Monday, 31 January, 2011
One of the best, and most unexpected, parts of maintaining this blog is my interaction with all of you, dear readers. Back when I started VV, I never expected to gain such a wide readership! I thought maybe my mom and a few other family members and friends would enjoy my work here.
I love getting emails with questions, suggestions, and recipes from my readers. I am still methodically attempting to respond to each and every email that I get (bear with me!) because I am always touched, amazed, and intrigued by the input that I get from you all. My favorite emails are those from readers who want to share their own cherished family recipes with me. I had the chance to try one of these recipes out tonight, and it was such a hit!
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Thursday, 13 January, 2011
If you ask me, sweet potatoes are hard to improve upon – the simple richness of a sweet potato baked to caramelized perfection is my ideal. That is why I love this simple, old-fashioned recipe for mashed sweet potatoes. It subtly enhances the flavor and texture of the sweet orange flesh without overwhelming the main ingredient with unnecessary embellishments. This dish is pleasingly fluffy and light, and it melts in your mouth like sweet candy.
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Monday, 10 January, 2011
Over the past several months, I’ve become an avid canner. I just love being able to make my own delicious jams, sauces, and spreads using fresh, local produce while it’s at its peak of flavor. Right now is a great time to think about canning some delicious apple butter. I made this batch in the fall with apples brought to me from an orchard in southern Ohio. We opened one of the last jars left over the weekend and served it on some hot biscuits for a cozy breakfast.
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Saturday, 1 January, 2011
Happy New Year, dear readers!! Best wishes for a wonderful 2011 to you all!!
My mom has been making this recipe since the 1970s when, she says, it was “all the rage.” We have tweaked the original to suit our family’s tastes. It is a delicious and festive appetizer that we often serve during the holidays. My whole family gets excited and hovers around the famous cheese ring. I believe that the combination of cheese, jam, and nuts on a cracker is a Southern thing – if you haven’t tried it, it will change your life!!
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