A delicious coffee cake known as Sock it To Me Cake, has the usual attendees of brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon, but, unlike most coffee cakes, it actually gets better as it sits - not that it'll be around that long.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

When my Mama used a boxed cake mix, Duncan Hines Butter Recipe was the one she used.

In my opinion, it is the best boxed cake mix on the market and worth the extra money over generic, though with coupons and sales you can often get a great price on them and stock up.

Best of the Best from the Deep South Cookbook Review

More than 400 of the most popular recipes selected from favorite cookbooks of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, all in one source of easy-to-follow recipes with regional history, trivia, photographs and illustrations showcasing Southern sites and attractions.

Best of the Best from the Deep South Cookbook

When I received an offer to review this cookbook, Best of the Best from the Deep South, I knew right away that it was going to be a cookbook that both I, and my readers, would love.

Well, I was right!

Strips of round steak, slow stewed with tomatoes and vegetables and served over a bed of garlic cheese grits.

Grillades and Grits

Grillades and Grits {pronounced GREE-ahds}, found on the menu at debutante balls and definitely a staple at Mardi Gras, is a dish of smothered beef, slow simmered in a roux and tomato base, though the name literally translated actually means grilled. Made with just about any kind of beef, and sometimes even with pork or veal, I prefer to use inexpensive bottom round steak. Don't use a top round.

Cajun Shrimp Dip

A well loved Deep South appetizer spread or dip, made with small shrimp, quickly pan seared with oil and seasonings finely minced and blended with cream cheese and mayo.

Cajun Shrimp Spread and Dip

Cajun Shrimp Dip is such a delicious addition for any party or gathering.

It's great with tortilla chips, corn chips, crackers, or even spread on bread. Make it a day ahead if you can, because the flavor only improves, but try to at least chill it for an hour or so at the very least, letting it come to room temperature before serving.

A layered Greek yogurt and berry parfait with granola is a delicious way to fit in a quick and healthy breakfast, especially when you substitute a lower fat granola!

Yogurt and Berry Parfait with Granola

Isn't that just so pretty?

This is actually one of my favorite breakfast meals or afternoon snacks to have because it is so easy to throw together and it's super healthy. I love pairing crunchy granola with fruit - usually mixed berries such as strawberries, raspberries and blackberries with blueberries - and adding that to thick, creamy Greek yogurt to make a layered parfait. It gives you a super decadent feeling, but helps to keep you on track so you can enjoy a good, hearty, favorite Southern meal later.

An American goulash, made with ground beef, Italian sausage and andouille, tomato, garlic and pasta, and seasoned with the Trinity and a bit of Cajun seasoning.

Southern Beef and Sausage Goulash

Don't you just love goulash? Now, of course, I'm talking about what we Americans refer to as goulash here, and not anything remotely resembling an authentic Hungarian goulash. Pasta, ground beef, Italian sausage, tomato, a bit of garlic, and in this case, The Trinity, a bit of Cajun seasoning, and some mild andouille sausage to southernize it just a tad, making it even better. Total comfort food, and ... it's all stovetop! So it's a quick & easy meal that is delicious. If you're looking for a very basic American goulash I've got that too! Click that link and we'll carry you right there!

Classic German Chocolate Cake ... with a Slight Twist

A classic, homemade German chocolate cake, except instead of spreading the traditional coconut pecan frosting all over the cake, I've added a new twist of chocolate ganache.

Classic German Chocolate Cake

German chocolate cake is the traditional cake for my son's birthday and even when given a choice of any kind of cake, German chocolate is the one he picks. It is his daddy's favorite cake too, and you gotta admit, made from scratch anybody can see why. Rich, moist chocolate cake filled and topped with a gooey, buttery, decadent coconut and pecan filling - it is just ♫delicious♫.

A tasty oven barbecue chicken wing, seasoned generously with both Cavender's Greek seasoning and Cajun seasoning, then finished with your favorite barbecue sauce.

Spicy Oven Baked Barbecued Chicken Wings

These oven barbecued wings are a great addition to the wing collection I am building up here. Have a mentioned before how much I love wings? Of course I have!

Pork chops, seasoned simply with salt and pepper then seared, are finished with a slow bake in a flavorful beef broth with onions.

Easy Pork Chop and Onion Bake

This recipe is so easy, yet so tasty and full of flavor, nobody but you will know how easy it was. It's one of my favorite way to do pork chops because it produces a wonderfully tender and delicious chop.

I like to do this low and slow in the oven, but you can also finish it on the stovetop on a low simmer if you prefer. Just follow the recipe all the way to deglazing the pan, and then return the chops to the skillet, cover and simmer on low until done.

Traditional Southern Funeral Foods

The celebration of a loved ones life always includes the gathering and breaking of bread. Here's a list of some of our favorite and traditional funeral food recipes.

The Cajun and I attended a funeral yesterday and the gathering of the family after, made me think of southern traditions that are centered around food, this being one of them.

Ever been on vacation in the south and wondered why people pull over and stop on the opposite side of the road when a funeral procession is passing? Click here to learn about that and other southern funeral traditions.

Aside from the casseroles and other dishes that make their way to the home of those suffering, once the funeral service is over, and the procession has carried the deceased to their final resting place, all of the friends and family gather, either returning to the church hall or else to a private residence, and the party begins.

Done pot luck style and never in a restaurant, everybody brings their favorite dishes and all of the family and friends gather, eat, chat and catch up with one another and reminisce about the departed. Don't be at all surprised if somebody breaks out some music and the dancing and general merriment commence - a celebration of life and the passing of a loved one into eternity in their next life is reason for celebration down south.