Mildred's Fried Chicken:

Mildred touched my life twice. She was the cook at Vestavia Elementary school and also at Cobb Lane.  Her fried chicken was as divine as her personality.

Salt and pepper the washed chicken breast, skin on and bone in. Drop in a bag of  about cup of flour. I like old bread sacks.Use a cast iron skillet with vegetable oil.  Vegetable oil can withstand the heat of cooking fried chicken. Drip a bit of water and if it dances in the oil you can gently put the chicken breast skin side down in.  Be careful because it can spit and cause the oil to jump around. Let it cook on high about 3 minutes. Flip breasts. Turn down the heat to medium and cover. Let it cook about ten minutes.  Check to see if done.  Remember there are many variable to consider such as size of boobs, not cooks the chicken's. These are just guidelines but the hot to medium and cover should give crispy yummy Fried Chicken.

What's next for this blog? 

Well what comes to mind is my Laundry Skills.  They did not come from my mother but were self taught out of absolute necessity.  When I was at Southern Living I would travel so much, one of my first questions was where is the nearest Laundromat.  I would pack dirty clothes and wash on the road.  Another trick was to buy clothes.  Never forget traveling to Norfolk extremely pregnant getting to the airport, got a quarter out, looked in the phone book for maternity shops and drove to the shop and purchased two pairs of pants to wear because I had nothing to wear. No cell phones back then.  When I moved to Auburn we still used a laundromat and the one thing I needed was a washing machine and dryer. Taking clothes to the Laundromat pregnant was not a dream come true.  Finally Alabama Power delivered our machines and I started my love affair with laundry.  Well actually it took a little longer.  We moved to the new house and David had been born and at that time I was still using hot, throwing everything in and praying for the best.  I would get entire loads completely blue and some were completely pink and throwing all the clothes away did not work after a while.  I decided at that point to become the true Laundry Queen.  Being in Auburn full time was actually extremely boring so I had to develop things to keep me excited. Getting stains out became a true thrill.  Putting in a red dirt stained sock and have it come out clean gave me a true rush. I scolded David for spilling something on his shirt and he looked at me with cherub eyes and said, but Momma you got the mustard stain out of my karate uniform.  He used to complain that his baseball pants were too white which indicated he didn't get to play much. The true test to getting a clean load is hot hot water, Clorox, and Tide. Separate the wash dark and light.  Very important!  Boy did I feel accomplished after weeks when both children returned from Camp Mac.  Check for stains and pour Tide directly on the stain.  If you need to soak that is when the top loader washer is the best. Horrible dried in stains need soaking. Ordinary stains will usually come out with the Tide method.  If the stain does not come out do not dry.  The rush comes when you open the door pull out the clothes.  Clorox has left me sad  because I have lost pants due to Clorox splatters but if the clothes can handle the Clorox go for it.  Darks are just thrown in washer and put on warm and let her rip.  When they come out of the dryer hang them up tee shirts and all.  I never iron until I actually am about to wear it.  I do remember many hours ironing Arthur's shirts.  Wonder if the adulteror does that. Sorry Jennie and David couldn't resist.  Just did something that worked.  I sprayed the Clorox Cleaner with Bleach for cleaning counters onto a stain and it got it out.  True rush!

In the kitchen....

Here I am in my kitchen cooking like a wild woman.. When you cook you must first find the recipe, hunt and gather, get the timing right, and then get down to business.

Finding the recipe is critical.  I knew someone who would not have a clue what she was cooking nor read the recipe before starting and in the middle of the recipe it would say soak overnight and she would say oh that's not important and then it would taste like, I'm not going there.  So read the recipe.  I just baked a cake for a friend's 60th birthday,  In fact it's in the oven right this second.  I do not like whipping egg whites to a hard peak. It seemed in every recipe that was important so I kept hunting.  She wanted chocolate but could not have nuts.  I found a recipe in The Progressive Farmer Cookbook given to Aunt Jennie in 1960 from her dear friend Clarisse. She spoke to her on the phone every day at 2:00 after As The World Turns.  You could set your watch by Aunt Jennie.

Hunting and gathering because if you are missing a critical ingredient well you are up the creek without a paddle. First look in your own kitchen to see if that box of baking soda is really there and the vanilla has more than a quarter of a teaspoon.  I like 3x5 cards for my lists or backs of envelopes although they still get left but do you best to keep your list in your pocketbook. I can swear like a sailor to realize my list is on the counter in the kitchen, Hey these things happen. When that happens look at the box in the grocery store and find a recipe that will work.  Best pecan pie is on the back of light Karo Syrup and the best Mac and Cheese is on the back of pasta so if that happens it's okay just be flexible.

Timing is critical. If company is coming at 6:00 and it's 5:59 and the steaks are still frozen I don't believe they will accept an invitation unless they are homeless. Baking cake this morning was important because you cannot ice a hot cake and the birthday is tomorrow so I will ice and decorate in the morning. Plan your life around the timing although I know life can get in the way of the schedule. That's when you cut up two tomatoes and dump a drained can of small LeSuer peas into the bowl dump a couple of tablespoons of Hellman's and serve as if you have been slaving all day.  Have stand bys available.  I thought I would tell the adulter this recipe and say it was my ex's favorite salad. He hated it... Hee hee hee.  Still want to but could not ever speaking to that woman.

The preparation is the fun part.  I do remember the Cooking Staff at Southern Living would always mention they cleaned there kitchen after every meal prepared.  I remember trying to cook with Jennie and David at my feet, trying not to step in spilled apple juice ( they were born before sippy cups)  I remember David pouring his apple juice out of his cup as if he was discovering gravity. I wondered how the kitchen staff would handle two children three and four in the kitchen with them.  Tricky but then they grow up.  Rejoice in the time spent and the fact they grew up.  Cake is done and it smells divine.

I've been missing you. Sorry!

Since I last wrote much has happened.  Most importantly is I have moved into a new apartment which was at once the Pizitz Department Store.   A treasured memory of growing up in Birmingham was to go  downtown usually after church at Christmas and Easter to see the windows at Pizitz and Lovemans and Burger Phillips. Trains would move around smiling and turning Santa who had a twinkle in his eye to astound the children.  Easter time the little furry bunnies would carefully hold their eggs and move their little heads.  Whole families of little bunnies filled the window and we watched with sheer delight.  The photo of me above is significant because the outfit I am wearing in the Santa picture is what I would wear to see the windows at Christmas.  Notice the mink muff and imagine me with it around my neck with a satin braided ribbon. Oh the softness of that little muff and a magical texture to this day I remember.


        Anyone who grew up in Birmingham would remember The Pizitz as a wonderful department store in the center of down town.  We lived in a new part of Birmingham away from town in a home designed and built by my parents with four children  Long Sunday afternoons we played kickball or later tether ball. A whole wall allowed one to hit a tennis ball for hours.  Games played like Annie Over where a tennis ball was thrown over the roof and if caught the one that caught it would sneak around and then try and hit the opponent with the ball thus making them go to the other side. If you could run around the house back to your side you didn't have to go to the other side. The game was won when one side had all the other team members. Daddy made is own grill  with cinder blocks and a steel grate that he would light hickory wood under for the most divine Sirloin Steaks.  No one lived near by so you could ride your bike up and down the gravel road without seeing a soul.  I had a Mimosa tree I climbed to look out. We had horses we rode and because the house was made for children there were large rooms where we could roller skate inside with our boot skates. When the milkman came we would ride with him to the end of the road and walk back to the house.  Isolated yes but a joy growing up.  I would complain that my only friends were trees.
         The best thing was Aunt Jennie who lived right next door. Her sister, Aunt Nell lived with her in a house that was build mostly by my father and his brothers.  My Grandmother was there too but she tragically died of of breast cancer when I was 7.That affected my mother quite deeply.  The chicken salad sandwich recipe Aunt Jennie did was made because Mimi died close to my mother's birthday and she wanted to help momma over the sadness she felt. Another time I will reminisce with Aunt Jennie and Aunt Nell stories.
         Living at the Pizitz is so very wonderful and I am so happy.  Willie the big black and white dog and I walk around the block but sometimes we venture to Railroad Park for an extended walk.  We are smack dab in the middle of  downtown.The house momma loved so much is on the market and I am slowly trying to sort out the good from the not so good.  I am in the middle of books right now. It is painful but I found someone whose high school burned and they are trying to get the library filled with books so a whole trunk full went with her.  It is slow but I am chipping away at it. We did have an estate sale and many things did sell but a lot was left.

Enjoy Cobb Lane!

Cobb Lane

Seven years old I went with momma to magical Cobb Lane.  I knew it was fancy because I was wearing proper clothes.  A lovely lady Mrs. Cobb greeted us and from that day on my life changed in a most rewarding manner. The best description of Mrs. Cobb is as encouraging and inspirational.  There was a doll house as big as me and I could peer into the windows to see a real home for doll babies.  The smells were divine but the best were the rolls that melted in my mouth.  I could eat the entire basket but momma gave me the LOOK and I cowered and put two back. Later when I photographed Cobb lane I went to the kitchen where Rosy cut the yeast rolls with a jigger to make the perfect size roll. Chicken Supreme was the favorite dish.

Chicken Supreme

Chicken breast with skin and bones
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can cream of celery
 With skin side up put the chicken in a dish that can go into the oven. Pour the cans of soup and spread over the breasts.  Add one can of water and smooth. Put into a 350 degree for about an hour.  When finished sprinkle with paprika and serve over rice with a salad.  The best for company or a nice dinner for family.

For vacation bible school one year our craft was making yardstick holders using mattress ticking. Sewing the two sided together made a nice container after sewing on a ring. It looked great.  Mrs. Cobb saw my ruler holder commissioned me to make them to sell at Cobb Lane.  How exciting to get money for a project Momma and I created together. Mrs. Cobb commissioned me to photograph her grandchildren. I called it Grandmother's Delight.  I mounted the black and white photographs on 11x14 board and used rub on letters to create the words describing the photos. She gave me $100.00. I really think it began my desire to be a photographer.

When Mrs. Cobb was 42 her husband died leaving her with two children to raise.  Her tea shop as she called it became a reality because she would invite friends over and she would serve tea sandwiches which became her restaurant.  I will never forget the year Birmingham saluted France for the Festival of the Arts. Mrs. Cobb asked me the time and I said 1:00. She said oh no and pulled the comb from her hair, swooped her hair back into shape and said I think I am going to be late for Julia Childs and rushed off. The She Crab Soup and Roulage were other dishes she made famous but one she used on occasion was Shrimp Louisianne.

Shrimp Louisianne

1  to 2 pounds of jumbo peeled raw shrimp 
I can of cream of mushroom
1 bottle of cocktail sauce
two handfuls of celery chopped fine
two handfuls of onion chopped fine

Saute onion and celery in butter
Put in soup and cocktail sauce and let come to a slow boil turn down
Add shrimp and cook till they are pink
Serve over rice with a salad. Definitely for company!

Mildred was another cook who could fry chicken like no other person alive.

Chicken breast with skin and bones
Vegetable oil
Cast Iron Skillet  showing in the inside of the chicken breast. Great for picnics. Serve with Devil Eggs Potato Salad, Celery and Carrot sticks, Anything yummy for dessert.

Malcolm Memories

Happy Mardi Gras!

 

 Someone who didn't know my history said I noticed the blog said your brother was killed in 1983. That brought up a lot of memories.  Momma ruled the house and education was the king.  We all were expected to finish college. We befriended a family in Mexico the summer of 1968.  Another story another time. Malcolm's dear friend Hector visited Alabama and when Malcolm was headed to college he chose the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico. Malcolm had worked construction in the summers to pay for his education. Christmas, 1974 a school bus that had been converted into a glorified Hippie RV grunted up to the top of the hill.  Out popped Malcolm and a couple. After many hugs he started bringing out wooden boxes, probably hundred boxes.. He opened them and they were filled with African trade beads, and an array of colored and shaped beads no one could  imagine.  He then told momma and daddy he had used the money for his last semester of college to buy the beads and he was quitting college. He had one semester to complete his degree in Anthropology.  Momma stood in shock.  Daddy who rarely got involved in these sorts of things looked at momma and said, Well Jane what do you think? She was silent. He quit and never returned to college.  He and Virginia Cobb were dear friends.  When he was 10 he worked for Mrs. Cobb going into the woods to gather ferns she would put on the fountain. Guests would eat their chicken supreme and other treats to the sound of the bubbling fountain. Another blog for later. Dr. Clayton owned the Victorian house going up the hill on 20th street and it was going to be torn down for parking for Cobb Lane.  Malcolm told Dr. Clayton he would restore the house if he could open his gallery and sell his beads he turned into exquisite necklaces. The Signature House was born.  He gathered artists and and potters and weavers and glass blowers who needed a place to sell their wares and gave them a home.  The second floor became a gift shop known as The Different Drummer. Malcolm was very active in Southside and found a grant that would revitalize the community.  Horror stuck and Malcolm simply did not come home. His car was in the parking lot but no Malcolm.   We became front page news and nothing turned up.  Momma and I were frantic. The people in the gallery were dumbfounded.  A man in Shelby County was looking for coins and spotted his body and Malcolm had been found dead.  The man who confessed to murdering him had hugged my mother and told her he would return.  I can't go into this now. We decided to complete the Five Points project which was almost complete to have a fountain in the spot where a very simple wrought iron fountain had been  proposed.  We set to work and Malcolm's friends came to the rescue. Malcolm was friends with Frank Fleming and Frank Stitt. Frank Fleming had the concept of a lion reading to the animals with the theme of the peaceable kingdom.  Frank Stitt said he would have a fundraiser at Highlands Bar and Grill. Invitations had the design and were mailed to all of Malcolm's customer's and friends and all who loved Birmingham. Elton B. and Alysis Stephens were invited.  Alysis was asking Frank Fleming about the design and whispered to him what about the lion's private parts. Frank gave a little laugh and the lion became a Ram wearing britches.  And that is the story of how the fountain became the way it is.  Never was it a pagan symbol.  All that was absolutely crazy.

Please forgive my lapse in blogging.  Things are going fine but alas the delay came because I was selecting the next thing to talk about and determined it would be my beloved brother Malcolm. I  edited potential photographs and took them to be scanned and thought hey this is a great story I should pitch this to B Metro. I sent Joe O Donald a text and he wrote back and we set a time and day which I eagerly put in my calendar. I decided to wait on the blog post till I knew what was to happen.  Put on my outfit  went to the magazine, something I had really mustered courage to do.  Walked in ten minutes early and cautiously asked if Joe was in.  He was gone so I pitched my idea and showed images to the creative director and she was going to give the story idea to Joe  Nothing back. Their loss because it is a great story which will be told at another time.

So what recipe will you get. A while back a friend who is involved with the Dixie Art Foundation in Wetumpka which my mother was a participant asked me to help with the next meeting. Sure I said but it was lunch for 35 people and I was to do the chicken salad.  Actually it was a pleasure to do it but it did take some planning.  One cannot purchase the chicken too early because it could go bad nor could one purchase it too late because you could run out of time.  Making chicken salad till the wee morning is not my idea of fun.  So I bought two gigantic trays of chicken breasts and two smaller packs of boned and skinned chicken breast.  White meat for this chicken salad. It is the recipe used at the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta which  I enjoyed with Mrs. Virginia Cobb. She got so excited when we got the yummy treat.  Look she said there are sliced grapes in the chicken salad. Now it's a common occurrence but back then, oh I was probably ten, a true novelty. So boil the chicken till the bones almost fall off.  Put celery tops and green onions in the pot with chicken. Boil then turn down to very low and let is simmer for about three hours.  That's the day before.  Day of making the chicken salad give yourself about three hours.  Two stalks of celery and four lemons and lots and lots of Hellman's Mayo. I dust off the food processor for this.  Typically I will only use a knife to prepare things but this would be so labor intensive the food processor with the slicing blade and the grinding blade are the best solution. Chicken is cool so remove all the meat from the bones leaving only skin and gristle for the dog.  Prepare celery by cutting tops and stems off and wash.  Squeeze the lemons. I put the slicing blade on and process the chicken putting it in a very large bowl.  I process the celery using the slicing tool and then the grinding blade. Use quick pulses because you want the celery to provide a nice texture not a liquid mess. Aunt Jennie made chicken salad for the birthday picnic for momma. She sliced the celery with a very sharp knife she kept in the back drawer away from children's fingers.  She put it in cardboard. Remember this is for 35 people so amend as you need to. Wash grapes and pull off the stems.  Start mixing everything using your eye to determine the desired results.  Mix chicken, celery, mayo, and lemon juice. About an hour before serving add the grapes which you slice in half. The luncheon was a big success and everybody enjoyed the goodies.  Lots of fun.