Keeping things simple with a smidge of Southern charm
Sometimes inspiration is sparked in the most unusual places. Earlier this morning I was cleaning up my iron skillet, and I looked out the window and noticed a perfectly intact spiderweb glistening in the sun. As much as I’m not a fan of those creepy crawlies, they have some truly extraordinary handiwork. It’s amazing how intricate a spider’s web is! God paints us beautiful pictures in the everyday ordinary, and I was glad that I got to take a moment and marvel at His beauty.
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These 10 Delicious Depression Era Pie Recipes are classic examples of how something sweet can come out of a difficult situation. Many of these have stood the test of time, and with good reason!
I’ve always learned loving about history. I’m certainly no history buff, but I never turn my nose up at a chance to learn about the way things were before my time here on earth began. I remember anxiously awaiting the day that I got to move up to the 5th grade, when we were finally going to get to study American history after specifically studying Alabama history in the 4th grade. Studying the history of my home state left me craving more knowledge about my country, and learning how life in the south was shaped into the culture we know today has always been incredibly fascinating to me.
Even more, I love studying about the women who made a pivotal impact on our country through their unique culinary improvisations. So many of the dishes we know and love today were created in moments of desperation or during moments of lack in our country. Women during The Great Depression were left with rations to work with to prepare meals for their families during a time of war and economic downturn, and in their beautiful attempts to provide their families with something sweet to enjoy during an incredibly difficult time, they created these “depression era” pies that still make an appearance on the Thanksgiving dessert table many years later….
Have you felt that crisp morning air yet? Perhaps it’s just wishful thinking on my end, but I do believe I’ve felt a hint of fall in the air in the mornings on the way to school each day. Of course, it’s quickly swallowed up by that glamorous Alabama humidity that likes to linger around until mid-October, but I’ll take any glimpse of fall weather I can get!
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Cinnamon Roll Apple Cobbler is that one dish that has all of the flavors of fall that you crave. Add a scoop of ice cream and you’re in for a real treat!
Yesterday the heat index reached 102 here in south Alabama. This isn’t anything abnormal here, as it really doesn’t get truly cold until January, but with all of these visions of pumpkins and all-things-fall floating around in my head, I can’t help but be a bit disappointed when I step outside and it isn’t sweater weather yet.
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No matter where you are in the world, there’s always that one thing that immediately takes you right back home. One of the most beautiful things about the United States is that each and every state has something unique that sets it apart from the rest. I pride myself on having roots planted deep within the Alabama clay, and I love to celebrate my Southern heritage because it’s a building block in the foundation of who I am (and this very blog, too!)
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Egg custard pie is a classic southern dish that may be lacking all the frills, but it’s certainly worthy of a spot on the fine china!
And the pie saga continues! Boy, when I get on a kick about something, I really do tend to go all out. No one in our household is complaining about the fact that I’ve been cranking out a pie nearly every day for the last week and a half, and while this is the last pie recipe you’ll see (for at least a week, let’s be real) it’s the pie I’ve been the most excited to share with you! Many of you know it, but for those of you who don’t – prepare to fall in love with this classic southern treat: Egg Custard Pie
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This recipe for Pumpkin Chess Pie is a twist on a classic favorite, and it’s sure to be the star of the dessert table at Thanksgiving!
I’ve seen a lot of shade being thrown around on social media lately about when an appropriate time is to begin posting about pumpkin spice, decorating for fall and anything pertaining to autumn in general. Boy, people will certainly come out of the woodwork to give their two cents about things that are really not that important in the grand scheme of things. The “pumpkin police” do not get to rain on my pumpkin parade. If you can’t be happy eating a slice of this pumpkin chess pie, I just don’t know how to help you!
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This Old Fashioned Vinegar Pie may sound strange, but it’s a true gem straight from the Depression Era that has earned its place on the kitchen table today!
I feel that I owe somebody an apology. That I need to repent of my sins. That I need to go stand in a corner and wash my mouth out with soap. As I was thumbing through an old church cookbook earlier this week, I stumbled upon this recipe for Vinegar Pie. Knowing good and well that everything else I’ve ever tried from that cookbook has been nothing short of delicious, I quickly scoffed at this recipe and dismissed it. In fact, I’m pretty sure I exclaimed out loud to an empty room. “That sounds terrible!”
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It’s no secret that I’ve been doing a lot of baking lately. A scroll through my most recent posts will fill you in on how much I’ve been indulging in the sweeter things in life, and my body has been sending me a few clues that it’s time I fill her up with something that leans a little more towards the healthy side. One of my favorite ways to get in those fresh greens and veggies is to serve them taco style – and in this case, Cilantro Lime Chicken Taco Bowl style!
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This recipe for peanut butter fudge has a special history behind it, and it’s so perfectly rich and delicious, you’ll think you’re biting into a slice of heaven!
Since my oldest daughter has started school, I’m sometimes able to carve a little bit of time into my days to do things that I enjoy doing. One of those things is thumbing through old cookbooks that have been given to me over the years that are filled with tons of recipes from local people – many of which I never knew. I came across a fundraiser-type cookbook that was put together by the local school when my husband was in the 5th grade. Naturally, I turn straight to the dessert section in hopes of stumbling across a gem tucked away amongst the pages that I could do a little taste-testing on.
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