Tough Nut to Crack Pecans, it seems to me, are thought of as a particularly Southern nut. I cannot tell you anything about its growing condition or to what region or country the pecan is indigenous, but the trees proliferate around here. And the nuts feature prominently in Southern cooking from classic pie to divinity candy to pecan cheese straws. You rarely see pecan … [Read more...] about Southern Pecan Pie
Hearty Pumpkin Cookies
My favorite time of year is finally here – pumpkin time! I love pumpkin - in cake, soup, risotto, muffins, bread and, of course, cookies. I am sure over the next few months my pumpkin obsession will manifest itself with a host of recipes, so be prepared! We’ve just had our first cool days here and I couldn’t resist whipping up an early batch of these soft, hearty and delicious … [Read more...] about Hearty Pumpkin Cookies
Glazed Kielbasa
There are certain activities that anyone in any particular town, city, state or region is expected to have participated in. Wouldn’t you be surprised by someone living in Hawaii who had never been to the beach? Or shocked by a resident of Paris who had never even seen the Eiffel Tower? Well, I have one of those surprising confessions. I have never been to an SEC football … [Read more...] about Glazed Kielbasa
Meyer Lemon Curd
For awhile there, Meyer lemons ranked as one of those items that featured in all the food magazines and cookbooks, but not on the shelves of stores outside major cities. So when the slightly orange-tinted lemons started popping up here a few years ago, I bought them like crazy, often without really knowing what to do. I’m still guilty of that impulse buying, out of some … [Read more...] about Meyer Lemon Curd
Apple Pie Bars
Once upon a time there was a beautiful apple tree. When I was maybe 10, my dad took me to the plant nursery and let me choose whatever kind of tree I wanted to plant in the backyard, to replace one that had died. My family had just enjoyed some magnificent apples, bright red with little red capillary-like veins running through the creamy white flesh. At the market, they were … [Read more...] about Apple Pie Bars
