The basic ingredients of a classic muffaletta sandwich – olive salad, cold cuts and cheese – lend themselves to many interpretations, like this platter salad. In fact, the idea for this started to percolate when I last made my muffaletta cheese ball. This layered dip presentation is twist to a classic spread that’s pretty impressive on the table. But it has that … [Read more...] about Muffuletta Layered Dip
Pimento Cheese Pinwheels
You would think that after writing an entire book on pimento cheese, and a book on southern snacks, and a book about funeral food, I would have exhausted any ideas for the creative use of pimento cheese. But apparently not. These were admittedly a bit of a throw together emergency appetizer, but that first time I served them they were raved over and absolutely … [Read more...] about Pimento Cheese Pinwheels
Mulligatawny Stew
I have childhood memories of this soup, which is a little unusual because it certainly isn’t from a standard repertoire. I think, however, that memory comes from Pepperidge Farms Chicken Curry Soup. Yes, that’s right, in the 60s and 70s, Pepperidge Farm had a line of “gourmet” soups and my mom was a huge fan (there was lobster bisque, black beean with sherry and hunters soup in … [Read more...] about Mulligatawny Stew
Brown Butter Bourbon Cheesecake
I think it’s pretty well established now that this is a brown butter fan account. I love the rich nuttiness of brown butter and use it in as many ways as I can conjure up. From banana bars to flourless chocolate cake, cauliflower soup to green beans, bubble bread to simple spread. To paraphrase an popular ad campaign, I put that sh*t in everything. It’s one simple step that … [Read more...] about Brown Butter Bourbon Cheesecake
Cheddar Slab Pie
I am getting into mahjong. About ten years ago, a friend approached me about taking a mahjong class and at the time, I thought it was the weirdest thing. I mean, who plays mahjong? But she and some other girls took the lessons and got up a little group that plays almost every Friday with a rotating roster of players. They have so much fun and make snacks and cocktails and have … [Read more...] about Cheddar Slab Pie
