Farmhouse Kitchen, September 2024
Welcome back, folks! Looking toward fall means it’s time for grab-and-go dishes we can serve without anyone having to go to a lot of fuss. Whether you’re tailgating, hosting a family reunion, sitting around a campfire or just catching some TV with a group of friends, these hand-held foods are sure to be a welcome addition.
I’m leading with a recipe from Alabama Farmers Federation family member Delle Bean. Delle and her husband, Ray, are farmers from Calhoun County, and she’s sharing her recipe for Fire Crackers. I cannot stay away from these anytime I see them. They are so easy to make, and the recipe itself is simple to tweak to your own taste. I encourage you to try Delle’s way first (because it is wonderful), but don’t hesitate to add some seasonings you love and make it your own. I typically make these about 24 hours before I need them to allow all the oil to absorb into the crackers.
Are deviled eggs a finger food? Of course they are! My Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs are another great crowd pleaser and pretty much a requirement at every gathering in the South. My recipe amps up the flavor a bit for pickle lovers but maintains the integrity of the classic.
For more filling fare, I can have these Easy Sloppy Joe Pizza Sliders ready to serve in minutes thanks to how well the meat filling freezes. I like to take a little time to make several batches and freeze them in recipe-size portions. From there, it’s simply a matter of picking up some dinner rolls, warming the filling, assembling the sandwiches and popping them in the oven for 10 minutes. This takes less time than ordering a pizza.
I so enjoy hearing from you and knowing that recipes you’ve found here have become family favorites. It means the world to know we share the same heart on so many things.
I know that, like me, you’ve noticed how quickly the days seem to pass as we grow older. In the blink of an eye, our lives move from, “Where did the day go?” to, “Where did the year go?”
Sometimes it feels like we are just doing the same thing over and over again, and in many jobs, we are. But it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that in all of our interactions, we are finding opportunities to show kindness to a neighbor and nurturing all those relationships that give us a reason to wake up each day.
I say this because I also know there are times where we all wonder if what we do makes a difference. I want to assure you that whether you’re planting a crop, checking out a customer or loading the dishwasher, these small acts chained together set the table for life, allowing us to come together, care for one another and experience joy, laughter and hope.
There is no such thing as an insignificant task. If no one else has told you lately, let me be the one to thank you for the difference you make and encourage you to keep doing what you do, because the world just wouldn’t be the same without you.
Until next month,
Stacey