The type of swamp gravy you eat with

Several days ago, a relative called to check in and asked, “What is ‘Swamp Gravy?’ Since I missed it two years ago … I sorta got excited and began to explain to her that it was a play that gives the oral history of Colquitt, Ga., and is put on by the town’s people. She replied, ‘No, no I mean something you eat.” She had searched for the recipe and couldn’t find one and wanted to cook it at a fish fry at their home.

I remember writing about this very subject years ago. I thought I would share it and a few other oldies from long ago. I’ll be seeing you around … Agnes.

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Swamp Gravy

(Basic Recipe)

5 finely diced potatoes

3 finely diced onions

Fry fish and hushpuppies. Pour off the grease, leaving the drippings. Put pot with drippings in it back on the heat and stir in potatoes and onions. Cook and stir until tender. Stir in a quart or 2 of tomatoes and Louisiana Hot Sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let cook for a few minutes with some boneless fish on top. Stir and remove from heat. Serve along with the fish. (Can stir in some sliced okra when you add potatoes and onions.

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Dishpan Cookies

(This recipe was given to me by a Mrs. Simmons that had managed a lunchroom and baked these frequently for the students.)

Makes about 14 dozen.

2 cups brown sugar, packed

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups oil

4 eggs

4 cups plain flour

1 teaspoon soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups oatmeal (more if needed)

2 cups canned coconut

4 cups corn flakes

1 package chocolate chips (6 ounces)

1 package butterscotch chips (6 ounces)

Using a large bowl or dishpan combine ingredients in order given. Mix well and drop by spoonsful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 for 10 to 12 minutes.

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Tomato Soup French Salad Dressing

From the Campbell’s “Cooking with Soup” cookbook

1 can condensed tomato soup (10 ½ ounce)

½ soup can vinegar (1/2 cup +2 tablespoons)

½ soup can salad oil (1/2 cup+2 tablespoons)

2 tablespoons minced onion

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

Put all ingredients in a quart jar, seal with tight fitting lid and shake until well mixed. Refrigerate leftovers and shake again before using. Makes 2 2/3 cups. Use as dressing or dip.

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Blond Brownies

4 eggs

1 box brown sugar

1 stick butter

2 cups self-rising flour

1 to 2 cups chopped nuts

In the top of a double boiler beat 4 eggs and the brown sugar. Cook 20 minutes over boiling water, stirring constantly. Stir in butter and set aside to cool. Stir in flour and nuts and mix well. Pour in a greased and floured 9 x 13 pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until done. Do not overbake.

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Peanut – Banana Salad

Lightly spread mayonnaise over a peeled banana. Gently roll the banana in crushed toasted peanuts that are lightly salted. Serve on lettuce leaf.

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Recipe for Laughter:

The year was 1955

• Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging seven cents just to mail a letter?

• If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store.

• When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 25 cents a gallon? Guess we’d be better off leaving the car in the garage.

• Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $50,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn’t surprise me if someday they’ll be making more than the President.

• I never thought I’d see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They’re even making electric typewriters now.

• It’s too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.

• It won’t be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.

• I’m afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.

• Thank goodness I won’t live to see the day when the government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to government.

• The fast food restaurant is convenient for a quick meal, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.

• There is no sense going on short trips any more for a weekend. It costs nearly $2 a night to stay in a hotel.

• No one can afford to be sick anymore. At $15 a day in the hospital, it’s too rich for my blood.

• If they think I’ll pay 30 cents for a haircut, forget it.

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