Strawberry Shortcake, a Cookbook Review, and a GIVEAWAY!! {Now Closed}

Way back last summer, I was contacted by Thomas Nelson to do some cookbook reviews. Well, I had a baby and began homeschooling my boys, so time passed me by and I'm just now getting around to the second review. I love cookbooks. I really don't like to read all that much (shh... don't tell my kids) but I do love to read cookbooks, especially ones with great stories in them. Bless Your Heart {Saving the World One Covered Dish at a Time} is a cookbook with just that, great stories. The recipes come from Patsy Caldwell, while all of the fun stories come from Amy Lyles Wilson.

"These recipes are proven to comfort and satisfy your family and the people who may as well be kin. Whether the occasion is a holiday gathering, a garden party, or one of life's unexpected events, food is the common denominator in the South. Lifelong Southerners Patsy Caldwell and Amy Lyles Wilson understand the craft of Southern cooking , and how few things are as nurturing as a meal lovingly prepared in the traditions of the South." - Bless Your Heart

I love how this cookbook is organized, although I do prefer recipe titles to be listed in the beginning of the book, and this book is not organized that way. Instead, there are chapters for different situations in life that you might want to cook certain dishes. For example, some of the chapter titles are "Church Potluck," "Family Reunions," "Book Clubs," "Lending a Hand," and "Tailgating." The recipes aren't too difficult and don't involve ingredients you wouldn't be able to find easily. My favorite chapter is the "Tailgating" chapter. Since I do live in the south, we love the SEC around here. All of the desserts are tied to different SEC teams. I mean who doesn't love some good football food? Hot chicken wings, Tennessee Caviar, Steak Sandwiches with Corn Relish, Big Orange Cheesecake? Now I really want to go to a tailgate, too bad football season is over! (Well of course we have the Superbowl coming up, but I will not be attending that game.)

I've tried out a few of Patsy's recipes, and haven't been disappointed yet. Today I'm sharing her shortcake recipe. Let me tell you, it was so easy! Remember how I made a pineapple upside down cake in an iron skillet last week? Well that's just how Patsy makes her shortcake too. Let me tell you how I am loving using my cast iron skillets more! Later this week I'll share her Swiss Potato Bake and Slow Cooked Barbecue Beef just to give you a good sampling of the delicious recipes found in this book.

Do you want your very own copy of Bless Your Heart? Well you can go here to buy one or you can enter my giveaway! Thomas Nelson has graciously offered to give away three of Patsy and Amy's cookbook Bless Your Heart away to my readers! Wahoo for you guys! I really do think you'll love this cookbook.

If you want to enter the giveaway to win your very own copy of Bless Your Heart- Saving the World One Covered Dish at a Time, then here's how you enter:

*You can do one or all of the things listed below to to enter the giveaway. You need to submit a separate comment for each thing that you do. I will not go through the comments to make sure you entered correctly, so make sure you do it right the first time. The comments are moderated, so they will not show up immediately. I will delete comments that are duplicated. Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you in your comment.

1. Leave me a comment with your favorite meal to take somewhere, whether it be to a new mom, a tailgate, a baby shower, or a potluck. I want to know what your favorite things are too!
2. Like This Mommy Cooks on facebook.
3. Follow me on twitter.
4. Share this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or facebook. If you do this, please share the link in your comment.

This giveaway will run until next Monday, February 6th at NOON, eastern standard time. So make sure you get your comments in before then. I will use the random number generator at random.org to choose the winner. 

Now for the first recipe I'll share from the cookbook. The shortcake recipe. The great thing about this recipe is that I had everything in my pantry! It was also easy to make and tasted great! I loved that it wasn't overly sweet either. You can top it with whatever you want. We chose strawberries and homemade whipped cream, thus the title for today: Strawberry Shortcake. Just fair warning, try not to eat the cake all by  yourself for breakfast...

Strawberry Shortcake

from Bless Your Heart

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter (I used salted.)

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup self-rising flour (make your own here)

1/2 cup milk

1 large egg, slightly beaten

fruit and whipped cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the butter in an 8-inch iron skillet and put the pan in the oven to melt the butter. In a medium bowl mix the sugar, flour, milk, and egg. Stir to combine well. Pour the melted butter over the batter and mix well. Pour the batter into the skillet. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Turn the cake out onto a plate.

To serve: Cut into wedges, split in half. Serve with your favorite fruit and whipped cream.

Makes 4-6 servings. 

Disclaimer: I was not compensated by Thomas Nelson for this review. All comments are my own opinion. I did receive a free copy of the cookbook and was offered to give away three additional copies. 

This is linked to It's a keeper.