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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Ashland's ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum to double classroom space New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Police Reports Schneider Art Museum installation re-imagines Rivera UPDATED: Two lanes open after I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit Education New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Rotary Club of Ashland names Riley O'Sullivan as Student of the Month Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Test Drive: 2015 Honda Accord Cars We Remember: The original Candymatic Ramchargers Politics and elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Ashland Rowing Club hires highly touted coach and national-award winning team director to lead expansion Antionette Kerr: Tourney fever gets superstitious Blazers fight back, edge Jazz Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory High school Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Grizzlies rally past GP, to 2-0 start Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Southern Oregon University Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Voices Latest Stories Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Letters to the Editor, March 27 Editorial Our View: Build it; they will play Our View: How it should work Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Letters Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Columns Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Top 5 things to do this week Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Community blog: Words, wine and Craig Wright 4 Things To Do This Week Theater Ticket availability Ticket Availability Ashland Contemporary Theatre seeks new artistic director Ticket Availability The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Music Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Noah Baumbach talks Ben Stiller, adult comedies and more In 'Timbuktu,' lust for power disturbs peace Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Movie listings: March 20-26 Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Community Blog: What is Peace? Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque App Finder: Best barbecue apps Health Watch: It’s OK to have a cheat day Inner Peace: The good, the bad and the spiritual Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Ashland Calendar: Saturday, March 28 ... Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent ... Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity ... Ashland Calendar: Saturday, March 28 ... Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent ... Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity ... Page H. Onorato: The 10 commandments for the Southern cook Comment By Page H. Onorato More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Page H. Onorato More Content Now Posted Mar. 11, 2015 at 9:14 AM By Page H. Onorato More Content Now Posted Mar. 11, 2015 at 9:14 AM » Social News In spite of popular belief, the words, “First, do no harm” do not appear in the Hippocratic Oath, that statement of ethical standards by which most physicians swear to abide. It does mention things like not giving deadly medicine, not cutting people laboring under the stone and not committing acts of mischief and corruption. Nevertheless, I’m kind of glad to know that my doctor is committed to doing no harm. Perhaps those of us committed to preparing meals for our loved ones, friends and acquaintances should swear to some kind of an oath that involves doing no harm in the kitchen. Here’s a suggestion, sort of a 10 commandments for the Southern cook. 1. Thou shalt not overcook thy green beans (read broccoli, asparagus, squash, etc.). The days of vegetables cooked half a day in fat back are long gone, and once you try them steamed tender-crisp, you’ll be a believer. Maybe, just for old time’s sake, you can indulge in a pot of long-cooked beans once in a while, but please, don’t turn your broccoli into mush. 2. Thou shalt not burn thy fried chicken. This sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to do. Turn your back on the frying pan for only a moment, and it’s a done deed. One dedicated to the preparation of the perfect bird should be at the ready, cooking fork in hand and standing in front of said skillet, alert to turn each body part just when crisp and golden brown is achieved. 3. Thou shalt not abide lumps in thy gravy. “But how?” the novice cook bewails. OK, aside from going berserk and using a packet of gravy mix, one must dedicate oneself to the stir, stir, stir school of gravy making. Add the flour to the drippings and get that arm going before adding the liquid. A blender can help, too. 4. Thou shalt not serve grits made from a wee packet. These are not grits; they are the devil’s abomination designed to torment one’s taste buds. A bag of the real thing, preferably white and stone ground, should be the only kind allowed past your doorstep. 5. Thou shalt not drown thy salads in dressing. Greens deserve to be crisp, not limp and slimy. And while you’re at it, be aware that prewashed and bagged lettuces are never as fresh and crunchy as the ones you prep right before serving. 6. Thou shalt not put sugar in thy corn bread. The same devil who designed packet grits came up with this notion, as any true son and daughter of the Southland knows. Or maybe it was a Yankee. 7. Thou shalt not serve mashed potatoes as a side dish with pizza. Pizza stands alone, or maybe with a salad and a beer. Mashed potatoes go with ham, roast beef, fried chicken, pork chops and gravy. Don’t worry about lumps in your spuds; as my Uncle Joe once observed, “A few lumps let me know they weren’t made from that powder mess.” 8. Thou shalt not deep fat fry thy dill pickles, Snickers bars or Hostess Twinkies. Believe me, you’ll make a big mess. Plus they won’t turn out right, and you’ll have to deep six all your hard work. Just stick to frying your catfish, hush puppies and chicken. 9. Thou shalt not make thy banana pudding with instant Jell-O pudding mix. After all, you don’t want your poor granny to turn over in her grave, or even worse, to come back and haunt you. 10. Thou shalt not serve that fake-y yellow stuff from a box and call it macaroni and cheese nor dump a can of cream of mushroom soup in your casserole and call it “Chicken Divine.” Be truthful to your cooking craft. There you go, words to live by if you want to “Do no harm” in the kitchen. Page H. Onorato, a correspondent for The Lexington (N.C.) Dispatch, is a retired teacher. By Page H. Onorato More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Page H. Onorato More Content Now Posted Mar. 11, 2015 at 9:14 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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