Fig and Red Onion Jam

Fig and Red Onion Jam

I serve this sweet tangy relish on just about anything grilled from burgers to barbecue to hot dogs. Try the jam as an extra goodie on a platter of cheese and charcuterie. Fig and Red Onion Jam 4 cups thinly sliced red onions (from about 2 medium) 3 Tbsp unsalted butter ¼ cup firmly packed…

“Plains Special” Cheese Ring

“Plains Special” Cheese Ring

First Lady Rosalynn Carter was known for her Southern hospitality in the Georgia gov­ernor’s mansion, in the White House, and even at a cruising altitude of 30,000 feet. At her memorial service, her grandson Jason Carter told the story of a family trip that involved pi­mento cheese in the back of one of Delta’s planes.…

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

You can make the entire recipe in advance and scoop out servings as you would any other ice cream. Another choice (and my favorite) is to have the custard ready to pour into the ice cream maker and let the guests be filled with anticipation as the machine spins in the kitchen. Vanilla Bean Ice…

Sinful Butter Saltines

Sinful Butter Saltines

Saltines baked with butter are well known around dining rooms in a couple of Atlanta’s most prestigious country clubs. Offered as a beginning to a meal, like bread often is, they have been a mainstay for years. The chefs in the clubhouses use clarified butter, but for making at home, I use ghee. Common in…

Roasted Beef Tenderloin

Having a funeral reception without a beef tenderloin is close to having one without a death. I have friends that keep one in the freezer at all times just in case an emergency funeral need arises. Seriously. I like to serve mine with a choice of sauces but this impressive cut can certainly stand on…

Caramelized Onion-Mashed Potato Bake

Caramelized Onion-Mashed Potato Bake

Baking mashed potatoes makes serving them to a crowd much easier because they don’t have to be served immediately after mashing. The caramelized onions and cheese make this recipe a perfect side dish for neighborhood gatherings. Caramelized Onion-Mashed Potato Bake 4 lb russet potatoes 3 tsp table salt, divided 1¼ cups warm buttermilk ½ cup…

Real Tomato Soup

Real Tomato Soup

Tomato soup is not tomato soup when it’s made with canned tomatoes. Using fresh, ripe tomatoes doesn’t have to mean a long time at the stove. Skipping the peeling and seeding is one way to save a large amount of prep time. The soup is pureed before serving, so all the nutrition of the peel…

Sweet Potato Cornbread

Sweet Potato Cornbread

Adding sugar to cornbread may be a big debate, but not when the sweetness comes from a sweet potato. Thanks to a little pumpkin pie spice, a pat of butter is all it needs. Sweet Potato Cornbread 2 cups self-rising white cornmeal mix 3 TBSP sugar ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice 5 large eggs 2…