9/16/2009 6:00:00 PM COOK/Jackie Matthews finds strength in faith
By LEAH TOLBERT Staff Reporter
Jackie Matthews married her high school sweetheart, Delbert, seven years ago. Over 29 years, the two have individually had their hands full raising six children.
"We both lived in Philadelphia but parted ways after high school," she said. "He broke my heart in the seventh grade, and I broke his heart in the tenth grade. Seven years ago we reunited again and have been married since."
Between the two, there are three boys and three girls, who range in ages from 29 to 18, and Jackie said they are like the Brady Bunch.
Even though she has an empty nest and a husband working in oil in Africa, Jackie never feels like it is truly empty.
"All the women tell me I have the perfect marriage, because I see my husband for 28 days and then he's gone for 28."
On occasion, her children will call and ask to bring over at least 30 friends for dinner, but she tries to limit the number to 15. She sees Tyler and Matt the most, since they are both at East Central Community College.
"My kitchen is like a restaurant," she said. "People come in and out."
She credits all her cooking talent to her mother, Doris Eubanks, who she said was an awesome cook. I love to entertain, and I cook a lot, said Jackie.
Jackie doesn't follow recipes, she prefers to cook from memory and create a few new recipes along the way. She said her church, Philadelphia Church of God where she is very involved always ask her to make dumplings or peanut butter cookies.
Because she has raised a large family, Jackie has found cooking in small amounts to be very hard to do. She does not cook as much as she used to, since there are not as many mouths to feed.
It has not always been easy for Jackie, who has been through a few rough patches along the way but dedicates everything she has now to God's grace.
"I have been a recovered drug addict for 23 years," she said. "It is by the grace of God that I am here today. I know that I am truly a miracle."
She credits Buford and Jackie Middleton as well as family, friends and God for helping her. She sometimes speaks at schools, hoping that her story will touch someone else's life.
She said she never had any more problems, because God took that all away.
As for the times when Jackie raised her children on her own, she said she would not take back a single day.
"We argue and fuss, but we are all very close." She bragged on each one, and said Tyler makes fun of her for playing Farm Town and Farmville on the computer.
Jackie thanks God everyday for the life she has and the people in it. Having her husband describe the way of life for some in Nigeria has made her appreciate what she has even more.
She said when he was in Nigeria, he would take Bibles to them and playdough to children who had never seen anything like that before. Once, her husband gave a piece of gum to a man who never tried it. After that, he would carry $20 worth of gum with him every time he went back for the man.
Jackie and Delbert's children are Lindsi, 29; Grant, 26; Sonya, 26; Brittany, 22; Matt, 20 and Tyler, 18. They have four grandchildren: Whitnee Simmons; Trinity, 10; Trey, 5 and Conner, 1.
Baked Ham
Ham
1 large can crushed pineapple
1 can Dr. Pepper
1/2 cup brown sugar
Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes per pound. Cover with foil and let rest one hour after cooking.
Baked Sweet Potato
Sweet potato
Butter
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons brown sugar
Cinnamon to taste
Bake potato, scoop out, mix with butter, sugars and cinnamon. Serve in potato skin.
Bacon Cheese Squares
1 can Grands Biscuits
1 bag real bacon bits
Cheese ( I use five different kinds. Use your favorite)
Butter
Grease a 9x13 casserole dish.
Roll four biscuits. Put in bottom of dish. Put on bacon bits, add cheese and cover with last four rolled biscuits. Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake 350 degrees until golden brown.
Green Beans in Cheese Sauce
2 large cans green beans
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup milk
8 ounces Velveeta cheese
3 slices bacon
Pinch of sugar
Cook beans, bacon and sugar on medium heat until liquid is gone. Add butter, cheese and milk. Cook until cheese is melted. Note: can use more cheese if desired.
Refrigerator Rolls
5 cups self-rising flour
2 packages rapid rise yeast
2 cups lukewarm water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dissolve yeast in water. Add remaining ingredients. Let rise in warm place until double in size. Knead on flour board and make out rolls. Let rise again. Bake 350 degrees on greased cookie sheet until brown. Makes 48 rolls. Will keep two to three days.
Peanut Butter Cookies
Duncan Hines yellow cake mix
1 cup peanut butter
1 half cup oil
2 eggs
2 teaspoons water
1 half bag Reeses peanut butter chocolate chips
Mix first five ingredients. Stir in peanut butter chips, not with mixer. Spray pan. Roll into balls. Bake at 350 degrees for 16 minutes.
TROPICAL
CHEESECAKE BARS
Crust:
1 (18 ounce) Pilsbury refrigerated cookie dough
Filling:
1 (8 ounce) cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Topping:
1/2 cup pineapple ice cream topping
1/4 cup shredded coconut
2 tablespoons chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Press cookie dough into 9x13-inch dish. Bake 14 to 19 minutes until golden brown. Cool.
Mix filling and spread over cooled cookie dough. Spoon and gently spread ice cream topping. Sprinkle evenly with pineapple and pecans. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into bars.
