Photos by Kathleen Rodgers

By Lydia Edwards

I was sitting at the intersection of Main and Jackson when suddenly there it was, the very first sign of FALL! It was just a small hint of red on one of the trees, but that was the only sign I needed to get me ready for flannel sheets, pumpkin spice ground coffee from Strange Brew, and comfort food recipes. I love all things summer, but this mama is ready for some at-home tailgating, lazy mornings drinking coffee with Scott, and watching our boys play outside for hours. All that to say, I am here for this weather and I am ready to throw some soup recipes at ya! Enjoy!

One-Pot Dinner was the 90’s version of taco soup. I grew up on this recipe, and boy, is it fine. It is a cross between what I call cowboy beans and a taco soup without the taco flavor. This meal has a smokey flavor that will make you want to pack your car and head to the mountains. It’s just the thing to enjoy with cornbread made in your grandmother’s favorite cast-iron skillet.

For a nice crisp crust on your cornbread, heat some vegetable oil in the bottom of your skillet before pouring in your cornbread mixture. I can smell it now! This recipe will feed a family of four or five, but you won’t have any leftovers. Be sure to double this recipe if you have a large family or if you want to stock that freezer for the winter. 

One-Pot Dinner:

1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. of cooked bacon
1 c. of onion
2 c. of pork and beans
1 t. salt
1 c. lima beans (canned)
¼ c. brown sugar
1 c. ketchup
1 T. liquid smoke
1 T. white vinegar

Brown grown beef and onions in skillet, drain. Brown bacon, drain. Place remaining ingredients in a crockpot. Add bacon and ground beef. Cook on low for 3-4 hours. 

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to attend my goddaughter’s baptism. It was the absolute sweetest weekend, and I was so thankful to stay with my sister-in-law’s family for the weekend. They rolled out the red carpet, and the food did not disappoint. One of her recipes was a new twist on tacos. Go ahead and write down the ingredients for your next grocery shopping trip. My favorite thing about this recipe is you add UNCOOKED rice to the dish. This was a game-changer for me when I found out I could throw it in my stockpot and not have to dirty more pots cooking rice. 

Fiesta Bowl:

1 T. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. of ground beef 
1 red pepper diced
1 yellow pepper diced
1 T. tomato paste
1 T. taco seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup of UNCOOKED rice
(brown or white)
1 ½ cups of beef broth
(more if it is too dry)
1 jar chunky salsa
1 can of black beans
1 cup of sweet corn
(canned or frozen)

Brown ground beef with olive oil, onion, and garlic. Drain meat and return meat back to a large stockpot. Add additional ingredients and simmer for about 30 minutes or until rice is cooked. Note: if you want your peppers to be soft, throw those in after you have browned your ground beef to the consistency you like.

My precious neighbor, Mrs. Nash, always has a sweet treat for us. She sent over Lunch Box I Love You cookies and have mercy, oh my soul, they are fine. If you don’t like a peanut butter cookie, you will not care for these. Mrs. Nash makes them without mini chocolate chips, but she told me to throw some in for sweetness. The real treat that came with these cookies is the pink index card that she wrote her recipe on in that precious handwriting of hers. She wrote it as if she were talking to me, and I can hear her sweet voice as I read over it. So, I am going to share this recipe just as she wrote it out to me.

Lunch Box I Love You Cookies

“Mix 1/3 cup oleo with ¾ cup of brown sugar and ¾ cup white sugar and 1 cup peanut butter. (I use crunchy but smooth is fine.) Add 2 beaten eggs with 1 ¼ tsp. baking soda and vanilla. Beat well. Add three cups oatmeal (regular or quick) Bake 350 degrees for 10 minutes or more. You can add 1 tablespoon flour if dough needs more structure, but recipe does not call for it. This is only ½ of the recipe, and I usually freeze half of it, use as needed.”

Happy Cooking!