Ava's Graduation/Livermush Party

A plate of nicely fried livermush.

My friend Ava graduated on Saturday from WTCC and in honor of her graduation she threw a Livermush Party.  I grew up in Cleveland County and Ava grew up in the next county over, Rutherford., so we both know all about livermush.  Our counties are known for the best livermush in North Carolina.  I think of livermush as the pate' of the South.

Ava has a degree in journalism from UNC and she is a professional photographer, nevertheless she went back to school at Wake Tech and got a degree in graphic design.  I have followed her work with great interest, and I must say her work is amazing.

Pizza with livermush.

Livermush was at the center of the party, including a livermush pizza.  Or livermush with homemade pimento cheese.  Or livermush on banana nut bread.

The cake honored Ava's induction into Phi Theta Kappa honor society. 

It was a fun party with a group of congenial folks. 

Ava's party. (Photo by Julian Barlow)

Catherine, Khai, and Heather perusing Ava's portfolio.

Ava (Photo by Julian Barlow).

Dan is having fun at the party.

Ava's husband, Bill. (Photo by Julian Barlow).

Ava's son Woody.

Ava's son Julian and Catherine Stelpflug.

Now I need to find an excuse to have a livermush party. 

To see the marvelous job Ava can do check out her online portfolio.

Southern Style Pimento Cheese

Southern Pimento Cheese

Actually I suppose all pimento cheese is Southern.  Here's a simple recipe of pimento cheese that is good for serving on crackers, topping a homemade pizza,  or for making a grilled pimento cheese sandwich.  I'm going to a "livermush party"  next week, and I'll take some pimento cheese that will be good to add to a livermush sandwich.

Here's the recipe for Southern Pimento Cheese:

Southern Pimento Cheese

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

½ cup Duke’s mayonnaise

¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)

1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimento, drained or 4 ounces grilled sweet pepper

Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

Place the Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayo, cayenne pepper, and pimento in the large bowl of a mixer.  Beat at medium speed with paddle until thoroughly combined.  Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

 

Use a good extra sharp Cheddar.

Duke's mayo is a must for this.

I used half of this jar of grilled peppers.

Mix all ingredients together in large bowl of mixer until blended.

Ready to enjoy.

If you've only tried the commercial pimento cheese, I suggest making your own.  It's less expensive and it is ever so much better. 

Breakfast at Suppertime at The Shelby Cafe

The Shelby Cafe on South Lafayette Street is a Shelby, NC, icon, and it is known for its breakfasts which can be ordered all day.  It had been a long time since I had been there---probably when I was a college student many years ago---but my friend PJ, two of her grands and I ate there on Friday night. 

The Window of the Cafe.

Whenever I am in Shelby, I usually eat livermush in some form or fashion.  I knew the Shelby Cafe would have livermush.  I ordered the Mayor's Special Sandwich: eggs scrambled with livermush and cheese and wrapped in pita bread.  It was good.

The Mayor's Sandwich.

It was fun visiting this place again after all these years.  The memorabilia of bygone days make for a walk down memory lane.

Old coke cooler.