Tag Archives: Southern food

blogging, Dog Days of Summer, family fun, grilling, Hardware Store Life, holiday cooking, Home, Homemade Ice Cream, July, recipe, southern cooking, Southern food, southern living, Summer

Southern Sides for the BBQ Grilling Season

July 4, 2024 hardwarelifewife 5 Comments

The highest compliment a Southern cook can receive from someone is the request of their recipe after the meal. It means the dish was deliciously prepared and well received by those who ate it.

I must admit, when I have gotten a request for a recipe, I feel very honored. Today, I’m sharing a few of our family favorites from the summer BBQ grilling season. These side dishes are not revolutionary, but simple favorites that my family enjoys each July 4th.

So to celebrate the grilling season, let’s take a moment to reflect on the classic sides that have become proven favorites. We usually select Hamburgers and hotdogs each July 4th. Having great side items to accompany the best grilled burgers… well, that simply goes without saying. Happy grilling y’all!

A great rub can elevate your July 4th burgers to a new level. We sprinkle a bit of this one at home often to add a little extra touch of flavor. Yes, Wilkes County Hardware has this available in store!

Keegan recommends to add a splash of Sauce to your hotdog!

Baked Beans

My Mama spoiled me. I didn’t realize that fact, but these baked beans have been a staple cookout food ever since I was younger. I am not accustomed to baked beans without meat. Baked beans without hamburger, well that’s just a plain old seasoned bean!!! Like I stated before, my Mama spoiled me with this recipe, so all other baked beans haven’t measured up to Mom’s.

My Mama always made the easiest, and the best baked beans that we all loved, and we still do! Leftovers are rare. The recipe, in the mind. Not written down at all, because it’s a simple recipe to make, using pantry staples. I hope you enjoy!

Mom’s Baked Beans

Ingredients List

1/2-3/4 lb hamburger (cooked)

1T Dried onion

2T Worcestershire sauce ( I adjust the amount I use based on hamburger, making sure all the hamburger is coated with the Worcestershire sauce)

2 Cans Pork Beans

2 T Pancake syrup (depending on how much sweetness you prefer)

1c Ketchup

Simple Steps to A Great Side

1. Fry and crumble hamburger meat well in the skillet, as the hamburger cooks, add dried onions (1 T)

2. Drain hamburger grease prior to adding additional ingredients.

3. Add Worcestershire sauce to hamburger meat once the hamburger meat has browned. Stir well.

4. Turn heat down on skillet/ sauce pan and add pork and beans. Combine the hamburger and beans evenly.

5. Add pancake syrup for a bit of sweetness. Stir well.

Stir the syrup into the bean/hamburger mixture prior to adding the ketchup

6. Add ketchup. Simmer until beans are warmed and tender (20-30 minutes)

I adjust ketchup level to change the color ratio from a pork bean color to a more traditional baked bean color… adding more as needed I typically just squeeze in the ketchup and stir until I’m satisfied with the color. Note the difference between the two photos

Larry Patterson’s Hot Dog Chili

This recipe was gifted to Mom years ago by her friend, Larry. It was an instant family favorite after she made it the first time. Mom shared it with me several years ago and it has become a staple of our summer cookouts. It does require a bit of time to simmer on the stove top, but it’s worth the wait!

Honestly, it’s hard to go back to a canned hot dog chili once you have had a good homemade chili. This recipe is even better on day two… the longer it sits, the spices have a chance to simmer and get into the chili. I love this one on BOTH hamburgers or hotdogs! it freezes well and I half this recipe often.

What are your favorite “must have” items that you put on a hotdog? 🌭

Ingredients

2lbs. Ground hamburger

2t chili powder

2t black pepper

1T Texas Pete

1/2c Ketchup

1c water

Simple Steps to Chili

1. Crumble raw hamburger into large saucepan.

2. Add all spices and Texas Pete to raw hamburger

3. Add Ketchup and water.

4. Stir well and simmer 3-4 hours stirring occasionally.

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

This recipe is based on my pitcher size I typically use.

3 large lemons

1 cup boiling water

1 cup sugar

2 cups ice

4 cups water

Steps to Making Sweet Lemonade

1. Boil 1 cup water. Add sugar to dissolve into water. Allow to cool.

2. Extract juice from 3- 4 large lemons.

3. Once sugar syrup is dissolved and cooled, add to pitcher with lemon juice.

4. Add 4 cups cold water. Stir in 2 cups of ice. Add a few lemon slices to the top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Whether you are enjoying the July 4th holiday cookout or just grilling out for the weekend, I hope you find these simple recipes a great addition to your BBQ fun!

AND Don’t forget the ice cream!!!

Southern Summer… Making Homemade Ice Cream

April, blogging, Crockpot Cooking, Hardware Store Life, Home, recipe, soup, southern cooking, Southern food, southern living, Spring, stew, supper

Pork Stew

April 21, 2024 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

My grandparents grew up during the Great Depression. The one thing I learned from them was never to be wasteful with food. Granny always saved the smallest portion of food and they used leftovers at the next meal often as a new side dish. It wasn’t always a “reheat and eat” type of side dish… They also used leftovers as a soup or even made a casserole. Waste wasn’t part of growing up during the Great Depression. Everything was used to the fullest extent.

I must admit, leftovers do get away from me sometimes, and they end up not being eaten before the expiration. I created this recipe out of necessity, using what I had on hand in the refrigerator and using up my leftovers.

Leftovers are a great opportunity to experiment with pantry staples and mixing in your leftovers. Challenge accepted!

As you review my recipe, please feel free to add your leftover veggies, pantry staples, and spice blends into this recipe to make it your own. This would be similar to a Taco Soup flavor profile or Mexican Chicken Soup as far tasting and key ingredients. Enjoy!

Pork Stew Ingredients:

-Leftover pork chops or chopped pork (2 grilled pork chops cubed )

-Chili powder, red pepper, black pepper, salt (1/2 tsp each ) I used these to make a blend of spices to sprinkle over pork chops

– Canned salsa or Rotel (I had 1/2 can salsa left so I used it)

– 3/4 c Button Mushrooms diced (sauté in soup pot with dried onion and dash of Italian seasoning)

– Shredded carrots (1/4 c)

– Beef bullion cube- see note below

– Water 2 cups ( Note: 2 cups of beef stock can replace water and beef bullion)

– 1 can dark red kidney beans (drained)

– 1 can White beans (drained)

– Tomato sauce (1 small can)

– Handful of Frozen corn (leftover roasted or grilled corn would definitely add to the dimension of flavor)

Prep and Make: Easy Stove top recipe or even Crockpot

1. Sauté mushrooms in spices (dried onion and Italian seasoning) in your large soup pot.

2. Add shredded carrots and sauté for a few minutes. Add the diced leftover pork chops, add black pepper/chili powder spice blend. This spice blend will give it a nice kick. Reduce the red pepper flakes to 1/4 tsp to reduce spice.

3. Pour in salsa or Rotel. Stir well. Add water and beef bouillon cube or beef stock (see note above)

4. Add tomato sauce, all drained beans and a handful of frozen corn. Stir well. Simmer on low until vegetables are cooked.

5. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and cornbread.

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March Photo Favorites

March 3, 2024 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

Scripture for March :

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

I took a series of photos on the morning of March 1st during this spectacular sunrise. I posted a few of these directly on my Facebook page without edits. My mom and dad noticed the eagle in the background in a few of the pictures from the series of shots. She had texted me about the pictures I had posted and told me to go look for it… A few other Facebook friends commented on the eagle as well… It was a very sweet surprise for me and maybe a message that It’s Time to Soar in the Month of March.

A HUGE thank you to all who continue to support my blog by reading and sharing. An even bigger blessing, my family and friends who are consistently the wind beneath my wings offering endless support, love and encouragement. Thank you.

I hope you enjoy the photos from my day to day activities in the month of March.

**Searching for Signs of Spring**… Piper and I always use this Willow tree as a reference for the arrival of spring along the Greenway. The first tiny leaves are forming as we walked on March 2nd.

March 5th! What a difference a few days make!

**All Damned Up…** a huge pile of brush and tree limbs are pushed up against this tree, beaver 🦫 busy at work or excessive rain????

**“Leafing Up**” By March 30th some trees have a good base of leaves

**Green Acres… well probably not like the tv show** 😂**. Planting in progress on the fields along the Greenway Trails**

**Hiding In the Mist**… a foggy Sunday morning March 3rd

**Drop In**… Rain has been fairly abundant in the month of March.

**Awakening**… March mornings often bring a crisp, cool feeling that brings you awake immediately after walking outdoors.

On the Home Front…

**Hello Buttercup…** My mother-in-law always called these yellow daffodils buttercups. These mini daffodils are in full bloom in early March in my front flower garden.

**Forcing branches of Forsythia bloomed almost immediately! Will definitely do this again next year!**

**In case you missed this earlier blog post…** https://hardwarelifewife.com/2024/03/06/forsythia-spring-is-here/

**Tomato, lentil and vegetable soup** (keeper recipe)

**First attempt at making a Burnt Cheesecake, no crust on bottom! Delicious and easy. Will definitely make again!**

**Reinventing the BLT… Bacon, spinach, avocado, tomatoes and ranch(out of mayo** 🤪**) I asked Benjamin if he wanted me to make him a sandwich, he said no… it had too many vegetables on it**😂

**Pineapple Casserole for Easter… Thank you Ashley Frazier for sharing your recipe for Pineapple Casserole! It was simply delicious!**

**Hey Bud! I**t’s a beautiful sight to see the our trees beginning to bud out

**Time to plant**… getting my hands dirty again and putting these in my planters in March

**Finding Clover** https://hardwarelifewife.com/2024/03/17/finding-clover/

**Spring has replaced the winter gloom, with abundant blooms… Bradford Pears in full bloom everywhere!**

**The Pick of the Crop… Annual Tulip picking trip** 🌷

**Opening** **and closing act… once tulips fully bloom and open, the flower petals don’t last much longer**

**Cookie and Joy: These two always enjoy #Nationalpuppyday March 23rd**

**Bunny building…, it has been fun creating new Easter pieces for this Easter season**

What’s have we been streaming in March???

1. Apple TV: Finished Masters of Air, began Manhunt, and Palm Royale.

2. Max- The Great Pottery Throw Down, you don’t have to be a lover of all things pottery to enjoy this show, it’s a fantastic competition based show with amazing art in progress

3. Hulu Live: March Madness… basketball games! 🏀, The Food That Built America, Lady Bird Diaries, and also streaming our favorite weekly shows.

4. Netflix: The Gentlemen

At the Hardware Store…

**Chopping Wood still a necessity on the cooler days of March**

**Beautiful afternoons in March… front door open to let the fresh air and sunshine inside**

**Adding a bit of color to the ladder wall**

**Stacking out new merchandise for Spring and Summer**

**Count Me In! The jellybeans are counted and ready for your guess! Congrats to Jane Will for winning the hummingbird feeder!**

**Did you know that you can shop our shelves at Carolina Treasures on Main??? You can find me there checking on the shelves regularly**

**Who’s ready to dig into the dirt????**

Wayne announced his retirement on March 25, 2024.

Wayne Matherly has been an amazing asset to our business as well as a mentor to both of us for the last 8 1/2 years. It’s simply hard to imagine life without him at Wilkes County Hardware.

Richard and I have been blessed with Wayne’s leadership and presence, as he shared and we received a small part of his knowledge. He taught us both so much about various areas of the hardware store. His vast experience with locks and keys, plumbing,and Wayne’s knowledge of lawn and garden has not been wasted… we have soaked up all the time and experience we could with Wayne.

They say that “Age is a just number”but, I know when the numbers begin to grow in size, our bodies often tell us to slow down a bit. Wayne, we definitely honor your wishes to slow down.

So what do you do when a piece of your heart goes home??? I’m not sure… but we plan to celebrate this new milestone of retirement with Wayne soon, honoring his wishes on how he chooses to do so.

Congratulations to Wayne, on a long career in the hardware industry. You will surely be missed dearly by all of us and hoping that you know that you have left a legacy of hardware excellence behind. We love you always! 💕

**Wayne at work through the years… 2015-2024**

As our month of March concludes, Wayne is soaring into retirement and I’m drawn back to the scripture that I began the month with for strength and courage as we begin a new chapter in our business.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Autumn, blogging, Crockpot Cooking, Crocktober, Fall, Hardware Store Life, Home, recipe, Shop Local, southern cooking, southern living, supper

Crocktober

October 22, 2023 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

There’s simply nothing better like the smell of dinner cooking as you walk through the front door.

After a long day at work, the aroma welcomes you back home. But wait… Dinner is really almost ready??? You have been gone all day… yes, the Crock-Pot has magically been slowly simmering your dinner nonstop and the smell of a delicious dinner yet to come is wafting throughout your home. The aroma is welcoming you back, like two little, happy puppies wagging their tails anxiously awaiting to greet you as you enter the front door.

These two are waiting for their favorite humans to come back home!

Crock-Pot recipes are a mainstay in the playbook of comfort foods 101 in my opinion. The advantages of using a crock-pot or a slow cooker are plentiful. For one, the crock-pot will use less electricity than cooking a full meal on your stovetop.

Baked potatoes in crockpot??? Try it if you haven’t done that before. Yes, save electricity by using your crockpot and cook on high for 2-3 hours instead of using your oven. I brush mine with olive oil and salt pepper and cover it and walk away for a few hours.. dinner success!

Another advantage of using a crock-pot, Family evening meals can be prepared ahead of time… meaning that it can save you time, and of course, less dishes to clean up after the meal! If you are a meal planning cook, the crock-pot is for you! That’s a definite win in the family meal game plan!

This creamy chicken crock-pot recipe is one of the most versatile dishes that I make that can be used as a base for chicken pie, chicken casserole, or served over pasta. The leftovers can make a creamy chicken soup.

The last advantage of using a crock-pot is simply the monetary savings from each grocery store trip. When you slow cook in the crock-pot, you can buy a tougher cut of meat ( saving a bit of money) and it will come out tender after cooking low and slow all day long. Crock-pots are designed to tenderize and add complexity of flavors to your protein as it simmers low and slow. The slow cooking process helps to preserve the nutrients. In a higher heat setting, those nutrients can be rapidly broken down, reducing the flavor profile.

As I write this blog post, I realize that some are probably rolling their eyes saying, “good grief girl, get in the 21st century and buy an instant pot”. Here’s my reply… Well, honestly I don’t want one. I love the idea of prepping before I leave for the day, and simmering my food low and slow all day long… nothing beats spaghetti sauce that’s been cooking all day long in the crock-pot and we love it. I’m the “set it and forget it until later” meal game planner.

https://hardwarelifewife.com/2023/10/22/crocktober-recipes/

I don’t think of a crock-pot meal as a “boring meal” that is often repetitive… week after week… “Mom, we are eating the same old stuff” type meals… that’s the whole point of “Crocktober”. Thinking outside of the usual crock-pot mindset and experimenting with new ways to use the traditional slow cooker.

SO…. Here’s a sampling of some of the amazing products that Wilkes County Hardware has to offer you that could add some extra flavor to your favorite proteins or vegetables slowly simmering away in your crock-pot. Hopefully you can find a bit of inspiration for some new “Crocktober Recipes” to make for your family.

This rub is a great addition brings flavor to any type of steak, or beef roast in your crock-pot!

Hand choppers are great for making quick work of a large cooked pork lion, or even chicken as you make chopped BBQ or tacos in the crock-pot

The best BBQ sauce… AND it’s locally made!

Traeger sauces and rubs can add extra flavor to your crock-pot meals

Use your imagination and available ingredients from your pantry and refrigerator and get cooking in your crock-pot for October! The options are endless!!! **It’s Crocktober**

Let’s celebrate the month of October with the Crock-pot… and get the slow simmer going … it’s Crocktober time!

FYI: Two recipes are linked in this blog post if y’all are curious… Happy slow cooking!

Autumn, Crockpot Cooking, Fall, family, Hardware Store Life, Home, recipe, southern cooking, southern living, supper

“Crocktober” Recipes

October 22, 2023 hardwarelifewife 1 Comment

Sharing a few featured October favorites for the crockpot. These may not be new and different to you but they are well loved in “The Hardware Life” and easy to prep for any weeknight meal. Enjoy these Crocktober family favorites!

Creamy Crock-pot Chicken

Ingredients for Crock-pot Creamy Chicken:

2 Cans Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup

1 T butter

1 package chicken tenders

Note: You can use more chicken to adjust to your family size! I’m cooking for only two people right now.

1 cup chicken stock

Note: You can thin it as much as you like by adding more chicken stock, but I like to leave mine on the thicker side.

Get it Simmering in the Crock-pot:

1. Add chicken as the bottom layer first, season chicken as desired.

Note: ( I season my tenders with minced dried onion and black pepper )

2. Combine all other ingredients and stir into crockpot and cook on low for at least 6 hours or chicken throughly cooked. Mine usually cooks all day while I’m gone to work.

Alternate versions of Creamy Crock-pot Chicken:

1. Add frozen biscuits (cut into 4’s ) cook for about hour on high in crock-pot for chicken pie or dumplings type meal.

2. Use cooked creamy chicken as a base for chicken casserole and layer into casserole dish.

3. Creamy chicken & Pasta : Cook pasta and steam veggies and top the chicken with parmigiana cheese.

This pasta and chicken recipe make a hearty comfort dish meal. Ready to eat when you are hungry.

4. Creamy Chicken Soup: My Creamy Chicken leftovers and pasta combines to make a fantastic soup!!! Add a bit more chicken stock to thin if needed or another can cream of chicken soup and add your favorite vegetables or pasta. Simmer until vegetables/pasta is cooked.

Crock-pot Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients for Crock-pot Spaghetti Sauce:

1-2 pounds hamburger

1 container of fresh mushrooms (fine chop)

1/2 c Chopped carrots

2 T Italian seasoning

Fresh Herbs (Rosemary/oregano)

Spaghetti sauce base:

1. Shortcut- Add in favorite Jar Spaghetti sauce to your cooked hamburger, spices, and simmer away all day

OR….

2. Make your own spaghetti sauce base- 1 T tomato paste, splash of wine, crushed tomatoes with Italian seasoning, I usually add extra Italian seasoning( if using dried herbs, you will need to use less by 1/3 vs using fresh herbs… use more than dried)

Get Simmering in Crock-pot:

1. Brown Hamburger in crock-pot on low heat for 30-45 minutes. Chop hamburger into smaller pieces as it begins to cook down. Drain away any excess liquid.

The slow cooker hamburger browning process is slower but well worth it. I usually brown my meat as I am getting ready in morning and then head back to kitchen to add spices/sauce before I leave.

2. Add herbs and Red Wine(if desired)

3. Add chopped mushrooms and carrots

This is a good way to sneak in veggies into your sauce, a fine cop makes these pretty invisible in your cooked sauce.

4. Add Spaghetti Sauce base ingredients and stir well.

5. Top sauce with fresh herb bundle, cover and simmer 8 hours.

I tend to add spices and flavors as I cook. Please add your favorite Italian blended spices and flavors to your sauce. The process of cooking the sauce slowly is a definite step up from the rushed cooking process of making a “quick spaghetti sauce”. The flavor profile will be different from a skillet spaghetti sauce made quickly.

Enjoy these “Crocktober Recipes” and enjoy cooking low and slow adding a bit a flavor as you go!

The Hardware Life – A wife's journey into the hardware business