cloudy
Alabama Slammer
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2004
- Posts
- 37,997
Okay, folks, let's share our t-giving recipes. 
I made this tonight for supper, and it's super yummy, besides being a traditional Choctaw dish (SeaCat can vouch for my native recipes, I'm pretty sure):
Fresh Pork & Corn Dumplings
3 lbs. fresh pork backbone (any pork will do, really)
1 sm. hot red pepper
1 tsp. sage
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. cornmeal
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
Place pork in large kettle, add 2 quarts water, red pepper, sage and 1 teaspoon salt. Cover and bring to boil then simmer for approximately 3 hours or until pork is tender. Remove pork from kettle and reserve liquid in kettle, keeping it hot. Brown pork in a 350 degree oven. Combine the cornmeal, flour, remaining slat and baking powder then stir in 1 cup boiling water and 1 cup of reserved liquid. Form into egg-sized dumplings and drop into remaining hot liquid in kettle. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
******
and the story I shared, many years ago:
In a time before man, there was a Thanksgiving of sorts; or, should I say, a time to give thanks.
We think of Thanksgiving as a time for family and friends to come together and give thanks for another year together, thanks for a new birth in the family, that pay raise we needed so badly or just for the food on the table. But before the houses, jobs or humans, the first day of thanks took place.
It was Brother Bear who decided that all the forest dwellers should come together and give thanks for their burrows, trees and caves - the places in which the animal people lived - and the food that Creator always made for all. But most of all, thanks for their skills to catch, gather, stalk and fish for their food, for without these gifts life would be very hard.
All the animal people gathered in a clearing. Brother Bear had the magpie spread the word. Being a natural chatterbox, the magpie was more than willing.
As all the animal people gathered, Brother Bear called out his brothers' names to make sure they all came: Wolf, Deer, Elk, Skunk, Squirrel, Coyote, Eagle, Crow, Rabbit, Turtle ... On and on he went. The circle of animal people grew and grew. Together, they formed the first family.
Brother Bear spoke. ''I have asked you all to come to hear my thoughts of thanks.'' Always curious, Crow called out: ''Thoughts of thanks! What is that?''
''Settle down, Brother Crow. I will explain,'' said Brother Bear. ''I feel that we should all gather here tomorrow, each with a food we like, and come together to give thanks to Creator for all we have. Without his wisdom to help guide us and all the gifts Mother Earth has to offer us, we would starve, have no place to sleep, no water to drink. We would die! I think it is time we give thanks from our hearts and share with one another. How do you feel, brothers? Do you agree or disagree?''
Although they were surprised to hear this new idea, the animal people agreed that Brother Bear's idea was a good one. Brother Bear said, ''I am happy to hear that you will all help. Let's all go to our homes and start early in the morning. Until tomorrow.''
The animal people were very excited about Brother Bear's idea. Squirrel started gathering nuts long before the sun rose. By the time the sun came up, everyone was busy. Brother Bear decided he would bring fish and rich, gooey honeycombs, and spent all of his morning fishing. He caught many fine salmon; he was very proud of his catch. Squirrel had gathered many nuts and his family already brought them to the circle of thanks. Turtle gathered leaves. Wolf had a fine kill for all who ate meat. Owl had mice and fish. Eagle also had fish. Birds gathered berries and fruits. Crow had gathered a little of everything.
They were very busy, yet very happy about bringing food to share. They realized they needed one another - something they never before considered. And they did have a lot to be thankful for. So it was the first time they realized everyone was important to one another. Wolf would have a good day and have a good kill; Crow and Coyote would also have an extra dinner. All helped one another and never gave it a thought.
So as the day wore on, all were busy gathering foods for the day of thanks. As the sun started to fall from the sky, the animal people came together as one to form the circle of thanks. Brother Bear stood proudly as he looked around and saw all the wonderful food they had brought.
Brother Bear spoke. ''I am pleased with you all. I feel we have learned something today that we all need each other. We may have our differences, but without each other we would surely die. So let us thank Creator for each other, our food, our Mother Earth. And always remember when the trees and leaves change like Brother Chameleon, return to the circle of thanks and always remember how lucky we are.''
So as we gather at our tables at Thanksgiving, I hope we will remember the animal people. They realized that they needed each other, even in bad times. So must we. Share with those who are less fortunate than us, for if we sit back and remember, I am sure we will realize how lucky we really are.
May everyone have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
(more native recipes in this thread)
I made this tonight for supper, and it's super yummy, besides being a traditional Choctaw dish (SeaCat can vouch for my native recipes, I'm pretty sure):
Fresh Pork & Corn Dumplings
3 lbs. fresh pork backbone (any pork will do, really)
1 sm. hot red pepper
1 tsp. sage
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. cornmeal
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
Place pork in large kettle, add 2 quarts water, red pepper, sage and 1 teaspoon salt. Cover and bring to boil then simmer for approximately 3 hours or until pork is tender. Remove pork from kettle and reserve liquid in kettle, keeping it hot. Brown pork in a 350 degree oven. Combine the cornmeal, flour, remaining slat and baking powder then stir in 1 cup boiling water and 1 cup of reserved liquid. Form into egg-sized dumplings and drop into remaining hot liquid in kettle. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
******
and the story I shared, many years ago:
In a time before man, there was a Thanksgiving of sorts; or, should I say, a time to give thanks.
We think of Thanksgiving as a time for family and friends to come together and give thanks for another year together, thanks for a new birth in the family, that pay raise we needed so badly or just for the food on the table. But before the houses, jobs or humans, the first day of thanks took place.
It was Brother Bear who decided that all the forest dwellers should come together and give thanks for their burrows, trees and caves - the places in which the animal people lived - and the food that Creator always made for all. But most of all, thanks for their skills to catch, gather, stalk and fish for their food, for without these gifts life would be very hard.
All the animal people gathered in a clearing. Brother Bear had the magpie spread the word. Being a natural chatterbox, the magpie was more than willing.
As all the animal people gathered, Brother Bear called out his brothers' names to make sure they all came: Wolf, Deer, Elk, Skunk, Squirrel, Coyote, Eagle, Crow, Rabbit, Turtle ... On and on he went. The circle of animal people grew and grew. Together, they formed the first family.
Brother Bear spoke. ''I have asked you all to come to hear my thoughts of thanks.'' Always curious, Crow called out: ''Thoughts of thanks! What is that?''
''Settle down, Brother Crow. I will explain,'' said Brother Bear. ''I feel that we should all gather here tomorrow, each with a food we like, and come together to give thanks to Creator for all we have. Without his wisdom to help guide us and all the gifts Mother Earth has to offer us, we would starve, have no place to sleep, no water to drink. We would die! I think it is time we give thanks from our hearts and share with one another. How do you feel, brothers? Do you agree or disagree?''
Although they were surprised to hear this new idea, the animal people agreed that Brother Bear's idea was a good one. Brother Bear said, ''I am happy to hear that you will all help. Let's all go to our homes and start early in the morning. Until tomorrow.''
The animal people were very excited about Brother Bear's idea. Squirrel started gathering nuts long before the sun rose. By the time the sun came up, everyone was busy. Brother Bear decided he would bring fish and rich, gooey honeycombs, and spent all of his morning fishing. He caught many fine salmon; he was very proud of his catch. Squirrel had gathered many nuts and his family already brought them to the circle of thanks. Turtle gathered leaves. Wolf had a fine kill for all who ate meat. Owl had mice and fish. Eagle also had fish. Birds gathered berries and fruits. Crow had gathered a little of everything.
They were very busy, yet very happy about bringing food to share. They realized they needed one another - something they never before considered. And they did have a lot to be thankful for. So it was the first time they realized everyone was important to one another. Wolf would have a good day and have a good kill; Crow and Coyote would also have an extra dinner. All helped one another and never gave it a thought.
So as the day wore on, all were busy gathering foods for the day of thanks. As the sun started to fall from the sky, the animal people came together as one to form the circle of thanks. Brother Bear stood proudly as he looked around and saw all the wonderful food they had brought.
Brother Bear spoke. ''I am pleased with you all. I feel we have learned something today that we all need each other. We may have our differences, but without each other we would surely die. So let us thank Creator for each other, our food, our Mother Earth. And always remember when the trees and leaves change like Brother Chameleon, return to the circle of thanks and always remember how lucky we are.''
So as we gather at our tables at Thanksgiving, I hope we will remember the animal people. They realized that they needed each other, even in bad times. So must we. Share with those who are less fortunate than us, for if we sit back and remember, I am sure we will realize how lucky we really are.
May everyone have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
(more native recipes in this thread)
reading the recipe made me slobber and the story made me smile.
