Newton County 4-H Youth Development Agent is a great cook

Cheryl McLain/News Editor
The Newton Record

NEWTON April 04, 2007 12:05 pm

— Our cook of the week is Katrina McCalphia. Katrina is currently the Newton County 4-H youth development agent.
“It’s truly amazing how things happen if life,” Katrina said. “Many of my friends and colleagues would not believe that I’ve been selected to be “cook of the week” and share my recipes.”
Katrina is truly a busy person, and says her family really enjoys the special occasions when she cooks a meal and they have the opportunity to sit down to a home cooked meal.
“I was around 9, when my mother Irene Nichols began to share her experience of cooking with me,” Katrina said. “My mom is a wonderful cook and she shares many secrets with her daughters.”
Katrina said her mom taught them first about the do’s and don’ts in the kitchen. Her first meal was scrambled cheese eggs, bacon and homemade biscuits. The eggs and the bacon was not a problem, but rolling a biscuit was not an easy task for her. She has since learned to roll and cut or open the bag and place on a pan.
“My sister’s Treacy Croft and Rhonda Gordon and I would have to prepare the complete meal prior to mom coming home from work,” Katrina said. “My father, Reverend Charlie Nichols, was very adamant on getting a home cooked meal everyday and for every meal. He seldom cooks, but he certainly provided the garden for us to pick and shell and prepare for lunch or dinner.”
Learning to cook has been a valuable skill since becoming an adult for Katrina. She was born and raised in Newton, but moved away for a period of time to attend college. It was then she truly valued the skill of cooking. She returned to Newton in 1995 to begin work as Newton County’s 4-H Youth Agent with Mississippi State University Extension service.
Katrina is married to Eric McCalphia, Ward 3 Alderman, and they have four children; Katriona, Tanzania, TyYonna and Nia.
“Anyone who looks at Eric, can see he has been eating some cooking from somewhere,” Katrina said. “Our favorite meals include collard greens, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, homemade cornbread, red beans and rice, peach cobbler and sweetened tea. Favorite snacks are monkey bread, grilled or fried pineapples, or strawberry shortcake.”
Katrina said their main day to eat a meal together is Sunday dinners and generally rotates within the family, but mostly they congregate at the family home in the country.
“As a 4-H youth agent, it is my responsibility to offer programs to enhance the skills of the youth of Newton County and to provide a positive environment for youth to learn and become productive citizens,” Katrina said. “These skills include cooking, food and nutrition and continues to aid in my profession as well.”
Katrina also helps with events and workshops for the community. One event that is coming up is the Third Annual Youth Fun Day, which has become an annual event. She has graciously given the readers a few of her delicious recipes...enjoy!

Pizza Casserole
1 small box spaghetti noodles
1 large jar of pizza sauce or favorite spaghetti sauce
1 pound groud beef
1/2 pound Italian sausage, taken our of its casing
1 small onion, minced
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 cups grated mozarella cheese
20 to 30 pepperoni slices
3 or 4 mushrooms (optional)
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash of pepper
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Step 2
Cook spaghetti according to package directions, rinse, drain well and place in a large mixing bowl.
Step 3
Add 1 cup each of both cheeses and all remaining ingredients. Toss together well. (If you have children who likes to cook, have them toss this together with their hands - it really helps to get the spaghetti noodles mixed in evenly, and the kids think it’s fun.
Step 4
Turn all ingredients into a 13x9x2 inch lightly greased baking dish and top with remaining cheeses and a few pepperoni slices.
Step 5
Bake for 35 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly.

Grilled Pineapple
This extra grilled dessert recipe is a real surprise and tastes so wonderful.
1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 inch slices
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice (or use all lime or all lemon juice)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups orange sorbet (or any flavor)
Combine brown sugar, juices, and cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth. Spread this mixture on each side of each pineapple ring. Grill pineapple 4-5 inches from medium coals for 5-10 minutes, turning once, until sugar mixture melts and pineapple is heated and tender. Top each slice with a small scoop of sorbet and serve immediately. Serves 8.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.