Adkins loves spending time with her family

Cindy Adkins works as a nurse, owns a consignment business and still finds time to cook for her family. 

“I like to do casseroles such as poppyseed chicken and taco bake, and other dishes that can be put together quickly like different types of pastas,” Adkins said. “My husband loves to grill as well.”

Adkins lives in Philadelphia with her husband Gordon and a blended family of six children and cooks for them whenever she can.

They also own a poultry farm and most of their meals are quick and decided at the last minute. 

She began cooking when she was just four helping her grandmother make what they call Granny’s Fried Taters, her favorite dish.

“On Sundays, my mother-in-law cooks for the whole family after church,” Adkins said. “That inspires me to be more like her, and I really enjoy cooking for my whole family. The food brings them all together. It’s my favorite part of cooking.” 

Adkins said along with casseroles and pasta, she loves making sweet dishes like banana pudding along with anything chocolate. 

“We could eat dessert first if we wanted to,” she said. 

POPPY SEED CHICKEN 

3-4 chicken breasts 

1 can cream of chicken soup 

8 ounces sour cream 

Ritz crackers 

1 stick of margarine 

Poppy Seeds 

Boil the chicken breasts and let cool. In the bottom of a sprayed 9x13 casserole dish, pour in soup and sour cream and stir. Add cooked and shredded chicken breast. 

Sprinkle poppy seeds on top and add crushed Ritz crackers. Melt the margarine and pour over the crackers. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly. 

GRANNY’S FRIED TATERS 

6 medium-sized potatoes, peeled (red potatoes are suggested)

1/4 cup shortening or your choice of oil 

Salt and pepper to taste 

8-inch cast iron skillet 

Peel potatoes and slice to resemble French fries, and cut into smaller pieces if desired. Rinse and drain well. 

Heat oil in a skillet and add potatoes. Sprinkle with seasonings. Cook potatoes, covered, on medium heat until near tender. 

Uncover the potatoes and allow them to brown as desired, and enjoy. 

TACO BAKE 

One pound ground beef 

Taco seasoning 

Salsa con Queso 

Mexican planed shredded cheese 

8 inch flour tortillas 

Cook ground beef, season with taco seasoning to taste. Mix beef with Salsa con Queso to taste. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and edges are slightly golden brown.