Mississippi Momma’s Famous Chocolate Cobbler (Laps in Seven)

        Some time back Smitty from Mississippi sent a chocolate cobbler recipe.  One of my readers, Ms. Cindy, couldn’t find it and asked that I re-post it.  It was a hit with her Sunday School class (and also Ranger Dog; see below) so I got Smitty to send it to me again.  I call it ‘Mississppi Momma’s Chocolate Cobbler,’ but in the interest of full disclosure she got it from the piano player at church.  Smitty not only sent it, but remembered he posted it in the comments around July 4th, and found it in my archives.

        Here it is.  Oh and after the recipe; the rest of the story. 

2 sticks of margarine placed in the pan the cobbler is going to be made in, melt the margarine in the oven

Mix all of this stuff in a bowl
1 1/2 cups of self rising flour( got to be Martha White ain’t it?)
1 1/2 cups of sugar
3/4 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Mix all this good and pour into the pan with the margarine

Next Bowl of real good stuff
1 cup of sugar
5 tablespoons of cocoa( now we are talking)
mix together
sprinkle over the flour mixture you have in the margarine pan

Then 1 1/2 cups of water over the whole thing

Time to bake, I love this
350 degrees for 30 minutes
or if you have a hot oven, according to Momma, 325 for 35 minutes, that’s what makes her momma.

        Now for the rest of the story:  Keep in mind this is a physician bluegrass fiction blog. The above is a real recipe.  And even though the following is fiction, it is a true story.

        Last year Ms. Cindy had some folks over to dinner and served up the cobbler for dessert.  All the guests loved it.  After everyone left, Ranger Dog leaped up on the counter, snatched the bowl in his jaws, and took off to the rec room to watch Rin Tin Tin re-runs.  He was getting ready to do his best imitation of ‘Laps in Seven.’  Now that is a bluegrass dog, ’cause as all my friends know Sam Bush was inspired to write the number when he heard his dog lapping up water in perfect time.  (Was it 7/8?) 

        Well, Ms. Cindy took the bowl away from him right away even though there was only a little bit of chocolate left.  (The guests had all but licked the bowl clean themselves.)  She called the vet to be sure, and they confirmed that not only is chocolate bad for dogs, but once they get a hold of it, they tend to crave more.  

        The vet’s office was so impressed with Ms. Cindy’s concern for her dog they hired her!  Everyone came out good except Ranger Dog is still trying to figure out how to get into that chocolate, but Ms. Cindy’s quick action saved his life.  

        Anyway, y’all try the chocolate cobbler.  I had some when I was in Mississippi and it was excellent, so I can recommend it from experience.  Just keep it away from the family dog; they’ll snarf it up if you aren’t careful.

Dr. B

Advertisement

What is it About Chocolate?

        Over a quarter century I have made very few errors in my daily interaction with my staff.  When you are surrounded by a dozen women all day, you do have to pay attention and learn though.

        There used to be a magazine in the bathroom and the lead article was ‘Ten Loveable Bunny Crafts.’   The cover photo was some kid whose mama had decked out for school in a floppy ears and odd looking nose get-up.  I took the magazine up front and said, “What the heck kinda mama would make their kid go to school looking like that?”

          In return I got a room full of icy stares.  Then one said, “Dr. B that’s precious.”

        I left the article in the bathroom for a decade to remind me I was but a dumb man.

        The biggest mistake I ever made was over chocolate though.  Some drug rep came by one day to tell me about a new product.  At the end of his presentation he pulled out some bright colored tins.  “Care for any chocolate?  This is from Europe.”

        I picked up one of the tins.  “Man, looks expensive.  I just had lunch, so I guess not.  Appreciate it though.”

        I got ready to see another patient, and one of my staff members walked by.  “What did that man have Dr. B?”

          “Aw, just another ace inhibitor.  Crowded market there.  Had some fancy tins of chocolate from Europe too.”

         “Chocolates?”  She all but giggled.  “Can I have some?”

        “Uh, I didn’t get any.”

         “What do you mean?!  The man brought free chocolate and you didn’t get us any?”  She was beyond disappointed. 

          “Uh well, I mean… gee, uh… I wasn’t hungry.”

           I got a ‘you sure are a dumb man’ look.  Word spread quickly.  In twelve seconds I was in the office staff doghouse. 

           I took a quick look to be sure my patient didn’t have an emergency and dashed out to the parking lot.  I caught the man as he was about to pull out, and rapped on his door.  He rolled down the window.

          “Hey pal,” I asked.  “Maybe I better get some of that chocolate after all.  My staff might like it.”

           “Sure, Doc.  How much do you want?”

            “I’ll take all you can give me.”  (For a man I am a quick study.) 

            I went from goat to hero, and it was one of the most contented days at the place I ever recall.   I still don’t know exactly what it is about chocolate, but I’ll never forgot the lesson.  I believe I’ll go buy some this week-end.  Mondays are always tough at the office, and it might make for a better day.

          I have learned it is best to follow good advice.  What kind of chocolate do you guys think I should get?

Dr. B