This site, for the most part, is dedicated to Southern eating while Southern Saving , but, since I’m doing two posts today, I thought I would throw in a few snips and snails and puupy-dog tales too.

Part of eating, for my family, has nothing to actually do with food. For us, the act of eating is a soulful act…one in which family can share of themselves and nourish one another’s souls. It is something that is ingrained in us.

My mother is one of ten kids. While growing up, there wasn’t much money for giving gifts, but the one thing that could be given was the gift of oneself…disguised by great-tasting food.

My mother’s oldest sister had children close to her age. All my life there was this constant confusion on my part,concerning what I should call them by…whether I should call them by their first name (which is deemed disrespectful in the South – to cal an ADULT by their first name) or call them “aunt” or “uncle”, which didn’t fit either. I finally found a comfortable fit, but honestly, I was in my latter teen years before doing so.

One of these cousins, Gwen, gave me one of the greatest gifts I could have ever been given. She allowed me the simple gift of faith…I offered to make her son’s wedding cake when he and his fiance were planning their wedding. Without ever having seen my work, she had complete faith in my ability.

While I was hoping to be giving a wonderful gift, I was actually receiving one. She again called on me to make her soon-to-be grandson’s baby shower cake as well.

The simplicity of the gift of food doesn’t seem like much, but the gift goes so much deeper than the food. It goes to the heart and soul. So, in honor of their soon-to-be grandson, Jacob, I’m giving a family recipe…and it should be fitting, because it is my mother’s oldest sister’s recipe.

It is not necessarily cheap unless you have a garden…but it is VERY GOOD.

Aunt Prell‘s Picante Sauce

4c. tomatoes

1 medium onion

8-10 jalapeno peppers

2 Tbsp. salt

1/4 c. vinegar

2 Tbsp. sugar

Blanch tomatoes by plunging in boiling water 30 seconds to 1 minute, then plunge them into ice water. Remove skins. Core tomatoes. Chop tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Add all other ingredients. Bring to a boil. Turn down and cook 25-30 minutes. Put in jars and process is water bath canner for 10 minutes.

Enjoy!