I'm P.C., and I have studied food and cooking around the world, mostly by eating, but also through serious study. Coursework at Le Cordon Bleu London and intensive courses in Morocco, Thailand and France have broadened my culinary skill and palate. But my kitchen of choice is at home, cooking like most people, experimenting with unique but practical ideas.

I live, mostly in my kitchen, in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.

Butternut Squash Pie with Sorghum Whipped Cream

Butternut squash is one of my favorite fall foods.  I buy whole squashes at the last farmers markets, and when I see pre-cut pieces in the store, I buy those up too.  I make pasta sauces and quick soups, I roast and mash. Get creative and go simple.  I generally find myself with a [...]

Autumn Sweet Potato Salad

Part of the joy of Thanksgiving for me is the leftovers.  I cook a turkey bigger than my family could ever eat on the day, I make huge amounts of dressing, I even cram some in a loaf pan to bake so it can be sliced to fit on a sandwich.  My shopping lists [...]

Southern Candied Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel

Sweet potatoes are a foregone conclusion on the Southern Thanksgiving table.  I would never consider serving mashed white potatoes at the big meal.  For most of my life, I only had sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving, though a pie may have snuck in at some other time during the year.  I have now discovered the [...]

Sweet Potato Angel Biscuits

I do give thanks for biscuits.  And I love a little biscuit bite in the Thanksgiving bread basket, particularly when they are made seasonal with the addition of sweet potato.  These angel biscuits use yeast to get an extra rise, which is helpful when you add the dense potato purée.  Make sure you potato is [...]

Baked Camembert with Pear, Cranberry and Walnut Relish

Baked brie with fruity toppings used to be all the rage, and the real height of sophisticated appetizers.  But they seem to have fallen out of fashion a little.  I rarely see them at parties or in cookbooks anymore.  Perhaps the trend for simple artsy charcuterie trays have taken their place, or appetizers served [...]

Roasted Butternut and Chestnut Purée

I love autumn.  I love wearing sweaters, snuggling under a blanket, comforting, slow-cooked stews, steaming bowls of soup.  And my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, which of course leads to a wonderful Christmas season.  But I will admit, that when fall comes on in earnest, and I see the end of tomatoes at the farmer’s market, [...]

Sweet Potato Mustard, Bacon Mayonnaise and Cranberry Ketchup

When I claimed thanksgiving for my own, I wanted to create a tradition for this new configuration of family, one for grown-ups and kids alike.  So I came up with the Thankful Tree.  My mom drew a big tree, complete with falling leaves and acorns and a bunny rabbit at the base, [...]

Rosemary Pear Martini

I always think it’s nice to start off the Thanksgiving celebrations with a special cocktail and a few nibbles.  It sets a convivial mood and keeps everyone occupied while the last touches of the meal are being tended too.  Frankly, I like to have everyone’s hands busy while I am trying to get the [...]

Butternut Brioche

You are going to want a loaf of this around the house during the Thanksgiving holiday.  It is beautiful, autumnal and something of an achievement to show your friends and family.  It is great spread with butter.  Fig, Bourbon and Vanilla Bean Jam is a real treat.  It is gorgeous toasted, and makes amazing [...]

Make – Ahead Gravy for Your Turkey

Gravy is essential to a Thanksgiving turkey, but only if it is good gravy.  And what makes gravy good is delicious drippings from a beautifully roasted bird. Many gravy methods involve making it right in the pan the turkey was cooked in, to scrape up all the bits and juices.  And that’s great.  But [...]