The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Which cities are best for grilling a steak outside this summer? With summer here and National Grilling Month around the corner, Lawn Love ranked 2024's Best Cities for Grilling Meat. We compared nearly 470 of the biggest U.S. cities based on 4 meaty categories. We looked at local interest in grilling, access to butcheries and home improvement chains, and the average cost of meat in the area. We also considered ideal weather conditions for cooking outdoors, among 17 total metrics. Fire up the...
When Cortni Borgerson thinks about the trillion or so periodical cicadas emerging from underground, she sees more than clumsily flying insects flitting from tree to tree in search of a mate. She sees lunch. Some may find that idea revolting, a belief often, if unknowingly, steeped in colonialism and the notion that eating insects is "uncivilized." But Borgerson, an anthropologist at Montclair State University, is among those eager to change that perception. She's a big fan of dining on bugs of...
Hamburgers and hot dogs are the quintessential American summer foods, and everyone needs to be able to do at least one of them well. Truthfully, there's not much you can do with hot dogs besides choosing a good brand and boiling them in a good beer. When grilling outdoors, pick your favorite, make sure your coals are right, and concentrate on quality condiments. For hamburgers, I like 85% lean ground beef because it has enough fat to sizzle well in both the oven and on the grill without too...
July 12th is National Pecan Pie Day! The origins of this day are unclear, but who cares? Pecan Pie is awesome, and obviously deserves its own day. There is a bit of controversy over just where pecan pie was invented, with some saying Georgia, others insisting on Louisiana. We all know, however, that pecan pie was invented right here in Alabama-those who say otherwise are fools, liars, mentally unbalanced, or likely all three. In honor of Pecan Pie Day, here's my Momma's recipe. You'll have the b...
We're approaching that time of year when gardens start "turning to squash", as Momma used to say. Yellow squash and its cousin zucchini are everywhere! They're inexpensive, filling, and complement a wide range of other dishes. One of my favorite ways to use squash and zucchini together is this simple recipe, which roasts fresh veggies into a healthy, versatile side dish. Baked Squash and Zucchini You'll need: 3-4 yellow squash and 2-3 zucchini 1 Tbsp olive oil ½ tsp salt ½ tsp...
Spring is here! The weather's nice, the water is calling, and it's time to start packing those picnic baskets and coolers. In the South, that means fried chicken. No Southern outing is complete without cold fried chicken, just like no indoor gathering is complete without hot fried chicken. It's one of the essential dishes every cook needs to do well, and everyone has their own recipe and way of doing things. My Granny (great-grandmother), Momma (grandmother), and Mom fried their chicken in a...
You've probably already noticed the fresh strawberries at local farmer's markets. While modern farming and supply chains make strawberries available year-round, there's nothing quite like the taste of a fresh strawberry grown right here in Alabama. Strawberries aren't just a treat for your taste buds. They're loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, so you can enjoy them with little or no guilt. Blessed as we are here in Alabama, we can enjoy their deliciousness fresh from the farm for...
A dish prepared with one of the tasty fish species that can be reeled in from Alabama's beautiful beaches was crowned champion of the 9th annual Alabama Seafood Cook-Off at The Wharf in Orange Beach this week. Chef Kyle Ogden of Odette Restaurant in Florence, Alabama, prepared his "Spring Tide" dish with pompano as the centerpiece, and it proved to be the winning preparation against three other finalists – Chef Emilio Urban from CoastAL in Orange Beach, Chef Justin Fridley of The Depot in A...
This recipe comes all the way from my great grandmother. She lived all over the world as a military wife before finally settling in Clovis, New Mexico. She brought back many different recipes, and she loved to be in the kitchen making all types of foods. She is one of my main inspirations when it comes to cooking and baking. This recipe came to her from a dear friend and neighbor in Clovis. This has been a family favorite ever since. I hope everyone enjoys this recipe as much as I do. -- INGREDIENTS -- 1 Can of Sliced Apples 2 Cups of Sugar 2...
The year did not start well for dozens of people in 22 states who contracted salmonella from charcuterie meats in January 2024. Foodborne illness outbreaks like this make national headlines with food recalls, hospitalizations, and even deaths. About 1 in 6 Americans will become sick from a foodborne illness this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of these 48 million projected cases, most will cause mild symptoms, but 128,000 people will need hospitalization, and...
"Going plant-based" may seem like a fad at the moment. But with $8 billion in sales and a 45% increase in market growth between 2019 and 2022, according to the Plant Based Foods Association, this trend seems to be here to stay. While eating a vegan diet eliminates all animal products, plant-based eating is not quite as limiting. A plant-based diet focuses primarily on plants, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, with the occasional animal product (such as dairy, fish, or...
Stacker compiled a list of 50 delicious air-fryer recipes from Allrecipes. Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp - Prep: 30 mins - Cook: 15 mins - Total: 45 mins - Servings: 6 - Yield: 6 servings - Number of ingredients: 12 - Read more about the recipe here Air Fryer Sweet and Spicy Roasted Carrots - Prep: 5 mins - Cook: 20 mins - Total: 25 mins - Servings: 2 - Yield: 2 servings - Number of ingredients: 8 - Read more about the recipe here Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts - Prep: 5 mins - Cook: 10 mins - Total: 15...
I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday and were able to celebrate Christmas with your loved ones. This time of year is all about tradition. With the flu still lingering, busy schedules, and just life in general, some families extend their get-togethers into the New Year. If you are like me, you have fond memories of baking pies, giving of presents, or having a meal with your friends and family. All of this demands planning to make Christmas a memorable event. Did you prepare the...
Have a Blessed Christmas Most of the recipes I post are entrée's and are meant for a family lunch or dinner party. Occasionally, I get requests for certain types of recipes, such as desserts. Winter and the Christmas holidays are good times to introduce recipes that are desserts and are sweet. Cakes and pies are popular this time of year and I have gotten several requests for cakes that will go with the meal that is usually served at a Christmas dinner. The cakes are popular during the...
I have had a lot of pushback about trying new dishes and alternative cooking methods for Thanksgiving. This is one of the holidays where the meal menu is set in stone. "This is the way we always served it, and nobody will eat it if it is not the way "Aunt Hettie" fixed it." The one side dish that I always try to change is the sweet potatoes. I am not fond of canned or over-cooked sweet potatoes drowning in butter and brown sugar and with crispy browned marshmallows floating on top of the liquid...
Remember that this is the ending of summer and the starting of Fall. One of the joys of Fall is enjoying the delicious and comforting meals that are typical of the season. In the South, there are many dishes that celebrate the bounty and flavor of autumn, such as fried okra, sweet potato casserole, collard greens, apple pie, tomato pie, and pecan pie. These are some of the most popular meals in the South and they can be made with fresh, local ingredients that are harvested this time of year. A...
The type of roux used in Cajun cooking is indeed important and can significantly impact the flavor, texture, and overall character of many Cajun and ethnic dishes. Roux is a mixture of equal parts flour and fat (traditionally, oil or butter) that serves as a thickening agent for sauces, stews, and gumbo in Cajun cuisine. In Cajun cooking, there are generally three main types of roux, classified based on their color and flavor: 1. White Roux: This is the lightest and has the shortest cooking...
Learning to cook different countries' style of meals expands your palate and exposes you to new flavors and ingredients. Cooking authentic dishes of various countries can teach you about their culture, traditions, and lifestyle. It also allows you to explore new, healthier ingredients and cooking methods, save money, and create a fun, sociable environment for friends and family. Additionally, it can open doors for career opportunities in the culinary field. Summer is here, and that means it’s t...
What did the people of the newly formed United States eat while celebrating the Fourth of July? Did they just decide to eat something different from their usual menu? When and where did the idea of a menu just for the Four of July start? Legend has it that on July 4, 1776, John Adams and his wife celebrated the country's independence with a meal of turtle soup, poached salmon with an egg sauce, green peas, boiled potatoes, and a desert of Indian pudding or apple Pandowdy. Turtle soup was a very...
I write about and like the combination of Southern Cuisine and Mexican Cuisine. It is a fusion of flavors that can delight the palate and satisfy the appetite. Southern Cuisine is known for its comfort food, such as fried chicken, cornbread, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese. Mexican Cuisine is famous for its spicy dishes, such as tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and salsa. By combining elements from both cuisines, one can create dishes that are unique and delicious. Quick, Delicious Food for...
Southern cuisine in the United States has been shaped by a variety of influences, including African and Asian cuisines. Both of these culinary traditions have left an indelible mark on the flavors, techniques, and ingredients of Southern cooking. African Influences: African slaves were brought to the Southern United States during the 18th and 19th centuries, and they brought with them a wealth of culinary knowledge and traditions. Many Southern dishes today, such as gumbo, jambalaya, and...
Southern cuisine is known for its rich and flavorful dishes. It often includes high amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and sugars. This makes it a challenge for people with diabetes to find suitable options with Southern Cuisine. I have not dwelt on this subject very much in the past. However, there are plenty of delicious and healthy dishes that diabetics can enjoy. Here are some examples: 1. Grilled or roasted meats: grilled or roasted chicken, pork, beef, or fish can be a great source of...
I was scanning through some of my past articles searching for topics that I had mentioned in the past. The most obvious topic appears in the articles in the last two months of the year. What I had called the FOOD Months. The topic was Guests and Food. The time when your house has the most guests, friends and family. And the time when the largest meals are usually prepared and served. I have had a lot of pushback about trying new dishes and alternative cooking methods for Thanksgiving. This is...
It is that time of year! Harvesting your garden and picking fruit from your orchard and trading some of your excess with your neighbors for their excess vegetables and fruit. And do not forget the farmers markets. What clued me in to what I was going to write about was the bushel of pears my wife brought home from her sister’s farm. We are canning pear preserves and are up to 32 jars and should finish with about 50 plus. Tomatoes are plentiful and any dish that needs a tomato sauce in the r...
We just came back from my somewhat annual summer vacation to Ruidoso New Mexico. We went out to eat more than in the past and we cooked more than in the past and since we were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary, there were meals prepared for my wife and I, by friends of ours. So, I'm changing the format of my article this month. I will have a description of a dish, the recipe and the picture. And I will have pictures of dishes with little about what is in it. At least not a full recipe. Th...
