Well, I'd love to say spring is here – and it was, for a second – but it's cold and wet and miserable so I'm still feeling comfort food. And honestly, warm weather doesn't make that craving go away, which is why I came home and made faro risotto a few weeks ago on a warm day. But I'm still mad about the weather, mainly because it's satisfying to be annoyed by something I can't change that really isn't the worst thing. And I am so craving humidity because at my age, my skin is desperate for it. But I digress.
Read moreFun with Mushroom Filo Triangles. I Promise.
Or is it fillo? Maybe phyllo. Filo? Maybe fyllo? Whatever. You know what I'm talking about – that flaky pastry you use when you want to add more butter to your diet. The other night I needed to make some appetizers and I didn't want to go to the store, so I pillaged the freezer. And the pantry and the fridge. I found mushrooms, cheese, some shallots and stuff, and a frozen box of filo dough. I couldn't remember why I had bought it because I hate things that are difficult, including phyllo, which is even difficult to spell. (One day, when I write an actual book, I'll pick a spelling, but until then, enjoy the variety!)
Read moreRich and Easy Miso Soup for the Week
This soup is a riff on a recipe from Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop. A few of my recipes are wholly original. Most of them are the result of a vague idea and me looking at a bunch of recipes before I come up with my own. I might make them a little fattier or saltier, or a little less. Or maybe I add bacon, or substitute mushrooms for the existing bacon. Sometimes I add sugar where there was none, or salt. But I always skip a few steps, because I'm lazy and hate washing extra dishes. If you were looking for authentic miso soup, this is definitely not it. But it's soup with miso. So.
Read moreOld School Party Food is the Best Party Food: Homemade Chex Mix with a Twist
Kitchen twine, grocery bag tags, and mason jars is about as Pinterest-y as I'll get.
Are you old enough to remember when there was no Pinterest? And no social media? The only pictures you saw of the food people made for parties or to give to their friends were blurry photos they snapped with actual film cameras, and those photos were mostly of actual people. Do you remember when food didn't have to look good unless you were in a fancy city restaurant? And people didn't have to look all that good at parties because the photos were guaranteed to blur out any imperfections, leaving behind only happy memories. Remember when parties were parties, not showcases? I do.
Read moreYour New Thanksgiving Standard: Pineapple Casserole Bacon Cups
So, as you may know, I've been blogging for Southern Living. This is thrilling, something I dreamed of when I was little. Well, not blogging exactly since that wasn't a thing, but here we are. My mom would be so proud. Her mother's Winnsboro yard was once on the cover of Southern Living, though my mom herself didn't make the picture. But this is about making individual servings of pineapple gratin in bacon cups.
Read moreSlow Cooker Eggplant Parmesan Tastes Like Leftovers, in a Good Way
Making eggplant parmesan in the slow cooker allows all the flavors to blend, making for a delightful dish. This is also easier than the traditional method. And the marinara sauce is so easy, you'll be embarrassed you waited so long to learn. (But no shame in continuing to buy jar marinara, because I love to skip steps.)
Read moreResponsible Day Drinking (Alt. Title: Who likes to party? And not get sick? Me.)
I want to be clear here: I'm judging you, just a little, but I know you can do better. And I've spent years judging myself, so now we're even. (Besides, I gave up on myself a long time ago, but I still believe in you.) So we're going to talk about drinking responsibly on vacation.
Read moreTiny Sandwiches
Some days, even a whole sandwich is too much to handle. Kidding. I can always eat a sandwich, but sometimes I like to meddle, which is where tea sandwiches come in. Or finger sandwiches, or whatever you call them. My mom called them finger sandwiches, but...I don't like to name food after body parts? But "tea sandwich" sounds pretentious and my big thing is eating at home in my stretchy pants, so.
Read moreWeeknight Win: Tex-Mexi-Carolinian Casserole. Or Something.
I keep my mouth full to stop myself from sharing, because sometimes? You just need to keep that garbage inside. On family vacations—arguably the hardest time to stifle big feelings—everybody wins! The worse you behave and the harder I have to work to keep my mouth shut, the more decadent the reward.
Read moreThe Basics: About That Casserole
If you have almost any food in your house, you can probably make a casserole. Here's how.
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