True story: we served mashed cauliflower at our wedding reception. We didn’t care if other people wanted mashed potatoes—this was our wedding! I gave our caterers my recipe for the mashed cauliflower, and they served it in these great pewter serving dishes. It was…
Late summer at the Mayfield house would almost guarantee fried okra was on the table. Okra is as commonplace in the South as grits. You don’t have to give up any flavor or texture to enjoy this classic adapted in this manner. If you’re going to go to the trouble,…
These go well with just about anything, and are a great way to use all the fresh vegetables from our garden in the summertime. If you have a large crowd coming over, double or triple your recipe and consider serving the veggies whole. These keep extremely well in the…
As a child, and on into adulthood, I thought Brussels sprouts were vile food items that were only served soggy and overcooked with that nasty sulfuric smell. And then, a miracle happened: one Thanksgiving, my friend Peter made a Brussels sprouts dish that was simply…
Down on the Bayou, étouffée is pretty synonymous with comfort food. You’ll have a hard time waiting to eat this one. Your kitchen will smell so very delicious. Two things to consider are how to get your crawfish tails and what stock you will use. The good news is that…
Shortly before Charles popped the big question, he brought me down to Mobile, Alabama for a few days with his family. There are two things about that trip that stood out to me: me catching a really big speck trout (and Charles saying that’s why he asked me to marry…
Beef stew was a staple in our house growing up, with the primary ingredients being the meat, carrots, peas, and potatoes. I think if my mom had told me there were anchovies in her beef stew (there were not) I would have refused to eat it. However, now that I’m an…
This bayou classic combines so many wonderful flavors and textures. We didn’t have to tweak this classic too terribly much to make it paleo friendly. Traditionally, the rice for this meal will soak up a fair portion of your liquid. Cauliflower rice does some of that…
Nothing says comfort quite as well as that first cup of chicken soup as the weather begins to turn chilly. Sometimes the simplest things bring the most pleasure in life. This is a great recipe to get cooking in the slow cooker and let go for a few hours! For tackling…
The first time I made this recipe, I was still Zone-ing my paleo portions (at least in respect to the protein content), and I was amazed at how big a portion turned out to be. This soup is awesome on those cold winter days, and is one that does well simmering in the…
I know what you’re likely thinking: the only purpose for French onion soup is to have something to drown a piece of baguette with melted Gruyere into. Reinvent your tastes just a bit here, and enjoy the soup for the taste it delivers sans bread and cheese. There are…
For me, being the non-tomato kid growing up, I pretty much thought V-8 was a punishment much like soap in your mouth. Which is why sweet, fruity dishes like a melon gazpacho hit a homerun with me. This is absolutely delightful on those dog days of summer when it is…