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Creamy Mashed Potatoes

October 13, 2022 by Debbie 11 Comments

These creamy mashed potatoes are super smooth and buttery. They are super easy to make if you follow a few tips and tricks. I know how to make mashed potatoes is very controversial because everyone has their own method and tips. I have been a food photographer since 2015 and have made mashed potatoes many different ways . I have used golden potatoes , added cream cheese , warm the milk and butter, cream or half and half . I have also used a hand mixer , and potatoes mashed and my wire whisk on my kitchen aid. Using a Ricer is by far my favorite method . You will always have a lump free , fluffy mashed potato every time. These potatoes are easy enough for everyday but special enough to appear on your holiday table. If you like this recipe you will love these Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

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Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

August 2, 2022 by Debbie 20 Comments

This old fashioned macaroni and cheese is made from scratch just like my grandma used to make it. It is rich and full of cheeses and is the perfect side dish for any occasion. This is a treasured recipe passed from my grandmother , to my mother and then to me. This is made the old fashioned southern way and Mac & Cheese , it is pure comfort food. This dish was a must at every holiday and even made appearances at BBQ ‘s , birthday parties , or just because it was Sunday LOL. If you like this recipe check out my Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes .

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Southern Baked Beans

June 7, 2022 by Debbie 14 Comments

These Southern Baked Beans are sticky and sweet with just enough saltiness to balance the flavors . This is the last recipe you will ever need. I grew up in southern Louisiana and this is exactly how my mother made beans for every BBQ we had . This recipe is super easy to throw together and even someone that doesn’t cook often can make these with no problem. So this is perfect for someone just learning to cook all the way to someone that knows their way around the kitchen . If you show up with these to A BBQ , you will be the most popular person. Trust me ! If you like this recipe check out my Old Fashioned Pea Salad…

Southern Cornbread Dressing

November 16, 2021 by Debbie 32 Comments

This classic southern cornbread dressing is deliciously moist , has the perfect balance of flavor , and packed with fresh veggies. It is a staple during the holidays and Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without it . This recipe is exactly the way my Mother taught me to make it, so it is a family recipe for sure. In my opinion heirloom recipes are the best , pure comfort food. Plus they are tried and true . Here in the south we don’t do “stuffing” and we don’t put strange things like cranberries or chestnuts in our dressing . I think if I did something strange to our dressing I would be banned from making it. This dish could take center stage for sure , the one thing you do need with it is Turkey Gravy and Homemade rolls. Forget the turkey bring me the cornbread dressing !

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Boiled Corn with Jalapenos and Honey

May 3, 2021 by Debbie 19 Comments

I have so many memories of eating fresh corn from my uncles garden in the summer. We would sit and help my aunt clean the corn , then she would boil it up as a side with my uncles famous BBQ chicken. Fresh boiled corn is so sweet and crisp and I thought it was pure heaven until I discovered the milk and honey bath. Boiling corn in a milk and honey bath adds a certain richness that brings fresh corn up to a whole new level of greatness. Add a fresh jalapeno and it is a sweet and spicy heaven! Boiled corn with Jalapenos and Honey is now the only way my family wants corn . It is the perfect summer side when the corn is fresh and sweet and goes perfectly with Baked Beans .

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Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

August 29, 2020 by Debbie 21 Comments

These creamy mashed sweet potatoes are savory and slightly sweet. They are rich and buttery , the perfect side for all occasions especially a holiday meal. I just love sweet potatoes cooked just about anyway there is . Believe me I just adore Candied Sweet Potatoes and sweet potato casseroles but sometimes I want something not so sweet , these babies are the winner. Growing up we never had a holiday that didn’t consist of a sweet potato pie and some other type of side dish but I never really thought I would like a savory sweet potato. It turns out I adore the natural flavor , I could literally eat this entire pot of sweet potato goodness.

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Eggplant Rice Dressing

July 16, 2020 by Debbie 23 Comments

Eggplant Rice dressing is a side dish staple at my house in Southern Louisiana . Adding eggplant to simple rice dressing kicks it up a notch plus it adds flavor and moisture to the dish. It is also a great way to hide veggies, my youngest son is super picky and he always eats several servings of this . Growing up my mother made this dish instead of a traditional rice dressing . We had this as a side for almost every holiday but it is simple enough to have everyday, and we did. I never understood people saying they didn’t like eggplant because for most of my life this was the only way I had it , lol.

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Mango Black Bean Salad

June 12, 2020 by Debbie Leave a Comment

If a season had a salad in it’s honor this Mango Black Bean Salad would be the salad for the summer. This is a refreshing and fruity salad to throw together in 15 minutes or less on a hot summer day. This fresh sweet salad is perfect for your next BBQ and is great for a picnic. If you love fruity salads with a twist you must check out my strawberry coleslaw as well.

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Old Fashioned Pea Salad

May 22, 2020 by Debbie 27 Comments

This old fashioned pea salad is just like Grandma used to make. The sweet peas go so good with the savory cheese and bacon. This is a must in the summer for cookouts all the way to the holiday tables in the winter. This is an old fashion staple that has stood the test of time. My grandmother used to serve this and now I do. I am going to be completely honest here, when I was younger I was not a fan of this Pea salad. For as long as I can remember my Mom , Grandmother and Aunt has always had this salad at a family holiday or event . Then BAM in my later teenage years I finally tried it and loved it. I mean what’s not to love? So Yummy and delicious .. If you are looking for something a little different give this Strawberry Lemon Coleslaw a try,

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Zesty Pasta Salad Supreme

May 11, 2020 by Debbie 18 Comments

The weather in southern Louisiana has been on 70’s and beautiful! This time of year on the weekends we are either boiling crawfish or barbecuing. We use any excuse to sit outside and soak in the weather , this past weekend was no exception. This Zesty Pasta Salad supreme is one of my all time favorite salads. Seriously, I will usually hide the leftovers in the fridge so I can nibble on it for a few days all by myself. This is one of those salads I never grow tired of and make it several times a year.

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