By Staff
LOVES TO COOK Dot Cooley of Meridian recently submitted her recipe for Pimento Cheese Dressing to the QVC cookbook contest. Her recipe along with 300 others was chosen for the "Best of the Best from QVC" cookbook. Photo by Penny Randall/The Meridian Star
By Penny Randall / staff writer
June 26, 2002
Of 5,000 entries submitted to a recent recipe contest sponsored by QVC, only 300 were chosen for a cookbook. One was from Meridian resident Dot Cooley who sent in her family recipe for Pimento Cheese Dressing.
Learning to cook
Cooley credits her mother, the late Mrs. Walter Whittington, with teaching her everything she knows about cooking.
At age 75, Cooley still remembers her early childhood days sitting on the school steps eating her lunch from home.
Her favorites
Besides the pimento and cheese dish, Cooley is also known for her pepper jelly, which has a warm sweet taste and is good on meats. She makes it year round, but especially at Christmas time.
She also has a great squash casserole recipe.
Cooley describes her cooking as "just plain old Southern cooking."
Her daughter, Cathy, often tells her, "You're trying to feed the world."
Away from the kitchen
Cooley still cooks large meals four or five times a week. She is a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, works at the Toomsuba Welcome Center and attends Oakland Heights Baptist Church.
Collecting cookbooks is another of her hobbies. Her current collection numbers about 85.
When Cooley received notification that her recipe was chosen for the cookbook, she was extremely surprised.
COOKS WANTED
Is your husband a master at the barbecue grill? Does your mother make desserts to die for? Cooks of all ages are needed for upcoming stories. Don't feel shy about telling us about the great cooks in your life friends, family members or co-workers. Call Penny Randall at 693-1551, ext. 3216.