Saturday, September 5, 2009

It's On Like A Ham Bone

Say what you will about Southern Cooking. It gets a bad wrap. Some people think we fry everything. But come on, how else could someone eat okra?

When we aren't bust frying, we "simma". You could use a crock pot, but that is just one more thing in the house, isn't it? Your great great grandma got by with a stock pot. Spend your money on you, not cooking utensils.

This meal is cheap, delicious and easy. And it has ham, nothing wrong with that.

1 lb snap beans, snapped
1 hamhock
2 onions
8 small-med red potatoes

Toss it all in a big ol' pot. Cover with water and salt well. Bring to a boil then simmer on low, covered till the taters are soft. Usually 1-3 hours.

Pull out the hamhock and trim the meat off. Serve with beans and potatoes. This is great sandwich meat the day after too.

Country for real.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Shout Ram A Lamb A

We needed a change. Fancy Kroger had lamb on sale. So lamb burgers just made sense. With yogurt dressing, they are light and flavorful. Great for summer. Adjust the spices and such to your taste. Try coriander or curry. Chop in peppers. Add more garlic. Make it your own.

1 lb ground lamb (of beef, turkey, etc)1 tsp cumin
1 tsp ground cardamon
1 tbl parsley
1 tsp cayenne (or to taste)
3 tbl minced garlic
1 large white onion, sliced
1 lemon (juice and zest)
5 oz greek yogurt
10-15 leaves mint, torn

Mix lamb, cumin, cardamon, parsley, cayenne, garlic and 1 tsp salt. Form small, flat patties. Cook over medium heat in a large skillet till done. Set aside, squeeze lemon over burgers. Turn heat to med-low. Add onion to pan, salt and cook till brown. Stir together yogurt, zest, mint and some salt. Serve burgers on pita or roll with yogurt and onions.

As a side, chop 1 cucumber. Add 1/2 pint cherry or plum tomatoes (or chop whatever tomato you have), 2 tbl white wine vinegar, fresh black pepper and some feta. Live the dream.

A spoonful of some earthy Israeli couscous with mushrooms wouldn't kill you either.