Recent Posts

Bowl of creamy grits topped with cooked shrimp and garnished with herbs
Sides

Gabby’s Grits

My son-in-law’s mother has been making these grits since before her children were born, in a kitchen in Kentucky that I have never seen but can picture clearly. My granddaughter wrote the recipe out on a folded piece of paper and handed it to me without ceremony, the way you […]

Grilled hot dog in bun with green relish on wooden board with chips and drink
Sides, Bread

Our Perfect Hot Dog

The perfect hot dog starts with an all-beef dog, grilled until the skin blisters and splits and the ends curl up just slightly, caramelized in its own fat. Nestle it into a toasted brioche bun—soft and buttery, with just enough structure to hold its ground—and finish it with my relish […]

Bread, Sides

Kentucky Cheddar Biscuits

What makes a true Kentucky biscuit rise above all pretenders? Butter so cold it numbs your fingertips, worked into flour until the mixture resembles a January field dusted with snow. The secret lies in folding that dough—over and over until layers form that will later separate with a gentle pull. […]

breakfast

Kentucky Apple Fritters

I’ve never done much baking, but after driving twenty miles one way to satisfy my craving for a decent apple fritter, I finally snapped. Two days and six pounds of discarded dough later, I’ve perfected a recipe that would make my grandmother weep with pride. These golden-brown beauties emerge from […]

Meat

A “REAL” Pork Roast!

It’s funny how things change over the years, and how few people remember. One of those things is the great flavor of a “REAL” pork roast. You know, the ones with the bones still in them and that glorious ivory-colored fat cap on top that crackles and browns like caramel. […]

potatoes

The Best Kentucky Hashbrown Casserole

After experimenting with countless combinations of cheese, spices, and textures, I’ve finally perfected our go-to hashbrown casserole. Golden-brown and crispy on top, yet creamy and tender beneath. It’s surprisingly simple to prepare, ready in under an hour. Enjoy.