This is my friend LeAnn Rice. She’s an amazing woman, mom, servant leader, friend, and so much more. She’s one of the most beautiful people I know – inside and out! She loves like Jesus in every way. And she’s an incredible cooker!
Cookers are the kind of people who like to cook.
I’m not a cooker. But I grew up in a family of cookers. My mom is a cooker. My dad is a great cooker, and my brothers love to be in the kitchen cooking. My oldest brother is even a trained chef.
When I was growing up, there was no reason or room in the kitchen for me to cook. I did everyone a favor and stayed outside chasing boys and butterflies. Then one day I got married and discovered my husband’s love-language is food.
During our first week home from our honeymoon I tried to tap into my lineage of cookers and whip up a traditional meal I’d grown up eating. I was from New Orleans. Surely I could remember what went into red beans and rice: red beans, rice, sausage, and red wine, right?
I wish you could have been there to taste and smell my creation. However, you might have been carded if you had come for dinner that night. I’m pretty sure my newlywed husband got drunk just walking through the front door of our apartment. I think I poured the whole bottle of wine into my “I will just make it up as I go” red beans and rice.
Needless to say, when I asked JJ if he liked the special meal I cooked for him, he sheepishly told me I didn’t have to cook such fancy things and I wouldn’t need to try making this one again. Bless his Pennsylvania heart, he just wanted meatloaf and potatoes.
I’m still not much of a cooker, but I do love to cook for my peeps. Over the past 17 years, I’ve learned a few thing about cooking. First I learned that recipes are a good idea. And that trying to impress my family with fancy fixings is not. They just want their favorites. Simple is best, and homemade speaks volumes of love.
My friend LeAnn invited me to guest post on her website She Cooks. I didn’t have much to say so I simply shared my homemade chicken noodle soup recipe. It’s yummy, I promise. My son Joshua even wrote about it in a poem for his literature class last year. He said I could show it to you here:
Where I am From
I am from being outside.
I am from friends playing together.
I am from trampolines and wooden forts.
I am from imaginations combining together to create something marvelous.
I am from early Christmas mornings in front of the fire.
I am from Halloween in the back of a pickup.
I am from Easters at Grandmas.
I am from Uncle Bill’s lake on the 4th of July.
I am from red beans and rice while watching Moby Dick with a friend.
I am from eating huge piles of cheese fries from Outback with a former NFL player.
I am from crawfish and crab at Grandpa’s house after catching them.
I am from homemade chicken noodle soup that could be mistaken to be from heaven.
I am from mistakes and successes.
I am from fun times and sad times.
I am from wonderful memories.
I am from a wonderful life.
And it’s not even halfway done.
©2009, Joshua Swope.
Did you see how he mentioned his momma’s chicken noodle soup!? And used the word “heaven” in the same sentence. Now that’s progress for a non-cooker wanna be mom. Yes, he also mentioned red beans and rice. He grew up on Zataran’s, without the wine.
Well friend, I don’t know if you’re a cooker. I just know family and friends love when we cook for them. There’s just something about the smells and feelings that spread through the kitchen when memories are made around the table, across the counter or over the stove. It’s so special that sometimes our cookin’ even gets mentioned in poems written by boys about life and the things they love!
I can’t be much help in the cooking department, so that’s why I want you to meet my friend LeAnn. She’s got all kinds of encouragement and wonderful recipes that will make your mouth water! But before I send you off to her site, be sure to enter to win a copy of her fabulous e-book “Sharing Grace.”
It’s full of memory-making inspiration and wonderful recipes. Just click on the word “comments” below this post and tell me if you are a cooker or not, what your family likes to eat, or memories you’ve made over meals. And if you’ve ever gotten someone drunk or sick with your cookin’, ‘d love to hear all about that!
That’s all you’ve got to do to be entered to win, and be sure to include your email or I won’t be able to tell you. Also, last week’s winner of Jill Beran’s book “Letters from Leanne“ is Anonymous who posted at 11:54pm. Jill will be in touch to get your address.
i used to be a cooker. loved it! loved working with food and sharing a meal friends and family could enjoy! for a few years i was really enjoying it. now things are pretty tight, don't have my own place and it's just not the same. finding if i eat at all it's a good day. would love to get back to sharing good food with good people again!
I like to cook, I just dont have alot of time with working full-time. As a guy friend told me once, anybody can cook if you can read a receipe. So I like to collect receipes and try them on my husband when I have time, but I really enjoy it at the holidays when we have alot of family. I enjoy making new things.
Hello Renee!
I enjoy cooking and I love to bake. My husband however, is definitely the chef of the house. In fact, he even has a culinary arts degree (although he has chosen to only use it at home! –NOT that I'm complaining!) When we first moved in together, he worked until late in the evening (9 or 10) so I got to cook more and more, and at this point I was still set out to impress him! We had been in a long distance relationship for 10 months (him in Colorado and me in Kansas) so when I moved to CO and in with him, I decided I was going to make up for lost time! I was still looking for a job and such, he was working til late, so I had nothing more to really do than impress him with food! My family recipes were a bit different than his, but he was always such a trooper to try them, most of the time to find out that I loved them! He would take off Valentines Day every year to cook the day away for a 5 course meal for me that evening – yes I'm a lucky lady! Always things that I would be "wow"ed by, which always seemed to be the case. Once he stopped working the late hours, we shared more of the cooking responsibilities for and the more he cooked the more intimidated I was. I had always felt like I was supposed to be the "cook" of the home, wasn't that how it is in ALL homes? I was soon a bit worried that I was less of a "woman of the house" because my husband was a better cook than I. After a few months of me feeling this way, I learned that there wasn't anything 'wrong' with me like I thought, and I should take advantage of his talents because it was fine that he was a chef, because I loved to bake which he has never felt like was his strong point. So, we both share our strong points in the kitchen and help each other here and there, it is now a beautiful thing!
I can't think of a time where I made anyone sick – thank goodness, but I can think of a time I was so embarrassed! When my husband graduated with his bachelors degree, we had all of our families over, and a few friends. He LOVES my pie that has peaches and raspberries, with homemade graham cracker crust and topping. He had been talking about it all day with everyone and he was so thrilled I was making it. Well, with the distraction of so many people in my home I some how messed up the pie crust so it didn't exactly hold, and to top it off, I left it in the oven just a little too long. It ended up being served looking like it was a cobbler, which wasn't the end of the world, but my pie had so much expectations -at least in my head it did- so I was so disappointed it wasn't up to the standards!
I love trying new recipes all of kinds and would love the eBook!
The poem your boy wrote is so good!
I am a cooker and my roots are also in Louisiana, which explains why I spice everything up.
And I just took a coconut pie out of the oven.
Okay I'm making chicken noodle soup tonight. My husband informed me it's not a meal so I'm grilling him a chicken breast also 🙂 I hope to convert him. I'll let you know. I'm serving it with cornbread and lots of raw veggies. Super excited!!
I am definitely a "cooker!" Nothing makes me happier than feeding my family and friends. I can sit and read cookbooks like novels! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I can't wait to make it for my family!
Your chicken noodle soup recipe is going on my menu plan for next week. It looks absolutely yummy!
My parents were pastors & missionaries, so I grew up cooking a lot of things from scratch. I didn't realize at the time that this was a way that my mom was saving money.
I like to cook & try new recipes all the time. But since we have started homeschooling, my favorite recipes are ones that I can put in the crock pot & have it do all of the work!
Your story sounds a lot like mines. There was no room for me in my grandmothers kitchen. However, as I got older I had the opportunity to call her and ask her questions. When she would say "a pinch of this" and a "pinch of that" I would be like well "grannie what exactly to you mean by a pinch". She would say "Oh girl" I learned though that jumping right in there and praying and going for it really helps. With a lot of prayer I have cooked some really good dishes. My meatloaf, if I say so myself is very good!! And moist! I get a lot of request for it. Haven't put any one in the hospital yet!!!
Renee,
I'm not a cooker either, but I am always trying to become more comfortable in the kitchen.
Thankfully, I have lots of "cooker" friends who have helped me through the years!! Planning seems to be my shortfall………..not having what I need when I need it.
I am having a give-away this week, too, for a new book from Moody Publishers!! Putting God Back in the Holidays! I wanted to let everyone know!
http://www.tammynischan.blogspot.com
Love you, Renee. Have a great week!
I love to cook. I wish I had more time to cook more meals from scratch. My kids love spaghetti, chili, lasagne and their family favorite is a recipe I got from mom, meatballs and rice. That's what each family member wants for their birthday dinner. Thank you for the chance to win this prize.
God bless!
[email protected]
I am a cooker and baker because it was a necessity when I grew up. I grew up on a farm, so I grew up thinking that each mother had the role of cooking.
Meatballs, hamburgers (that the hubby grills:)), homemade pizza and spaghetti seem to be the favorite meals. I especially enjoy a ceasar salad that is always a hit at get-togethers. The dressing is so simple. I even impressed an aunt with it and told her it was not in ANY cookbook she has!!
I like to cook from scratch, but have been using some mixes more…
Not a cooker—but you should've guessed that since we are such "kindred spirits." Like you I've learned to adapt for my family. They LOVE my cooking and I have no idea why. It's simple recipes I discover everywhere and ingredients I've heard of and know where to find in the grocery store. 😉
Thanks for giving a shout out for my giveaway too!
Hi Renee,
Although I enjoy cooking I'm not the "chef" in my house. I have learned I need to use a recipe. My husband says I am great at the quick weeknight meal (aka open a box, through in a few extra ingredients and wha-la you've got dinner). My husband in the real cook in our house. He makes amazing dinners without recipes. I love eating the dinners he cooks.
I love to try new recipes. I have tried several of LeAnn's from her blog. They have all been wonderful. I can't to see what she has in her ebook. And I can't wait to try your Chicken Noodle Soup.
Have a blessed weekend,
Mary
I am a cooker, or used to be before all the kids left the nest! My sister, my daughter and I even published a cookbook called "Two Sisters Plus One" with all the family favorite recipes. To the best of my knowledge, no one has gotten sick from any of the recipes!! Love the story Renee!
I am a cooker and have 4 children and a husband who love to eat. The kids remember holidays and birthdays not by the gift but by the special dessert Mommy makes. For Easter we have the Pound cake in the cross mold(muscle cake as my 6 now 8 yr old called it), for Christmas we have Jesus' birthday cake a jewish apple cake for breakfast for Daddy's birthday we have Mommy's special carrot cake and the list goes on so I feel honored and blessed, they like my cookin' – most of the time! I am making a pot of chicken noodle soup this weekend so we will be thinking of you! blessings
karen g.
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I love to cook and my family all had their favorites, from meatloaf and mashed potatoes to lemon chicken pasta. The amount of cooking I do has diminished over the years as my kids have grown up and left home but they still as for their favorites when they're here, which is why I'm working on putting our family recipes together in books for them for Christmas. I've also found that I can minister to others in our church by making meals for those who are sick or taking care of loved ones. I'm blessed to be able to still share my love of cooking with others.
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When my kids were young, we had "open house" Thanksgiving, which usually meant we fed the college kids from church. One day I was trying to be efficient and popped five homemade pies in the oven. Well, I managed to set the entire oven on fire, but fortunately, I lived 1 block from a firestation. The firemen came a-runnin' and laughed until they cried. I was humiliated, but bravely took them an apple pie later that day. (I didn't tell them it was one of the "fire house" pies, because strangely enough, none of the pies were ruined!)
i am a cooker and like making from scratch meals for my family. just last week i was showing my 6 year old how to make biscuits from scratch ~ she did not want to make round ones and pulled out the heart and star shaped cookie cutters.
i would love a new cook book for more inspiration!
What perfect timing to read your blog for the first time! Definitely NOT a cooker!! While I was making dinner tonight (of which the main dish was Kraft macaroni & cheese) I made a mental note that I really need to work on this whole cooking thing! I'm excited to explore LeAnn's website and look forward to making your chicken noodle soup…won't my husband be surprised!!
Hi Renee
Thanks for sharing your red beans and rice story:)
I love to cook and bake…..
My family esp my husband enjoys my cooking.. (the kids at 6, 5 and 4 like some things and not others)
But the faves here are: my lasagna, poppyseed chicken , my creamy cooker chicken (crockpot)…etc…. my hubby likes anything in the crockpot….
But when it comes to baking.. I love to bake but mixes are my best friend and I add to them to make them semi homeade:)
Would love try some of LeAnns recipes.. introduce us all to new things.
Chrissy
I am a wanna be cooker! I can feed my family. Thats about it. I follow She Cooks too and love, love, love LeAnn. Have made some of her recipes and they are fantastic. Would love to have her book! Thanks for the chance to win.
Kim
I am a cooker, baker and tryer of new recipes. It has taken a long time to get here but I really enjoy it now. Thanks for a great post on a Friday!
My hubby cooked for the first few months of our marriage as my only specialty in the kitchen was hotdogs:) Even toasted cheese sandwiches were/are a challenge. They brown perfectly on one side .. and then I'll get distracted 🙁 Our two sons knew that when the smoke detector went off, lunch was ready !
Love your blogs, Renee!
Sharon
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I was a cooker when raising my daughters. I'm not as much a cooker now that they are married with families of their own and I am on my own.
I consider myself a cooker. Don't cook as much as I use too, since the kids are out on there own. I like to think of spaghetti with homemade sauce that has cooked a couple of hours as my speciality.
One time several years ago, my father was visiting when I fixed spaghetti. A fly was bothering all of us. When all of a sudden the fly landed in my husbands sauce and died. My dad moved his plate away and said he wasn't sure he wanted to eat his spaghetti now or not. We had a big laugh over it.
I am most certainly NOT a cooker. I cook because I don't want my children to starve. When I met my husband of almost five years, my seven year old daughter and I (single mom) "survived" (if you can call it that) on Ramen Noodles & take out. Pitiful. After a few crash course lessons in cooking the essentials, I developed a small handful of low-maintenance, on the table in thirty minutes dishes which I love to share with my friends. I've always wanted to love to cook, but coming up with three meals a day, and having them not be the SAME three meals a day makes my head hurt. Too much prep time and cooking terms that I don't understand, also make my head hurt.
I love reading your blog, and anxiously check for a new post to read, every day. 🙂
I love cooking. I HATE cleaning up after it!! LOL
It is so much fun to take all the indvidual ingredeants that aren't much and put them together in such a way that they become something wonderful. Then to see everyone enjoy the meal you have made just makes it that much more satisfying!
I recently found LeAnn's blog and LOVE it. I've got several of her recipies on the menu for the next couple weeks.
I'm a cooker and I love to please my family cooking a dish that they really enjoy.
My mom and grandmother were more of the good ole southern wives in the kitchen. They made things from scratch with a little of this and just a bit more of that until it "felt right". I really was concerned that I might never become the wife who could fix such meals for her family.
My husband really helped to get my own personal cooking adventures off to a "spicy" start when he purchased me a 36 bottle spice rack. I had no idea how to use all of those spices, and so began my recipe hunt and the hobby of collecting great cookbooks.
Thus, some 28 years later I've perfected many of my families favorites including homemade spaghetti sauce and lasagna or homemade vegetable soup (using many now familiar spices in each dish).
Through the years I've also developed of few of my own "scratch" dishes that I know just feel or look right in my hands. But, it still pleases me the most when I make a dish, (whether from a great recipe or a box) and I get that smile from the family that tells me I made one of their favorites.
Thanks for your ministry! It is absolutely a blessing!!
Bridget