing something to either acknowledge our creator or at least soothe our body, mind, heart and spirit chile!

I’m serious bout that thing!

So many folks are way off track.

Many of us have lost any type of moral compass–that’s assuming there was one there to start.

Ah, but it ain’t nothing new bout what we’re seeing nowadays, hell three baby girls were blown up while at church in Birmingham over 50 years ago and what’s more, if you’d asked the bombers about their beliefs, they would have sworn themselves to be good Christian folks.

Look at what happended to those folks praying in Charleston.

There are countless acts of terrorism against churches, schools and other places of worship.

Recently, a lovely 69-year-old lady was brutally killed at church in Maryland.

What’s wrong y’all?

I just don’t know –so I pray and try to keep on the sunny side!

How were your beans and rice?

Anyway, I’m LadyG out here in the Southern skies, north of the sunset, east of the moonrise.

Remember,

LadyG loves YOU!

Enjoy the video:

A Better Way To Meal Prep

On By Lady GIn Food, Dining, Entertainment, Uncategorized6 Comments
LadyG’s butternut squash, mushroom and spinach medley with baked salmon

Stop! 

Don’t waste your time prepping the same or similar meals for a week in advance!

Consider prepping several items in bulk in order to create various combinations so that your taste buds will remain happily stimulated.

Personally, I often prep sides in advance, but I prepare my meats just prior to meal time.  

Steamed Brocolli

For me, it’s a matter of preference since I can’t appreciate the taste of certain meats/seafoods after they have been cooked and reheated—especially in the microwave.

That said, feel free to cook your meat in bulk if that works better for you. 

Of course you could also leave the meat off and make it vegetarian/vegan.

It’s all up to you!

Seriously, you can do this!

Just think about all of the produce that many of us buy and ultimately waste because we didn’t take the time to cook it before it spoiled.

Use that good food!

Here’s a plan:

Go through your fridge/storage bins and find some vegetables that you can prepare in bulk to pair with other items for upcoming meals.

Next, designate time to steam, roast, sauté or bake whatever you have on hand–all in one go!

Recently, I prepped several sides, then combined them later. 

Here’s what I prepped:

  • Steamed broccoli
  • Sautéed mushrooms
  • Roasted butternut squash
  • Baked sweet potatoes

Roasted Butternut Squash

How did I combine them?

So far, I pan seared slices of baked sweet potatoes and drizzled them with honey and a sprinkling of cinnamon. 

Sweet potatoes

On a different day, I sautéed some of the pre-prepped mushrooms and butternut squash—I added a handful of fresh spinach to round it out.

Neither of these meals took more than 5 minutes—excluding the salmon which took a few additional minutes to wash, season and bake.

Anyway, let me know what you think in comments!

Check out the video!

Real Good Food: Let’s Chat While I Make Lasagna: I Apologize in Advance To My Lovely Italian Friends!

On By Lady GIn Real Good Food, UncategorizedLeave a comment
‘Homemade Lasagna’

Come on in the kitchen with me while I cook this lasagna!

We’ll go out on the porch and chat while we wait for it to bake.

Now, before I go any further let me formally apologize to my Italian friends for the ‘abomination’ that I am presenting today.

Let’s be real, the lasagna that I made is the ugly step-sister to the real thing.

Bella, I am sorry!

Though I would love to…

  • Grow and can my own tomatoes
  • Make the pasta from scratch
  • Spend at least 8 hours making the ‘gravy’

Alas, I just ain’t able!

So, again, I apologize!

I only wish that I will someday be blessed to enjoy an authentic lasagna made with such love and care!

Until then, this one will have to do.

But, you know what?

Cooking with love and patience is not just an Italian thing!

(Though I will admit that they have taken the concept to grand heights.)

No!

Cooking with love and patience is worldwide!

Flat out, in every country in the world you will find people of every make and model who are extremely meticulous about the foods that they procure–not to mention how they prepare them.

In fact, as you read this post, there are magickal concoctions being lovingly planned and served by folks everywhere!

And now, I ask, what concoction is your country known for?

Let’s discuss in comments.

Meanwhile, enjoy the video!

Thanksgiving Dinner: Stay Ready So You Don’t Have To GET Ready

On By Lady GIn Holidays || Major and Minor, Save Your Money | Make Your Own3 Comments

If I’m being honest, you probably should have already purchased everything you need for your Thanksgiving dinner.

No tea, no shade…just facts!

And…you should know by now that LadyG runs a very strict ‘no judgement zone’ on this blog; however, I will let you know when you are flirting with catastrophe.

Hence, this post.

Seriously, what with all these supply chain issues, food is getting harder to come by so extra planning is a MUST!

As for me, I have been buying things for Thanksgiving since September!

In other words, I’ve been watching sales and picking up stocks, soups, flour, pastas and pretty much anything else that I know I’ll want for Thanksgiving dinner.

The other day I purchased some tylenol, cough drops, cotton swabs and a can of cranberry sauce–’cause it was on sale.

A strange combination of purchases?

Yes.

Crazy?

Hell naw!

I stay ready so I don’t have to GET ready.

So should you!

LOL!

Now, here’s how I prep my Thanksgiving meal part 1 and part 2.

Let’s GO!

Save Your Money | Make Your Own Food: LadyG’s Pepper and Tomato Bisque

On By Lady GIn Save Your Money | Make Your Own3 Comments

This is a very simple and inexpensive dish for a delicious and warming Autumn lunch.

Full disclosure: The most expensive ingredient in this bisque is the smoked gouda cheese.

Please feel free to substitute the gouda with a nice cheese that fits both your personal taste and budget.

By the way, I only share the main ingredients, tools and methods…

It’s a template of sorts.

There is no recipe as I am a soul food cook who creates recipes ‘by heart.’

That said…

Take a look at the video, prepare it yourself and let your conscience be your guide!

Let me know if you happen to try this and tell me about the modifications you made.

-LadyG

Enjoy the video!

Save Your Money | Make Your Own Food | Apple Butter

On By Lady GIn Save Your Money | Make Your OwnLeave a comment
Homemade apple butter, save money and make your own!

So…

The other day I was given 5 pounds of red apples–which I do not eat.

LadyG is a Golden Delicious type of girl!

But I digress.

Anyway, ever the gracious Southern woman, I did not decline the gift… I kindly offered thanks for the apples while simultaneously wondering what in hell’s bells I could possibly do with these things.

Then it hit me!

I could make applesauce!

So, I shared this wonderfully inspired idea with LadyJ, my daughter and full-time shenanigans partner.

Well, Lady J, with her sardonic personality and mannerisms (Think Daria, the 90’s cartoon character) immediately gasped with fright!

Yeah, she killed my vibe–instantaneously!

So, I thought a bit more about my options; I mean, I didn’t want to see the apples go bad and there was no way that I’d trash them.

Then, my mind began to pitch a few ideas…

What about apple pie?

Oh, hell no, I thought.

Who wants to do all that?

Seriously, the chemistry of it all made that a no go.

Then…

EUREKA!

Old memories took hold and caused me to yell out loud…

Apple butter!

That’s it!

I decided to make apple butter…whether LadyJ liked it or not!

I ain’t scared of her!

And so…

I knocked on LadyJ’s bedroom door and told her that we were going to make apple butter, and, surprisingly enough, she was good with it!

Between you and me, I didn’t give a damn if she was or wasn’t good with it, we were making this freaking apple butter if it KILLED ME!

That’s right, following the dictates of Napoleon Hill, I had developed a “definite chief aim” to make apple butter.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know nuthin’ bout makin’ no apple butter.

My mother never served it.

In fact, I never knew it existed until I met my son’s father–his folks ate it all the time.

Hell, when I first saw it, I thought it was apples mixed with butter in a jar.

Clearly, your girl was clueless!

Anyway, my son’s grandmother educated me on apple butter and encouraged me to try it.

It tasted okay for something store-bought.

Now, let me just add that my son’s father’s family could throw down in the kitchen, but I guess none of them could be bothered with making apple butter homemade–it was much too time consuming.

Enter the instant pot!

Thank God for technological advancements!

Thirty years later and I now have a tool that makes that gig a helluva lot easier!

It still takes time, but not nearly as much as it would doing it on a regular stove–or even worse, a kettle of some sort!

Perish the thought!

Anyway, below, is a video that shows a bit of our apple butter making journey.

If you want the recipe, comment below.

I am on a serious journey to learn how to cook things that I usually buy at the store. That said, food storage and preservation are a priority for me.

If you are interested in tracking your food storage projects, I created a little log for myself that I decided others might want as well.

You can purchase on amazon.

Video time: >2 mins.

Save Your Money By Making Your Own Food: Homemade Guacamole With Steak Fries

On By Lady GIn Save Your Money | Make Your Own3 Comments
LadyG’s homemade guacamole with steak fries

Save your money!

Today’s dish, guacamole and steak fries, is great served as a snack, lunch or even a light dinner.  

Why buy it at a restaurant when you can save your money by making it yourself for pennies on the dollar.

For those who are interested, it is vegan, but, as long as there is avocado, oil and potatoes involved, there’s no honest way to call it low calorie.  

I will, however, say that it is healthy as it was prepared from fresh whole foods.  

The only thing that appears not to be fresh is the pickled jalapenos, but if you’ve been following me, you know that I prepared those myself just last week.  

By the way, they were a hit!

Anyway, as you might have guessed, I cook intuitively– as did my mother; so, there is no recipe for the dishes that I share.

I simply combine the meats, fish, vegetables, fruits and starches that I enjoy– then season them to my liking.

But to be fair, I do consult with recipes on timing or temperature for something that I’ve never cooked before.  I also tend to follow baking recipes rather strictly because–er, um–chemistry, but that’s about it as far I go with recipes.

And so,

I hope you enjoy today’s video and please remember to like, share and subscribe to the blog and to my Youtube channel.

Enjoy the video,

LadyG

Real Good Food: Cook The Food You Like

On By Lady GIn Real Good Food3 Comments
LadyG cooks PHO

There’s no reason you shouldn’t cook the food you like.

Why would you wait until you can get to a certain restaurant or order take out?

I say poo poo to that!

Go ahead and cook the food you like for pennies on the dollar!

Hey, and If you can, you should also start growing the food you like.

Surely last year has proven that you cannot always rely on being able to access the foods that you enjoy; so get into the habit of growing your own food–that way you’ll have your favorites right there in your own backyard!

In today’s video, I am cooking homemade pho, a Vietnamese dish, with ingredients that I have on hand.

Thanks to my garden, I’ll have more fresh vegetables to add to it next time–I am especially excited about adding my own home grown basil next time.

Cooking Tips, Garden Talk, Juicing Complaints and Spiritual Guidance In Less Than Three Minutes

On By Lady GIn Food, Dining, Entertainment, Uncategorized13 Comments
LadyG’s famous collard greens with ham

Today, I am in a random mood so I decided to cull together a few cooking tips along with some pictures from my garden and a quick talk about spirit.

Peep below to get the goods!

Be warned, there’s a bit of salty talk (cussing) in this video. So if you have delicate ears or you are under a certain age–chile, please move on and know that LadyG loves you anyway.

And now…

Enjoy!