5 food and drink ideas from 'The Andy Griffith Show' to try this holiday season

From Aunt Bee's kerosene cucumbers to Thelma Lou's cashew fudge brownies!

The holidays are full of family fun, but it's a lot of pressure for those in charge of the feast. Whether you're just bringing one dish, a beverage, or dessert, sometimes it's a challenge to pick one that everyone will enjoy.

Some people choose the traditional holiday dinner route. Yet, others make it their mission to try a new recipe every year.

If you're one of those people, have you ever thought about trying dishes and beverage combinations shown on classic television shows?

Here are five food and drink ideas from The Andy Griffith Show to try this holiday season.

Special note: these are fictional dishes from the show, so there are no recipes, but you can always add your twist!

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1. Andy's favorite Leg of Lamb

Are you a massive fan of Andy Griffith? If so, how cool would it be to cook one of his favorite foods on the show? You can even add your twist to the seasonings, as since there's no recipe for it, you are free to make it your own.

2. Aunt Bee's Kerosene Cucumbers

You're probably thinking, 'why would anyone want to eat cucumbers during the holiday season?' It wouldn't hurt to add Aunt Bee's Kerosene cucumbers to your feast. Who knows, you might love it! Sprinkle whatever you'd like on them to make the dish your own.

3. Thelma Lou's Cashew Fudge brownies

Sometimes the best part of meals is what comes after it: dessert. Do you remember Thelma Lou's cashew fudge brownies? Whether you like an end piece or one in the middle, your tastebuds will thank you.

4. Andy's Special Punch

Beverages are just as important as meals during the holidays. Do you remember what is in Andy's special punch? According to GW Common Wealth, it's orange sherbert, tomato juice, root beer and molasses.

5. Aunt Bee's Classic Apple Pie

You can never go wrong with a classic apple pie! Which is why many in Mayberry loved Aunt Bee's dessert.

SEE MORE: Frances Bavier struggled to turn Aunt Bee off while at home

When show business got tough, Bavier went shopping!

SEE MORE

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56 Comments

WayneKeith 15 months ago
I've always wondered if Helen every made leg of lamb after they were married. It sounds like it could be a lot of work.
MarthaWashington 16 months ago
Has anyone noticed when Aunt Bee has made food, I rarely see her actually sit down and eat any. Every now and again, you will see her "lick her fingers" but rarely see her actually eat more than a bite
L MarthaWashington 15 months ago
I hate to say it but Frances (the actress) was overweight, so clearly in real life she ate her fair share of food.
LanceMcCrickard 16 months ago
Thelma Lou just made ‘fudge brownies’ in “The Rivals.” No cashews. The pan of cashew fudge that Barney and Thelma Lou ate on their regular date night were not brownies.
L LanceMcCrickard 15 months ago
I love brownies.
LanceMcCrickard 16 months ago
According to Opie in the episode “Andy and Opie-Bachelors,” Andy’s favorite is “chicken with crust.”
Kenner 16 months ago
Don’t forget Barney’s special hot plate chili!
vinman63 16 months ago
The Clampett's had the real victuals.
Hog Jawl, turnip greens ,craw dad's, pickel hawk eggs, possum roast, crow gizzards.
mememememe66 16 months ago
They were pickles that Aunt Bee had canned, that tasted like kerosene , not plain cucumbers.
DanaLegg mememememe66 16 months ago
Barney called them Kerosene Cucumbers.
grogan81 16 months ago
Nothing could be better than Aunt Bee’s apple pie for Thanksgiving.
Peter_Falk_Fan 16 months ago
I could go for those Cashew Fudge brownies (middle piece). I love cashews, but they are pricey.

I've only had lamb once. It was at an Easter buffet. It was very good.

My wife makes a great punch of lime sherbet and 7-Up. But once she used orange sherbet when the store was out of lime.
L Peter_Falk_Fan 15 months ago
Middle piece? Must be related. I don't eat ends either. Sears used to have great cashews. They're way too expensive.
My mother used to make lamb chops once in a while. At least it's better than liver. Both enough to convert to vegetarian at least part time.
There are some parts of pig (or cow) I eat and some parts I will not eat. Some days I eat no meat.
JHP 16 months ago
#1 well as usual

all they ever ate was fried chicken...they went fishing and NEVER had them for SUPPA
RichLorn JHP 16 months ago
I don't think they were very good fishermen. I can't recall them ever having fish for dinner.
JHP RichLorn 16 months ago
hope never fish for SUPPA - they caught fish for sure - remember the ep The Bed Jacket?
harlow1313 16 months ago
Well, there are mornings I could use Andy's "pick-me-up" that he makes for the hungover Otis.
JHP harlow1313 16 months ago
A1 and Tabasco in a BM - YUMMO!!!!
Pacificsun 16 months ago
I'm betting the most ardent of TAGs fans have come up with the recipes to match what they reference in the episodes. Except for the actual Kerosene Cucumbers obviously. It's probably part of their Mayberry Days Festivals. So I wonder if the recipes are posted on their fandom websites? Usually they're closed to Facebook members.
JHP Pacificsun 16 months ago
how about aunt bee's diamond jims tough beef roast - or andys weenies and beans that looked like emetic for sure
DeborahRoberts Pacificsun 16 months ago
Aunt Bee's Mayberry Cookbook. Bought mine years ago. My only complaint is that on the page referencing Ben Weaver, they use a photo of the actor from the later episodes instead of Will Wright, the curmudgeon we all love from the Christmas episode.

https://amazon.com/Aunt-Bees-Mayberry-Cookbook-Friendliest/dp/0785231102/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BK2GYT6L7HRR&keywords=aunt+bees+mayberry+cookbook+60th+anniversary&qid=1668805672&sprefix=Aunt+Bee%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1
Pacificsun DeborahRoberts 16 months ago
That was so nice of you to provide the link! Does there happen to be a recipe for Kerosene Pickles?? Just teasing!!
nerstrand 16 months ago
I thought it was just Thelma Lou's cashew fudge, not cashew fudge brownies?
MrsPhilHarris 16 months ago
How on earth did Aunt Bee make her pickles taste like kerosene? 🤔
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MrsPhilHarris jorel262 16 months ago
Yeah I thought it weird. 🤔
LoveMETV22 MrsPhilHarris 16 months ago
Oops just realized the quote should be Barney to Andy not the other way. Sorry about that.
Michael 16 months ago
Time to warm up the Dr Pepper.
justjeff 16 months ago
Andy's special punch sounds as disgusting as Aunt Bee's Kerosene Pickles, but Thelma Lou's Cashew Fudge Brownies got my attention real fast!
Pacificsun justjeff 16 months ago
I had to go back and read that one.

"According to GW Common Wealth, it's orange sherbert, tomato juice, root beer and molasses."

Holy Crape, that sounds down right disgusting.

My hunch, is how the writers loved to toy with our sensibilities!! Success! 🦃
tootsieg justjeff 16 months ago
Something is wrong with that recipe. The most disgusting punch ever.
justjeff Pacificsun 16 months ago
Hey... I just sent you an email to see if you'd received the article I'd sent about Stenso... the message came back as undeliverable... ??????????
Pacificsun justjeff 16 months ago
Not recently. But I did read about Stenso through the prior share.
justjeff Pacificsun 16 months ago
Well, I can't re-send it if that email address is no longer valid. Oh, well...
Moverfan Pacificsun 12 months ago
Orange sherbet, tomato juice, root bert....excuse me a moment, I have to go somewhere and be sick...
LoveMETV22 16 months ago
On topic or On the topic of food: Lamb is good if prepared correctly jmo. Poor Aunt Bee, her pickles weren't her best, but it made for a funny episode. Thelma Lou's Brownies sound yummy. Think I'll pass on Andy's Special Punch LOL. Nothing like a good slice of Aunt Bee's Apple Pie.
bagandwallyfan52 16 months ago
https://youtu.be/mzQQibgciRY
Maggie Peterson was a talented actress and she was the perfect
choice to play Charlene Darling on
The Andy Griffith Show.
Runeshaper 16 months ago
ALL of these sound DELICIOUS!
BrittReid Runeshaper 16 months ago
If you are a goat.
Pacificsun Runeshaper 16 months ago
I'm not sure you read those entries all the way to the end. JustJeff pointed out to me Andy's disgusting punch.
Runeshaper BrittReid 16 months ago
Maybe I am.....BAAAAAAA BAAAAA LOL
Runeshaper Pacificsun 16 months ago
I'd give it a whirl!
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