This is a picture of some squash, green beans and onions I cooked in the oven last night. I sliced the squash, snapped ends of beans off, sliced onions and sprinkled all of them with salt, pepper, nature's seasons, and olive oil. I rolled them around a little to coat all of them and then roasted in the oven at 350 for about 20 min. After 10 min. I took them out and gently stirred them, then returned to the oven until done. We had these along side the crab cakes.
I usually cook squash and beans on top of the stove in water or chicken stock so I thought I would try something new for me. The oven method works great all three were tender and the flavor was very good.
Today is Sunday, Wade wanted me to bake some chocolate brownies so I went to Granny's recipes for Mississippi Mud Cake. I remember this as a real treat when Granny would make this. I have always wondered why it was called Mississippi Mud Cake......... Until today when I poured the chocolate frosting on top of the melted marshmallows and I realized it has that mahogany color the rich red earth in Mississippi has. The marshmallows peeping out resemble cotton on the ground in the mud.
When we went through the Memphis airport last week I pointed out posters of John Deere cotton pickers to Wade......Cotton in the Mississippi Delta, you can't get more southern than that!
I am including a copy of Granny's recipe. I couldn't use it exactly as written because I only had plain flour not self rising flour so I found another recipe that I have used many times with plain flour and buttermilk, and soda etc. I will include both for you.
When my girls were little I usually made this cake because it was easy and fast to make. No mixer just a big wooden spoon needed! Another reason I made it often is that it is easy to transport in the 11 x 16 pan. I have one with a removable plastic top with handles.....that I never trust! Kids love it! And big boys like Wade!!! : -)
Brownie:
2 cups plain flour
2 cups sugar
1 stick butter
½ cup shortening
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup water
1 tsp baking soda dissolved in buttermilk
½ cup buttermilk
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup walnuts
approx. 15 large Marshmallows cut in half
Preheat oven 400 degrees
Lightly grease 11 x 16 pan
Sift sugar and flour in large mixing bowl.
Melt butter, shortening, with cocoa and water bring to a boil. Remove from heat, stir into sugar and flour, stir in other ingredients until well blended. Pour into grease 11 x 16 inch pan. Bake 20 minuetes at 400.
Slice 15 large marshmallows in half. About 5 min before brownie is done make frosting.
Frosting:
1 stick butter
4 tablespoons cocoa
6 tablespoons milk
1 box confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
After 20 min take brownie out of oven and lay sliced marshmallows on top about ½ inch apart. Return to oven until marshmallows melt and begin to toast about 2 min. Watch it closely…..
When marshmallows are melted remove brownie from oven and pour the frosting on top of the marshmallows. Allow to cool completely on wire rack Store covered.
