1806 Missouri

When her parents died, Annie Lash Jester was left alone in old St. Louis. Since a single, healthy woman was a prize, suitors, young and old, lined up at her door. The willful lass would have none of them, for she yearned for a man who would love her completely and whom she could love in return. A young frontiersman named Jefferson Merrick offered her a chance to escape the town and live in a distant settlement on the Missouri River. She accepted, never realizing that she would have to deal with river bandits and Jefferson's political enemies. Even harder to cope with were the problems of her heart.

Catfish Chowder

1. Cut a large skinned and bones catfish into small pieces.
2. Simmer in a covered pot for a while in a small amount of salted water.
3. Add diced salt pork, chopped onion and potatoes (amounts according to size of family) to the fish broth.
4. Cook until potatoes are done and water almost gone.
5. Add milk, pepper and butter.

Cornmeal Mush

1. Bring a scant quart of water to boil in heavy pan.
2. Add dash of salt.
3. Slowly pour in a heaping cup of cornmeal, stirring constantly.
4. Simmer for ten minutes.
5. Eat with butter and molasses, or pour in greased pan and let set.
6. When solid, cut in slices and fry slowly in hot meat fat until brown.