Weather
The Pine Tree, News for Calaveras County and Beyond Weather
Amador Angels Camp Arnold Bear Valley Copperopolis Murphys San Andreas Valley Springs Moke Hill/West Point Tuolumne
News
Business Directory
Weather & Roads
Sports
Real Estate
Search
Weekly & Grocery Ads
Entertainment
Life & Style
Government
Law Enforcement
Business
Wine News
Health & Fitness
Home & Garden
Food & Dining
Religion & Faith
Frogtown USA
Calendar
Polls
Columns
Free Classifieds
Letters to the Editor
Obituaries
About Us


Log In
Username

Password

Remember Me



Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 11/14/2008 12:07 AM Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 11/14/2008 12:08 AM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
:

One of My Holiday Favorites, "Sterling Holiday Stuffing"~By Jenny Baxter of Jennys Kitchen

Greetings from San Pablo....I had the privilege of living next door to Joe and Gladys Sterling for 19 years when I resided in Arnold. They were the most hard-working and helpful people that I had ever met. They were also most generous. They would give you “the shirt off their back” and it was always their best shirt! They had five grown children, Joseph, Murio, Carolyn, Larry and Norman. Four lived away and one resided with them. Norman had....

Click Here to Visit Jennys Kitchen!


contacted Rheumatic Fever as a young boy which left him mentally challenged. He was as kind and hard working as his parents. I loved to listen to the stories they shared about growing up, their courting days, and then the rearing of their children. Although their finances were meager all their children were given the opportunity to get a good education or learn a trade. They always had food on the table and if you came at dinner time you were always invited to join them. They repaired their shoes like a cobbler, cleaned their clothes instead of taking them to the cleaners, fixed anything that broke and also did wiring, plumbing and some building! They were an amazing family! Gladys taught me a lot about relationships. She and Joe would wake up each morning and ask what they could do to make the other one happy that day! He would always bring her a bouquet of flowers, whether it be from their flower garden or the store. He cooked all the meals and Norman usually did the dishes. Gladys was a queen in her own castle. She rarely argued with him. She gave him full rein to do as he pleased, buy what he felt necessary for the family and showered him with love and affection. Joe taught me a lot about southern cooking. Their ancestors were Creole and boy could Joe cook! His greens were as tender as his heart. His ribs and chicken dishes just fell off the bone. His cornbread was sweet and soft. And although I do not like ham, his was the best! It was like Christmas for us throughout the year. Neither snow, nor rain nor dark of night prevented Joe and I from constantly carrying meals back and forth to one another’s family. They grew white peaches and nectarines in their yard along with pears and apples. Their garden was magnificent! Gladys would can their bounty. I was invited over to pick what I wanted or Norman would carry over an armful of fresh cleaned produce. You can imagine how upset I was when Joe passed away 13 years ago. Gladys and Norman moved to the bay area to be closer to their family about eight years after that. And then I received the phone call that said Gladys was failing and it would be best if I could come and see her now. So her granddaughter, Cindy, and I made that trip knowing it would most likely be the last. When I first laid eyes on Gladys she looked as beautiful to me as she always had. Her white hair pressed against the pale pillow-cover. Her soft pink and fuchsia color nightgown brought color to her being. I momentarily thought about the days when I lived next door to them. There was not a day that went by when she was not perfectly dressed and wore the right type of jewelry. She never had a hair out of place. If we were going somewhere her shoes always matched her purse. Her face lit up with a smile when she saw us. We hugged, kissed talked and laughed about all the great times we shared recalling memories from days gone by. And after a couple of hours it was time to leave. I spotted a picture of myself on her dresser amidst the rest of her children and felt honored that I was given such an important space in her life. I told the family that one of my regrets in life was to not have made notes as I watched Joe cook so many of the meals he prepared for us. I mentioned that his stuffing was like eating a marshmallow soft and melting in your mouth. At that point Carolyn said she knew everything he put into his dressing, but did not know the amounts. She then said that I could probably figure them out with my culinary background. I grabbed the pad of paper and pencil that was lying on the table and told her to begin. Once I had this written we talked about some of his other mouth-watering dishes. I made more notes and was so thankful; to have been given this treasure. So, with Thanksgiving just around the corner I want to share Joes holiday stuffing. Once you eat it you will know what I mean.

Sterling Stuffing

3 cups cubed cornbread

3 cups cubed bread

1 lb. bulk sausage

1 chopped onion

3 ribs chopped celery

1 chopped and seeded green bell pepper

¼ cup chopped parsley

1 Tablespoon dried thyme

3 toes minced garlic

3 teaspoons dried sage or poultry seasoning

Red pepper flakes to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

Can cream of chicken soup or evaporated milk (Carolyn and I saw him make this stuffing and he used the soup with her and the cream with me!) Take your pick

Place the breads into a large bowl. Sprinkle on the thyme, sage and red pepper flakes. Set aside. Place the sausage in a frying pan and sauté. Remove the meat from the pan and place in the breads bowl. Add the onion, celery, garlic and bell pepper. Cook until soft. If there is not enough grease add some oil before adding the vegetables and let it get hot. Add the cooked vegetables to the bowl. When the meat and vegetables have cooled add the liquid of your choice, either the soup or the canned milk. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Combine all the ingredients. Place in the refrigerator until you are ready to stuff the turkey. Makes enough stuffing for a 10-12 pound turkey.

This year as we gather around the Thanksgiving table my mention of thanks will be for having shared part of my life with the Sterling’s and for Joe’s recipes! I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Well, it’s thyme to go.

Jenny Baxter

Jenny’s Kitchen



Comments
The comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for its content. We value free speech but remember this is a public forum and we hope that people would use common sense and decency. If you see an offensive comment please email us at news@thepinetree.net

What's Related
These might interest you as well
Local News

Calendar

phpws Business Directory

Photo Albums

Web Pages


Mark Twain Medical Center
Meadowmont Pharmacy
Angels & San Andreas Memorial Chapels
Bear Valley Real Estate
Gerard Insurance
Bank of Stockton
Fox Security
Bistro Espresso
Chatom Winery
Middleton's Furniture
Bear Valley Mountain Resort
Cave, Mine & Zip Lines
High Country Spa & Stove
Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway
Sierra Logging Museum Calaveras Mentoriing
Jenny's Kitchen

Copyright © The Pine Tree 2005-2023