Original Southern Appalachian Mountain Recipes and a Tennessee Cookbook

Since the holidays are fast upon us, we naturally are reminded about all of the delicious food of the season.

I  started thinking about the wonderful dishes my mother used to prepare for us when I was growing up.  Mama was a very creative cook; she made up several of her recipes which, thankfully, she passed on to me right before I got married.  Greg and I have really appreciated and enjoyed them throughout the years.

"Kissin' don't last, cookin' do."
-As seen on kitchen plaques, etc.

In fact, several years ago, I saw an ad that was asking for original recipes to put in a Tennessee cookbook when I immediately thought of Mama's tasty gems.  I selected a few, sent them in, and they were accepted.  They are a part of the "Tennessee Cook Book," published by "Golden West Publishers."  You can still buy it on www.barnesandnoble.com for under $9.00, plus shipping when you type in "Tennessee Cook Book," "Golden West Publishers" on the Barnes & Noble web site.  I have given several of these as gifts for birthdays, weddings, and Christmas.

Three of Mama's recipes are in this cookbook, listed under "Becky Arnott" in the index.  Also included are Dolly Parton's "Dollywood's Fried Green Tomatoes" and a recipe for using Jack Daniels Tennessee whiskey called "Tipsy Sweet Potatoes."

I thought that on this blog post, I'd share a couple of Mama's simple, original recipes (her version of old-time favorites) that are not in the cookbook.

Here they are:

"Baked Whole Apples"*

(Can be used as a dessert)

1+ baking apples                                      Nutmeg

Brown sugar                                             Butter

A little lemon juice

   Wash and core apples.  Add brown sugar, lemon juice, nutmeg, and butter to taste.  Bake one hour at 375 degrees in a metal pan or at 350 degrees in a Pyrex dish.  (Add a little water in the bottom of your pan before baking to keep you apples moist.)

"Potato Cakes"*

(This is a great recipe using leftover mashed potatoes.)

1 egg                                                           Milk (op.)

2 dashes salt                                               White flour (op.)

Mashed potatoes                                        2-3 tablespoons cooking oil    

Chopped onion (op.)                                 (Add more oil, as needed.)

  Add egg and salt to mashed potatoes.  Some onion may also be added.  (A little milk may be added if the mixture is too stiff, or some flour may be added if it is not stiff enough.)  Put 2-3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a skillet and heat on medium to medium high until oil sizzles when a drop of batter is placed into the skillet (Be careful not to get burned!).  Place 1-3 tablespoons of the mixture into the skillet and fry in the oil until brown on both sides.  (Warning: Watch carefully that the cakes do not burn!  Adjust heat, as needed.)  As you know, practice makes perfect.

(*Disclaimer: I hope these turn out great for you, but I'm not responsible for any harm that may come from using these recipes.)

(I'm trying to use all organic/non GMO ingredients in anything I prepare now.) 

Enjoy!

Here are our latest photos on iStock:
http://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/rebecca-arnott#10f6e9a3

Positive thought: "Happiness is a lovely meal, lovingly prepared."-Becky Arnott

Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky