Alabama Heritage Cooking Contest

I again had the honor of being a judge for the Alabama Farmers Federation’s annual state Heritage Cooking Contest. This year the theme was cookies. When my friend, Kim Earwood, asked me to judge and told me I’d be sampling about 30+ different cookies, I thought I was dreaming! Cookies are probably my favorite thing to eat.

We tasted many delightful confections, but finally made the decision to award first place to Ms. Dawn East of Cherokee County and her Butter Pecan Bars. These are a perfect treat with the crisp autumn air we’ve been blessed with…early for us down here in the Heart of Dixie! Make some this weekend and your friends and family will think you are quite clever.

Butter Pecan Bars
1 18-oz box butter pecan cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
1 stick butter, softened
3 eggs
1 8-oz cream cheese, softened
1 1-lb box powdered sugar
1 ½ cups pecans, chopped and toasted

Preheat oven to 300. Mix together cake mix, 1 stick melted butter and 1 slightly beaten egg. Press into a greased and floured 9x13-inch baking dish. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add softened butter, 2 eggs and sugar; mix well. Pour over cake mix layer. Top with pecans. Bake for 1 hour. Cool and cut into squares.

Where the food is...

Laughter is brightest in the place where food is.

- Irish proverb

If that's the case, then put on your shades, because my house has seen a lot of food lately! Family and friends joined me for a great evening of food and conversation. We had so much fun just being together, telling stories, sharing ideas, eating... and laughing. There's nothing better than looking around and seeing people in your home smiling and laughing. They are well fed, happy, and relaxed, so they can enjoy one another. It's a little bit of heaven on earth to me. Somehow I think that's what it's going to be like when we get to join in the Great Feast one day.

Feast your eyes on this menu and these photos taken by my fabulously talented friend, Robyn.

Hot Bacon and Swiss Dip

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Mini Beef Wellingtons with Horseradish Cream

Mexican Shrimp and Grits

Summer Succotash

Lemon Pepper Zucchini Skewers

Watermelon-Tomato Salad

Cucumbers

White Mountain Bread

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French Mint Tea

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Pound Cake Cookies

Death by Chocolate Cookies

Mini Beef Wellingtons

The buffet...where the food is.

I couldn't have pulled off this party without Mama!

My favorite photo--see how happy everyone is? Bright laughter, indeed!



Do you like having dinner parties, but don't enjoy the prep so much? You're in luck--Nourish will come right in and do the prep work for you! Then you can revel in the atmosphere and be a guest at your own party. Call me and we'll make it happen!