I was pouring a glass of iced tea when our neighbor Ginny announced her presence in the kitchen in the usual way, with a brief hacking cough. I could never figure out if this was some kind of code between her and the aunt, or if she was too shy to say hello. That thought lasted for about half a second since Ginny was never shy about asking questions, how could she be shy about introducing herself to people who knew her better than she would like to think? I guess it was just her way of warning you that she was listening to you. She started the conversation by saying, “I couldn’t help but overhear as she was standing at the door (I told you she was listening) that you all will have company for dinner again tonight. Hmmmm?”

What she meant by the statement “again tonight” was that she was looking out that window of hers last night when Olivia’s friend, the Reverend Hinshaw, came over for dinner. Olivia’s face was beginning to redden and I saw the small vein on the side of her forehead begin to bulge. Olivia being a redhead and all, I felt sorry for not being able to hide her embarrassments and frustrations from her as well as the rest of us. I decided it would be best to jump into this conversation and change the direction of it quickly for the good of all of us. When Olivia was upset, the whole block knew it. You would see people getting into their cars to make quick trips into the city. This right here is no joke! With rationed gasoline and all, she’d be doing the entire nation a favor by speaking up. So I did.

“Would you like a glass of iced tea and a sugar cookie Ginny? You and I could go to the backyard and sit under the oak tree and have a little chat.” (I thought she would give Ginny an excuse to get information out of me) Ginny jumped at the opportunity and even seemed surprised that I extended such an invitation. I poured out the tea, put the biscuits on a plate, and we went out to sit under the oak tree.

So, Ginny said, Evangelist Hinshaw is taunting Olivia, right? I told Ginny that wooing has to be different from teasing. Courtship used to be alone, just the two of you. Also, the gentleman usually invited NO to Grandma, and certainly not to dinner with 13 other people present. No, with courtship you were asked out, usually not because you felt compelled because the preacher’s wife was waiting and she couldn’t stand for hours preparing a meal fit for a king so you could put on the dog while the evangelist was in revival at your church. Ginny’s eyes widened and she sat up straight. After looking at me over his spectacles for what seemed like an hour, but I’m sure it was only seconds, she asked me what was cooking that smelled so delicious it must be sinful. Now the conversation was heading in the right direction.

Well, you know Aunt Nita, nothing’s too good for a preacher (I didn’t dare add, especially when he was interested in his niece), so he’s whipping up Golden Swiss Steak, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Cut Green Beans, Hot Buttered Cornbread, and Berry Cobbler for dessert. Hmmmmm, she said, she sure smells good. I didn’t say a word. We finished our tea in silence and returned to the kitchen. She would leave extending an invitation to Ginny to dinner until Aunt Nita. As Grandpa says, “I know which side my bread is buttered on.”

swiss golden steak

½ cup flour

¼ cup vegetable oil

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 green bell pepper (cut into thin strips)

4 small green onions (scallions) chopped using green stems as well

2 garlic cloves (minced)

1 large ripe tomato in a cluster (chopped)

½ cup V8 juice

1 can Campbell’s Golden Mushroom Soup

2 pounds round steak, (½ inch thick)

Place meat on a cutting board and cut into desired portions. On a cutting board, using a meat mallet, pound the meat on both sides until it is flat. Rub meat on all sides with flour until completely covered. Put oil in a large skillet and heat over medium heat. When the oil is hot, place the fillets in the pan and sear on both sides. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper. Add bell pepper, green onions, garlic, and tomato. Stir, making sure to get all the brown crust off the bottom of the pan. This is the base of your sauce and will add a lot of flavor to your Swiss Steak. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes without a lid. Combine the tomato juice and golden mushroom soup in a small bowl, making sure to mix well. To cover the meat mixture, place the lid on the pan and bring to a simmer. Simmer on LOW HEAT for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, again making sure to scrape up any goodies from the bottom of the pan.

Hint: You don’t have to be an evangelist to love this!

From a “Tastebud Tidbits” Collection by Joyce M. Edwards