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Favorite Cheese Grits Recipes Two-Cheese Grits Shrimp and Grits Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole The topics in “Taste of the South” often generate intense discussions at our tasting table, and cheese grits proved no exception. We all agreed that this straightforward dish embodies the very definition of good old-fashioned, stick-to-your-ribs Southern food. The rest, however, was open to a little friendly debate. Following our standard procedure, we tested a number of cheese grits recipes, which included everything from garlic to bacon, and just about every kind of cheese you can imagine....

Long and green. Hails from the gourd family. Treated as a vegetable– even though technically a fruit. Cucumber or zucchini? How about both? These two plants are frequently confused with each other, especially when they are placed side by side in the vegetable bins at the grocery store, but they both have distinctive characteristics and uses. How Are Cucumbers and Zucchini Different? Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first: The cucumber, cultivated in many parts of the world and eaten as a vegetable, has a cylindrical shape with dark green skin and pale flesh....

There was never an explanation given to me by my grandmother as to why she had a countertop griddle. To my young eyes, she had a perfectly fine stovetop and enough skillets to make cornbread for an army—but almost every Sunday morning, I would find myself watching her stir up the makings of a pancake breakfast and pull out her old electric flat-top griddle that would later house all of the buttermilk-filled batter....

We’ve always been big fans of using store-bought and quick-fix shortcuts in the kitchen whenever the need strikes. Work smarter, not harder, as many would say when it comes to occasions like busy weeknights or big-batch cooking. Yet, there are just some dishes that many Southerners refuse to compromise on. Biscuits, for example. If you heard a pop, it doesn’t count. Canned biscuits have their own moments, but we don’t consider them anywhere near the same thing as the real thing....

There is no bad time for brownies. In fact, all events and seasons are perfect for brownies, from tailgates and birthday parties to office farewells and neighborhood potlucks. And while mixing your own homemade brownies isn’t terribly complicated or time-consuming, boxed mixes make this process even easier when you’re in a hurry or just want to bake a batch without bothering with measuring cups and spoons. Another great thing about boxed brownie mixes?...

While we pride ourselves on an encyclopedic knowledge of plants, there are some that we still mix up, you know, in the heat of the identifying moment. One pair is bluebonnets and bluebells. These sound-alike flowers carpet the earth with delicate blooms in serene blue and lilac hues. When grasping in your mind for a name to call the pretty flowers you see, “bluebonnet” might slip out when you mean to say “bluebell....

Summer barbecues and picnics often tend to be potluck affairs, where guests are expected to bring a side dish, a salad, or an appetizer. If you’re looking for a warm-weather potluck option that fits into all three categories, consider “cowboy caviar” (aka “Texas caviar”), a beloved Texas specialty that’s as refreshing as it is hearty and bold. We asked a group of seasoned Texas chefs what they’d like the world to know about cowboy caviar, and they gave us an in-depth look at this tasty Lone Star icon....

While fans of Virgin River will likely have to wait until summer or later to figure out who the father of Mel’s baby really is, the author behind the beloved series is easing the anticipation for Season 4 with two new book releases. On February 22, Sunrise on Half Moon Bay comes out, and A Family Affair follows on the April 5. If you’re like us and you’re absolutely captivated by the relatable characters, heartwarming relationships, and surprise-filled plotlines in the fictional town of Virgin River, then you’ll love writer Robyn Carr’s newest stories....

Nothing makes a meal more comforting than a warm buttermilk biscuit cut open to make room for a pat of creamy butter. The dairy product is not only the finishing touch on all breads, but is a prominent ingredient in everything from frosting to sauces in Southern cooking. However, there are so many butter sticks, tubs, and bars that the dairy section can be quite confusing. Here are the types of butter that are typically found on the shelves and why they might be the right choice....

Poll a hundred Southerners about what the most important items in their kitchen and there’s no doubt that a cast iron skillet will be near the top of the list. For good reason, too. These affordable pans are so durable they can be passed down through generations meaning some lucky folks can whip up grandma’s fried chicken recipe in grandma’s cast iron pan. Of course, it’s not just fried chicken. Cast iron is so versatile, it can be used on the stove, in the oven, and on the grill to whip anything from salsa to pork cacciatore to pizza to chocolate chip cookies....

What’s in a name? It’s a person’s most significant connection to their individuality and identity. From the moment a child is born, their name defines them. That’s why choosing something that captures who they are is so important. These beautiful names that mean hope and strength are perfect for the boys and girls that are resilient and full of faith. Read through the list to find the one that matches your child’s personality....

We love a good house flipping show. So, when we heard the latest addition to the growing genre is based in our home city of Birmingham, Alabama, our interest was doubly piqued. Flipping Down South, premiering on A&E this Saturday, follows best friends and house flippers Paul Mielke and Cody Cummings as they attempt to revitalize Birmingham’s forgotten neighborhoods one successful home makeover at a time. According to the show’s trailer, Mielke is the “creative whirlwind, finding and designing each house,” while Cummings is the “money guy, making sure there’s more cash coming in than going out....

There are many things we love about summer food. Ice cream…whenever the weather calls for it. Sweet tea a’flowin’ all-day-long. Strawberries galore. Fresh herbs on everything. Then of course there’s coleslaw, potato salad, watermelon, and so much more. Did we mention grilling? Oh, how we love the victuals of warm weather dining. But we’d remiss if we didn’t carve out a special place in our summer epicure’s paradise for corn on the cob....

You and your pooch just spent a perfect summer afternoon hiking when you look over and see her rolling around on the forest floor in a cluster of what appears to be poison ivy. The telltale shiny, notched three-leaf vine clusters are known to make humans red and itchy. But can my dog get poison ivy, too? Can Dogs Get a Rash from Poison Ivy? “Yes, dogs can get a rash from poison ivy,” says Dr....

Air fryers have been game changers in the kitchen. They make our okra always crispy, help us pretend donuts can be health food, add new lighter choices to our meal plans, make it easy to create a blooming onion at home, and give us gooey skillet cookies at the touch of a button. Since our air fryers are in pretty heavy rotation, it’s a good thing they are pretty darn easy to clean....

Fans adore Hallmark star Lacey Chabert for her sweet spirit, down-to-earth personality, and the relatable characters she plays in all our favorite Christmas movies. Recently, the Mississippi-born actress took a turn from her normally sunny Instagram posts to get real about what life has been like since losing her older sister, Wendy, in late November. Sharing a sweet photo of her and her sister together as children, she wrote this caption: “I can’t believe it’s been over two months since I’ve been able to hear my sister’s voice....

We all love Magnolia candles. Like, really, really love these candles. So much so, that the seasonal releases often sell out rapidly, and we may or may not have personally “redirected” a birthday gift to a friend as a much-needed bubble bath accoutrement for ourselves. Well, good news is flickering up ahead: On Thursday, March 11, Magnolia will debut its latest signature candle scents, “Stay a While” and “Library,” along with a new line of room sprays, all selected by Joanna Gaines herself....

We’ve all been there. You’re cooking dinner on a hectic weeknight, trying to keep an eye on your pork chops in the skillet while also boiling broccoli and baking rolls. Amidst the chaos, your pot of rice boils off a little too much water and – in under 5 minutes – gives your favorite pan a thick, stuck-on coating. Although a burned side dish can put a damper on your meal, it’s even tougher to return to the kitchen later to scrub off your mistake....

Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, the winningest coach in Division I men’s basketball, has announced his impending retirement. Sources confirmed to ESPN that Coach K plans to step down from his position as head coach of the Blue Devils after the 2021-2022 season. Krzyzewski, 74, will reportedly be replaced by associate head coach Jon Scheyer, who will spend the 2021-2022 season as coach-in-waiting. The college basketball icon currently has a career record of 1,097-302 with five national championships and 12 Final Fours....

Whether we fell in love with a textile for our home in a super specific hue or needed to do some touch ups without the necessary supplies, we’ve all been forced to color match paint before. The process can be frustrating, because out of the literally thousands of options, there’s only one exact shade that’s the one. Instead of wasting time and money on trial and error (especially if you’re testing in the store), try one of these five simple tricks for color matching straight from paint pros....