Brownlee cooks a lot of big meals in and out of Covid 19 quarantine

“With five kids I cook a lot!” said Mallory Brownlee of Bruce.
She has to make big meals to feed everyone (husband Cody, Gatlin 11, Lake 8, Kodi Brooke 6, Mali May 2 and Swayze Lee 10 months) so she loves things like soups and pasta dishes that go a long way.
“During this quarantine, I’ve made Mamaw Helen’s Goulash at least three times. It’s my husband’s favorite thing I cook!” said Mallory.
Cody has “made me cook it constantly” while being home, since he teaches and is the BHS baseball coach.

“He has enjoyed my cooking while being home instead of eating ball park food,” she said.
“Mamaw Helen’s Goulash recipe is very near and dear to my heart. She showed me how to make this when I was just old enough to start helping in the kitchen. It is a family recipe and we all enjoy this still today!
“My version is almost identical to hers but I still love going to her house and having this for dinner on my birthday every year!” she said.

“My friend’s mom showed me how to make Good Stuff (yes, that’s the name of this recipe) when I was just a teenager and I have been making it ever since then!”
“The kids love it. It’s like if you combined taco soup and nachos. It’s their favorite,” she said.
The Mexican Fruit Cake is her favorite cake to make and says her family looks foward to this every time they have a holiday party.
Since high school baseball has been canceled and summer sports delayed, she and her crew go fishing almost every day–their next favorite thing to do.

Mamaw Helen’s Goulash
1 large onion (peeled and chopped)
2 bell peppers chopped the same size as the onion (I use a green and a yellow)
2 pounds of ground beef
2 cans of original rotel (do not drain)
1 large can tomato sauce
1 bag medium size egg noodles
Seasonings: onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper
In large skillet, saute peppers and onion in some olive oil (medium to low heat) until soft, then add ground beef. While cooking ground beef, add your seasonings. Start with a teaspoon of each (once you add your sauces you can add more to your liking. We love lots of flavor so I use a lot of garlic and pepper.) After the meat is browned, drain it and put back in skillet on a lower heat setting. Add tomato sauce and cans of rotel. At this point when it is heated completely to a soft boil, then taste and add more seasoning if you like. In a separate pot, boil water for noodles. Add them to the water and once they are al dente, drain them and mix with your sauce. It is best served with garlic bread.

Good Stuff
1 lb. hamburger meat
1 onion
2 taco seasoning packets
2 large cans of pork and beans
1 large or 2 small cans of cream of
potato soup
2 regular size cans of tomatoes
1 can of rotel
Things you will also need for when you eat Good Stuff (Ranch Doritos and shredded cheese )
Cook your meat and onion together. Add salt and pepper for flavor. Drain meat and put it in crockpot. Add all other ingredients in and mix together. Cook on low 4-6 hours. Serve this poured over ranch Doritos and top with shredded cheese (cheddar is best). Sour cream is a great addition also when serving.

Mexican Fruit Cake
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
2 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine pineapple and baking soda, eggs, sugar, flour and nuts. Mix well. Grease and flour pan (I use a 9x14x2 inch pan). Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Then let cake cool.
Icing:
1/2 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 block cream cheese (softened)
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix ingredients together and frost cake. I also add some finely chopped pecans over the top of the icing.