April Gordon

“My mom just threw me in the kitchen,” said April Gordon of Bruce. She grew up in Fulton and her mother taught her to cook as her mother’s mother had taught her. She says she is still learning from her mother who always did all the cooking and she was the clean-up person.
But April says to this day, she still calls her mother for advice on how to make something. She might Google for ideas to start, but usually ends up on the phone with her.  She has mostly learned from her mother telling her and “I never use a measuring cup,” she said.
“Have your staples,” is something her mother always told her, so that has been good advice as she says she is more of a baker.
When she’s cooking, she just tries to figure things out by taste. She cooks with organic ingredients and makes things gluten free as best she can. She has been working on gluten free rolls, but said it hasn’t worked for her yet.

The meatloaf is husband, Josh’s favorite. Daughter, Macie, 5, likes macaroni and cheese, and chicken nuggets.
“They like fried chicken strips,” April said, and “when I make them, I make a lot.”
Besides Andy Griffith, son Chandler, 9, has gotten hooked on Jr. Chef and is fascinated by it because he has a great interest in cooking.
April’s grandfather is Italian, and she likes Italian food. For either Thanksgiving or Christmas, they always have a big lasagna along with their ham or turkey and dressing, and spinach turnovers, which her grandfather makes. She says it will be hard to learn to make his lasagna and turnovers, because he prefers doing everything himself.

Momma’s Chocolate Pie is something she has been making for so long, and for every social event. “It’s very sweet!” She normally makes four at a time, and it is another of her husband’s favorites.
April cooks, cleans, crochets (which she learned from her great-grandmother) and studies, as she directs the children’s ministry for the Bruce Church of God-Church of God of Prophecy, where her husband has been the pastor for two years.

Sweet Baked Beans
2 large cans baked beans (any)
1/2 cup organic brown sugar
2 Tbsp. mustard (regular or spicy)
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 pkg. bacon (2 slices chopped)
1/4 cup chopped green or regular onions
Pre-heat oven to 350°. Add all ingredients into mixing bowl. Add chopped onions, bacon and stir. Pour smoothly into baking dish. Place bacon over beans and bake 30 minutes or until brown and boiling. Feeds 6-8.

Momma’s Chocolate Pie
2 cups sugar (organic, regular or Splenda)
5 Tbsp. cocoa
1/4 cup flour (all-purpose) regular or gluten-free
1 can evaporated milk
2 tsp. vanilla
4 egg yolks
1/4 cup butter (light)
White whipped topping: whip together 4 egg whites
and 1/4 cup sugar (add gradually)
Pre-heat oven to 350°. In deep pan add sugar and milk. Mix and melt sugar. Add cocoa, flour, vanilla, egg yolks and mix. Add butter and mix until thickens. (It will not take long.) Add to deep dish pan. Bake 35-40 minutes or until lightly brown. Add whipped topping and bake five minutes or until lightly brown.

 
Smashed Potatoes
6 regular peeled potatoes
6 sweet potatoes, peeled
3 Tbsp. light butter
2 tsp. (add or take away to taste)
2 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheese (any kind)
Pre-heat oven to 350°. Boil potatoes together. When done, drain and leave one cup water remaining in pan. Add butter, salt, pepper and sour cream. Pour smoothly inside baking dish. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake until melted on top. Feeds 6-8.

Momma’s Meatloaf
4 lbs. hamburger meat
1/2 chopped onion
1 tsp. minced garlic
4 eggs
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pepper
1/2 pkg. crackers
Ketchup to taste
Preheat oven to 350°. Mix together all ingredients and pat tightly. Place in a pan, preferably one that can drain grease as it cooks. Slightly rub thin layer of ketchup on top before placing in oven. Cook for 40 minutes. Add more ketchup if needed, to taste. Cook until brown inside. Time varies with amount of meat. Feeds 6-8.