recipe – Wandering Dawgs

Cellpic Sunday – In Search of Tater Tots

September 27, 2026September 27, 2026Posted in EntertainmentTagged Cellpic Sunday, Cooking, Food, recipe, Tater Tot Casserole, Tater Tots26 Comments

When I read Joy Neal Kidney’s post Ruby Neal’s Tater Tot Casserole I got it in my head that I had to make it. I live in the south eastern United State in the southern state of Georgia. Until I read Joy’s blog post I had never even heard of a Tater Tot Casserole (in some parts of the U. S. a casserole is known as a Hot Dish.)

I am a fan of Tater Tots and usually have a bag in my freezer but I was out of them. I made a trip to my favorite Publix grocery store and went straight to the frozen potato section of the store. Much to my surprise the shelves where the Tater Tots should be were empty except for a few bags of Star Tater Tots. There was another shopper staring at the empty shelves. We had a short discussion about the situation. In the end he bought a bag of the Star Tots. I decided to go back another day for the original log shaped Tots.

The next afternoon I returned to the store, went back to the frozen potatoes and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw there were still out of Tater Tots! As I was pushing my shopping cart to another aisle a helpful Publix employee asked me if I found everything I needed. I told her they were out of Tater Tots.

She was surprised to hear that. She said “I work in a different department but I will find someone who can check to see if we have any in stock.”

About that time another employee who worked in the freezer department was walking by. She asked him to see if there were any Tater Tots available. He went with me to the empty shelves and did a search on his phone. He looked at me and said “We have a shipment coming tomorrow afternoon.”

I was still standing in front of the freezer when the first employee came up to check on things. We started talking about Tater Tot casseroles and I told her I wasn’t sure if the Star Tater Tots would be good.

A third Publix employee overheard our conversation and walked up to us to join us in staring at the empty freezer shelves. She said “I made a Tater Tot Casserole with the Star Tots and it was good.”

That was exactly what I needed to hear. I thanked them all for their help, tossed the bag into my cart and finished my shopping.

I made the casserole the next night. I made a few tweaks to the recipe from Joy’s post. Many thanks to Joy for the inspiration for this post and to Joy’s grandma Ruby Neal for the inspiration for this recipe.

Wandering Dawgs Tater Tot Casserole

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, shopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup beef stock
1 – 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen corn
Tater Tots

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350. Brown ground beef in large skillet, stir in onion, garlic, and carrot about 5 minutes, Drain excess fat, reserving about 2 tablespoons. Stir in flour for a couple of minutes, then gradually stir in milk and beef stock. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the Worcestershire sauce. Cook until sauce starts to thicken. If too thick, add a little more beef stock. Stir in frozen peas and frozen corn. Pour into 9×9 inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. Arrange Tater Tots to cover the top of the casserole. Cook in preheated oven 25 -30 minutes until bubbly and Tots are golden brown.

Henry and I both gave the dish two thumbs up! I think the stars made it more festive and fun.

Publix advertises their stores as “Publix: Where Shopping is a Pleasure.” I’ve always had excellent customer service at this store but having three employees helping me went above and beyond customer service.

Shared with John’s Cellpic Sunday

What Color is Your Key Lime Pie?

September 26, 2020September 27, 2020Posted in UncategorizedTagged Desserts, Food, Key Lime Pie, Memories, National Key Lime Pie Day, Nellie and Joes, recipe24 Comments

Today is National Key Lime Pie Day so of course I made one. It’s chilling in the fridge right now.

My first memories of Key Lime Pie are from the 1970’s when Henry and I first took our two young children on camping trips to the Florida Keys.

After spending a day in the sun at the beach, snorkeling, or fishing, we would sometimes eat out at a restaurant and order Key Lime Pie for desert. The sweet, tart, cold deliciousness of that pie was perfect at the end of a day in the Keys. These pies were yellow, not green, and locally made. And we couldn’t get them any where else back the except in the Florida Keys.

The Key Lime Pie soon became our favorite dessert. It was hard to find and that made it even better. Eventually restaurants north of the Keys started adding Key Lime Pie to their menus. We ordered a piece in a restaurant somewhere and it was green! It wasn’t the cool, creamy yellow pie we were dreaming about. I don’t think any one ate it.

After that dessert disaster, whenever we would go to a restaurant with Key Lime Pie on the menu, our daughter would ask “What color is your Key Lime Pie?” If the answer was “green” she would order ice cream.

Somewhere along the line I discovered I could buy bottles of the Nellie and Joe’s Key West Lime Juice in the Keys so each trip I would bring back several bottles to make my own pies.

These days, I can buy the bottles in any grocery store near me. The recipe is on the bottle, and here it is:

1 9″ graham cracker pie crust
14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks, whites not used
1/2 cup Nellie and Joe’s Key West Lime Juice

Combine milk, egg yolks and lime juice. Blend until smooth. Pour filling into pie crust and bake at 350º for 15 minutes. Allow to stand 10 minutes before refrigerating. Just before serving, top with freshly whipped cream, or meringue, and garnish with lime slices.

There are many variations on this basic recipe. I like to add some lime zest to the lime juice mixture.

Five Favorite Finds – January, 2020

January 25, 2020June 26, 2026Posted in UncategorizedTagged Blogging Challenge, Five Favorite Finds, food storage container, Goodreads, Livestrong at the YMCA, Project Repat, recipe, Tybee Post Theater19 Comments

One of my blogging pals, Ingrid at Live, Laugh, RV, recently posted her Five Favorite Finds and challenged us to join along and post about our five favorite finds. Many thanks to Ingrid for the inspiration for this post.

1. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA

A program for cancer survivors, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a 12 week program that partners with the YMCA of the USA to promote the importance of physical activity after a cancer diagnosis. This program includes cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance, flexibility exercises and other wellness topics.

I participated in the program last fall and it’s one of the best things I’ve done in a long time. I’ve been exercising for years and had gotten in a rut. I needed a boost to improve my fitness but more than that, I wanted to be with other cancer survivors in a program designed just for cancer survivors. In addition to the fitness activities, we had guest instructors on wellness topics such as meditation and nutrition and we even did art therapy (our paintings are now hanging on the wall at our YMCA).

We became a family during our 12 weeks together. Our instructors cared about us and helped us to do more than we thought we were capable of. We shared our stories, laughed a lot, and had fun getting stronger together. I never dreamed I could actually laugh while lifting weights at the gym!

Each of the participants had a fitness evaluation at the beginning and end of the program. Every one of us improved in every category. Since the program ended I’ve been trying new fitness classes and I’m continuing to build my strength. One of my goals for 2020 is to keep working out on a regular basis.

20191212-Livestrong-Lunch-(18) — I graduated!

I can’t say enough good things about this program. If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor, please call your local YMCA to find out more about it.

2. Goodreads app

I love to read and I have several favorite authors and series that I enjoy. My problem is I often can’t remember which of the books I’ve already read. I discovered that Goodreads helps me keep track of my reading. It’s available on your computer or as an app on your phone or tablet.

Goodreads gives me an easy way to keep a list of books I’ve already read, books I’d like to read, and books I’m currently reading. Now when a book by one of my favorite authors is available at our library I can look at the app and see if I’ve already read it. It also helps me find new books with recommendations and book reviews by users.

There is also a reading challenge each year. Last year I exceeded my goal of 40 books so this year I upped it to 45. I’m kind of off to a slow start this year with only finishing 4 books so far.

My favorite book this month was “Beneath a Scarlet Sky” by Mark T. Sullivan. I give it 5 stars. Some of my favorite authors are Craig Johnson (The Longmire books), Robert B. Parker (Jesse Stone and Spencer series), Lee Child (Jack Reacher series), Randy Wayne White (Doc Ford series).

3. Tybee Post Theater

20200117-Tybee-Post-Theater-(3) — Five Favorite Finds – Tybee Post Theater

Going out to see a movie is always fun. Going out to see a movie in a beautifully restored historic theater is even better.

The historic Tybee Post Theater was built in the 1930’s as a movie house for the soldiers stationed at the Fort Screven Army Post on Tybee Island, Georgia. When the post closed, the building sat vacant for many years until the City of Tybee Island and the Tybee Island Historical Society saved it from demolition. The building has been lovingly restored and is now a beautiful venue for movies and live shows.

The theater now shows movies and live performances, often to sold out audiences. Going there is more of an event than just going to a movie. We can enjoy a beer or glass of wine with our popcorn while we sit back and enjoy the show. And we don’t have to drive far from home!

Last fall I saw one of my all time favorites, “Gone with the Wind”, on a big screen for the first time. And most recently, Henry and I enjoyed seeing a matinee of “Ford vs. Ferarri.”

4. Project Repat

Do you have t-shirts taking up space in your drawers and closets that you will never wear again but you don’t want to get rid of them completely? Having a quilt made from them is a great solution.

I discovered Project Repat when I couldn’t bear to part with some of my old shirts. Picking which shirts to include was the hard part. I then followed the easy instructions on how to cut the shirts, chose a color for the fleece backing, packed them up and sent them off to be transformed into a twin size quilt.

Now when I get cold sitting in my recliner watching tv or reading a book, I throw the quilt over my legs and enjoy being reminded of something from my past. I love it!

20200116-five-favorite-finds-(8) — Five Favorite Finds – Project Repat

5. Enther Bento Food Storage Containers

I like to cook larges batches of dishes like chili, stew, or pot roast so that we have enough leftover to freeze for another meal or two. I searched for a long time to find reasonably priced containers that would hold just enough for two servings and that were freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe.

81KZlHrAqQL._AC_SL1500_ — Five favorite Finds – Bento Box

I finally discovered these food containers on Amazon. They come in several different brands, shapes and sizes. I chose the ones that hold enough for two servings. Now I can cook chili all day in the crock-pot and freeze the rest. For you RV’ers out there, several will fit easily in an RV freezer.

Here’s one of my favorite crock-pot meals. It makes enough for us to eat the day it’s cooked with enough leftover to fill at least two of the food containers for the freezer.

Crock-Pot White Bean Chili

3 – 5 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3/4 cup diced onion
1 1/2 cups chopped green chiles (fresh or 2 cans chopped green chiles)
1 can Ro-Tel or any canned tomatoes with chiles
1 to 2 cans white beans, drained
1 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs bone in or boneless
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 to 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 tablespoon green chile powder, optional
1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped, optional
a few red pepper flakes, optional

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, and chiles and saute for about 5 minutes. Place the drained white beans in the crock pot, add the Ro-Tel and chile mixture. Pour enough chicken stock to the crock-pot to cover the beans and chile mixture. Add cumin, oregano, pepper, white pepper, and optional ingredients if using. Stir to mix. Sprinkle chicken pieces with cumin, salt and pepper and place the in the crock-pot, pressing the chicken into the liquid. Cook on high for about two hours, then lower the temperature to low and cook for 4 – 6 hours until chicken can be shredded.

To serve, shred the chicken and return to pot. Serve with any desired condiments such as cornbread, taco chips or Fritos, shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, sliced jalapenos, or your favorite hot sauce.

These are my opinions only and I don’t get any compensation from anything mentioned in this post.

Georgia Grown

July 25, 2018June 21, 2026Posted in GeorgiaTagged Blueberries, Desserts, Food, Fresh Produce, Georgia Peaches, Produce Stand, recipe, Summer Produce, Vidalia Onions16 Comments

It’s summer in the Peach State and that means fresh, sweet, juicy Georgia peaches.

Peach season always reminds me of my Dad. After he retired from the Air Force in the 1970’s, he and my Mom moved to a farm in middle Georgia. In addition to their summer garden they had a small peach and apple orchard. When the peaches were ripe Dad would call and we would drive the 200 miles to their house to pick some peaches. I can still remember the sweetness of the peach and the sticky juice running down my hands as I stood in the orchard eating a peach that moments before still been had on the tree.

These days I have to be content with buying peaches at a local produce stand. On a recent road trip we stopped at James and the Giant Peach Stand in Ellabell for some fresh Georgia peaches. As soon as we arrived at home I tasted one and them and then made a fresh peach cobbler for dessert. Another night I blended up some Peach Daiquiris.

20180708Peaches-(3) — Georgia Peaches from Ellabell, Georgia

Peach Cobbler made with fresh Georgia peaches

Another Georgia summer treat is the Vidalia Onion. The Vidalia Onion was named the Official State Vegetable of Georgia in 1990. They cannot be sold until the Georgia Ag Commissioner chooses a Pack date, usually in April. The season continues through August of each year. These sweet onions are only grown in a few South Georgia counties. Tomato and Vidalia onion pie is one of my favorite summer side dishes.

20180714Vidalia-Onions-(3) — Vidalia Onions

It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato – Lewis Grizard

The best tomatoes in the world are home grown tomatoes. If you grow your own, you know what I’m talking about. I’ve never been successful growing slicing tomatoes so I buy “Davis Killer Tomatoes” from my favorite produce stand, Davis Produce in Savannah. On a sweltering summer day there is nothing better for lunch than a tomato sandwich. Sliced bread (traditionally white bread but these days I use multi-grain or wheat), mayonnaise (preferably Dukes), and sliced tomatoes with salt and pepper. That’s it! Deliciousness!

A favorite southern summer snack is boiled peanuts. I love sitting around the table with friends and family, a cold drink and a bowl of boiled Georgia peanuts.

Georgia is known for other produce the rest of the year. Did you know that the state of Georgia is one of the top blueberry producing states in the country? I look forward every spring to blueberry season. As soon as they were ready this year I bought a flat from a friend’s sister who owns an organic blueberry farm.

20180502Blueberries-(4) — Georgia grown blueberries

Are you hungry yet for some Georgia goodness? I’ve never shared a recipe on my blog before but here is my favorite cobbler recipe.

Easy Fruit Cobbler

1 stick unsalted butter (use real butter)
1 cup self rising flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
3 – 5 peeled and sliced peaches or 1 container blueberries + 1 TB sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Place the fruit in a bowl and mix with the 1 TB sugar. Set aside.

Put the butter in a 9×9 inch square baking pan (I use metal but a glass pan will work). Place the pan in the oven to melt butter.

While butter is melting, in another bowl mix the flour, sugar, and milk. Batter will be thin and milky.

When butter is melted, remove from oven and pour in the batter. Spoon fruit over batter. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes to 1 hour. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

Many thanks to Ingrid’s Wandering Wednesday photo prompt – food for the inspiration for this post. I take lousy food photos and have been wanting an excuse to practice.