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
Snacks And Starters
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
Sausage and Collard Queso
Cheese dip is never a bad idea. And what has come to be generally revered to as “queso” comes in all forms here in the south - all cheese, lots of peppers, ground beef, ground sausage, smoked sausage, spinach, spicy…you name it. It is always the hit at a party. So adapting it for the traditional New Year’s luck food seemed an obvious step. Eating greens on new year’s day brings … [Read more...] about Sausage and Collard Queso
Cranberry Toffee Cookie Sticks
I’ll admit, this particular flavor combination came about by accident. I was planning to make cranberry and white chocolate chip bars, but I didn’t have any white chocolate chips. So I stood there pondering what I did have on hand and realized toffee pieces would be a fantastic combination. I have a friend who makes these fantastic lacy, crispy cranberry toffee cookies so I … [Read more...] about Cranberry Toffee Cookie Sticks
Fresh Peach Bars
Fresh summer peaches are the best sweet I know. And I am always testing out new ways to make the most of them. And I think this is a pretty novel one. A bouncy layer of peach-rich curd baked on a sugar cookie crust. Not quite like a lemon bar, but in the general vicinity. But the real bonus right in the middle of a hot and busy summer is how easy these are to make. Spin up the … [Read more...] about Fresh Peach Bars
