The sun is shining and there's a warm breeze. You're swaying on the front porch swing, enjoying a glass of sweet tea topped off with a sprig of mint...if this sounds like your kind of afternoon, you'll love this week's Featured Friday blogger.
Hailing from the Bluegrass state of Kentucky, Judy is the voice behind this blog that captures the best of Southern hospitality and cooking. Her recipes are the kind you just know were passed down from Grandma's kitchen and will taste just like Grandma's too!
Say hello to...
We asked Judy to answer some getting-to-know-you questions and here's what she had to say...
Tell us about yourself, your family and where you live.
Hello! My name is Judy and I am the lady behind the blog and Page on Facebook, The Southern Lady Cooks. First of all thank you so much to Gooseberry Patch for inviting me to be a part of their Featured Friday.
I live in the Bluegrass State of Kentucky where I retired from a job in state government. I am a "Mom" to three wonderful adult children; twin daughters, Anne Parker and Leigh Harper, and a son, Charles Robert. A beautiful daughter-in-law, Sarah, and a 4 year old grandson, Thomas Wyatt. I call him Tater Tot! Last but not least Bob is the special man in my life.
How did you get your start in the kitchen?
I learned to cook from two of the best cooks in the South, my mother and mother-in-law.
My mother was a country cook. Mama knew how to make a meal out of anything she had on hand. We did not have a lot of money but we always had plenty of food on the table and my Southern Mama knew how to make it taste like a little bit of heaven!
My mother-in-law was a Southern lady from Mississippi. She was tiny, soft-spoken, with that Southern drawl, and one of the most hospitable people I ever met. No human being or animal was ever turned away from her door hungry. She prepared great Southern meals like collard greens, beaten biscuits, country ham, red eye gravy, tomato aspic, and fruit salads. Her table was set with her best china and silverware and guests were always served in the large dining room of her home.
These two Southern ladies taught me all I know about cooking. How could I possibly go wrong with such great teachers? I am so thankful that I had them both in my life. I will never prepare a meal, read a cookbook, or entertain a guest without feeling their influence in my life
What was your inspiration to start your blog?
My inspiration for starting my food blog evolved from another blog. I started blogging about my retirement and just everyday events and slowly began to post a few recipes. Eventually, I realized how much I enjoyed meeting other food bloggers, checking out their recipes and exchanging ideas with them.
What's the best thing to happen since starting your blog?
I think the best thing to happen since I started my food blog is all the new people I have met through blogging and my Page on Facebook. I really enjoy creating new recipes and experimenting with ingredients.
Quick! You have 30 minutes to put dinner on the table...what do you fix?
My favorite 30-minute meal to put on the table would be Fried Cabbage with Sausage. I have been making this dish for years. Just add some cornbread muffins and you got yourself some real "comfort" food.
Fried Cabbage with Sausage
1 stick butter or margarine
1 small head of cabbage, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped or
cut into strips
1 small onion, chopped
1 pound polish or smoked sausage,
sliced into round pieces
(I use Hillshire Farm.)
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
few drops of hot sauce (optional)
Melt butter in large skillet. Add cabbage, onion, and green pepper and cook on medium high for about 5 minutes stirring to keep from sticking to pan. Add remaining ingredients, cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes. Makes about 8 servings. Enjoy!
Care to share your favorite recipe from your blog?
I have a lot of favorite recipes on the blog. One of my favorites is the recipe for Woodford Pudding. It is a Kentucky recipe that has been around since 1835. The sauce on this pudding is to die for. I could drink it!
If you could design your ideal kitchen, what would be in it?
If I could design my ideal kitchen it would be twice as big as the one I have now with a large island in the center and a huge rustic table at one end for guests. I am a Southerner and we like to entertain. My family and friends like to gather in the kitchen more than any other room in my house. I think I might add one of those restaurant sized dispensers for sweet tea, too.
If you could spend a whole day (guilt-free!) doing something you love, what would it be?
I have to say that all my days are spent doing guilt-free things that I love doing. I love my life, my home, and my family. I feel the important things in life are free and my retirement has enabled me to be one carefree, happy lady.
Tell us something that no one would guess about you.
You might not guess that I like to do Pilates and used to be a runner in my younger days. I ran my last 5k in 2005 with my daughters. Today, walking for exercise is more my speed.
Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Judy...we'll join you for dinner any day!
Stop by and visit The Southern Lady Cooks today. You're bound to find something to delight your family.
Share these goodies with a friend any way you like!
