poppi's 70th birthday dinner

it was my dad's 70th birthday recently and we had a delicious family dinner.. now i didn't get pictures of the food :( i did get pictures of the cake (grandmommy's miracle whip cake recipe found here..) and we all know that is what really is most important don't we.. it was unfortunately lopsided but that didn't stop it from being yummy.. i will also post recipes for the dinner just no pictures.. sorry.. the menu consisted of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, broccoli, cauliflower, biscuits and gravy.. i made pimento cheese as an appetizer dip..along with salami, cheese, pepperoni, chips, veggies and ranch.. (no one went away hungry)

i made grandmommy's fudge icing for the cake.. umm talk about decadent and sinfully delicious..

fudge icing

prep time: 15 minutes

cooking time: 5 minutes
servings:  enough to cover a 13x9 inch cake

ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar (does give it a "gritty" texture so i might try powdered sugar next time)
4-6 tblsp. cocoa powder (i of course did 6)
3/4 cup whole milk
1 tblsp. butter
1 tsp vanilla

combine sugar, cocoa and milk in a heavy saucepan, cook until mixture begins to boil, all the while stirring.. cook  for approximately 5 minutes (once it boils) or until mixture reaches "softball" stage (243 degrees). remove from heat and allow mixture to cool (approximately 4-5 minutes) then add butter and vanilla still stirring until butter is dissolved.  then beat until its the consistency you like.  i made a layer cake and it dripped down but i kept in the fridge for several hours before party so it was ok, but my grandmother always made her cake a in sheet cake pan, she didn't remove it from the pan and poured the "fudge" over the top of the cake and it made like an inch thick fudge frosting (cut the cake and served like brownies).. ummm helloooo yummmmm..

(poppi and my nephew ollie who will be 2 on March 13, 2011, if you ask Ollie his name he replies "Happy Birthday Ollie..)

pimento cheese spread

prep time: 5 minutes

ingredients:

1 bag of pre-shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or if you prefer to shred your own about 4 cups)
1/2 cup mayonnaise (you can always add more if you don't think it's "creamy" enough)
1 jar of pimentos
1 tsp. of pickle juice
dash or 2 or 5 of tabasco
1 tsp. of paprika

combine all ingredients in a medium bowl, cover and chill for a few hours before serving..  now i grew up on pimento cheese my grandmother, mommabell always made it for me when i stayed the night and served it on those tiny dark rye slices of bread.  over the years i learned it wasn't just something we ate but actually a popular dish.. i found out a few years ago you can even buy it premade in the grocery store but why would you it's so simple to make..

(the grandkids being.. well kids...)

fried chicken

prep time: 15 minutes

cooking time: 30-45 minutes
servings:  10

a package of thighs
a package of breasts
a package drumsticks
4 cups flour
1 -2 tblsp. cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
cooking oil
1 stick of butter

mix flour, cayenne, salt and pepper together in a zip lock back, shake to incorporate everything together, add a few pieces of chicken at a time and shake to coat, remove from zip lock and set on cooking sheet, continue until all chicken is done.

i used to large iron skillets and filled each one about 1/2 way full with oil and a 1/2 stick of butter in each.  heat oil over medium high heat to about 350 degrees (f).  put your chicken in the oil once hot don't over crowd your pan, you will need to do in batches.  cook each side about 7-10 minutes, (depending on size and how crispy you like yours. also remember your breasts will cook faster so cook them last) i lined a cookie sheet with paper lunch sacks and put the cooked chicken on that and put them in a 250 degree (f) oven while I cooked the other batches.. super yummy!!



(Jake, Shell and Poppi.. Happy 70th Poppi.. Wonderful B day Party)