Oven-caramelized squash and tangy blue cheese make this creamy side hearty enough to double as a vegetarian entree. It makes an excellent weeknight supper crumbled with crispy bacon or prosciutto and served with a simple green salad and a glass of crisp, sweet Sauternes or creamy Chardonnay. Serves 4 to 6 1 small butternut […]
Bourbon Apricot & Sweet Potato Hand Pies
September 12, 2017 by Leave a Comment
These rustic half-moon pastries travel beautifully, making them one of my favorite picnic treats. Just wrap them in wax paper and you’re off! Makes eight 4- to 5-inch hand pies 1 cup dried apricots, chopped 1/4 cup bourbon 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 pound) 1/2 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling on top […]
Heirloom and Shell Bean Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette
August 12, 2017 by Leave a Comment
LET THE FARMERS’ MARKET BE YOUR GUIDE. Select a variety of fresh beans and peas to throw into this salad (as well as into resealable bags to freeze for winter months). You can also use canned or dried beans. I love to order dried heirloom offerings like Moros and Christmas Limas from Rancho Gordo of […]
Farm-Stand Peach Ice Cream
July 3, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Throughout the South, but especially along rural strips of highway, you’ll find a plethora of roadside farm stands advertising their homegrown wares with colorful, hand-painted wooden signs. I love these quirky little catchall stands, where you’re almost as likely to encounter folk art or a mini petting zoo as you are watermelons and eggs. If […]
Coconut Macaroons Dipped in Chocolate (Gluten Free)
May 4, 2017 by Leave a Comment
THESE COCONUT CLUSTERS ARE WELL ROUNDED, balancing a chewy interior with a crisp golden crust, and sweetened flaked coconut with a semisweet chocolate topping. Makes about 1.5 dozen (2.5-3 inch) cookies 4 large egg whites 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 3 cups sweetened flaked coconut 1 cup almond flour […]
Spring Herb Spaghetti
April 13, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Simple Herb Spaghetti with Greens, Pesto and Parmesan WHEN THE LARDER IS EMPTY, I turn to my lawn and windowsill. There, bright green herbs sprout from all manner of pots and buckets, ready to be plucked and thrown into spaghetti – a simple staple I always keep on hand. It’s a no-fuss meal that’s full […]
Carolina Rice Pudding Brulee
February 28, 2017 by 1 Comment
Humble rice pudding gets a serious makeover with the addition of flavorful, fat-grained Carolina Gold rice and a glassy, sugared brûlée crust. MAKES SIX 6-OUNCE SERVINGS 3 cups milk 3⁄4 cup Carolina Gold or other long-grain white rice 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped and reserved 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup heavy cream […]
February 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Quick Seafood and Chicken Sausage Gumbo When Paul Prudhomme’s first cookbook, Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Louisiana Kitchen, came out, I think I made every last one of his gumbos in the span of a few weeks. To this day, his are the recipes I always refer to when I make gumbo. More often than not, however, […]
Carl’s Deep-Fried Turkey
November 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Every Thanksgiving, my friend Carl, who is also a pastor, makes his deep-fried turkey for some of the women in his church. Using a turkey fryer frees up the oven to make lots of sides, stuffing and pies. Carl seasons his turkey with plenty of cayenne pepper, so much that it made me nervous the […]
Chile-Braised Pork Shoulder with Taco Fixings
August 24, 2016 by Leave a Comment
KEEP IT COOL. Offset this spicy pork with a heap of fresh fixings – from Avocado Crema and cilantro to Summer Tomato Salsa with a spritz of lime. Serves 6 to 8. PORK 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 tablespoon ground paprika 2 teaspoons sea salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper […]