Moules Marinières (Mussels with White Wine) Cook Time: 15 minutes | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Serves: 6 as an appetizer Ingredients 2 pounds mussels, washed, with beards removed ¼ cup butter 4 cloves garlic, crushed and minced ½ cup dry white wine 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped 1 teaspoon cornstarch ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper Directions Heat the butter in a deep skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and sauté until for 2 minutes. Add the white wine, sherry vinegar, p ..read more

Southern Mac and Cheese You don’t crave food truck mac and cheese because it’s healthy. You crave it because it’s cheesy, creamy, and decadent comfort food. This recipe checks off all those boxes so that you can create this southern-style food truck favorite at home. Serves 4 | Prep. time 15 minutes | Cooking time 50 minutes Ingredients 1 (16-ounce) box macaroni noodles 1 cup heavy cream 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk 3 eggs, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 1 teaspoon paprika 1½ cups butter, cubed ¼ cup sour cream 1 pound Velveeta-style cheese, cubed 1½ cups medium cheddar chees ..read more

Leek and Potato Soup This potato soup became a staple dish in every American household in the 1960s, including my Aunt Eunice’s. She said this recipe came from her father’s grandmother. This classically creamy soup is a flavorful combo of potato, leek, and cream. Serves 8 | Prep time 15 minutes | Cooking time 55 minutes Ingredients 1 pound potatoes, peeled and chopped 1 pound leeks, sliced thinly 8 cups water 1 tablespoon salt 4-6 tablespoons whipping cream 2-3 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced Directions In a pan, add all ingredients except for cream and parsley over medium-high heat and ..read more

Chicken and Waffles They have the best comfort foods down south, and this one tops the list. Serves 6 – Prep. time 20 min. – Cooking time 40 min. Ingredients For the chicken: 2 pounds chicken cut into pieces, skin removed ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon garlic powder 2 cups self–rising flour 3 eggs ¼ cup red hot sauce ½ cup water 2–3 cups peanut oil for shallow frying For the waffles: 2 cups all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 ¾ cups warm milk ¼ cup melted butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Butter and syrup for servi ..read more

Black Bean Soup (Caldinho de Carne) Serves 8 | Prep. time 10–15 minutes | Cooking time 70–80 minutes Ingredients ½ teaspoon Tabasco sauce (optional) ½ teaspoon cumin 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 bay leaves ¼ cup pancetta 1 pound black beans, soaked overnight and drained 2 quarts water ¼ cup parsley, chopped 1 onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced Fried pancetta or bacon to garnish Chopped parsley or green onions to garnish Directions Add the water to a pressure cooker along with the bay leaves and beans. Close the lid and pressure cook for 40–50 minutes until the beans are softened. Add the ..read more

Starbucks’ Egg Bites Copycat Recipe Starbucks egg bites promise a spectacular flavor-rich combination of spinach, Swiss cheese, and egg whites. Recreate that promise at home with this easy-to-make copycat egg bite recipe. Serves 6 | Prep. time 10 minutes | Cooking time 30 minutes Ingredients 5 large eggs ⅛ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon pepper 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded 1 cup cottage cheese 2 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled Preparation Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 6-cup muffin pan with some butter or cooking spray. Beat the eggs in a bowl. Mix in the salt, pepper, Swiss chee ..read more

Bacon-Wrapped Smokies Serves 16 | Prep time 15 minutes | Cooking time 40 minutes Ingredients 1 pound bacon slices, cut into thirds 1 (14-ounce) package beef cocktail wieners ¾ cup brown sugar Directions Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Wrap each cocktail wiener with a piece of bacon and then secure it with a toothpick. Arrange the wrapped wieners onto a large baking sheet and sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake for about 40 minutes. Serve warm. Nutrition (per serving) Calories 214, fat 14.5 g, carbs 8.8 g, sugar 7.7 g, Protein 11.4 g, sodium 805 mg       Beef Stroganoff ..read more

Italian Meatball Soup Recipe This hearty soup is also surprisingly refreshing. Try some Italian-style soup for your next meal—you won’t regret it. Serves: 8 – Prep. Time: 10 minutes – Cooking Time: 7 hours Nutritional facts per serving: Calories 287, Total Fat 13 g, Carbs 30 g, Protein 16 g, Sodium 1134 mg Ingredients 2 cans (14½ ounces each) Italian-style tomatoes, diced, undrained 2 bags (12 ounces each) Italian-style turkey meatballs, thawed and cooked 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed, drained 1 can (14 ounces) seasoned chicken broth with roasted garlic 1 bag (10 ounces) frozen ..read more

Homemade Pasta Dough Makes about 1 pound of pasta (enough to make 25-30 ravioli or 4-6 servings) | Prep. time 1 hour 45 minutes | Cooking time 3 minutes Ingredients 1 pound (3⅓ cups) Semolina flour or all-purpose flour, sifted 4 whole eggs plus 1 yolk ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil ½ teaspoon sea salt 1-2 tablespoons water, or as needed Directions Pile the flour on a clean dry work surface, in a heap about 8 inches wide. Make a well in the center. Crack all the eggs and then pour the extra yolk into the well and add the olive oil, salt, and water. Using a fork, beat the eggs together wi ..read more

Abuelo’s Jalapeño Cheese Fritters Cheese lovers, look here! Here’s a perfect copycat recipe for Abuelo’s jalapeño cheese fritters. They’re fun and festive appetizers for any party or holiday gathering. These are so addictive that you won’t be able to stop eating them! Serves 8 | Prep. time 15 min. | Cooking time 20 min. Ingredients Fritters 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened ½ cup Monterrey cheese, shredded ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded 3 jalapeños, deseeded and finely chopped 1 teaspoon Lawry’s seasoning Oil for frying Breading 3 cups breadcrumbs ¼ cup all-purpose flour Egg Wash ..read more