I have been cooking in a kitchen since I was probably 10 years old. When I reached Jr High School level I really got interested in cookbooks. I enjoyed finding a recipe and trying it. I remember the first recipe I tried from a book was Eggs Benedict. This was breakfast for my parents, brothers and sisters. Since we did not have English Muffins I improvised and used plain toast. Some of the surprisingly best meals are made with substitutions. I have always enjoyed cooking especially when everything is neat and in order. I have to admit most of my meals are made without recipes. Most of them are made from memories of being in the kitchen with my mom, my mother-in-law, with aunts and friends. Of course I do have some favorite recipes passed to me from friends and family and sometimes from a cookbook.

I have been preparing for our Thanksgiving meals. I have realized it is hard to share some of my recipes because there is no exact recipe. I prepare most of them from trial and error each time. I have been working on Chicken and Dressing today. I tried to write each step down so I could share. This is for sure one that will need to be tasted many times before it is complete.

Chicken and Dressing

1. I make my dressing from regular homemade cornbread that I make 2 days before making the dressing. 2. I boil 3-4 chicken breast. 3. De-bone and remove the skin when breast are cooked and cooled. 4.Chop chicken, a large onion and 3 stalks of celery and cook in 1/2 stick of butter. 5. I crumble cornbread into a large bowl, add vegetables and a can of cream of chicken soup. Add rubbed sage, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper. I use the broth from cooked chicken for making the dressing. I always have a can of broth on hand just in case I need more. I add spices and broth until it taste and has the texture I want. Pour into a large casserole dish and Bake 350 oven for about 40 minutes or until lightly brown.

Simple I know. That is the way we like it at my house.

I now have my Sweet Potato Casseroles and Chicken and Dressing in the freezer. Hope your preparations are going well.