by Linda Apple
And then there is Lexi, my redheaded, fireball friend. She and Nathan are still an item, and I don’t know why. He is handsome, but he is also a dedicated career man. I don’t ever see him settling down. Her ex who is still in prison has been contacting her, asking her to give him another chance. I won’t repeat what she says about that. But maybe he has truly changed. And then there is Sid. He has appointed Lexi to head all the publicity for the Department of Tourism. This throws them together a lot. Life is just the way Lexi likes it. For the first time in her life, she has choices. And knowing her like I do, she will squeeze every bit of pleasure out of her new circumstances she can. But that’s a story for another time.
Miss Cladie’s Fried Green Tomatoes
Ingredients
Green tomatoes (at least one per person)
White Corn Meal mix (about a cup, but keep the bag close by in case you need more)
Salt & Pepper (to taste)
Oil (Canola or something with high smoking point. Use enough to cover the bottom of the skillet)
Directions
1. Slice green tomatoes, oh, about ¼” thick
2. Lay slices on a piece of parchment or a cookie sheet.
3. Lightly salt them. (This causes them to sweat a bit, giving a firmer bite and helps cornmeal adhere better. I never use egg.)
4. Dump cornmeal mix in a pie plate, salt and pepper to taste.
5. Press slices of tomato into the cornmeal mixture on both sides and replace on the parchment or cookie sheet.
6. Let them dry a bit.
7. Heat oil in the skillet. (I use my cast iron skillet if I’m only frying up a few. However, when cooking for a crowd, I use my electric skillet. Be sure to remove the bits of cornmeal left in the pan that start to burn. This will ruin your last tomato slices.)
8. Before easing the slices in the oil, give them one last dusting of cornmeal mixture.
9. Fry until golden brown on one side and flip them over.
10. Drain slices on paper towel or a rack.
A Note from Miss Cladie:
These yummy jewels are not only good as a meal side, but they make dandy appetizers! Felix even has me make him sandwiches with them. Enjoy!
Molly Kate’s Cheese Straws
Ingredients
2 C extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
½ C Gruyere cheese, grated
½ C butter, softened (real butter y’all, not that fake stuff)
1 ½ C all-purpose flour
1t salt
¼ t cayenne pepper
¼ t garlic powder
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix cheeses-all but one cup of the cheddar- into a bowl (Best if you have a stand mixer or electric hand mixer).
3. Add butter.
4. Cream butter and cheese to a smooth consistency (about 5-10 min).
5. In another bowl, sift together the last four ingredients.
6. Gradually add flour mixture to butter & cheese and mix until completely incorporated and smooth.
7. Add saved cup of grated cheddar cheese.
8. Spoon portions of mixture in either a cookie press or piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
9. Slowly pipe long strands of the dough on parchment-covered cookie sheets about 1 inch apart.
10. Cut these strips into 6” pieces.
11. Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges turn golden brown.
12. Remove from oven and let cool.
A Note from Avalee:
Okay, so I don’t cook. But this is one of my favorites from Molly Kate. I think these are the best cheese straws you’ll ever taste! I like them with Lexi’s martinis. These keep for three days in an airtight container, but they are best eaten the day they were made. Careful, they crumble easy. But this crispy texture is what makes them so yummy!
Molly Kate’s Orange Rolls
Ingredients:
Rolls:
½ C warm water
2 pkg yeast
1 ¼ C scalded milk
¾ C sugar
1 t salt
2 eggs, well beaten
5 C flour—more or less
Filling:
1 stick butter, softened
8 T orange marmalade
1 C lightly packed brown sugar
Icing:
2 C confectioner’s sugar
4 oz cream cheese, softened
3T butter, softened
3T orange juice—tad more if you need to thin it
1T orange zest
Directions:
Rolls:
1. Soak yeast in warm water.
2. Combine milk and butter. Add sugar and salt.
3 Add yeast mixture and stir in eggs.
4. Add flour until it forms a stiff batter. Cover and let it rise until double. (about one hour)
5. Punch down, roll out very thin.
6. Spread with softened butter and marmalade (add more if needed). Sprinkle brown sugar on top.
7. Gradually roll the dough toward you into a tight log with the seam side down.
8. Slice into ½ to ¾-inch pieces. Place cut side up in a buttered baking dish (there will hardly be any space between them) and allow them to rise until doubled.
9. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned. Watch them closely. You don’t want them hard as bricks.
10. Icing: Beat confectioner’s sugar, cream cheese, butter, orange juice, and orange zest together until smooth. Spread on warm rolls and let it melt into the rolls.
A Note from Molly Kate:
Okay y’all. I got talked into sharing my secret recipe for Orange Rolls. But, let’s just keep this between you and me, okay? Enjoy!
Hint: I make an extra half recipe of the icing to drizzle on the rolls after they are cooled. That is, if there are any left to cool!
Lexi’s Chocolate Espresso Martini
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz Godiva original chocolate liqueur
1 ½ oz Crème de Cacao
½ oz vanilla vodka
2 ½ oz Half & Half
1T cooled espresso
chocolate syrup for decorating
Directions:
1. Mix the first five ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake.
2. Drizzle martini glass with syrup inside and around rim.
3. Pour martini in glass.
A Tip from Lexi:
For that extra decadent and sinful treat, garnish with a small piece of fudge on a toothpick. Great for stirring and nibbling.
A word about the author…
Linda Apple writes from her soul and speaks from her heart.
She is the author of Writing Life~Your Stories Matter, Connect! A Simple Guide to Public Speaking for Writers, and POW~Promises Kept, the Inspiring Stories of Walter “Boots” Mayberry. She has been published in sixteen of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books.
Her Moonlight Mississippi Series is born from years of living in the South, loving southern culture, its people, and of course, the deep friendships she has forged over the years.
She speaks and teaches workshops for writers’ conferences nationwide. Besides writing, her passion is to help others succeed in their writing goals.
Linda and her husband, Neal, live in Fayetteville, Arkansas, close to their five children, five children-in-law, and thirteen grandchildren. (Linda is a very young grandmother!)
[email protected]
lindaapple.com
facebook.com/lindacapple
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