The Simple Life at Home

Ok, no, I'm not really going to call every Tuesday, "Paula Deen Tuesday." Because that would be a little over-the-top. Like I'm obsessed or something. And I'm not. But I did happen to spot and pick up her new biography at the library this morning. See, if I truly was obsessed, I would have been willing to pay for it!

On to today's recipes. Once again, I struggled between posting the recipe that looked yummiest to me and one that is served in Paula's restaurant. So it's another two-fer! The first recipe is one that is served up at The Lady and Sons in Savannah. It sounds really interesting and I haven't tried it yet, so if anyone does, please stop back by and let me know what you think. According to the cookbook, it's served with most of the seafood dishes.


Georgia Cracker Salad
Serves 6


1 sleeve Saltine crackers
1 large tomato, finely chopped
3 green onions, finely chopped
1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 hard-boiled egg, finely chopped


Crush crackers. Mix all ingredients together and serve immediately.


So it sounds really easy and all. I just can't wrap my mind around the ingredients. But I'm serving fish this week, so maybe I'll give it a try and let you know what I think.


Next up is the recipe that sounded yummiest (and now that I've used it twice, let me just clarify that, yes, that IS a word!). Because anything that has snow peas in it has to be a winner, right?


Oriental Chicken Salad
Serves 6


4 cooked skinless chicken breasts, diced
1 1/2 cup bean sprouts
1 1/2 cup snow peas
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup chopped celery
One 8-oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained


Combine chicken, bean sprouts, peas and scallions. Make dressing using oil, soy sauce, ginger, salt and sugar. Add to chicken mixture. Add celery and water chestnuts and mix well. Serve chilled.


Next week, we'll move on to entree dishes. First up will be fish and shellfish. Hmm, I just had a good idea. Instead of me selecting a recipe to post, what about if I give three options and you (all ten of you who read this - ha!) vote on which one you'd like to see.


Here are the options:

• Savannah Crab Cakes
• Scallops Charleston
• Red Snapper Stuffed with Crabmeat

Ok, so it will be one of those three yummy dishes. Which one is up to you. And if Leeann is the only one who votes (because she is a bit of a Paula Deen fan, too) then don't complain if you don't get the recipe you wanted to see!