Wednesday, December 10, 2008

COOKING FOR BOYSMy husband is sure we are having twins. Twin girls. Wishful thinking on his part. As for me, if we find out we are having a girl, I am sure I will get used to the idea, and then wonder how I ever lived without a little girl in my life. But as it is now, I have always envisioned myself as a mother of boys. In fact, when I thought about being a mother, two images came to mind. 1. Carting lots of middle school aged boys to sports. I always pictured being the team mom for my boys baseball and soccer teams. I really look forward to that.
2. Cooking for boys. Growing up as the oldest of four children (eventually five), with three younger brothers, I learned to cook for a crowd of hungry guys. There is nothing so satisfying as a cook (for me, anyway), as the hearty appetites of a tableful of males. I cook and bake A LOT for my little guys, and it is so fun. I bought a HUGE white ceramic bowl at an antique store a few years ago, with visions of plopping it down in front of ravenous guys, full of pasta.

One of my favorite people to cook for is Eli Strickland. He is a close family friend and a high school senior. As a football player and wrestler (and 17 year old), he has a great appetite. And, he is from a family of great cooks who make a wide range of dishes. Translation: he will try just about anything I make.

He came over tonight, and asked me to make "his favorite brownies". How can I turn down that request? I love to cook for this guy! Here is the recipe, in case you are interested. It is my mother's recipe (I don't know where she got it), with a few modifications.

Eli's Favorite Brownies
7 Tablespoons Butter
6 Tablespoons Cocoa
1 Cup Sugar
1 Egg
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
3/4 Cup Self Rising Flour

Melt butter and cocoa together, stirring until smooth.
Remove from heat. Stir in sugar, then egg.
Add vanilla and flour, stirring well.
Pour into 9x9 baking dish.
Bake in 350 degree oven, approximately 20 minutes.

Now, this part is important. I get them out about 2 minutes before they are really done. Chewy around the edges and fudgy in the middle is how he likes them. And, this is crucial. You must put a little pat of butter on top. Don't question it, just do it. Thank me later. Salted butter is best. The slightly salty taste of the butter is the perfect compliment to the sweet, gooey chocolate. Pure bliss.

Cooking for others brings me great happiness. I try not to be offended if someone turns down my offer to cook or bake them something. :)

With each pregnancy, I have been so overjoyed to discover that I was having another BOY. They are so gosh darn sweet. And they love their mamas. And they love to eat!

(The above pictures are of one of my favorite winter meals. Vegetable soup and cornbread. My boys like their cornbread crumbled up in a glass of milk, the way my mother serves it to them.)

12 comments:

  1. the brownies sound delish! Do you grease your pan before you put the mixture in? Lemme know b/c I want to make these later today.

    I LOVE my boys so much too, but the girl factor adds a softness and flair that can't be beat :)

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  2. Aimee-
    I don't grease my pan, just because I am lazy, but I am sure it wouldn't hurt. My mom always greased her pan.

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  3. If you have a girl...or two, don't forget you ARE a mother of boys, quite a few actually ;) You can still be team mom.

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  4. Becky-
    That is SUCH a good point! I guess in my head, I am afraid that if I have a girl, it will mess up this great thing I have going with the boys. I didn't realize that until I read your comment. You should be a therapist! LOL

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  5. If you have a girl you will have her forever, if you have all boys they are all going to fall in love with beautiful women and leave you! Not completely, but I love knowing that Franny and I will always have a close relationship. My mom is my nest friend.

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  6. Anonymous11:18 AM

    One of my favorite things to eat in the world (besides strawberries) is cornbread crumbled up in a glass of milk. I got this from my grandparents and so far I've only passed it down to one child -- Emma. I love reading your posts and seeing your house. Your sending some comfort and encouragement out west to me.
    Congratulations on baby number 4!

    Angie Wilson

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  7. I love how traditions and memories are passed down through the generations. The crumbled cornbread in milk came to me from my Grandma and Grandpa Stiles. I see Angie's grandparents did it too. Maybe it's a Tennessee thing!

    Brandy's right about always having your daughter as best friend. Look at our relationship and how we're blessed by it.

    Of course by Southern standards, our boys should always be in love with their Mamas and call us everyday. So far, I'm hitting 2 out of 3 on that one. I'm thankful for all my children and our relationships; girls or boys.

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  9. I was going to say the same thing about girls eating! Thanks for your blog - I enjoy reading it.

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  10. I tried the brownies and they are wonderful!! I used gluten free flour in place of the wheat, and I could not tell a difference. I just found your blog and am enjoying your posts.

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  11. Found your blog yesterday, made the brownies last night, woke this morning to my husband calling from the office to see if I could make more...

    Thanks for a peek inside your world!!

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