Soul Food

July 1950 at the beach

I guess there will be three time I miss her the most: Christmas, July, and in the kitchen (so this means macaroni pie on Christmas Eve will really do a number on me). I finally cracked open my first box of treasure that I brought home from her house featuring my most favorite finds. All of the pictures from the early 1900s, recipes, and her joke book. The smells, the hand writing, the smiles in the photographs .... ahhh inhale and exhale both breath and memories.

I am in a state of abundance because within the mini cookbook she made her sorority sisters, were hand written recipes as well as hand written prayers. Anyone with good sense would know that a true soul food cookbook needs two things: good food and good heart. I guess both of those categories are subjective so I understand if one or both don't float your boat. However, give them both a try at the same time and wow I think we have a winner here.

There is nothing like eating good peaches in July. I try to find quality ones up here, but nothing quite compares to the sweet juicy flavorful fruit grown down South. My Grandmother used to make peach ice cream (still searching for that recipe) and a wonderful peach cobbler. When ever we came to her house in the summer she would serve peaches and then send us home with some more. I was lucky enough to have a dear friend bring me some peaches from Columbia the other day, which inspired me to pull out this old recipe. Now, BB might have you fooled. The recipe was actually given to her by a friend so I have to give credit where credit is due. Thank you Loretta for sharing your kitchen secrets with the public!

Loretta's Peach Cobbler 


Mix Together and set aside:


3 Cups ripe sliced peaches
3/4 Cup sugar


Heat oven to 350 degrees: chop 1 stick of butter into oblong baking dish and set in oven to melt. Stir batter of:


1/2 Cup sugar
Pinch salt
3/4 Cup self-rising flour (add 2 tsp baking powder if using plain flour)
3/4 Cup milk (2% or whole)


Pour batter over melted butter in pan, do not stir. Place sugared peaches on top, do not stir. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes. Batter will rise and brown. Serve with ice cream. 



When done, read this card and then eat. Feel free to repeat until full.


BB's Prayer Card

Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for the privilege of gathering tonight in this home. We realize always and everywhere we need you.

In our weakness to sustain us.
In our despair to encourage us.
In our strength to discipline us.

May the teaching of the Blessed Lord be our conscience as we strive to make wise decisions and that these decisions be pleasing to you. And now, bless this food as a supplement to the needs and nourishment of our bodies according to your rich graces.