The Residence Entrance
Within the state of Alabama, recipes usually are not the one culinary treasures handed down. In some households, culinary ministries are handed down from era to era. My Grandpa Campbell used to hold turnip greens to church and reward them to these he felt may have the additional blessing that solely an enormous ol’ pot of turnip greens can ship. Now, I do know what you might be pondering, however I gotta say, don’t knock it until you strive it. Getting an enormous pot of greens and a skillet of cornbread might help you get again in your toes when life offers you a blow.
When you’ve ever picked, washed, and cooked turnip greens, you realize that it’s fairly a job. However it’s a job effectively definitely worth the effort due to the deliciousness you get on the finish. You possibly can’t simply wash them as soon as earlier than you cook dinner them. These greens should move by means of three or extra washings earlier than you cook dinner them or you’ll find yourself with gritty greens. How do I do know this? Properly, let me let you know about my cousin. Early within the first 12 months of her marriage, she was decided to get a multitude of greens from the patch and cook dinner them up for supper as a result of she knew her husband beloved turnip greens. She proudly served them as much as her honey after he acquired dwelling from work. He was trying ahead to them, however to her dismay, her poor husband spit out the primary chew of greens she ever cooked him. He mentioned, “Hon, what number of washings did you set them by means of? It’s filled with grit!” Properly, that lesson acquired discovered, and I can let you know she’s made many an exquisite pot of greens for her husband within the years they’ve been collectively since. And after listening to her inform the story, I at all times make sure that to place my greens by means of sufficient washes to get the grit off.
So, you see, when somebody brings you a pot of turnip greens, as a Southerner, we’re very touched as a result of we all know the hassle it takes to develop, collect, wash, and cook dinner them. Now that my grandparents have handed on, my Momma and Daddy keep it up the custom of ministering to individuals in the neighborhood by means of their turnip inexperienced patch. Individuals know of my dad and mom’ generosity with their turnip greens, and a few come to select ’em a multitude. Others who usually are not in a position to go decide for themselves or could also be in want or suffered a setback in life will obtain ol’ pot of greens with my dad’s scrumptious cornbread. Loving and caring for others by means of the turnip inexperienced ministry is a treasured culinary custom to me. I cherish each chew!
-Danna Standridge
Creator of Happiness is Home made Y’all! and 2024 Candy Grown Alabama Ambassador
Learn her religion story at www.birminghamchristian.com.
Be part of her within the kitchen on Fb and YouTube.
Take pleasure in these household recipes from Danna Standridge’s cookbook, Happiness is Home made, Y’all!, accessible on Amazon.
Cornbread by Gerald, additionally Often called Danna’s Dad
Substances:
- 3 tablespoons butter flavored Crisco
- 3/4 cup self-rising cornmeal
- 1/4 cup self-rising flour
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- Water as wanted
- 6-inch forged iron skillet
Directions:
Preheat oven to 475 levels. Place Crisco into forged iron pan and put within the oven to soften because the skillet warms up. Combine flour, cornmeal, egg, and buttermilk. Stir and blend effectively. Subsequent, stir in melted Crisco till blended effectively. Add water whether it is too thick. Pour into skillet. Bake at 475° for 10 minutes or till bread is completed. Makes 4-6 servings.
Freshly Picked Turnip Greens
Substances:
- 24 oz water
- 2 tablespoons bacon grease
- 3 hen bouillon cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
Directions:
Take a bucket or foot tub, go to the turnip inexperienced patch and decide sufficient greens for meal. Wash greens by means of about 3 waters to ensure they’re clear. Pick any dangerous leaves. Utilizing a big pot with a lid, put together the liquid to cook dinner the greens. Add about 24 oz water, bacon grease, bouillon cubes, and salt and convey to a low boil. Place a number of greens in at a time till all are within the pot. Boil about 10 minutes, then flip to simmer and place a lid on prime of pan and cook dinner about half-hour or longer if wanted.
