No self-respecting Southerner, I boldly say, would let New Year’s Day pass without at least one bite of black- eyed peas. They bring luck and good fortune for the New Year, and everyone can use a little bit of that. Hoppin’ John is traditional in many quarters, but peas slowly cooked with a piece of pork are the norm for many. I like to vary my black-eyed pea intake, from my … [Read more...] about Black-Eyed Pea and Cornbread Skillet
Southern specialties
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 joy of sweet potatoes, though, and eat them year-round in … [Read more...] about Southern Candied Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
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 cooked through and soft to create the smoothest purée. I like these … [Read more...] about Sweet Potato Angel Biscuits
Jack and Coke Cake (Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake with Jack Daniels Buttercream)
I am not much of layer cake maker. I have failed to master that great Southern skill of crafting magnificent layers of frosted beauty. I am more of Bundt cake type. I lack the artistic talents, but mostly the patience, to create the magazine worthy, bakery perfect confections someone who spends as much time cooking as I do should have mastered. There is a reason the picture … [Read more...] about Jack and Coke Cake (Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake with Jack Daniels Buttercream)
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
