CULLMAN – Life in the 21st century is hectic. 40-plus-hour work weeks followed up by chauffeuring kids to ball practice and the daily homework battle leave parents exhausted, frazzled and willing to make fast food dinner choices for their families even though Mom and Dad would prefer to provide a healthier, home cooked meal. But, who has time for that these days?
Stephanie Jowers and Laci Schuman of Southern Eats – Meals to Go could relate.
“Laci and I both cook dinner for our families most nights and have always had friends jokingly asking us to feed their families, too. Especially during the busy spring of ball season, when dinner typically was eaten late and out of a bag. One day we just asked each other if we should do it and we started offering casseroles to our group of friends,” said Jowers.
Jowers and Schuman put on their chef aprons like superhero capes and save the day with their solution to the common quandary many Americans find themselves in these days. A quick stop by Southern Eats’ convenient downtown Cullman location and a home cooked dinner is a mere 30-minute run through your oven away.
“A lot of the recipes we use are family recipes; some are recipes we just come up with ourselves if we are looking for something to use a certain ingredient or highlight a certain flavor, some come from friends who share their favorite recipes (we usually name the recipe after them!) and some come from our favorite chefs, cookbooks or even Pinterest.”
Here’s how it works.
On Tuesday of each week, the ladies email their weekly menu selections to their patrons and also post the information on the Southern Eats Facebook page. A small sampling of a recent freezer menu included poppy seed chicken, beef & bacon stroganoff, Philly cheesesteak casserole, pizza casserole and chicken cordon bleu casserole. Mind you, that’s just a few of the offerings. Also available are side dishes and dips, and in the fridge you’ll find chicken salad, green salads, desserts and beverages.
As most meal are frozen, you can store them in your home freezer to thaw and bake when needed, or if you’re in a pinch you can call and have the ladies begin the thaw earlier the day of pick up. When you’re ready to bake, simply follow the instructions on the lid which are usually to thaw and bake for 30 minutes. Voilà! Dinner is served!
Catering is also available, and the ladies insist on maintaining the same quality for those events.
“We try to limit our catering to smaller groups and events. We are able to provide delicious food and not overwhelm ourselves. Forty-fifty is a great maximum number for us. We really enjoy doing office lunches, pharmaceutical lunches, showers and small events that we can provide good food and keep the integrity of our product.”
Southern Eats – Meals to Go is located at 221 Second Ave. SE in Cullman next to The Cullman Tribune office. Their hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Fridays 3-6 p.m. They can be reached at 256-727-4224 and look forward to nourishing your family!
Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/southerneatscullman/.
