Debbie Dance Uhrig
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Never sleep late anymore! This should become my new motto. Whenever I sleep in i.e.: New Year’s Day, I’m worth zilch all day. So, my first new year’s resolution is to not sleep late anymore. My 2nd resolution is to stop eating my cooking and eat healthier! That’s a hoot isn’t it!!! I think ‘less’ would be a better word along with a good dose of exercise. My 3rd resolution is to enjoy life to the utmost. 4th resolution, look for change, change is good it means personal growth. 5th resolution: Cherish every minute with family & friends.
Well, as New Year’s Resolutions go I think I did pretty well. Now comes the hardest part, sticking to them. Today I broke 3 of the above. However, let’s remain steadfast that it takes time to re-establish new habits, and you can’t do all of them at once.
On the cooking front I’m ‘always’ writing a new dish. Today for brunch ‘I’ had shredded zucchini and ham, with two over easy eggs on top. It was a great switch out for the hash browns. With the carbohydrates I saved I ate cookies! I know, I hear myself right now: ‘One step at a time.”
As the darker days of winter seem to drop themselves at our doorstep it’s important to stay optimistic and create new menus on the home front. This week I’m featuring a corn dish that is truly a comfort food. It would be a good side to chops, turkey, chicken or even a salmon burger! Personally I think it’s time to step away from the jiffy mix scalloped corn and reach for fresh ingredients. With a bit of imagination you can create some outstanding sides this winter. I can easily see finely chopped onion or red peppers for color. A bit of sour cream or whipped egg whites folded in and who knows what you might present. However, on a personal note, I don’t know if I’ll EVER get my husband and son to totally give up the jiffy mix corn casserole!
This week I was so pleased to receive photos in the mail from the Press News Journal, located in Lewis County, Missouri. They covered my book signing in Lewistown, on December 14th. We sure had a whirlwind of a day on the 14th going from Northeast Missouri to Platte City and then back to Branson West.
There are more book signings planned. Visit my website and Facebook page for updates. Presently I am at The Cook’s Nook, in McPherson, KS, the first Saturday in February. The first Saturday in March I’ll be at Cockrill’s Mercantile, south of Lee’s Summit Missouri. In McPherson I’ll be doing classes and book signings. At Cockrill’s I’ll just be doing book signings. I’m also working on two more events in Northeast Missouri which are not confirmed at this time.
There are a couple of work days still on the calendar for the culinary school. We have deep freezes to clean out and things to tuck away until spring. Then I’m starting on the Uhrig household beginning with the basement and working my way up! Can you believe I’m actually looking forward to all the cleaning???
The start of a new year can affect each of us in a different way.
Remember to keep ‘brightness’ at the front door so the gloomy days of winter are embraced with a positive start. Try new recipes, connect with old friends, better yet, go visit them! Volunteer at school, church or the library. Each and every one of us have so much to give. Share a bit of time with another and you WILL start each day in a positive way.
Enjoy the corn dish! Embrace each day you are granted. Simply yours, The Covered Dish. www.thecovereddish.com
Scalloped Corn
1 (15-20 ounce) can yellow corn
1 egg
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt & pepper to taste
1 cup milk
Mix corn and egg well. Add flour, sugar, salt and pepper. Add the milk. Bake at 350 degrees until thick and brown on top.
Sharon Short
