Grandma's Cooking School

A while back Doti and I were discussing making Strawberry Jelly/Jam/Preserves (whatever you want to call it) and I made the comment that my grandma makes the best. We decided that we needed to learn from the best.

Then one Sunday I was at Earl’s house and she made the comment that she was running out of the Strawberry Jelly/Jam/Preserves that I gave her.  She wondered where I got it exactly.  I made the comment that Doti and I wanted to have my grandma teach us how to make it and wondered if she’d be interested in learning as well.  She said, Heck yeah!

So last weekend was the weekend we chose, however sadly Doti got sick so it was just Earl, Moo and me.  And did we make Strawberry Jam or what!?!?

We wound up with 9 jars a piece.  I’d say that’s pretty darn good!

After we got the jam/jelly/preserves jarred up and separated out between 2 boxes, then we started cooking lunch.  Our lunch consisted of homemade Chicken & Noodles & Kid Friendly Muffins (recipe below).

Moo did so well working with my grandma.  Usually when they are home she’s off in her room playing school teacher while Earl is cooking.  However Moo made me a promise that if I gave her an apron, she’d help her momma in the kitchen more.  I kept up my end of the bargain and she got an apron just like Tbug’s :).

By the end of our time with Grandma, before Earl and Moo had to leave to go to a relatives house, Grandma & Moo made a pie.  In fact, they made 2 pies.  A chocolate cream and an apple pie.

Grandma was teaching Moo how to do the pretty pie crust. 

I’m not going to lie, Moo did a better job than Earl and I either one did.

Kid Friendly Muffins

Prep time/total time 30 minutes
Yield’s 1 Dozen

2 1/2 cups pancake mix
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
2/3 cup water
1/4 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cups berries of choice (we did craisins)

In a large bowl, combine pancake mix and sugar.

In another bowl whisk the egg, water and oil.

Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Fold in berries.

Fill muffin tins 2/3rds full of mix.  Bake at 400 degrees for 14-16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan and eat with butter (or without!!)

Moo did such a fabulous job cooking.  I’m ready to go again!!!  I like Earl’s idea of doing this once a month.  There’s so much knowledge in Grandma’s head that we’d be pro’s by the time we were done!!  Hey Doti, are you in for the next round? I hope!!

By the way, today is Doti’s 30th Birthday!!!  She’s the first of the 3 of us (Earl, Doti & me) to turn 30.  Hopefully she gets over her sickness and has a fabulous birthday!!