Autumn is officially here, though the weather may be lagging behind a bit. I saw my first lovely russet-hued oak leaf blowing across the patio the other day. And I am ready. I am ready for soups and stews, winter squash, apples, pears and maple syrup. I am ready to get the soft blanket out of the linen closet, to curl up on the sofa with a warm … [Read more...] about Chicken and Bacon Pot Pie with Sweet Potato Crust
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Smoky Bacon Pimento Cheese
I’ll make an admission here that may damage my Southern girl credentials. I am not a football fan. I went to lots of high school football games, but football was the least interesting part of the event. And I didn’t go to a college with a big football program. I am, however, a fan of parties, and if football happens to be going on in the background, … [Read more...] about Smoky Bacon Pimento Cheese
Mustard Bacon Potato Salad
There is perhaps no better accompaniment to a summer barbecue or picnic than a good potato salad. But there are a lot of bad potato salads out there. And I have never been a huge fan of mayonnaise-only potato salads. To me, they tend to be heavy and gloopy and no one wants to eat one that’s been sitting around in the warm weather. And I also prefer a minimum of add-ins. I … [Read more...] about Mustard Bacon Potato Salad
Wash Day Green Beans
Wash day beans are an old tradition, one that has taken on many forms in many places. The story goes that laundry day was once a week, usually a Monday, back when doing the wash meant heating up vats of water on an old wood stove to dump in the wash tub, then scrubbing the clothes by hand on that old washboard. The practical housewife was not likely to plan an elaborate meal … [Read more...] about Wash Day Green Beans
Creamy Bacon and Spinach Rigatoni
I love a simple dish with a little something special. This is such an easy weeknight dinner, with the smoky flavor of bacon, the bright color and fresh bite of spinach and a creamy sauce that is surprisingly simple. I prefer to use regular spinach, not the baby spinach sold in the salad section, which I find really ticky to cut into pieces and remove stems. I love the big, … [Read more...] about Creamy Bacon and Spinach Rigatoni
