Mai Tai cocktail – the classic Tiki drink
There is some dispute about who invented the Mai Tai. It really comes down to two amiable tiki rivals - Trader Vic Bergeron and Donn Beach, aka Don the Beachcomber.
Making Hot Cross Buns at home – an Easter tradition
If you ever had to learn to play the recorder in elementary school, you probably learned the song “Hot Cross Buns”. "One ha’ penny, two ha’ penny." You know the one. If you’ve never actually eaten a hot cross bun,…
Pegu Club Cocktail
Like many classic gin cocktails, the Pegu Club Cocktail has its origins in the British Colonial Empire. The cocktail was named after the original Pegu Club in Rangoon, Burma - part of the British Empire during Victorian times and now, independent present-day Myanmar.
Eating Dandelion greens – the bitter, delicious truth
Foraging and cooking dandelion greens is a Southern tradition from way back. It's very much a part of the Appalachian Scots-Irish tradition of picking "potherbs" to serve as a salad or boiled up with a bit of salt pork. Especially in Spring, dandelions and other wild greens can be the first things to sprout in the yard, making them easy to forage.
The Mr. 404 cocktail
We're in the middle of March Madness fever, and this year, I'm particularly excited because my team, the Tennessee Volunteers, has made it to the Sweet 16 round!. They play tonight, and because the Vols are known as the Big…
Chocolate Truffle recipe – simple to make at home
Oh my. Valentine's Day is tomorrow and we are snowed in. No chance to run out for cards or flowers or chocolates. I'm going to have to improvise with what I have in the pantry. I do have some good…
Baja-Style Fried Catfish Tacos with Slaw
Baja-style fish tacos have become increasingly popular over the last 10-15 years. The grilled fish wrapped in tortillas make a great summer dinner. When it's cold out and the hubby isn't too keen on getting outside to grill, we make a Southern version - Baja-Style Fried Catfish Tacos with slaw.
The Blood and Sand cocktail, made with blood orange
The Blood and Sand cocktail is a throwback to the Prohibition-era days when Rudolph Valentino was one of the greatest stars of the Silver Screen. Named after "the Sheik"'s 1922 movie, this classic cocktail is one of the few that…
Tangerine Drop Martini
Mid-winter brings a more monotonous selection in the produce aisle but a bounteous variety in the citrus section. While the fresh berries and melons of summer have faded into memory, the market is piled high with oranges, grapefruits, lemons and…
Making Beef Stock from bones
I recently bought a share of a beef cow with some friends. We split a half a steer between the five of us. My friend Casie had tracked down a farmer who could sell us meat that was organic, grass-fed…