I didn't change much with this recipe. I did however just buy the tortilla strips that  you put on salads instead of cutting and baking them myself. If you follow my blog you know I always like to cut corners whenever possible. Since I mentioned earlier it's been awhile since I made this, I don't remember much else other than the aromas coming from the oven! I would recommend this for sure, maybe even over typical stuffing for your next Thanksgiving feast to change it up a little. Thumbs up!

I don't know what I'm going to do with this extra coconut though (I still had some leftover from those Surfer Splits). Maybe I'll look into the list and see what all needs coconut. I would hate to wash it! The marshmallows I'm sure can be used for something... it's almost fall so a s'mores cake or pie? Sounds yummy! 

I wouldn't make this ambrosia salad again and I hope there's not another recipe in this massive cookbook. I'm currently trying to take a break from all these recipes because of the amounts of money I'm spending and shouldn't be spending. Sorry for the sparse posts! Once we get into our new house I promise to start being more active again! 

Some other changes I made, I didn't use fresh shrimp, I used frozen. This is because I wanted something deveined and with the skin already removed. So all I had to do was saute for a little bit and then cut the tails off just to simmer in the soup for 30 or so minutes. I served the soup with a side of salad to keep it a slightly healthy dinner. I'm trying so hard with this without much success. 

If you like spicy then this soup is for you. If you don't, just get regular sausage, and don't use cayenne pepper or a jalapeno and I think it will be just as delicious.

After cooking the meat in the water for 90 minutes, the meat was so tendering and just fell off the bones with ease. It smelled really good to! The meat stock smelled just as good and it was a little hard to just let it sit there until dinner time (the meat, not the stock, not sure I would have touched that). I'm pleased that this recipe for stew is more tomato based than anything. In the past, I've only ever had beef stew - which is good, yes - but I definitely like this one so much more. 

The corn was perfect in the stew and I will say I really, really liked the bread crumbs on top. It gave the stew a consistency that was delightful. I may try this was other stews and soups I make just because. Overall, this was pretty simple though it does take a long time and some patience. Okay, maybe not the patience because I did not even watch it cook - is that bad? This stew goes up on my list for things that I loved so far in the book, which isn't very many things (lots of good things, but not a lot of loves). I recommend this recipe FOR SURE! And for once I'm excited to eat leftovers. YUM!!!

For the most part it was easy. I didn't start the recipe early enough so we didn't eat dessert for awhile after dinner... but that's okay because the Brunswick Stew (see above) was so delicious all of us got seconds. I will say that this cobbler is mighty delicious when served over chocolate ice cream (YESSSS). I probably won't make this again, but glad I tried it. It won't go to waste nonetheless.