Paula Deen - Sticks & Stones...and the B-Word

I was warned by my son about what I put on the Internet.  It's a permanent record of my words and  might come back to haunt me in the land of free speech and Homeland Security.  So, I better leave it to others to sort out Paula and the Food Network.  Like Martha Stewart, Paula is flawed but her contributions out weigh her sins. She'll likely regroup and move on.  Now, I'm going to stick my neck out and use the B-word, butter, which seems to be akin to another issue about Paula.   I, frankly, enjoy using the B-word and use it quite liberally when called for.  I'm not afraid of  the B-word but don't go overboard with it either. 

I also use a lot of H-words (herbs) when cooking and, unfortunately, must buy them at the store since I don't have a garden.  Even though I have an H-word container, I have to find ways to use any excess before they spoil and the best way is to chop them up finely and mix with the B-word.  What an easy way to stretch them and add flavor to so many dishes. H-word B-word can be frozen and pulled out when you need it to give your dish that extra punch of flavor. I favor chive for savory breads, rosemary and thyme for chicken,  tarragon and shallot for fish, sage for butternut ravioli, parsley, cracked pepper and garlic for beef.  Basil doesn't freeze well so I make pesto with it, but that's another story. I used H-word B-word on grilled corn on the cob last week for the Father's Day BBQ. So don't waste your H-words; mix them with B-word and freeze.

Then there are the sweetened B-words to top off that piping hot biscuit or muffin; honey, orange marmalade, strawberry; the possibilities are endless.  Use your imagination (but not the B-word).

Frankly, I've used the B-word for most of my life, the H-word came later.  When I was little, if I got hungry before bedtime, my parents would fix me a slice of bread with the B-word on it.  There where seldom any "snacks" or treats in our house; three square meals a day, and that was it, so if I didn't eat my dinner, bread and the B-word was the alternative.  Pretty good deal to me. the B-word always made things better, even 50+ years ago.

I've been using the B-word all my life and this is in my frig! Please! Don't tell Food Network!