Tupelo native creates art in the kitchen | Food

Her father, Cornelius Armstrong, launched her to issues like oysters, mussels, shrimp and rabbit. Her mom, Shirley Armstrong, taught her easy methods to make biscuits, meats and greens.

When Gibson received to the Memphis School of Artwork, the place she earned a level in graphic design and illustration with a minor in portray, she broadened her palate.

“By my classmates, I realized easy methods to cook dinner Greek meals, Italian meals, Thai, vegetarian meals,” stated Gibson, 55. “I used to be at all times asking questions. I had the soul meals down pat. I needed to study different issues.”

After faculty, she labored at a TV station in Memphis for seven years earlier than transferring house to Tupelo in 1996. She was an assistant instructor at Joyner Elementary for 3 years, then spent seven extra at Okolona Excessive College educating artwork.

“I received uninterested in artwork and ended up as a deputy clerk at Lee County Justice Court docket for 17 years,” Gibson stated.

After an on-the-job accident in January 2020, Gibson resigned her place as a result of she stated she could not do her job correctly anymore.

However that hasn’t stored her out of the kitchen.

“It takes a number of vitality for me to cook dinner now,” she stated. “I am slower and a bit restricted, however I get it executed.”

4 years in the past, Gibson began a cooking membership referred to as Savory Seasoned Sistahs, which meets as soon as a month at her house.

“I provide you with a theme, and everybody has to make a dish following that theme,” she stated. “The membership is restricted to 6 folks as a result of that is what number of chairs I’ve at my eating room desk.”

Gibson is at all times attempting new recipes or making up new ones as she goes.

“I had a style for a Philly steak and cheese, however with out the bread,” she stated. “So I cooked my steak, bell peppers and onions and put them in a casserole over a layer of potatoes, topped with Provolone cheese.”

Recently Gibson, a member of each Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Order of the Japanese Star, has been dabbling in artwork once more.

This previous 12 months, she created two T-shirts – one for George Floyd, who was slain by a police officer in Minneapolis in 2020, and one for Juneteenth. She’s additionally illustrated 5 books.

“I nonetheless create artwork – I simply can’t get to festivals like I used to,” she stated. “However once I’m cooking, it is like I am creating a bit of artwork. On Fb, once I put up photos, I like my meals to look fairly, just like the plate is a bit of art work.” 

DO YOU KNOW A GOOD COOK? Ship your nominations to Ginna Parsons, Prepare dinner of the Week, P.O. Field 909, Tupelo, MS 38802. Or you may name (662) 678-1581 or e mail them to ginna.parsons@journalinc.com.

1/2 cup chopped bell pepper

1 can sliced mushrooms, undrained

All the pieces Bagel seasoning 

5 russet potatoes, unpeeled

2 tablespoons chilly butter, thinly sliced

8 slices Provolone cheese, divided

Break steak up and put within the backside of a Crock-Pot. Prime with bell peppers, onions and mushrooms with juice. Sprinkle with Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper and All the pieces Bagel seasoning. Prepare dinner on excessive for two hours.

In the meantime, slice unpeeled potatoes and place in a pot. Cowl with water and add oil. Season with salt and pepper. Boil till tender. Drain. Put potatoes in a sq. greased casserole and prime with sliced butter. Don’t stir.

Sprinkle potatoes with salt and pepper. Prime with 4 slices cheese. Prime with steak combination. Cowl with remaining cheese slices. Bake at 350 levels for 20 minutes.

1 pound floor breakfast sausage 

1/2 cup chopped bell pepper

1 jar sliced mushrooms, drained

1 cup shredded cheese, any variety

Sharp Cheddar cheese slices

In a skillet, cook dinner the breakfast sausage till browned and crumbly. Take away sausage to empty on paper towels. Sauté onion, bell pepper and mushrooms in pan drippings till tender.

In a bowl, mix sausage, sautéed greens, crushed eggs, half-and-half and shredded cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

Pour combination right into a greased pie plate or shallow casserole. Prime with cheese slices and sprinkle with bacon bits. Bake at 350 levels for half-hour.

1 pound Italian sausage, cooked*

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules

All the pieces Bagel seasoning

Mix all components in a giant pot (don’t drain greens). Prepare dinner till combination involves a rolling boil, then cut back warmth and canopy pot with lid. Prepare dinner on low for not less than 20 minutes, then flip off warmth and let it sit for quarter-hour.

*Observe: You possibly can substitute floor pork or beef for the Italian sausage.

18 massive shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1/2 tablespoon sesame oil

1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

Wonton wrappers, minimize in strips

Mince the shrimp. In a bowl, mix minced shrimp with garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, cornstarch, bell pepper and onion. Season with salt and pepper.

Utilizing your arms, kind combination into balls (moist your arms to maintain combination from sticking to your arms). Cowl every ball with wonton strips solely.

Deep-fry in oil for five to 7 minutes till crispy golden brown. Serve with a candy sauce.

*Observe: Should you add shredded cabbage to the combination, you may make shrimp egg rolls.

12 ounces broad egg noodles

1 pound floor breakfast sausage or floor turkey

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can sliced mushrooms, drained

1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese

Shredded Mozzarella or sharp Cheddar cheese

Boil noodles, drain and put aside. Prepare dinner sausage till browned and crumbly; drain. Mix noodles and sausage with cream of mushroom soup, mushrooms, cream cheese and milk. Pour combination right into a greased casserole and prime with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 levels for 25 minutes.

1/4 sup candy pickle relish

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon no-salt seasoning

1 teaspoon ready yellow mustard

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon parsley flakes

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Mix all components and chill within the fridge for not less than half-hour.

In a saucepan, warmth butter, sugar and pecans over low warmth till melted. Place graham crackers planks on a baking sheet. Spoon pecan combination over graham crackers. Bake at 350 levels for 8 to 10 minutes.