Binky's Fudge - Featured Seller

Today I'm going to blog about an Etsy seller I discovered, Binky's Fudge.  I've read her reviews, which are 100% positive, and after seeing numerous Binky's Fudge posts on my Facebook page, I gave into temptation and placed an order for Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge!  I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival.....guaranteed 2 day delivery!  I'm going to let you all know how it is, and from what I've read from her previous customers, it's going to be heavenly.  Here's what she has to say about herself:


"Hello,my nickname is "Binky"..always has been and always will be! Its a kinda silly name but it was given to me as a baby and it just stuck with me.

I am a happily married mother of 5. I like to consider myself as an "Italian Domestic Goddess"..I love to cook & create beautiful crafty things. I make all of my fudge the old fashioned way...by scratch..no or artificial ingredients are used!

*All of my fudge is made in a Fully Licensed & Inspected Kitchen. "

Have a wonderful day everyone!  Javamamacooker

Altered Composition Recipe Journal Giveaway - Ends April 30th

Enter my 3rd journal giveaway.  This time I'm giving away an altered composition Recipe Journal made by me, aka Java Girl @ http://www.javagirls.etsy.com/. Check out my shop to see a sample similar to what you'll win!!  It's perfect to hand write special family recipes and heartwarming dinnertime stories.  To see just how special it can become, read my blog post about my husband's grandmother's recipe journal. To enter simply follow this blog and comment on this giveaway.  It's that simple.Winner to be announced April 30th. 

Monday's Mama What 'Ya Cookin?

My first successful cornbread!

Old photo and a little blurry but,

proof I did it!

Cornbread is one of my favorites! So, today I am going to share with you a recipe for Mexican cornbread that mama has made for years. She didn't make this up, but she knew a good recipe when she saw it! This one was a hit. Her plain cornbread was to die for as well! I will have to share that one later. She makes cornbread the best way I know, in a cast iron skillet! Skillet cornbread will have a crispy outer crust and be very tasty. If you don't have one, it's worth it's weight in gold! They are also good for your health, by adding traces of iron into your diet. They even come pre-seasoned now which is a huge advantage. If you have one that is not seasoned, be patient. It will take a few times of use to get it there. Make sure to put plenty of vegetable oil (Safflower or corn is great) in the skillet the first time, put it in the oven on 350 degrees and let it heat for about 15 minutes. Take it out and drain most of the oil out, (you can reuse this oil) leaving a thin covering. Sprinkle lightly with a little dry cornmeal, then add your cornbread batter. This should help the bread not to stick, however, some new skillets take a few times of using to become seasoned. You will always add the oil, heat and dry cornmeal every time, yet using less oil than the first time. The idea is to build up a smooth coating on the inside of the skillet. One more bit of advice on your skillet is to never wash with soap. Remember they are like little boys. They love the water, but hate the soap! This will ensure proper seasoning and your food never tasting soapy!

This recipe became such a favorite to have with beans, chili, a mexican dish, or really just anything. You can adjust the "heat" by how much cayenne pepper you add. You can even add none, if you want no "heat". We like it both ways! I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!

Mexican Cornbread

1 c. cornmeal

2 tbsp. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Cayenne pepper to taste
1 can cream style corn
1 c. milk
1/2 c oil
2 eggs
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

Pre-heat oven to 350. Put skillet with oil in now, and it will be ready when your batter is mixed.

Mix together above ingredients in order as listed. Pour batter into heated, oiled, and dry cornmeal sprinkled skillet. Bake in 350 degree oven for 45 min. Run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen, and CAREFULLY invert onto a plate. The skillet is VERY HOT and will burn your skin if touched. Do not touch any part of the hot skillet. Hopefully, you will have a beautiful, round, crusty, and yummy cornbread for your dinner! If it sticks, don't be discouraged. It will still taste the same. Just keep making it and someday it will come our perfectly and you will cheer! I remember the first time mine did. I called my mama just to tell her! Enjoy, and let me know how you did!

You can make this in a regular pan or dish. I never have myself, but I'm guessing about a 9x9 size. My friend bought a skillet after trying it this way. She said it just wasn't the same.

Till next time,

mamacooker

I HAVE ARRIVED! Or, at least I know where I'm going now.

Yes, that's me. At the kitchen table by the coffee cup! I may think I have arrived, yet I have not gone very far. You will still most likely find me at the kitchen table with a coffee cup, or at my scrapbook table with a coffee cup, or at the computer, you guessed it, with a coffee cup .

A couple of years ago I was in the process of making a Heritage Scrapbook for my family, and when creating the page for each of the four children as adults, I hit a road block. One brother was retired from the military. My other brother owned his own construction company. My sister ran her own piano studio with 60 students, and I, the baby of the family, had no real career. I didn't know what to put on my page. What was I? As I contemplated what to put on my page, I began to realize that I had fulfilled my childhood dream. I had been married 25 years, and I had four children. I worked at my children's school and at our church. I had survived one daughter's wedding and had one grandchild. Through it all, I had learned to do so much, and I had skills I never thought I would have. I was very happy and fulfilled. I didn't need to have a title. It was a good thing to have a career, but not a bad thing to not have one. I remembered what my mama had told me long ago. She said when I was a little girl I always said ,"I want to be a mamacooker when I grow up". Mamacooker? In my child's mind I must have been really impressed with my mama. She was a good one! She loved her family, took care of us, and loved every minute of her time spent with us, and she loved to cook. One word, mamacooker, summed it up for me I guess!


I now know that I am a "mamacooker". I love being a mom and count it a privilege, and yes, I love to cook too. God has blessed me, and I know my job is very important. It is what God wanted me to do. It's a high, humbling and scary calling to be the influence and caregiver of the next generation. I have been entrusted with three girls and one boy, and now three grandson's. I just hope that I do as well as my mama did.

Mamacooker
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