Little Smokies with Mustard Bacon Sauce

The origins of mustard are unknown, but it is a Northern Hemisphere plant, the seeds have been found in Stone Age settlements. Egyptians tossed the seeds onto their food, and sent King Tut to the great beyond with a good supply in his tomb. The Sumerians ground it into a paste. Wealthy Romans ground it and mixed it with wine at the table. Cultivated for thousands of years, mustard was the main spice known to Europeans before the advent of the Asian spice trade, Westerners had mustard long before pepper, which originated in India. Once trade routes were established, ancient people from India to Egypt to Rome chewed mustard seeds with their meat for seasoning.

Beefy Potatoes

Many researchers believe that the potato’s arrival in northern Europe spelled an end to famine there. Corn, another American crop, played a similar but smaller role in southern Europe. More than that, as the historian William H. McNeill has argued, the potato led to empire, “By feeding rapidly growing populations, permitted a handful of European nations to assert dominion over most of the world between 1750 and 1950.” The potato, in other words, fueled the rise of the West.

Cheddar Chicken

Choose fresh parsley over the dried form of the herb since it is superior in flavor. Choose fresh parsley that is deep green in color and looks fresh and crisp. Avoid leaves that are wilted or yellow as this indicates that they are either damage or over mature. Just like with any dried herbs, if you choose to purchase dried parsley flakes, try to select organically grown parsley since this will give you more assurance that the herbs have not been irradiated. 

Recipes for Deviled Eggs

Can you imagine a family gathering without deviled eggs? I can’t. Deviled eggs are easy to make and everyone loves deviled eggs, so you can bet that the plate will be empty. Check out these deviled eggs.  There is so many different ways you can make deviled eggs. It is important to boil the eggs just right. 

Taco Stew

The Union Soldiers ate beef stew. One of the culinary issues during the Civil War, for both North and South was inexperience. Back then men were used to having the woman of the home, or female slaves cooking. For male soldier, cooking was completely different. 

Garlic Cheese Bread

Bread, comes in various forms, and is the most widely consumed food in the world. Not only is it an important source of carbohydrates, it’s also portable and compact, which kind of explain why it has been an integral part of our diet for thousands of years. In fact, some think humans started baking bread at least 30,000 years ago.

BBQ Pasta

All barbecue masters have their own special sauce recipe, but depending on where you set up your smoker in America, you'll probably use a different style of sauce. Each region has its own signature style. Sauces are used in a few different ways. Some meats are marinated in sauce and then grilled and basted. Other meats, like beef brisket and pork butt, are typically cooked with a dry rub and then sauced after they've been sliced or pulled.

Create the Perfect Labor Day Picnic

Labor Day is just around the corner, folks will be on a picnic in full force. Are you stuck for ideas this weekend? No worries, I can help. I have come up with a Labor Day picnic menu.  Whether you are picnicking far away or barbequing in your backyard, something about eating outdoors just seems to make the food taste better. Picnics are an old tradition and wonderful.

Crispy Fried Pork Chop Bites

A cultural influence from around the world has helped make Southern food what it is today. Southern food is rooted in local and imported ingredients, necessity and frugality.

Red Pepper Corn Bread

We have Native Americans to thank for the corn bread.  Its humble beginnings can be traced back to the Indians that European settlers came in contact with when they first arrived in America. 

9 To Die for Recipes with Cake Mix

You would have never guessed any of these decadent desserts started with store bought cake mix.  These recipes are a snap to make. You can make cookies from cake mix; you can make all kinds of stuff with cake mix. You can even make cupcakes with cake mix. Baking can be a piece of cake when you easy shortcuts like boxed cake mix. 

Shrimp with Rice

Fresh shrimp should have firm bodies that are still attached to their shells. They should be free of black spots on their shell since this indicates that the flesh has begun to break down. In addition, the shells should not appear yellow or gritty as this may be indicative that sodium bisulfate or another chemical has been used to bleach the shells. 

Pineapple Ham Pasta Salad

Pineapples have exceptional juiciness and a vibrant tropical flavor that balances the tastes of sweet and tart. Pineapple and bananas are America's favorite tropical fruit.