Saturday, January 1, 2011

Introduction - Yes, you have to read it!

Happy New Year and thank you for reading "Me, My RV & Paula Deen!  I should have written this morning but I must admit I had a hangover from all the festivities last night.  Whew!  My niece sure can throw a party!  I guess I should explain what Paula Deen has to do with my RV.  Pretty much nothing except for the fact that I live in one.  That's right, I said I live in an RV.  I about imagine all my Facebook friends are pretty shocked right now.  Don't feel bad for me.  I live in one by choice.  Let me explain further.
I have been a gypsy soul pretty much my entire adult life.  I have been from one town to the next and even other countries.  Back in 2009 I graduated from Texas Culinary Academy in the Le Cordon Bleu Program for Patisserie and Baking.  While still in the externship phase of my schooling, I rekindled an 8th grade relationship.  We soon married and off to Houston I went.  I am originally from Houston but have not been here since the early 90's.  So essentially I guess you could say I went back to my roots. 
My husband, on the other hand, is like an oak tree.  He has his roots firmly planted in the ground and is strong and never wavers.  So here are these two people thrown together in the puzzle of life both recently out of relationships and now we have no where to live.  His parents offer up their RV that they lived in for 8 years while they were building their house.  Wow!  8 years!  Lord, please don't let me be in this aluminum can for 8 years!  We have no idea where we want to even spend the rest of our days so we figured why waste money on rent until we figure it out.  You can't beat free!  We sit on 8 acres with his parents so we have our own little compound going on over here. 
When I graduated high school a million years ago, I went out into the world.  My husband pretty much stayed in this area.  Even though we come from the same background, I forgot where I came from because I was too busy learning about different cultures, foods and wines.  Sometimes I don't feel southern anymore so this is why the blog.  I have a beer income but champagne tastes and appreciate the finer things in life.  So in an attempt to bring my world and my husband's world together, I will be cooking from Paula Deen's book "Paula Deen & Friends Living It Up, Southern Style".  There is just one catch.... I don't have a working stove.  If it's not on the grill or on the cooktop, it will be made in a toaster oven.  I just bought a new one especially for this adventure.  Hey, the toaster oven is an upgrade.  I used to cook on a Coleman stove!  I will prove that you don't have to have a 5 star kitchen to prepare meals.  Besides, I am feeling uninspired with my cooking lately and need a little help from the Queen of the South.  The best thing about this book is that she gives you an entire menu.  You don't have to figure out which sides go with which entrees and which dessert goes best at the end.  She does it all for you! 
I also know you are thinking this has been done before.  Yes, it has.  With Julie & Julia.  I can't relate to Julia Childs.  No offense to her but I am southern and need someone who knows southern food.  I need fried chicken and mashed potatoes with a little style and grace.  Something that sticks to the ribs (and the hips and the thighs and the butt!). 
So thank you for joining me on this little adventure and I hope to not only regain my "southerness" back ( I know it is not a word!) but to learn a little about cooking. 
One more thing, I can only give the menu.  I cannot give out the recipes because that would be an infringement on Miss Paula Deen's royalties.  If you know southern woman, they will take you out into the front yard and school you.  Don't ever get between a woman and her money!
Tomorrow I will be making the menu for Paula's Birthday Bash that includes:
Beer-In-The-Rear Chicken
Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Corn on the Cob
Green Beans with New Potatoes
Lace Hoecake Corn Bread
Roasted Carrots
Buttermilk Biscuits
Buttermilk Pound Cake with Strawberries and Whipped Cream
Bon Appetit.  I mean, Y'all Enjoy!


6 comments:

  1. I just love you and your style....I can't wait to enjoy your writing as well as some of the food.....love ya my sista.....Kerrie

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  2. Awespme blog. And that ain't a bad kitchen! I've had smaller in 2 bedroom apartments LOL!

    http://saturdaymorningtreasures.blogspot.com

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  3. Woohoo Way to go Ann!

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  4. Loved your blog so far. And your meal sounded so delicious, wish I had been there to taste it. Thanks for taking us along on your adventure.

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  5. I like the way you write and I am very impressed that you made all that in an toaster oven. Just last week I was over a friend's house and her oven wouldn't work and she told me to use the toaster oven to cook the corn bread. I wish I lived on 8 acres. That would be really nice. I hope one day to have at least 2 acres.

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  6. Anne, I have always loved your style. I think your a dynamic person.

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