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Now that I have told you what all is in our pantry, it's time to tell you how we eat here on "Old Crow Farm". First off, I'm someone who was raised on a farm by parents that were actually farmers. Daddy was from the "old school" where you had to have meat & potatoes, a vegetable and a dessert at every meal. Even cooking for hired men like Mom did, these are the kind of meals I was raised on. Knowing this, you'll soon come to understand where my cooking habits come from.
As a mom to eight children I've certainly done my fair share of cooking over the years and to be honest, I don't see it letting up anytime soon. Food has become our 'entertainment' and "passion" over the years. There have been times when I've had to cook with little or nothing and other times when I could cook what ever I wanted. No matter what my pantry looked liked, I have always set good meals in front of my young'uns and we've never gone hungry. Praise the Lord!
It's now just Keith & I, the two little ones and occasional older children to cook for. While I've had trouble learning to cook less, I still basically cook the way I always have and the way I was raised...Meat, potatoes, vegetable and dessert. Very little rice or beans in this house and never has a main course! Have I lost some of you at this point? If so, I'm sorry but I want to be honest here and tell you like it is!
Several months ago (And I'm sorry I can't give credit here but I have no idea where this came from) I found a "menu" online. It's really simple, listing blank areas for three meals a day for seven days. I printed a copy off and then made up a zillion more so each week I can simply sit down and make up a weeks worth of menus....I also cheat and keep the menu's for those weeks when I'm brain-dead or to lazy to make up a new weeks worth.
Because our pantry and freezer are well stocked 98% of the time, I never have to worry about what I plan to fix because I know I'll have the stuff to make anything. However, I do try and look at what fresh produce I have on hand that needs to be used before it goes bad and work it into my weekly meals....The first few weeks of the month have more produce in them than the last few when I'm needing to make a grocery run.
Our meals are mostly what we call normal farm meals (Those that I described earlier) but I try to work at least two cheap meals in each week. I also work in what we call a "restaurant meal" each week but I'll talk about that in a little while. You'll also note we almost always have dessert. It may be something as simple as a cookie/brownie or ice cream but always something.
Let's see, let me tell you what a "normal" meal for us would be: (1) Fried Chicken Breast, mashed potatoes & cream gravy, country-style green beans, bread and ice cream for dessert. (2) Thick fried pork chops, fried sweet potatoes, steamed yellow squash and onions, biscuits & Brownies. (3) Roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, hot rolls & Coconut Cream Pie. (Yes, I'm copying off my menu!)
For our "cheap meals" it would be something like: (1) Greek Pizza and Cookies. (2) Dirty rice and Brownies (3) Hot dogs, French Fries and Cookies. (Note how I try to get one dessert worked into two meals.)
Then there's our "restaurant meals". At least once a week I try to go all out and fix what I consider a really nice meal, more like one you would order in a restaurant but without the cost. Last weeks meal was: K.C. Strip steak, baked potato, tossed salad and Peanut Butter Pie. This week it was: Bourbon Chicken & Rice and Bourbon Brownies. I have to be honest and admit these are Keith's favorite part of the week! HA
Now that we are staying home more I'm doing something different....I have started going through all my cookbooks and magazine copying down the recipes that I think our family would eat. I have put them in a new recipe box and have also wrote them down in a little book. Now when I make up my menu's, I go through my "book" and jot down at least two new recipes to try each week. Not only are we eating different foods but we're getting some really good recipes to add to our families favorites. Keith loves this and brags to everyone about all the new things I'm making.
Well girls, now you know what it's like at meal time on "Old Crow Farm". I'd love your comments on what you do differently and any ideas you might have to make things better for us. Any questions, please just ask! Hugs, Sher |
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