COOKING WITH HARDT & SOUL
HELEN HARDT & HER READERS
Edited by ERIC J. MCCONNELL
This book is an original publication of Hardt & Soul
Authors acknowledge the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
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Copyright 2022 Helen Hardt, LLC dba Hardt & Sons
Contributors retain copyright to their individual recipes
Cover Design: Helen Hardt
Edited by Eric J. McConnell
All Rights Reserved
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Paperback ISBN: 978-1-952841-18-7
CONTENTS
COOKING WITH HARDT & SOUL
Recipes from Helen Hardt fans across the world!
For all the members of Helen Hardts reader group, HARDT & SOUL, who contributed to this cookbook.
Bon Apptit!
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Cooking with Hardt & Soul! This collection of recipes comes from the fans and family of my mother, the incredible Helen Hardt. Thanks so much to all the readers who submitted recipesIm looking forward to trying out every single recipe contained in this book!
It seems an odd combination, romance readers and a cookbook. But the more recipes I compiled, the more I realized somethingeach one of these dishes gives us a tiny window in the life of the person who submitted it. I couldnt help but wonder Were certain recipes prepared for a significant other or a spouse? Or perhaps some of the meals in this collection were prepared for a first date that went really well and eventually snowballed into nuptial bliss.
Perhaps Im romanticizing (I am my mothers son, after all), but there is something special about cooking. Every living creature on the planet needs to eat to survive, but human beings are the only ones who combine ingredients, spices, and heat to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Cooking is an art, and our kitchens are our palette. And just like a beautiful painting or a piece of musicor a romance novelcooking is, at its heart, an expression of love. Love for the food, love for the person youre preparing it for (even if its a meal for one), and love for the process.
Each one of the recipes in this book is a small act of love from one of my moms readers. I hope you enjoy exploring them as much as I enjoyed compiling them. Happy cooking!
-Eric J. McConnell, editor
Submitted by Stephanie M.
Ocoee, Florida, USA
I got this recipe from my mother. She's not a big fan of sausage but when I make the gravy, it's a hit, not only with my mom and kiddo, but the guys at work love it too!
I NGREDIENTS:
- 1 package Jimmy Dean sausage
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 heaping tablespoons butter
- 2 cups milk (adjust to desired thickness)
- Salt and pepper (as desired)
- 1 package frozen biscuits
PREPARATION:
- Brown sausage (don't drain grease)
- Push the sausage to one side of the pan
- Add butter and flour to make a paste
- Add milk slowly and stir
- Add salt and pepper to desired taste
- If gravy is too thick, add a little more milk
Submitted by Brittany M.
Alliance, Nebraska, USA
This recipe is my own.
I NGREDIENTS:
- 1 box gluten-free dairy free pancake mix
- Bacon (as desired)
- Eggs (as desired)
- Blueberries (as desired)
- Oat milk (as desired)
- 1 bottle corn syrup
- 1 shot Crown maple whiskey
- Sugar (as desired)
- teaspoon pure vanilla extract
PREPARATION:
- Make pancake mix (use oat milk instead of water and add an egg yolk to make extra fluffy)
- Add blueberries to liking
- Prepare pancakes as directed on packaging until they are done all the way through
- Make bacon to liking
- Make eggs to liking
- Combine corn syrup, Crown maple whiskey, and sugar as desired for homemade syrup
- Add vanilla extract to homemade syrup
- Plate pancakes, eggs, and bacon together, and top with syrup
Submitted by Kim V.
Erie, Pennsylvania, USA
I created this recipe when I needed to use stuff up, so I just kept adding ingredients to the pan. My son loves it too. We eat it for breakfast or dinner.
I NGREDIENTS:
- Sliced potatoes (as desired)
- Mushrooms (as desired)
- Peppers (as desired)
- Onion (as desired)
- Eggs (as desired)
- Cheese (as desired)
- Diced ham (as desired)
PREPARATION:
- Fry potatoes, mushrooms, peppers, onion, and ham in oil or butter
- Beat eggs and scramble them into the pan
- Melt cheese on top
Submitted by Debbie G.
Pensacola, Florida, USA
I got this recipe from a friend. I make this delicious appetizer/finger food for parties. My mom LOVES it. Ritz crackers go best with this dip.
I NGREDIENTS:
- 3 packages cream cheese, softened