Dorothy Parker famously observed, “Eternity is a ham and two people.” As much as I admire Dorothy Parker and her wit, that’s nonsense. I--and I know I’m not the only one--love having ham leftovers, and they’re certainly not a burden as long as you plan ahead just a...
Strawberry Salsa
You know it’s spring when the farmer’s markets and local grocery stores start putting out big, fat, beautiful strawberries. I picked some up the other day, and found that they were a little tart for my taste. Luckily, I have a quick and easy remedy for that:...
Orange Ground Chicken
I’m on a mission to use up everything in my chest freezer. For one thing, it sorely needs to be organized. I’m a nicer person when things are organized. For another thing, I’m the kind of weirdo that keeps an inventory posted on the front of my freezer so I know what...
The Very Best Braised Pork Chops
Truth be told, my mom’s Braised Pork Chops are the best I’ve ever had. I’ve had fried pork chops with gravy. I’ve had pork chops stuffed with things like pancetta and sage, or andouille sausage dressing. I’ve even had fancy pork chops in a fancy restaurant that cost...
Chicken and Dumplings
You’ll see some Chicken and Dumplings topped with dropped dumplings that are steamed on top of a brothy chicken and vegetable base. Others have kneaded dough dumplings that have been rolled out and cut, then simmered in a flavorful broth with chicken and vegetables....
Jambalaya Fried Rice
Please don’t call, email, text, tweet, or message me to say this recipe is straight-up heresy. I already know. My very favorite jambalaya comes from the cookbook La Bouche Creole by Leon Soniat. Mr. Soniat was an old-school Louisiana chef, and he wrote a food...
Cauliflower au Gratin
I’ve been told that Cauliflower au Gratin is a southern thing. Does anybody know if that’s true? Can somebody from the Midwest or someplace like that weigh in here? Did y’all have Cauliflower au Gratin growing up? (EDIT: An English friend says they have it in England,...
Marinated Steak Salad
Marinated Steak Salad is one of my favorite things to eat with my fingers, straight out of the refrigerator, standing in the kitchen, sometimes with the refrigerator door open. (Can somebody please get my Dad some smelling salts? After all, we don’t own the power...
Creole Chicken Fettuccine
This is exactly the sort of dinner I like whenever my week and To Do list are nuts. It’s a tried and true recipe, widely accepted and acceptable, and it doesn’t trash the kitchen. It's the holiday season as I write this--y'all know the fun doesn't let up until Lent...
Black Eyed Pea and Cabbage Soup (AKA, New Year’s Soup)
This recipe is going into my upcoming soup cookbook, but y’all need it now. New Year’s Day is just around the corner, and I bet none of us can afford to miss out on either money or luck. Black Eyed Pea and Cabbage Soup is a delightful way to cover your (ahem) bases....
Roasted Cocktail Shrimp
I’m sure we all know the easy way to cook a pile of raw shrimp. First you fill a big pot with water, salt, and crab boil and throw in a cut up lemon or two. Bring that to a boil and add a whole bunch of shrimp. Put a big colander in the sink. Watch the shrimp like a...
Marinated Cheese
Of course you’ll need to take an easy, affordable, and festive hors d'oeuvre someplace this holiday season. I’ve got a really, really good one for you. I’ll be quick. I know you’re busy, and so am I. I first stumbled upon this Marinated Cheese recipe in a magazine,...













