Asking Mama Cora for a Rich Potion

Asking Mama Cora for a Rich Potion

Great Aunt Coralee Lewis was well known in the Dismal Swamps of North Carolina. The swampers all jest called her Mama Cora. She was a JuJu Woman and could make up potions to cure most ails. She could talk the warts off anyone and she could make you a mojo that would protect you from another JuJu Woman. Love potions and casting spells kept her right busy.

She lived in a cypress clapboard cabin that had turned grayish silver from age. It sat on pilings at the edge of the swamps and was a little rickety with age, but suited her jest fine. You hardly ever caught her without her corncob pipe or a 'dip' of snuff She was tanned to about the color of old leather and for as long as I can remember, she would have some young feller staying in the cabin with her. They would jest show up and stay for 6 months or so and then disappear. I don't remember ever seeing one of them again after they left, but directly here would come another one for a while. Her back porch hung over the edge of the swamps and the gators that hung out there were unusually fat from all the garbage she would feed them. She sure loved those gators and even had pet names for some of them.

When I was about 20 years old, I stopped by Aunt Coralees to visit for a spell and asked her to give me a potion that would make me rich. She kinda chuckled and told me to wait there. I could hear her rummaging around in her cabin and shortly she pushed open the screen door and said "Here, Boy. You drink this" She handed me a dipper that was filled with a bilious green liquid that kinda glowed in the twilight. I steeled myself and drank it right down. It tasted pretty good. I kinda got just a little floaty; something like after a couple of good shots of moonshine, but it didn't last very long.

Soon after I left the Dismals and started working for a living. During the years I have made a decent living, married a really fine lady and we had a passel of children. The children all grew up in fine health and married well themselves. The wife and I do love to have our children and grandchildren come visit, but I never did get rich.

Eula's Home Made Ice Cream

Eula’s Home Made Ice Cream

My Dad gave me this recipe a few years ago from Lib Gurkin's Aunt, Eula, who lived next to the Gurkin Quiet Place in Smithfield, NC - Eula passed away not long ago. Definitely use fresh peaches if they're in season. But I love this simple recipe - it's simple to make and doesn't require an ice cream maker if you don't have one - and you can even make some in the middle of Winter!

• 4 Eggs
• 2 cups Sugar
• 1 can Peaches (Sweetened)
• 1 tsp Vanilla Flavoring
• 2 tbs Flour
• ½ tsp Salt
• 1 can Evaporated Milk
• 1 qt Whole Milk

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and refrigerate overnight.

The Passing of Bob Gurkin

It's been a long time since my Brother, Bob and I posted on our blog. The reason being that Bob passed away unexpectedly in August 2013. After his passing, I sort of forgot about everything.

Bob was the creative genius behind the White Trash Cooking blog. His recipes were as he remembered them over the years, from a very young age. Bob had a wonderful memory. He could remember many recipes that our Grandmother used to make when he was a little boy. Bob's tall tales came from his wonderful imagination for the most part. He did intertwine stories from our family in his tales as well. But for the most part, the names were changed - to protect the innocent I suppose. I sorely miss that amazing mind of his.

But life goes on and I'm going to attempt to pick things back up on our blog. I don't know about all the tall tales but I will add more recipes.

Thanks for visiting our blog and if you'd ever like to share a recipe, an experience or your own tall tale, I'd love to hear them.

Y'all take care and come back soon!

Rick Gurkin