Key Lime Pie!

Hey y'all! Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

School is almost out and summer is around the corner! So I figured I would share one of my favorite summer dessert recipes with y'all!

Now my dad grew up in Florida and there's nothin' he loves more than the tart and refreshing taste of key lime pie on a hot summer day. So, every time I'm home I always try to fix up this delicious treat to bring a little taste of key west to the mouths of the ones I love!

Recipe adopted from: Emeril Lagasse

Key Lime Pie
Photo By: BBC Good Food

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup granulated sugar

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick butter) melted

2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk

1 cup key lime or regular lime juice

2 whole large eggs

1 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1 tablespoon lime zest

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2. In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter with your hands.

3. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie pan, and bake until brown, about 20 minutes. 

4. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature before filling.

5. Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

6. In a separate bowl, combine the condensed milk, lime juice, and eggs.

7. Whisk until well blended and place the filling in the cooled pie shell. 

8. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes and allow to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

9. Once chilled, combine the sour cream and powdered sugar and spread over the top of the pie using a spatula. 

10. Sprinkle the lime zest as a garnish on top of the sour cream and serve chilled.

Easter Sunday Recipes

Hey y'all! Hope everyone is having a fantastic Good Friday! 

I know most of you are fixin' to have a full house this Sunday so I wanted to share a few of my favorite Easter dinner recipes with y'all! 

In my family we always have ham on Easter Sunday! One thing I love about ham is leftover ham sandwiches served on a warm, tasty dinner roll. Nothin' quite like leftover holiday ham. Anyways, I stumbled upon this awesome recipe from Taste of Southern. If y'all haven't checked out this site yet it's a must if you have a weakness for traditional southern food like me! 

Baked Picnic Ham

Recipe adopted from Steve Gordon.

Baked Picnic Ham
Photo By: Taste of Southern

Ingredients:

• 9lb average Smoked Pork Picnic Shoulder, smoked but not cooked
• 1 can of Sliced Pineapple
• ½ cup of Light Brown Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons of Yellow Mustard
• Whole Cloves – optional

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350º

1. Line a 2-inch deep roasting pan with Aluminum Foil
2. Place the whole pork shoulder package in the pan.
3. Carefully cut the outer plastic packaging and remove it entirely, discard.
4. Remove any other packing materials that might be included.
5. Leave the netting on the meat, do not remove at this time.
6. Place the meat skin side up in the pan.
7. Add one cup of water to the pan.
8. Cover the meat with Aluminum Foil.
9. Place in oven on middle rack.
10. Meat should cook about 18-22 minutes per pound of weight.
11. In a small bowl, add the Light Brown Sugar\
12. Add Yellow Mustard
13. Add just a few tablespoons of the juice from the Sliced Pineapples
14. Stir up well to form a thick paste.
15. About 45 minutes before the pork should be done, remove the pan from the oven and remove foil.
16. Reduce the oven heat to 250º.
17. Carefully cut away the netting from around the meat. It may stick in some places so be careful.
18. Using tongs and a knife, carefully remove the layer of skin and fat from the meat. Set aside.
19. Use a sharp knife and score the meat about every one inch and about ½ inch deep. Crosscut again.
20. If using Cloves, place one clove in each of the squares made from the cuts.
21. Drizzle half of the glaze over the cooked meat.
22. Use toothpicks to attach the pineapple slices to the meat and drizzle remaining glaze over the top.
23. Return the meat to the oven, uncovered and bake for about 30-45 minutes or until a meat thermometer placed in the thickest part of the meat reaches a temperature of 170º

Extra Glaze:

1. Remove the toothpicks, pineapple and cloves.
2. Spread a thin layer of mustard all over the baked shoulder.
3. Sprinkle an even coating of brown sugar on top of that.
4. Set your oven to BROIL.
5. Return the shoulder, uncovered, to the oven and Broil for about 10 minutes longer or, until it's a nice brown color. Sugar should be melted but don't let it burn. Oven temperatures will vary so, keep a close eye on it during this final step.
6. Remove from oven and let stand for 5-15 minutes before carving.

Another recipe I absolutely love on Easter is Black Eyed Peas! Here's another awesome recipe from one of my favorite Southern Food enthusiasts, Christy Jordan cookbook author and founder of Southern Plate y'all have to go check her out! She's incredible!

Recipe adopted from: Christy Jordan's Southern Plate 

Southern Style Black Eyed Peas

Southern Style Black Eyed Peas
Picture By: Southern Plate

Ingredients:

• 1 Pkg Dried Black Eyed Peas (or field peas, or cow peas) - package size doesn't matter
• Pork for seasoning: ham hocks, ham bone, or large piece of ham
• 1 T salt (will need more)
• 1 T pepper
• 1 T cooking oil
• 1 T Sugar

Instructions

1. Sort through beans to ensure there aren't any stones. Place sorted beans in a large mixing bowl or pot. Completely cover with water (with a few inches extra over the top) and soak overnight. In morning, pour off soaking water and place in pot they're to be cooked in. Add pork for seasoning. Cover with water and several more inches to ensure that peas don't boil dry. Add all other seasonings. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for several hours. Remove ham and shred, place back in pot. Continue cooking until peas are tender. Total cooking time will take at least three to four hours.

And what's not Easter Sunday without Macaroni and Cheese... So, of course I have to recommend my all-time favorite recipe Sweetie Pie's Mac and Cheese. She has to be the Goddess of Macaroni and Cheese I'm telling y'all she's something else! 

Sweetie Pie's Mac and Cheese

Recipe adopted from: Robbie Montgomery AKA Sweetie Pie

Sweetie Pie's Mac and Cheese
Photo By: Food.com 

Ingredients: 

1 lb cooked elbow macaroni

1 cup whole milk

24 ounces evaporated milk

3 eggs

2 tablespoons

1 Cup butter, cut into small pieces

1⁄2 lb colby cheese
1⁄2 lb monterey jack cheese, shredded
1⁄2 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 lb Velveeta cheese, cut in chunks
salt
1 tablespoon whiter pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup shredded American cheese or 1 cup mild cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°C.

2. Put pasta in 9 by 13 dish and set aside.

3. Mix milks and eggs well.

4. Add the butter and colby, montery jack, sharp cheddar and velveeta cheeses to the pasta.

5. Pour milk and egg mixture over the pasta.

6. Mix in sour cream. 

7. Season with salt , pepper, sugar and toss.

8. Sprinkle with remaining cups of American or Cheddar cheese.

9. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until top is lightly browned.

Another recipe I love is Loaded Twice Baked Potato Casserole. I adopted this recipe from Spend With Pennies and it's absolutely fantastic! 

Loaded Twice Baked Potato Casserole 

Recipe adopted from: Save With Pennies 

Loaded Twice Baked Potato Casserole 

Photo By: Spend With Pennies

Ingredients:

4 lbs red skinned potatoes

4 cloves fresh garlic

¼ cup butter

1 cup of sour cream (I use light)

½ cup of milk or cream (add more or less to taste)

4 oz cream cheese, softened (I used light)

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

2 green onions thinly sliced

10 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped or ½ cup of bacon bits

salt & pepper to taste

Toppings

1 green onion sliced

2 slices of bacon, cooked & crumbled

½ cup cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. Wash potatoes, peel off about ⅔ of the skin, (leaving some on the potatoes) and chop into large chunks. Slice the cloves of garlic into 3 pieces each. Boil the potatoes and garlic in a large pot of water until potatoes are tender (about 15 minutes).

3. Drain potatoes & garlic and mash slightly with a potato masher. Add in remaining ingredients (except toppings) and mash to desired consistency.

4. Add toppings, place into a casserole dish and bake for 25-­30 minutes or until cheese is melted and potatoes are hot. 

...And don't forget about the rolls or the pie! 

Here's an easy and delicious no-knead yeast roll recipe I adopted from Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. She's a fabulous southern gal that shares a variety of delightful southern recipes. 

Easy No Knead Yeast Rolls

Recipe adopted from: Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen 

Easy No Knead Yeast Rolls
Picture By: Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen

Ingredients:
2 [1/4 oz] packets rapid rise yeast [such as Fleischmann's]
1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tsp
1 1/3 cup of lukewarm water or milk
4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 large egg
8 Tbsp butter, divided

Directions:
1. In a measuring cup, dissolve both packets of yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar in 1 1/3 cup of lukewarm water.  If you use hot water or milk, it will kill the yeast and the bread won't rise.  So, make sure the water is lukewarm not boiling. [tip: I use water most often for these rolls]  Let the yeast mixture sit on the counter for 5-7 minutes to allow the yeast to "bloom."  You'll see bubbles and froth begin to gather on the top.

2. In a medium size mixing bowl, sift together the flour, salt and sugar.  Add the egg.

3. After the yeast has developed, gradually add it to the dry ingredients in the bowl, along with 5 tablespoons of melted butter.  Begin to blend the ingredients together, using a large spoon incorporating more liquid as you go.  I used a silicone spatula, and the dough didn't stick to it, making this task a lot easier. 

4. Then, after I incorporated all of the flour. I then placed it into a buttered bowl, and covered it with a damp cloth.

5. Allow the dough to sit in a warm, draft free place, covered for 1 hour.  After one hour, the dough had doubled.  The smell of the rising dough was heavenly and could only be topped by the aroma of the rolls while they were baking.

6. You can make these rolls any size you like, of course.  I used a 2 ounce ice cream scoop, lightly sprayed with cooking spray, to separate the dough into even portions after punching it down to release the air bubbles.  Roll into a ball in your hands then arrange side by side, in a buttered non-stick metal baking pan. I used a 10-inch spring form pan. [Tip: It's important that the rolls to be uniform in size so they'll bake evenly.] 

7. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and using a pastry brush, lightly brush the tops.  Reserve some of the melted butter to brush on the tops after the rolls come out of the oven, too.  How many times can I say butter in this recipe?  We are making bread, right? At this point, you can cover with a damp cloth and allow the rolls to rise again until doubled.  [about an hour]

8. Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 20-22 minutes.  Gorgeous, right?  It doesn't get much simpler, or better than that! Serve hot.


Can't forget the Buttermilk Pie! I found this recipe on Pinterest and fell in love with this blog from Southern Bite, Stacey is a cookbook author, blogger and proud southerner that shares his passion for southern food and family recipes with the world-wide web!

Buttermilk Pie 

Recipe By: Southern Bite 

Buttermilk Pie
Photo by: Southern Bite

Ingredients:

• 1 stick butter (1/2 cup), room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3 heaping tablespoons flour
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• pinch of salt
• dash of nutmeg
• unbaked deep dish pie crust

Directions:

1. Cream butter and sugar together with a hand mixer.
2. Add eggs; mix well.
3. Add buttermilk, flour, vanilla, salt and nutmeg; mix well.
4. Pour into unbaked pie crust and bake in a 350 degrees F oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour, or until set. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

Y'all enjoy!

Shrimp and Grits

Hey y'all! Happy Sunday!

Today, I want to share one of my favorite shrimp and grits recipes. Shrimp and grits is a traditional breakfast meal that has been served throughout the south for years. If you love this iconic southern dish you will enjoy this fantastic recipe I adopted from Southern Living.

Shrimp and Grits
Photo By: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Buffy Hargett 

Step 1

Cheese Grits

Ingredients:

1 (14-oz.) can low-sodium fat-free chicken broth 

1 cup fat-free milk 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits

3/4 cup (3 oz.) shredded 2% reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese 

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce 

1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

Directions: 

1. Bring first 3 ingredients and 1 1/3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; gradually whisk in grits. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until thickened. Stir in Cheddar cheese and next 3 ingredients.

Step 2

Ingredients: 

2 bacon slices

1 pound unpeeled, medium-size raw shrimp 

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

2 teaspoons canola oil 

1/2 cup chopped green onions

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup low-sodium, fat-free chicken broth 

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce 

Directions:

1. Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat 10 minutes or until crisp; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 tsp. drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon.

2. Peel shrimp; devein, if desired. Sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper; dredge in flour.

3. Sauté mushrooms in hot drippings with oil in skillet 5 minutes or until tender. Add green onions, and sauté 2 minutes. Add shrimp and garlic, and sauté 2 minutes or until shrimp are lightly browned. Stir in chicken broth, lemon juice, and hot sauce, and cook 2 more minutes, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of skillet. Spoon shrimp mixture over hot Cheese Grits; sprinkle with crumbled bacon.

y'all enjoy!

Sweetie Pie's Mac & Cheese

Hey y'all! Happy Sunday! I hope everyone is staying warm on this chilly winter day! 

I woke up this morning almost frostbitten from this crazy snow storm that blew through over night! It was nuts! I've never seen so much snow in my life! Y'all may not know but I am currently attending school in Utah, I accepted a scholarship to play volleyball at Southern Utah University so this has been home for the past few years. Weather like this definitely makes me miss all the mild winters in Texas!

Anyways, I realized the town became a winter wonderland overnight so I was trying to think of a delicious comfort recipe that would warm us up from shoveling the driveway all morning! When I suddenly thought of Sweetie Pie's Mac & Cheese. I got this recipe from watching Diners, Drive In's and Dives the other night and it's said to be one of the best mac and cheese recipes. So, of course I had to to try it!

Now let me tell y'all beware this recipe is extremely addicting and truly lives up to all the hype!
It's so easy that you will never want to make it from a box ever again!

Sweetie Pie's Mac & Cheese
Photo By: Food.com 

Here's a clip of the episode for a little inspiration! If this doesn't motivate you to make this mac and cheese... well then there's no hope for you!

Sweetie Pie's Mac and Cheese on Diners Drive-In's and Dives 

Ingredients 
1 lb cooked elbow macaroni

1 cup whole milk

24 ounces evaporated milk

3 eggs

2 tablespoons

1 Cup butter, cut into small pieces

1⁄2 lb colby cheese
1⁄2 lb monterey jack cheese, shredded
1⁄2 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 lb Velveeta cheese, cut in chunks
salt
1 tablespoon whiter pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup shredded American cheese or 1 cup mild cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°C.

2. Put pasta in 9 by 13 dish and set aside.

3. Mix milks and eggs well.

4. Add the butter and colby, montery jack, sharp cheddar and velveeta cheeses to the pasta.

5. Pour milk and egg mixture over the pasta.

6. Mix in sour cream. 

7. Season with salt , pepper, sugar and toss.

8. Sprinkle with remaining cups of American or Cheddar cheese.

9. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until top is lightly browned.