Poor Man's Meal of Hot Dogs with Potatoes and Onions

A skillet mix of fried potatoes, onions and sliced hot dogs, born out of ingenuity and necessity during the 1930s Great Depression era and known as a Poor Man's Meal, because of the low cost, easy prep and ingredient availability. This dish continues to carry comfort that never goes out of style.

Poor Man's Meal - Hot Dogs with Potatoes and Onions

There are those days where you know you need to eat, but you just don't really feel like cooking or even know what it is that you want!

Enter one of my favorites. Fried potatoes. 

I can certainly make a meal of those alone, or really any other potato central dish to be honest - set a pot of those smothered potatoes in front of me and I'm a happy gal - but if you want to get in a little protein too, it's excellent with some sliced smoked sausage or hot dogs tossed in and I make it regularly because I love it!

This easy sheet‑pan dinner layers fresh green beans, tossed with olive oil and bold Italian seasonings, with cooked and crumbled Italian sausage and a silky “cheater Alfredo,” baked under a blanket of melted cheese. It’s weeknight‑friendly, family‑approved, and perfect as a hearty side or a full meal.

Sheet Pan Green Beans with Italian Sausage

This was another one of those recipes that passed through my timeline on social media video shorts.

For someone who isn't particularly active on social, that seems to happen a lot because those little Facebook reels that are featured in our timelines seem to draw me in. I don't do videos and doubtful I will although my eldest grandson, soon off to college already (how does that happen so fast??) tells me I need to.

I told him that since most of the videos I see appear to require me to be cute, in full hair and makeup, bejeweled and with highly decorated and maintained fingernails, well... don't hold your breath! 😂

Nonetheless, I sure do seem to get alot of inspiration from those short videos here lately!

 

Burst cherry tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and melty mozzarella come together in this easy roasted tomato dip. A simple, crowd‑pleasing appetizer served with toasted baguettes.

Roasted Tomato Mozzarella Dip

So, a video passed my social media timeline of a remake of a viral Roasted Tomato Burrata Dip, that I had apparently missed. Since I had a container of cherry tomatoes I needed to use or lose, it was timely.

Don't you love when that kind of thing happens? 

Anyway, I thought somehow, I could adapt what I had on hand to make something like that dip, and this was the result. Talk about tasty!

A cozy, clean-out-the-fridge bake that layers your holiday leftovers into one comforting casserole finished with gravy and a crunchy topping. Serve with cranberry sauce on the side for the perfect follow-up feast.

Holiday Leftovers Casserole

I love sandwiches from my leftover turkey or ham and that's usually the first thing out of the gate.

That's very closely followed by a soup or gumbo made from the turkey bones or any number of things made from a ham bone and leftover ham, but honestly?

While there are many ways to repurpose holiday leftovers (tap that link to find my favorites), one of my favorite all-in-one ways is to turn what's left into a casserole!

This easy baked ham gets a Southern‑style upgrade with a sweet‑tangy pineapple glaze, a touch of bourbon or whisky, and the bold kick of Creole mustard. Whole cloves perfume the smoked ham as it warms, while the quick stovetop sauce caramelizes it into a glossy finish that’s perfect for holiday tables or Sunday suppers.

Carver Ham with Tangy Heinz 57 Sauce

A boneless carver ham, is just a smaller, high-quality ham that's designed for easier slicing, making it a popular choice for gatherings, special occasions and perfect for holiday serving.

Online, Kansas City Steaks, Corky's and Rastelli's all sell carver hams, often with their own glazes which for this you'll reserve for another use.

You can usually find a carver ham right at your local grocery market or Walmart also and Frick's brand is a widely available carver ham. Bonus? Their pork is USA raised and typically sourced from Midwest states like Iowa, Missouri or Illinois.

Macaroni and tomatoes have remained a long-held nostalgic food favorite dating back to the Depression and that comes together quickly using the Instant Pot!

Instant Pot Macaroni and Tomatoes

Macaroni and tomatoes made the social circuit rounds not long ago, but the truth is it's actually a Depression era recipe that was a common household meal because it's not only inexpensive and filling, but easy. The Instant Pot makes that process even faster!

In its purist form, the dish includes pasta, usually elbow macaroni and tomatoes, most often home canned tomatoes. Basic seasonings of salt and pepper are typical and sometimes a pinch of sugar is included to counter the acidity of the tomatoes. A nob of butter is usually added. Very simple.

Catch of the Gulf: Top Favorite Shrimp Recipes You’ll Crave

Celebrating the flavor and tradition of Wild American Gulf shrimp with a collection of my top favorites from Deep South Dish website!

Top Favorite Shrimp Recipes You’ll Crave

There’s nothing quite like the flavor of Wild American shrimp, especially those harvested from the Gulf of America! Y'all already know how I feel about that.

Sweet, tender, and brimming with the taste of the sea, Gulf shrimp have long been a staple of Southern kitchens and coastal gatherings. They’re the heart of so many beloved dishes—whether fried golden and crunchy, simmered in a spicy Creole sauce, or tucked into a comforting casserole.

Cooking with Gulf shrimp isn’t just about the food; it’s about honoring a tradition that connects family tables, shrimp boats, and the rich waters of the American South.

Quick Smothered Greens

Quick Southern-style smothered greens with bacon, butter, and bold flavor—ready in under 30 minutes for easy weeknight comfort.

Smothered Greens: Quick and Flavorful

I'm pretty sure that I am one of the few, if not the only person in my immediate family who absolutely loves greens. The reason that I say that is because I can't recall a single time that they've showed up at a family gathering.

If I toss a small amount in a soup, The Cajun might eat them, but otherwise he's not much interested. You know what though?

That doesn't stop me from making them just for me!

I can make a meal out of them honestly and well... he can eat leftovers - or a sandwich.

Giada's Borlotti (Cranberry) Beans

Borlotti beans embody rustic Italian cucina povera—nutty, creamy, protein-rich, antioxidant-packed, wholesome, and deeply satisfying.

Borlotti (Cranberry) Beans

You've probably noticed that Southern influencers who video their recipes for social media tend to be pretty heavy-handed on the seasoning. Honestly? I gotta admit, it kinda freaks me out sometimes just how much they use!

I try to keep my published recipes with a lighter hand, with the understanding that everybody can choose to omit, reduce or increase certain seasonings to their own tastes.

Measure with your heart as they say!

Still, there are some things that just taste good out of the simplicity of them.

Smoked Traeger turkey infused with citrus, herbs, and aromatics—juicy, flavorful, and perfect for holiday gatherings.

Wood Pellet Smoke Roasted Turkey

Now I understand that if you aren't a pellet grill user, this post might not appeal to you, but for me, this worked out so well I need to hold onto it for future use! Yes, you can, of course, also roast this turkey in your oven if you don't have a pellet grill.

I have a Traeger (#ad) and while I'm not a weekend warrior with it, I do really enjoy using mine, even in the summer, since it doesn't require standing over it, and during busy holiday seasons it can act as a second oven as well!