By Kellie Henderson
Mary Dell Tribble of the Becker community just outside of Amory, in Northeast Mississippi, has the kind of fiery personality that said she’s not afraid of anything. Well, maybe anything other than being the center of attention.
"Just print those recipes and my name. I don’t want everybody to think I’m trying to make myself famous or something," said Mary Dell.
And while it might be difficult to find a more humble person than she, finding a better cook or a bigger jokester might be even more challenging.
"I love to pull a good joke on somebody, and that’s how I got to know [AFC President and CEO] Tommy Paulk," she said.
"He and my son, Jack, are always trying to one-up the other with a prank, and they got me pulled into one with them," said Mary Dell.
Mary Dell insists she just wanted to share her recipes with Paulk and The Co-op Pantry readers, not share her life story.
"I still don’t consider myself a good cook. I just like to read and clip recipes, and if it’s a good one, I love to share it with people," she said.
A native of Amory, Mary Dell has lived in several cities across the Southeast during her husband’s career with Chevron Oil, but city life never was for her.
"I just got tired of it, the traffic and living right next to people I barely knew. Here I have a little home I just love and wonderful neighbors, and I love the country," said Mary Dell.
She enjoys spending time with her sister-in-law, but she spends most of her time at home.
"I wash and iron and stay busy even though I couldn’t tell you what I do with the time. I guess it’s mostly spent looking for things I’ve put down somewhere and can’t remember where I put them," she laughed.
But anyone who talks with her for a few minutes would know that a woman with such razor-sharp wit is not a bit the stereotypical little old lady she might appear to be.
"I don’t cook much anymore since my sons are grown and my husband passed away. It’s hard to cook for one person. I hate to cook something then get tired of eating it and throw the rest of it away," said Mary Dell.
With one son in Birmingham and one in Atlanta, Mary Dell said she’s invited them both to visit during the holidays.
"My son, Jack, in Birmingham and his family are coming, but I’m not sure about Lee and his wife in Atlanta. I told them both I’ve got four beds, and whoever gets here first gets them," she joked.
In preparation for the holidays, Mary Dell has prepared her Shrimp Mold for Christmas Eve parties, and the Dirty Rice recipe is great for gatherings. Either the Derby Pie or Banana Pudding would certainly bring a sweet ending to any meal.
Kellie Henderson is a freelance writer from Troy.
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Shrimp Mold
1 Tablespoon Knox gelatin
1/3 cup cold water
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (10 oz) can tomato soup
½ cup mayonnaise
16 ounces cooked and peeled shrimp, fresh or frozen for salads
1/3 cup onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup bell pepper, finely chopped
1/3 cup celery, finely chopped
1 teaspoon garlic salt
¼ cup ketchup or chili sauce
Soften gelatin in cold water. Set aside.
Mash cream cheese and combine with soup. Heat in a saucepan until mixture begins to bubble. Stir in softened gelatin and mix well.
Add remaining ingredients and pour into a mold coated with non-stick spray. Chill. Serve as an appetizer or salad with crackers.
Note: Mary Dell uses a fish-shaped mold and a slice of pimento-stuffed green olive for an eye.
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Peach Delight
2 cans refrigerated crescent rolls
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 can peach pie filling
1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine, melted
1 cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 Tablespoons milk
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Unroll 1 can of crescents to make a large sheet of dough and press into a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish.
Mix together cream cheese and granulated sugar. Spread over roll dough. Spread pie filling over cream cheese layer.
Unroll the second can of crescent rolls and place on top of pie filling. Drizzle with melted margarine. Bake at 350o for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Combine powdered sugar and milk and drizzle over top while still warm.
Banana Pudding
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Fruity Snow Salad
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 (#2 ½) can fruit cocktail, drained, juice reserved
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
¼ cup mayonnaise
½ cup pecans, chopped
1 package Dream Whip, prepared according to package directions
½ cup sugar
Stir gelatin into lemon juice and combine with ¾ cup boiling fruit cocktail juice.
Combine softened cream cheese and mayonnaise. Stir in gelatin mixture, fruit cocktail and nuts. Add sugar to prepared Dream Whip and fold into fruit mixture. Pour into mold and chill until firm.
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2 (3 oz) packages vanilla instant pudding, prepared according to package directions
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (9 oz) whipped topping
Vanilla wafers
Sliced bananas
Mix together pudding, milk and whipped topping.
Layer vanilla wafers, bananas and filling, repeating until filling is gone. Will fill a large bowl.
Derby Pie
1 cup sugar
½ cup flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 9-inch deep dish pie crust, unbaked
Mix together sugar and flour, then add eggs and stir thoroughly. Pour in margarine and stir well. Stir in vanilla, pecans and chocolate chips. Pour into pie shell and bake at 325o for 35 minutes or until set.
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 Dirty Rice
1 cup uncooked rice
1 onion, chopped
Chopped celery as desired
2 cloves garlic, minced
¾ stick of margarine
2 (16 oz) cans beef broth
1 medium-sized can of mushrooms
1 (10 oz) can mushroom soup
Put rice in a casserole dish. Cover with boiling water and set aside.
Sauté onion, celery and garlic in margarine until translucent. Drain soaking water from rice. Stir vegetables, soup and broth into rice and mix well. Bake uncovered at 350° for 45 minutes.
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Cooked Apples
6 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped
1 ½ cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup margarine
Combine all ingredients and place in a covered baking dish. Bake at 400o for 1 hour, stirring a couple of times during cooking.
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