An Old Favorite

Growing up in Jacksonville, there was a favorite restaurant of ours that we would always take out-of-town guests to that were visiting.  It was called Beach Road Chicken Dinners.

Beach Road not only has the best fried chicken, they have the best side dishes as well.  My favorite side dish of all is their creamed peas.  At Beach Road, chicken dinners were served "family style", all the sides and biscuits you wanted.

I have not been to Beach Road Chicken in years, but I have not forgotten how good the peas were.  with lots of testing, I have re-created the yummy peas.

Creamed Peas

2 cans of sweet peas (undrained)

3 T butter

3 T flour

1/4 C cream

Salt & pepper 

1 tsp garlic power

1 tsp onion powder

Melt butter in skillet, add flour, whisking constantly, add cream and peas (undrained), keep stirring until sauce is thick, add all seasonings, making sure to season well with salt & pepper.  

- For a richer taste, drain peas, and replace with 1/2 cup of chicken broth.

Serve this side dish with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, pork chops or meatloaf.  Makes a great side dish!

Veneto Rescue Beans

Original Veneto Rescue Beans Recipe

Are you looking for a unique side dish recipe?  This bean recipe has a story behind it (and you know I love that).  In the summer of 2001 we were living in Vicenza, Italy because my husband was in the Army and we were stationed there.  Guy's unit had to do a week-long training exercise called "Veneto Rescue".  If  you are not familiar with Italy, here is a brief geographical lesson.  Vicenza is located in northern Italy between Verona and Venice, which is known as the "Veneto Region" of Italy.

Anyway, after the week-long exercise the "unit" and their families got together to celebrate the end of this exercise and we did so with a feast.  One of the things served was something appropriately called "Veneto Beans".  These beans were made by my husband's commander's wife "LIz".  They are absolutely delicious.  They will be on the menu in January as a side to my Sausage & Potatoes meal.  I can't wait for you to try them!  Here is the recipe, the printable recipe can be found here.

Veneto Rescue Beans

Veneto Rescue Beans

1 8 oz can green beans, drained
1 8oz can yellow beans, drained

1 8oz can kidney beans, drained

1 8oz can lima beans, drained

1 16oz can pork and beans

1 C finely chopped celery

5 strips of bacon, chopped

2 C finely chopped onion

1 Can tomato soup

1 C brown sugar

2 tsp mustard

1 tsp chili powder

1 lb ground hot sausage

Mix all except ingredients together, top with bacon and bake 325 for 2 hours.