Sunday Dinners

I am back. My family and I spent last weekend in Shreveport, LA with my sister, brother-in-law, and my nephew. We had a great time!

This past Sunday my family and I were back at our church and my great Aunt Ilene’s house for Sunday dinner (lunch). She and her husband, great uncle Bill were actually out of town this weekend visiting their relatives but this didn’t stop their children (my cousins) and my family from our usual lunch gathering. Andrea brought a brisket, Jennifer brought pulled pork and potato salad, and I brought a creole succotash salad, coconut cream tart, and chocolate pies.

Sandwiched between a soft roll, I watched everyone layer tender slices of brisket or pulled pork and then top their meat with bbq sauce and other condiments. The cool contrasting textures of corn, lima beans, grape tomatoes, pickled okra, and green onions in the creole succotash salad complimented the warm tangy bbq sandwiches.

I love the colors, textures, and flavors of my creole succotash recipe in my cookbook but it is a warm dish. Saturday was one of those days where you begin to sweat immediately after stepping out of your vehicle. I couldn’t imagine eating anything warm. With my succotash in mind, I ventured into the grocery store and then it came to me. What about a cold version of my succotash in a salad form? Done! I made a vinaigrette with half lemon juice, half rice vinegar, minced garlic clove, salt, pepper, and olive oil. I tossed the vinaigrette with the vegetables and added chopped cilantro. Perfection 🙂

 

 

Thinking again towards cool foods, I ventured into making cool desserts. I was inspired to make pies from my mom’s love for them. To me it doesn’t get any better than toasted coconut. The crispy, sweet delicate strands adorned the tart adding a contrast of texture to the cream coconut filling.

Dark, semi-sweet, milk….when it comes to chocolate I love it all! Minny’s chocolate pie was made famous after the release of the movie, The Help. All of the rave for the pie spread throughout Mississippi and the U.S.  I found the recipe online and created the pie for Sunday dinner. I am a sucker for the flaky topping of a brownie and this pie had that kind of topping. To take the pies over the top, I served homemade whipped cream alongside.

Looks like someone really liked the whipped cream 🙂 My little cousin Hayden couldn’t resist.

Canning and pickling is a tradition passed down through the generations in my family. My great grandmother was known for her famous 14-day pickles. She prepared canned figs, pear preserves, and more. Canning and pickling is a great way to preserve and savor the flavors of summer throughout the year. My cousin Jennifer’s garden was overflowing with okra. She and I ventured out in making pickled okra as it was both of our first time. She and my mom stuffed the sterilized mason jars with okra, a garlic clove, and fresh dill sprigs while I prepared the vinegar mixture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fun, fun for all! Mom and Dakota (another cousin) got in on the fun too.

Leaving the kitchen with a feeling of accomplishment, we scurried to church to help the children’s bible study program, Awana. This occasion called for an ice cream social. Yum!

To quote my grandpa, I am so blessed. I have an amazing family and my church family is an extension of it.