I Gave Up Sweets For Lent

....and was doing quite well until today. Now I am obsessed with the thought of cookies or cake or something with real sugar. I like the idea of self deprevation - I believe it builds character. When I was a young bride I lived in a crappy house and had hand-me-down furniture. Now I see very young people in furniture stores starting out with nice stuff all on credit. In those days my cooking seemed to always include a cheap dish made with cream of mushroom soup like green bean casserole or pork chops & rice-not much eating out in those days except for special occassions. Sorry, I am rambling due to sugar withdrawl so I will get to the point....

My husband bought me this cookbook for Christmas about twenty years ago. Truthfully, I didn't know if I should laugh or be offended. I have to admit that I am a little touchy about the terms white trash, hillbilly, redneck, hick, etc. having been born and raised (partially) in Arkansas. I loved the photographs and many of the photos and stories brought back memories of the south. The funny thing is, my yanky husband has been crazy about every recipe I've ever made from this book! Every holiday he asked if I am going to make that sweet potato pone - he prefers it over those ghastly sweet potatoes with melted marshmallows. Here's the recipe direct from the book:

FANCY SWEET POTATO PONE

4 C raw grated sweet potato, 1 C syrup, 1/2 C sugar, 1 C milk, 1/2 C butter, 1/2 C chopped nuts, 1 C raisins, 3 well-beaten eggs, 1 tsp allspice, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp cloves, 1/4 tsp salt

Add well beaten eggs, sugar, spices, and nuts to grated sweet potato. Melt butter in heavy iron frying pan; add potato mixture; stir on top of stove until very hot. Cook in same pan in moderate oven for 45 minutes, stirring from bottom several times. Serve with whipped cream. Whipped cream? I never did that!