Beans

Cooking Without Photos – Mexicali Rice

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Our next stop is in Perryville, Arkansas. Home of the Mustangs. Where folks bleed maroon and gray. And if you’re around in October, the whole town explodes with goats dressed as people and people dressed as goats for the Arkansas Goat Festival. It’s really a site to see.

Perryville began to see a larger population of settlers around 1830, but the first settlers arrived in 1808. In December of 1840, Perry County was named the 44th county of Arkansas and was named in honor of Commodore Oliver H. Perry of the US Navy.

One of the most interesting facts about Perryville, is that the courthouse has burned FIVE TIMES. For this reason, records only go back to 1881. The last time the courthouse was built, it was made from locally fired bricks. The courthouse still stands today and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

It wasn’t until 1901 that the first bridge was built to cross the Fourche River. In 1939 the bridge was replaced and over 3,000 people came to the dedication.

Today, Perryville still doesn’t have a stop light and folks like it that way. The sidewalks roll up at dark unless there’s a ballgame happening. Everybody still knows everybody and if you’re from out of town, get ready to be asked who you’re kin to❤️

I’m ending the year with a brand new cookbook. ”Favorite Recipes From Perryville, Arkansas: Compiled By The Perryville Rotary Club” is hot off the presses and packed full of awesome recipes.

Mexicali Rice is something my own Mama used to make when I was growing up. I thought I’d share it in the cookbook so others could love it as much as I do.

Couple of things:

  1. My mom didn’t add beans to hers. She used 2lbs of hamburger instead.
  2. She also put a tiny can of tomato sauce in with the meat. I like it without it.
  3. Add salt. I forgot to put that in the recipe. Oops.

Hope y’all enjoy!

Cooking Without Photos – Famous Baked Beans

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Bringing it back home with this one. This week I chose a recipe out of the cookbook, “Burnt Offerings: Silver Anniversary – Cherry Hill Volunteer Fire Department”. I haven’t came across a better name for a cookbook yet😆

While looking thru this book and recognizing the majority of the names, there were lots of folks that have passed away. Their recipes will continue to live on.

I stopped in my tracks at Famous Baked Beans from my pal Shirley Caudell. Shirley was one of a kind with a heart of pure gold. She was everyone’s friend and always had such a positive outlook. We all miss her like crazy. By sharing her recipe, I hope to bring comfort on this day especially.

Couple of things:

  1. I used 3 cans of beans I can see how an additional can would be a good thing too.
  2. I love how she said to add “2 squirts” of mustard. Spoken like a true southern cook.

These were fabulous! Quick and easy too. Thanks Shirl! Give Tonia a hug from me❤️

Cooking Without Photos – Tomato Black Bean and Corn Salsa

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Here’s another recipe from the previously shared cookbook, “Petit Jean Mountain Tomato Cookbook”.

Couple things:

  1. 3/4 cup cilantro…that’s a lot and I like cilantro. You do you.
  2. I’ve learned to really rinse black beans or they have a chalk taste.

Very tasty indeed❤️❤️❤️

Cooking Without Photos – Texas Beef Skillet

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We travel west to Woodward, Oklahoma. Woodward is the county seat of Woodward County which was originally named N County back in the day.

In September of 1893, thousands of folks came by horse, mule, wagon, bicycle and by foot to claim land lots. It was during this time that Oklahoma was being built from the ground up…literally.

With not many trees around, pioneers made their first homes out of prairie sod. Lumber soon began arriving via the railroad and proper houses were built on the ever changing prairie.

Soon, the town of Woodward grew and businesses of all kinds opened and flourished.

While reading this cookbook, I couldn’t help but laugh at all of the “Texas” recipes. It’s probably because of the close proximity to Texas, but it made me think of all of my cousins that wear Texas Longhorn gear. It’s the best😍😍. This one goes out to all you Okies in orange and white!

This week I chose to make Texas Beef Skillet from the cookbook, “Country Cookbook: Church Of The Nazarene, Woodward Oklahoma”. Couple things:

  1. It didn’t say what kind of tomatoes to use so I chose Fire Roasted. Also, they’re jipping us an ounce these days.
  2. I added more chilies because of the above fact. What was I going to do with like half a can of chilies anyway?
  3. I assumed by “American cheese shredded” that it meant something like Velveeta. I don’t really care for Velveeta much. I’ll use regular shredded cheddar next time. I don’t see how it would hurt.
  4. You’re gonna need more spices than what it says. I do believe this is just to get you started on your journey. I’d also add pepper.
  5. I also didn’t crush up the corn chips. I think it’s prettier with whole chips. I even think you could use those Scoop chips. I plan on doing that next time.
  6. I served this with chips and dip because why not. And I also topped it with avocado and sour cream.

7. This would also be an easy meal to prepare while camping! ❤️

Delightful! You should for sure try it out on your bunch!

Cooking Without Photos Week 2 – Wagon Trail Beans

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Cooking Without Photos Week 2

“Creative Cooking: Cookin’ Is A Lotta Fun” by The Outhouse Cooking Team

Don’t let the name of this cookbook fool you…they don’t actually cook in an outhouse…or maybe they did. I can’t actually find any info on the group other than the short paragraph in the front of the book.

Originating in 1988, The Outhouse Cooking Team started out cooking catfish. They then expanded and started doing fundraisers for fire houses, churches and other community events. I can only assume they’ve disbanded. I’m kinda sad about this news.

Just the county over, Dardanelle once was the heart of Arkansas River traffic between Fort Smith and Little Rock. Dardanelle is also home to Dardanelle Rock, an overlook used by Native Americans and Confederate soldiers.

Today, folks can visit Mt. Nebo State park, home of the switchbacks. I wouldn’t suggest making that drive on a full stomach🤢. And how could we look over the fact that Dardanelle is home of the Free State Of Yell Fest. They even have a YELLING contest!!! I feel like I know some folks that could win that competition🤔. Charles Portis even based his book, “True Grit” off of the Dardanelle area and it was later made into a movie.

This week I made Wagon Trail Beans. The only thing I’d add is to drain the northern and red beans. Seemed like it had too much liquid. Other than that, they were superb!! These were cooking in a crockpot, but I bet you could easily cook them campground style over an open fire. Yaaassssss!! Enjoy❤️❤️❤️