fry cakes

I had a lovely bridal shower in November, filled with lots of hot tea, cookies and mini sandwiches. It was an amazing tea party and I felt more than blessed at everything I was given for our home. One of my most prized gifts was a cookbook from my mother, where she hand wrote all our family recipes.

I will cherish it forever. I love looking through it and it always brings back memories of watching her in the kitchen. This one in particular is a family favorite, probably most loved by my sister Ashley. I remember many Saturday mornings when we both still lived at home and she would whip up these fry cakes for her and I to enjoy.

The entire time I was rolling out the dough and dropping the cakes in the hot oil, I was thinking of her. My whole kitchen smelled like my Mom's kitchen and it was bringing back a ton of memories when I was a little girl. It's so amazing how recipes can do that.

Have you ever had Fry Cakes? They are so easy. It's just a few basic ingredients kneaded together, then rolled out. They fry up like doughnuts but are not very sweet.

 

SO delicious. They kind of taste like fried biscuits. Are you okay with that? I am more than okay with that.

They are best topped with butter and syrup, like pancakes or waffles. But you probably didn't really need me to make that comparison.

I love how simple this recipe is. Basically... "Mix together, roll and cut, fry and eat."

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Fry Cakes

Yields 7-10 three inch round cakes

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 cup milk, maybe less

Stir all the ingredients together until moistened. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Pour in about 1/4 inch layer of oil and let it heat up. You can test the heat of your oil by dropping in a small scrap piece of dough. If it drops in to the bottom without bubbling at all, its not hot enough. If it bubbles and rises to the top immediately, its too hot.

Flour your surface and roll the dough out until about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Cut the cakes into desired shapes (I used a biscuit cutter, but you could use the open end of a drinking glass or whatever you have) and place into the hot oil. They should cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and puffy.

Serve immediately with butter and syrup, if desired.

my sister's son

I had the pleasure of taking some shots of my sweet nephew, Joshua. He is amazing. Fills my life with joy!

I was right by his Mama's side when he was born. Now I get to watch him grow up. It is such a privilege only another Aunt can understand. I hope these pictures make you all smile!

a new life

My one and only sister had a precious baby boy last week. So if you're wondering why I disappeared for a few days, it's because I was falling head over heels in love with a boy.

I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the birth story. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, something I will never forget. My incredible sister fought through 50+ hours of hard labor for her son.

 

Welcome to the world, sweet boy. I can't believe how much I love someone I've only known for 4 days. You are so incredibly loved. I cannot wait to watch you grow!

buffalo chicken dip on mother's day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! I am lucky to have such a fantastic, loving, kind mother. She taught me everything I know about cooking, which is a hobby we both share and enjoy doing together. I remember many holidays over the years, being so excited to hear what Mom's menu plans were and when we would start cooking and baking together.

This Mother's Day, my sister and I made dinner and invited the family over to her house. We decided to do baked pasta, fresh green salad and crusty bread for dinner. It was a good, heart warming meal surrounded by my Mom, Grandmother, Aunt and sister... all incredible mothers.

By the way, my sister's belly is SO CUTE. I can't stand it. Her baby boy is growing every day and is so healthy. He moves around all the time, I've even seen a little bump on her belly once. I'd like to think he was giving me a high five. This little angel will be my parent's first grandbaby. Also the first boy in our family in a long time. Can you imagine how spoiled?

She won't let me take pictures of her belly. I totally want to show you.

So back to Mother's Day...

We had a cheese-fest before dinner. I am always okay with that.

I also made the classiest appetizer ever - buffalo chicken dip made with canned chicken. I mean, it doesn't get more five star than that.

This is how we do it in my family... forget the spoon.

Ashley made a pound cake for dessert. Served with strawberries and whipped cream. Her husband planted strawberries, and they are just started to bloom. We ate a few strawberries right from the bush... does it get much better than that?

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! What did you do for Mother's Day?

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Buffalo Chicken Dip

print this recipe

2 (10 oz) cans chunk white chicken breast, drained
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Wing Sauce
2 cups shredded colby jack cheese
1 (8 oz) box Ritz or butter flavored crackers

Mix chicken, cream cheese, wing sauce and 1 1/2 cups cheese in a large mixing bowl until well combined. You will have to really work with this to get it mixed. Transfer the whole thing to a 13x9 pan spray with cooking spray. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese evenly on top. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until cheese is bubbly. Serve with crackers.

Recipe adapted from AllRecipes.com

photos from williamsburg, virginia

I went to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia last November (2010) with my grandparents and my cousin, Devon. We stayed at the cutest house and had a great time.

Nana and Papa took my sister Ashley, Devon and I to Williamsburg almost every year when we were little. We have so many happy memories there.

I was looking back through some pictures and wanted to post ones I had looked over before, but now see how beautiful they are.

This tavern is a restaurant, and a darn good one. They make spoon bread that is to. die. for.

Devon told me before we went, "I don't want anything but spoon bread for dinner tonight. I want to eat spoon bread until it's coming out of my ears ... and then I want to eat some more."

Happy Wednesday, everyone! You're almost to the weekend. Love.