One of our favorite family recipes is Pineapple Cheese Ball. I remember as a kid mom making it for gatherings with friends and family, for church events and every once in a while, just for us to eat! It is one that can be enjoyed all year long.
Pineapple Cheese Ball:
1 - 8 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained well
1/4 green bell pepper, finely chopped
2 TBSP sweet onion, finely chopped
2 cups pecan, finely chopped
Mix together one cup of chopped pecans with the rest of the ingredients and let chill for at least one hour. Shape into a ball and roll in the remaining chopped pecans. Place on a platter for serving. Serve with favorite variety of crackers.
Hope you enjoy it as much as my family has through the years!
Grateful and served with love...
Elise
Friday, April 12, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Finding direction and passion...
This is who I am. This is my biography. This is my life.
one Southern foodie is a boutique culinary and event planning company, independently owned and operated by M. Elise Garner. We offer services as a culinary assistant to chefs and cookbook authors including shopping and food preparation for cooking classes, demonstrations and photo shoots; personal chef and caterer, specializing in smaller, intimate gatherings; and wedding and event planning. Meeting clients’ needs and exceeding their expectations are our goals.
My Story...
I was born and raised in the South. Raised in the church and in the kitchen. I was cooking from the time I could crawl up on the chair and have a scar from resting my chin on a hot iron skillet because I wanted to see what Momma was cooking. I’ve always loved to get in the kitchen and cook, but in the last few years it has really become a passion.
I come from a long line of Southern cooks - grandmothers, aunts and mother have taught me well and have influenced how I cook. Mom used to do weddings, so catering was a part of that. My sister and I would always be on hand to help. And my Dad is a minister, so preparing last minute meals for Sunday guests was just part of life in our home. Not a day went by during summer visits to my grandparents that we weren’t in the garden - shuckin’ corn, shellin’ peas, and snappin’ beans. Canning vegetables, making sweet pickles and hand-churning ice cream was just a part of our day.
The past two years have proven inspirational and valuable to my culinary life. As a volunteer assistant, and later as the cooking school lead for a local cooking school, I participated in over 200 classes and special events. I have had the honor of assisting some of the finest chefs and cookbook authors in the South. These experiences have affirmed the direction of my life and my work.
one Southern foodie is a way of sharing my traditions and recipes in hopes that my food will nourish your body and nurture your soul.
Grateful and served with love...
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
New Opportunities...
I am excited to share that this past week I was contacted to help out with a photo shoot for Better Homes and Gardens magazine.
It was for an upcoming cover shoot and while I cannot tell you WHO will be on the cover, I can tell you that I baked up three delicious cupcake recipes. These recipes are family recipes that have been passed down over generations. These are the kinds of recipes I love and ones that I love to share.
As soon as the magazine is released, I will let you know, so that you can look out for the cupcakes.
I am grateful for the opportunity - beyond measure.
Grateful and served with love...
Elise
It was for an upcoming cover shoot and while I cannot tell you WHO will be on the cover, I can tell you that I baked up three delicious cupcake recipes. These recipes are family recipes that have been passed down over generations. These are the kinds of recipes I love and ones that I love to share.
As soon as the magazine is released, I will let you know, so that you can look out for the cupcakes.
I am grateful for the opportunity - beyond measure.
Grateful and served with love...
Elise
Friday, March 15, 2013
Social Media...
Today I have spent time updating information on Facebook and Twitter, so please visit me at www.facebook.com/onesouthernfoodie to see some of the things I have done. My new twitter handle is @1southernfoodie.
You will see pictures of events I have been a part of, either as the caterer for private events, an assistant to chefs and cookbook authors, or as a stationery designer - another passion.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
My email is onesouthernfoodie@gmail.com.
Grateful and served with love...
Elise
You will see pictures of events I have been a part of, either as the caterer for private events, an assistant to chefs and cookbook authors, or as a stationery designer - another passion.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
My email is onesouthernfoodie@gmail.com.
Grateful and served with love...
Elise
Monday, March 11, 2013
Change...the only constant
This is probably one of the most personal blogs I have ever written. Read with an open mind and an open heart.
The only constant in life is change. Sometimes change is for the good. Most of the time it takes a while to adjust. Sometimes it is because of our decisions; sometimes it is because of the decisions of others.
This past fall and this winter have been filled with nothing but change. One of the most important things I learned during this time of change was that I was cooking at my best. I had found my calling. I had found what I loved most. Being in the culinary world was my niche.
Liz and I had made the decision to join forces and created {g a r n e r g i r l s} during this time. But something in the creation of this company and in the planning of where we wanted it to go became more and more about what I didn't want to do. And I made a very difficult decision recently to not be a part of
{g a r n e r g i r l s}.
The absolute MOST important thing I learned was that there was nothing greater than my happiness and doing what was best for me and my life. And now, my mission in life is to do what I love; to do what makes me happy; to provide for myself; to have a heart, mind and soul that is full of love - first for myself.
You can call it selfish, if that's how you see it. How I see it is if I can't take care of me, I can't take care of anyone else. So now I take care of me.
I will forever love my sister and I wish her and this new venture the greatest success. I am excited for the time I can share the details.
Change...the only constant. A constant that has taught me so much about myself than ever before in my life.
Gratefully yours and served with love,
Elise
The only constant in life is change. Sometimes change is for the good. Most of the time it takes a while to adjust. Sometimes it is because of our decisions; sometimes it is because of the decisions of others.
This past fall and this winter have been filled with nothing but change. One of the most important things I learned during this time of change was that I was cooking at my best. I had found my calling. I had found what I loved most. Being in the culinary world was my niche.
Liz and I had made the decision to join forces and created {g a r n e r g i r l s} during this time. But something in the creation of this company and in the planning of where we wanted it to go became more and more about what I didn't want to do. And I made a very difficult decision recently to not be a part of
{g a r n e r g i r l s}.
The absolute MOST important thing I learned was that there was nothing greater than my happiness and doing what was best for me and my life. And now, my mission in life is to do what I love; to do what makes me happy; to provide for myself; to have a heart, mind and soul that is full of love - first for myself.
You can call it selfish, if that's how you see it. How I see it is if I can't take care of me, I can't take care of anyone else. So now I take care of me.
I will forever love my sister and I wish her and this new venture the greatest success. I am excited for the time I can share the details.
Change...the only constant. A constant that has taught me so much about myself than ever before in my life.
Gratefully yours and served with love,
Elise
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Inspiration
Inspiration. Where does it come from? Does it come from reading something someone has written or from hearing a friends voice? Maybe from sitting around the house doing nothing except collecting your thoughts? Does it come from reflection on what has been and what you want? Do you draw your inspiration from a bible verse? How does it come to you?
One thing in the past few weeks and months, inspiration for me comes from so many places. Sometimes it is from being on Pinterest looking at all the things that people do. Sometimes it is from hearing or reading a bible verse. Sometimes it is from reading someones post on Facebook or Twitter. But wherever it comes from, the one thing I know is that inspiration is what leads me to produce.
I have to be inspired to produce. I have to be inspired to be creative. I have to be inspired to be me. It is what gives me hope. It is what supports my faith.
Today my inspiration came from someone that I just recently met through Twitter. And today I am grateful to him. Grateful as always that God saw fit for our paths to cross, if only through words on a social media site.
Where does inspiration come from? Anywhere! That's where. Look for something to inspire you. When you have little hope, look for that inspiration to bring it back. It may be right in front of you. It may be through a friend. Or it could come from the least expected place - a perfect stranger.
Grateful and served with love...
Elise
One thing in the past few weeks and months, inspiration for me comes from so many places. Sometimes it is from being on Pinterest looking at all the things that people do. Sometimes it is from hearing or reading a bible verse. Sometimes it is from reading someones post on Facebook or Twitter. But wherever it comes from, the one thing I know is that inspiration is what leads me to produce.
I have to be inspired to produce. I have to be inspired to be creative. I have to be inspired to be me. It is what gives me hope. It is what supports my faith.
Today my inspiration came from someone that I just recently met through Twitter. And today I am grateful to him. Grateful as always that God saw fit for our paths to cross, if only through words on a social media site.
Where does inspiration come from? Anywhere! That's where. Look for something to inspire you. When you have little hope, look for that inspiration to bring it back. It may be right in front of you. It may be through a friend. Or it could come from the least expected place - a perfect stranger.
Grateful and served with love...
Elise
Saturday, January 26, 2013
What an honor
Liz and I have been friends for many years with Ryan Cameron, a local radio host and morning dj with V103 in Atlanta. We have been to and participated in many events and "happenings" that he has been involved with. This week we were asked to do something that was truly an honor!
On Thursday, Liz got a text from Ryan asking us to cook breakfast for his morning show. He said that he had a guest by the name of Xernona Clayton coming on and he wanted to serve her breakfast. So we said yes. And at the time, other than knowing she was involved somehow with the Trumpet Awards, we didn't know much about her.
Xernona Clayton is the founder, president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards, a prestigious event that highlights accomplishments by African Americans. She is also a civil rights pioneer and activist. She was a friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and most importantly, she is an accomplished woman.
The reason Ryan had to serve breakfast is a special one. See the first time he met her, she was in the kitchen cooking breakfast for him. So he wanted to return the favor. And while we cooked it for him, he did pour the apple juice and carry the plate, as he wore a chef hat and apron. And the look on her face when he brought that plate in and sat it in front of her was priceless.
What an honor it was to be in presence of a woman who has opened the pathway for so many.
{g a r n e r g i r l s} is grateful for this opportunity and know that these moments are priceless.
Served with love...
Elise and Liz
On Thursday, Liz got a text from Ryan asking us to cook breakfast for his morning show. He said that he had a guest by the name of Xernona Clayton coming on and he wanted to serve her breakfast. So we said yes. And at the time, other than knowing she was involved somehow with the Trumpet Awards, we didn't know much about her.
Xernona Clayton is the founder, president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards, a prestigious event that highlights accomplishments by African Americans. She is also a civil rights pioneer and activist. She was a friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and most importantly, she is an accomplished woman.
The reason Ryan had to serve breakfast is a special one. See the first time he met her, she was in the kitchen cooking breakfast for him. So he wanted to return the favor. And while we cooked it for him, he did pour the apple juice and carry the plate, as he wore a chef hat and apron. And the look on her face when he brought that plate in and sat it in front of her was priceless.
What an honor it was to be in presence of a woman who has opened the pathway for so many.
{g a r n e r g i r l s} is grateful for this opportunity and know that these moments are priceless.
Served with love...
Elise and Liz
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