MAMA'S RECIPES

My mother, Hettie May Long Johnson, was born in Texas and moved at age five to Louisiana, where she grew up, learning to cook Louisiana style. When my parents moved to Mississippi before I was born, she carried the methods and traditions of cooking with her. I grew up without knowing that some people cooked and ate differently. Mama's way was the only way. My mother rarely consulted a recipe while cooking. Mama was also an excellent seamstress and spoiled my sisters and me with stylish, well-made, and perfectly fitting clothes. When I married I knew very little about cooking and was moving miles away. I asked her to tell me how to make her recipes so I could write them down. Therefore we have these treasures from her today. Mama is no longer with us and no longer cooking, but her recipes live on through her children and grandchildren. They were always served with a generous portion of love, devotion and care. I dedicate this page to her memory.


Some of the recipes are still simmering on the back burner of my computer. These are some I've prepared to share with you. (For Cajun-style cooking, please go to the Cajun Recipes page. For family recipes, go to the Family Recipes page - under construction.)

INDEX OF RECIPES

BUTTERMILK BISCUITS BUTTERMILK POUND CAKE PECAN PIE

LEMON MERINGUE PIE JAPANESE FRUIT CAKE RICE DRESSING

STEWED CHICKEN AND EGG GRAVY AND DUMPLINGS

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE SNOW ICE CREAM

LEMON DOBERGE CAKE (Fresh Lemon Cake)

TRIBUTE TO MAMA

by Floyd Johnson*

I wish I could go back to my Mother's house
For Sunday dinner once more
Fried chicken, vegetables, blackberries, too
Nary one came from the store.




The family all gathered in joyous reunion,
Every leaf of the table stretched out
Pottery dishes on a dainty table cloth
And Mama bustling about.





Her hair done up with pins real pretty
Sensible shoes with cotton hose
She would be wearing her Sunday-best apron
Not caring for high-fashion clothes.





Soon Mama would say let everyone have a seat
And the atmosphere was really great
Then the talk would erupt and flow everywhere
We knew love was in that place.





Now my Mother's house is no more
My Mom and My Dad are gone
I look in the mirror, and wonder about myself
But time doesn't go backwards, but goes on.