The Joy of Cooking

As we have discussed in the last few months, it is important to find something our children enjoy. Something he or she is good at. Something creative, worthwhile and something that keeps them OUT OF TROUBLE! As discussed in the blogs, that is easier said than done. So, in the interests of parents everywhere, do share ideas, what worked for you and how you "snagged" your talented and engaged teen.

As a junior higher in Muskogee, (West is Best) we would ride the city bus downtown and visit Hunts, Durnil's and Calhoun's. We would wear our brush rollers, in perfect rows. (Swear to you, this is true. Looking back I think this was one of my parents "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" issues) . We would bug Nancy and Leonard Howard at the camera store and eat lunch at Pete Smith's or at the Purity Drug, owned by my grandfather, Porter Clark. Those greasy drugstore hamburger's were doubly delicious, one, because they were so good and second, because they were free.

We might go to the Ritz for a double feature and enjoy a tasty D.P. and a Fire Stix . Dill pickles were another favorite but never, never eat one of the hot-dogs. Those wieners looked like they had ridden around and around in their display cooker for weeks and weeks. After the show we would try to ignore the prisoners at the jail next door as we waited for our Mother's to pick us up. The men would hang through the bars and try to engage anyone who would listen in a conversation. Remember the scene in To Kill A Mockingbird where Atticus is guarding Tom Robinson at the jail? The old jail looked just like that, but with bigger steps up to the front door.

Favorite summer activities included tennis lessons at Rotary Park, Red Cross swimming classes with Cecil Roark at Honor Heights and my favorite, cooking classes at the ONG building on Court. I still remember a certain tasty treat that involved canned biscuits and cherry jelly. And oh, how smart the lovely instructor was in her starched apron and high heels.

To this day, I love to cook. I think it goes back to that energetic woman at the ONG kitchen and Marjory Leake, who let her dear daughters and eager friends have the run of her beautiful kitchen. A nod to my long suffering Mother who did not share my epicurian passion but let me experiment to my heart's delight.

When I returned to Muskogee as a new bride I offered cooking classes for children and teens. It was something I had loved and it seemed natural to offer the opportunity to children of friends. It was such fun and I am happy to report that these grown children, now parents themselves, still use the recipes we made so many years ago. Aimee will call Cathy for Puffy French Toast and they both still pronounce it the best they have ever tried.

SO...still searching for something for your child to to pursue, to learn and perhaps even embrace? Try cooking. It is therapy. It is art. It is comfort....and the bringer of chocolate chip cookies is always the most popular person at the party!!!!

Cooking has become so trendy that a whole network is devoted to it. The television in my older son's house is always tuned to Bobby Flay or Emeril or his favorite, Paula Dean. He has even fancied himself as a chef should his current career not work out! So, get your own son or daughter started. Start them young or in the middle, but if soccer or clogging or karate hasn't cut the mustard, introduce them to cooking. Not only the actual process in the kitchen but everything associated with the final product.

Introduce gardening with herbs and easy to grow vegetables. This is a continuing project that teaches responsibility and delicious results are as quick as a growing season. Start searching garage sales and flea markets for special utensils, interesting cake pans and old cookbooks. An additional bonus? . You are also sneaking in that together time. Take advantage of our Porter Peaches, June blackberries and abundant produce stands. Is there anything better than fresh corn, summer tomatoes or purple hull peas? Additionally, healthy and fresh eating is a good habit to instill in our kids. Tie in family history with a special recipe. Great Grandmother's corn pudding is not only tasty, the dish will tie the generations. Grilling outside is a story in itself. Share stories ( and a little parenting too) as you charcoal, smoke and roast on the Hasty Bake.

If you want to plant some beginner herbs, I would suggest dill, oregano, thyme and basil.
Use the basil for the following:

Tomato Brushetta

Coarsely chop 4 large tomatoes- drain seeds and water

finely chop 8-10 nice leaves of basil-stems removed

(Roll up several together like a cigarette and slice thinly)

Mince or press 4 fat cloves of garlic

combine with tomatoes and toss all

with a good quality olive oil (lightly)

salt and pepper to taste

Serve with a good italian bread, sliced thinly,

rubbed with additional garlic and olive oil and lightly toasted

Offer fresh Parmesan to sprinkle on the top

Randy's Corn

Pull some of the husk back from ears about halfway and replace

Soak in a pan or sink of cold water and salt

Place on a grill and steam for 15 or 20 minutes

Remove husks outside and throw away

Drizzle corn with butter, lime juice and paprika

Salt and pepper

....and from the sublime to the ridiculous!

Gooey and Delicious Cinnamon Puffs

Combine 1/2 cup sugar with 1 tbsp cinnamon

separate 2 cans Crescent Dinner Rolls

Dip 16 large marshmallows into melted butter and then

roll in the cinnamon mixture

Place marshmallow at wide end of triangle and fold corners over

marshmallow. Seal and brush with butter.

Place greased side down in a muffin pan.

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes

Combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 2 or 3 tsps of milk

and 1/2 tsp almond extract-drizzle over puffs right

out of the oven. Sprinkle with chopped pecans if you wish.