People arrive at thankfulness in a myriad of different ways. We’re not naturally born with a heart of gratitude or a spirit of thanksgiving; it’s our life experiences and influences that teach us to understand the true meaning of being thankful. Continue reading “A Spirit of Thanksgiving”
One of the skills I’m learning in culinary school is how to fabricate meats. What once was a very intimidating process, is now a proficient experience. I can honestly say I’m comfortable with butchering a whole chicken! Continue reading “What to Cook This Week: Italian Chicken in Red Wine”
The countdown is on! In less than two weeks, my first semester of culinary school will be behind me. I haven’t written about school since Week 2, so I wanted to take this opportunity to share a little of what I’ve been up to, along with a few pictures from the kitchen and our garden. I’m having so much fun and learning more every day. Continue reading “Sharpening My Mind and My Knives: Culinary School 101”
You can never really know the moment when a forever friend may walk into your life. That fateful day for my best friend of more than 20 years and I, happened in our sixth period physical education class at Hephzibah Middle School, circa 1994. Charity was born on the Fourth of July and ironically, it was Martina McBride’s song “Independence Day” that began our lifelong friendship. Continue reading “A Fourth of July Friendship”
In my book, cooking a meal for someone you love is one of the greatest expressions of care and appreciation. We’ve long shown love in the South by feeding each other. As a child, I can remember going to Grandma Dot’s house for supper and the excitement and anticipation of it all. As soon as you entered her home, the sounds of her knife chopping against the cutting board and the smell of buttermilk biscuits baking in the oven, (or cathead biscuits as my Daddy would say), wafted from the kitchen. Continue reading “Treat Dad to Grilled Panzanella this Father’s Day”
Some of you will know that feeling when you get a new cookbook and you just can’t wait to sit down and steal away a few minutes to get to know its pages. My mom found herself in that boat recently as we sat on the fishing pier at one of our favorite and most peaceful places. Despite the wind coming off the ocean, we flipped through the book as the sun rested on our backs. We came across a recipe for shrimp creole, and I knew I had to make it. It is the best shrimp creole I’ve ever eaten and I’m sharing the recipe with you today. It’s too good to keep to myself! Continue reading “The Best Shrimp Creole I Ever Ate”
This week marks my second week of culinary school and I’m pumped to check in with y’all to share a few things I’m learning. First off, it feels great to be a student again. Wearing a backpack and buying school supplies has been a fun transition. Continue reading “Culinary School Week 2”
The Season 12 premier of Next Food Network Star debuted tonight and I am so excited for its return! I’m going to be on this show one day, so I watch it while taking notes with great anticipation. Did you watch? In case you missed it, I’ll provide a quick recap here including my top picks right off the bat. Continue reading “Next Food Network Star Premier Episode Recap”
The return of the Farmers’ Market for me each season is just about as exciting as Christmas Day. With fresh herbs and local produce on my mind, I love getting up on Saturday morning, throwing on my yoga pants, a tank top, a pair of favorite flip flops and my over-sized sunglasses and heading out the door. Sometimes, I even pack up my 11-pound Shih Tzu, Ewok, and we ride with the radio up and the windows down on the way. Continue reading “5 Farmers’ Market Recipes to Make Right Now”
Sometimes all it takes to inspire change is trying something new. I went grocery shopping this week and bought some light English muffins. I never buy English muffins, always whole wheat bread or occasionally even small bagels, but never English muffins. That changes now! The spongy, holey dough is truly a vehicle for any topping you can imagine. Crispy when toasted, English muffins have officially breathed life into my breakfast routine. Suddenly I find myself mashing avocado, slicing tomatoes and poaching eggs (trying to poach eggs, I should say. I tried and failed, but hey – the point is, I am inspired to try.) Continue reading “Breakfast Just Got Better”
Some Kinda Good® 