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Biscuit with love

Shannon Elisabeth


Each Saturday, my mom, little brother, and I dutifully paid a visit to my Grandmother Juanita's house along the Gulf Coast. She was elderly and needed assistance with cleaning and errands. She never learned to drive because she had lived in a city all of her adult life and used public transportation. Juanita was a stubborn Irish woman, and she was known to stand up to my French Grandfather on occasion.


She was also an excellent cook who didn't pass her culinary gene on to my poor mother, Mimi. Grandmother had once owned a restaurant outside of New Orleans when KRAFT approached her about her popular salad dressings. She knew a thing or two about balanced flavors and fresh ingredients.


When we opened her door each Saturday, the scent of buttermilk biscuits was the first thing I smelled. Hungrily, we sat around her worn wooden table, and I buttered and slathered my biscuit with her homemade watermelon jelly as her little dog barked under the table. My little brother kindly dropped scraps to it.


These days, we make such a hype about celebrity chefs, but it is our grandmothers who made do with gardens (instead of fancy grocery stores) that impress me the most with their homey, nourishing, not-rushed food that lovingly fed their families.


My mother says that Grandmother Juanita (who sadly died when I was young) passed on her cooking craft to me and that she would be proud.


The older I become, I want to preserve the secrets of these home cooks and other artisans before they disappear.


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5 Comments


algenzlinger
Apr 24, 2020

Beautiful photography .

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Shannon Elisabeth
Shannon Elisabeth
Jun 14, 2024
Replying to

Thank you so much! Shannon

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emilyallsop31
emilyallsop31
Mar 09, 2020

Biscuits are so comforting especially when they are freshly baked and warm with melted butter. Unfortunately I need to avoid gluten but I’m going to make a fresh batch of GF homemade biscuits this morning! You inspired me. Can’t wait!

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Shannon Elisabeth
Shannon Elisabeth
Jun 14, 2024
Replying to

I recently made a fancy French hors-d'Å“uvre for a party and thought, "I'd prefer a biscuit!" They are indeed more comforting. I hope your GF biscuits turn out! My daughter is gluten-free and has had great success. Take care, and thank you for reaching out! Shannon

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NATHALIE
Mar 09, 2020

I'm sure you inheritate from her. You do that homey and not rushed food. You would give anyone the feel like of cooking. And your cooking has always the perfect taste. I hope to taste those lovely biscuits

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