Bottom of the Mayo Jar Cucumber Salad

A nostalgic Southern cucumber salad inspired by the old “mayo jar” method - crisp cucumbers, red onion, and a creamy, tangy dressing you shake right in the jar.

If you grew up in the South, you may remember seeing that one jar in the fridge - the mayonnaise jar that never quite got thrown out because Mama kept topping it off with sliced cucumbers, onions, and a splash of vinegar.

It hung out on one of the shelves in the fridge all summer long, getting refreshed every few days, and somehow always tasted better the longer it sat. It's already been a regular in my refrigerator this summer!

Noodle Salad

A cool, refreshing pasta salad made with tender shell noodles, crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and a simple mayo‑Italian dressing.

A Cool, Creamy Pasta Salad Made with Simple Ingredients

This easy shell pasta salad comes together with just a few fresh vegetables and a quick mayo‑Italian dressing. It’s crisp, creamy, refreshing, and perfect for warm‑weather meals or make‑ahead lunches.

Sometimes you just want a cool, refreshing pasta salad, something that's easy, familiar, and made with just a handful of ingredients you already have on hand. This simple noodle salad is exactly that kind of recipe.

It’s built on small shell pasta, crisp cucumber, and juicy tomato, all tossed in a no‑fuss dressing of mayonnaise and Italian dressing. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated, just a bright, creamy, everyday pasta salad that tastes like summer.

Shrimp Fried Rice (Deep South Style)

This Shrimp Fried Rice is a true Deep South weeknight staple. It's quick, comforting, and perfect for using up the leftover rice we always seem to have in the fridge. With fresh shrimp, smoky bacon, and a simple egg‑and‑rice technique, it comes together fast and tastes like a skillet full of home.

A fast skillet supper for using up leftover rice - a true Gulf Coast habit

Down here along the Gulf Coast, we don’t just eat rice - we practically live with it.

Louisiana grows it, Mississippi cooks it for sure, and most of us have a container of leftover rice tucked in the fridge at all times. It shows up under gravies of course, and definitely red beans and rice, with smothered dishes, in casseroles, and especially in quick skillet meals when the day’s been long and supper needs to happen fast.

Fried rice is one of my personal favorite ways to use up that leftover rice.

Peachy Baked Beans with Bacon and Ground Beef

A sweet‑savory baked bean dish with smoky bacon, ground beef, three beans, and tender peaches for the perfect Southern twist.

A Sweet‑Savory Southern Casserole for Any Gathering

There’s something about a baked bean casserole that feels like it belongs at every Southern table — whether it’s a backyard cookout, a church potluck, or a Sunday supper with family.

This version leans into that classic comfort but adds a little twist that makes people stop mid‑bite and say, “What is that flavor?”

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!

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!

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.

Crispy, golden pork cutlets meet creamy, peppery gravy in this Southern comfort classic. Boneless ribeye chops are seasoned, dipped, dredged, and pan-fried, then topped with a rich milk-based gravy. Serve over mashed potatoes for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Chicken-Fried Pork Cutlets with Milk Gravy

One thing that I constantly hear from folks whenever I share any pork chop recipe on social media is "my pork chops are always so dry!" 

Back in the day pork was much fattier and could handle a longer cooking time, but today's pork is bred so much leaner that a dry chop is probably caused by overcooking. We just don't realize how quick they cook now!

But the cut can matter too.

I have been buying pork ribeyes for several years now, so I'm always trying different things with them, recipes that will all eventually make their way here. 

They do cost a little more and I love the texture and tenderness of the ribeye pork chops, but other than cost, what makes them different?

Fresh chicken wings, tossed with lemon, seasonings and herbs and air fried.

Air Fryer Lemon Herb Chicken Wings

I love the combination of lemon and herbs with chicken, certainly one of my top favorites for a roasted chicken, so I thought, why not wings?

Afterall, as I write this it's football season and wings are just another football staple now, aren't they?

And let me tell you that if you haven't tried wings in your air fryer you are missing out!

Raw shrimp, preferably Wild-caught American, peeled and deveined, passed through a milk and egg mixture, then into a seasoned cracker meal dredge and deep fried to golden brown delicious!

Cracker Meal Deep Fried Shrimp

Growing up, my Mama did not use flour on her fried seafood. She used boxed cracker meal.

If I had to guess, I'd say that once I started cooking for myself, I ventured away from using it because it can be a bit pricey and these days, even hard to find, but flour? Well, I always have that on hand.

I do prefer to use self-rising flour because it contains baking powder, which contains cornstarch, and seems to me to give a more crisp and crunchy texture than plain all-purpose flour does.

I know some folks have disagreed with me, and that's okay, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it y'all!

Tuna salad, made and dressed in the style of Jimmy John's sandwich shop.

Tuna Salad Jimmy John's Style

While I have passed by their location in Biloxi several times, I have never eaten at a Jimmy John's and it has nothing to do with any kind of controversy with the original owner.

Truth is, I cook so much so we rarely eat out anywhere, unless I'm just exhausted and there aren't any leftovers that appeal to me! Plus, it ain't cheap to eat out these days now is it?

Heck, fast food isn't even a cheaper option anymore either. A family-sized dinner from a great fried chicken restaurant can be $40 or more y'all!

Fresh green beans, trimmed, cut and blanched, prepared with onion, garlic and toasted almonds and finished with lemon, salt and pepper.

Green Beans with Almonds

Green beans are a very common vegetable side in this house because even my veggie adverse hubby, known here as The Cajun, will eat them!

I have to give some kudos to the man though, because since I've been blogging food, he has gotten a bit more adventurous with trying different veggies and other dishes that, frankly, he once would not touch. Typically if I put it on his plate, he'll try it and many times, says how good it was!

Chicken wings generously seasoned and air fried naked. Saucing optional!

Air Fryer Naked Chicken Wings

I love wings. Love them!

They are one of our top favorite foods for football gatherings, movie watching or really anytime snacking.

I used to do them most of the time in the oven and still do occasionally but they are ideal and so easy in the air fryer.

Now... first a disclosure because it's important and it matters.

Yellow squash, cut into chunks, dipped in a blend of buttermilk and hot sauce and dredged in seasoned flour, sprayed with oil and air fried.

Air Fryer Squash Nuggets

I love summer squash and it can be prepared all kinds of ways - in a salad, stuffed, in a gratin, stir fried, smothered with onions, creamed, in a dressing, in a casserole and on the grill, among others.

And, I absolutely love deep fried squash y'all.

I mean deep fried foods are just so darned tasty - especially that good ole southern fried chicken!

A whole cut up chicken, soaked in a seasoned buttermilk and mustard marinade, then dredged in a seasoned flour, deep fried and finished in the oven. Pictured here with roasted potatoes and black-eyed peas.

Buttermilk Mustard Fried Chicken

Like many Southerners, I love fried chicken, especially when it's prepared well. Although pretty rewarding in the end, it is a little messy frying it at home though and frankly takes practice,  meaning you need to keep making it often to perfect the processes!

You know. Like Grandma did.

For those reasons, lots of folks satisfy those occasional fried chicken cravings with take out these days and while really great fried chicken can be found at sit down restaurants, you can also find it at locally owned gas station counters, at regional grocery store delis like Winn Dixie and Rouses in my neighborhood, at local sit down or take out buffets like Hartz, Cajun's and Broome's and fried chicken places like Popeye's and KFC.

The one problem? Have you seen the prices?

My Ultimate Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, made with the ease of a slow cooker, using peeled russet potatoes cooked in chicken broth, then beat with butter, heavy cream or whole milk and cream cheese. Pictured here with trinity seasoned green peas, chicken fried chicken and milk gravy.

Slow Cooker Ultimate Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

I love mashed potatoes anytime, not just holidays!

While we may tone it down a bit when we make them on the regular, admittedly, holidays are when we usually break out the fancy potatoes. You know the ones. Cream cheese. Whole milk with heavy cream. Plenty of butter!

Those of y'all who have been around any length of time already know I'm not huge on the slow cooker, mostly because I am not a very good advance planner and generally speaking, slow cookers require that! I have some slow cooker recipes here and there because I know it's one more tool to make mealtime happen.

CWC'S Mighty Fine Cornbread, My Way

A tender cornbread made using self-rising cornmeal and flour with butter and buttermilk, based on Cooking with Cajun's famed cornbread.

Mighty Fine Cornbread

Just like everybody else, when I have a minute (or more like I'm trying to avoid work ssshh...) I get lost in shorts and reels on social media. For me, mostly that's videos of gorgeous strutting Maine Coon cats, rehabilitating horses and other rescued animals, goofy stunts people actually do, food videos and viral recipe hacks.

There is a fella with a page called Cooking with Cajun. Originally from South Central Louisiana around the Atchafalaya swamps, but a resident of the Ozark mountain region of North Arkansas since 2015, where he pretty much lives off the grid. He has an outdoor cooking set up where he cooks everything over open fire and he does an incredible job doing it too. You'll find him everywhere - Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube - check him out sometime!

Here's the latest roundup of football food social media shares! Swipe down for more details on the individual recipes shown and visit any of the recipes by tapping or clicking on the recipe title or the photos and check it out, right here on the Deep South Dish website.

Social Media Roundup - The Big Game Eats!

Football is finally rounding down for the season with The Big Game around the corner, so we've been sharing a wide range of Super Bowl Eats over on social media lately, because, in my opinion, the food is the most important aspect of game day!

Join Deep South Dish on Facebook, X - Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

To check out other past social media round-up posts for great football foods on my Pinterest page by tapping or clicking here and for all topics and all seasons on the website by tapping or clicking here.

Social Media Roundup of Comfort Food Favorites 2 that you may have missed! 'Easy Apple Pie Skillet Biscuits, Shipwreck Casserole, Old Fashioned Baked Custard, Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Pie Crust Crackers, Instant Pot Hot Roast Beef, Oven Braised Bone-in Chicken Breasts with Vegetables, Classic Southern Pinto Beans, Southern Style Meatloaf, Sausage, Peppers and Onions with Beans and BBQ Pork Brunswick Stew.

Social Media Roundup - Comfort Food Favorites 2

Y'all. I can't believe we are halfway through the month of January already!

As much as it seems that life stands still when you're young, I can assure you that when you hit "a certain age" it flies. Seems like my grandchildren were toddlers yesterday and here they are teens and preteens.

I know that a lot of you are on hiatus from your favorite cooking blogs - but don't forget about us!! We're still plugging along and with this crazy weather if you're looking for some great comfort food options to warm those bellies, we've been sharing some good stuff over on social media!

Social Media Roundup Comfort Food Favorites 1

Comfort Food Favorites 1: Grandma's Old Fashioned Boiled Custard Recipe and Eggnog Base, Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole, Oven Braised Pot Roast with Vegetables, Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, Country Captain Chicken, Smothered Stewed Potatoes, Slow Cooker Pinto Beans, Crockpot Beef Chili with Beans and Cajun Cabbage Stew.

Comfort Food Favorites 1

Social media has been even more quiet here lately than it has been all year y'all, so we're continuing to share here what we've been sharing over there. Here's our latest roundup of social media shares from what I call my favorite comfort foods.

Join Deep South Dish on Facebook, X - Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Visit any of the recipes below by tapping or clicking on the recipe title or the photos below to check it out, right here on Deep South Dish website.

Let's get to it!

'Grandma's Old Fashioned Boiled Custard Recipe and Eggnog Base'

Once used regularly as a simple drink meant to sooth the sick, this rich and creamy beverage is also an excellent base for homemade eggnog.

'Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole'

A fantastic and tasty sweet breakfast casserole that you throw together the night before and then just slide into the oven in the morning. Great for Christmas morning!

'Oven Braised Pot Roast with Vegetables'

Chuck roast, braised low and slow in the oven in a light roux with pot roasted veggies - it's a classic Sunday roast.