For Southerners, black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day are as mandatory a tradition as turkey on Thanksgiving Day. We’ve had black-eyed peas, collard greens and cornbread on New Year’s Day for as long as I can remember. Even the year my family spent the week after Christmas in Hawaii. While most families would have traded [...]View Post →

I have made this recipe so often that I could probably do it with my eyes shut and one hand held behind my back. My dad loves it and complains if we try to alter it in any way.   My sister and I developed this cheese ball because we couldn’t find a recipe to suit our [...]View Post →

Maybe you’ve passed by pomegranates in the grocery thinking they’re much too exotic and pricey for your tastes. A couple of years ago, I found my friend Sallie munching on the bright red arils, or seeds, from the pomegranate. Since I’d only used pomegranate juice in teas and recipes, I talked to her for a [...]View Post →

Need a quick, edible, last-minute gift? Have a few extra cranberries lying around? You’ve got to try this Cranberry Butter, a recipe from MissyDew (the woman who also blessed us with That’s the Best Frosting I’ve Ever Had). I swear it’s magical. Even more magical than butter is on its own.       You [...]View Post →

As a P.K. (preacher’s kid), Christmas morning has never been normal for our family. Growing up, Sharon and I would have to wait until Dad got back from Christmas services before opening our presents (torture), and breakfast was something like eggs and toast or muffins. Don’t feel sorry for us; we didn’t know any different. [...]View Post →

Every year at this time, I grapple with the decision of what holiday treat to give my neighbors. The first year we were married—you know, when I was young, ambitious, and naïve—I made a loaf of our favorite zucchini bread for every neighbor. About ten hours into the process and pounds of zucchini later, my [...]View Post →

Our Tasty Kitchen members continue to amaze me with their crazy creativity and talent. It’s so inspiring, and you all are just so lovely about sharing your talent. Today I want to show you just a few recipes that I thought would make lovely and impressive additions to any holiday platter. They’ll make everyone smile [...]View Post →

‘Tis the season for giving (not that there’s any wrong season for giving) and I don’t know about you, but I just love receiving thoughtful, special gifts made by hands that belong to those who are near and dear to me. I also love sharing goodies from my kitchen and I do feel there are [...]View Post →