Swamp Potatoes and Sausage

These Swamp Potatoes and Sausage are hearty, full of flavor and comforting. Its nickname probably comes both from its extra-deep South origins, and its resemblance to the bayou’s margin at low tide. Many Southerners also know this dish as old-fashioned smothered green beans. Serve alongside crusty bread for soaking in the delicious juices. While it may not win any beauty contests, its taste more than makes up for it!

By Leslie Blythe

Japanese-Style Shrimp Salad

I felt like making a light and refreshing salad for dinner. Get ready for a delicious, lightning-fast dinner salad that's packed with flavor! This recipe combines crunchy romaine and cucumbers with juicy shrimp and a creamy, irresistible soy-mayo dressing. In just 15 minutes, you'll have a meal that feels anything but quick. In fact, you might find yourself reaching for that amazing dressing as a go-to dip for everything from veggies to grilled fish!

By Leslie Blythe

Sicilian Spaghetti alla Norma

Get ready for this spicy (the spice can be toned down to suit your taste!) Sicilian Spaghetti alla Norma! It's a simple and incredibly flavorful. The eggplant achieves an amazing texture, and the sweet tomato sauce is perfectly contrasted by the salty capers and pecorino, all with a lovely hint of heat. This vegetarian pasta dish offers a satisfying, "meaty" texture and richness.

By Leslie Blythe

Salmon with Zucchini and Corn Cream Sauce

Enjoy this Salmon with Zucchini and Corn Cream Sauce. it’s easy enough for weeknights and impressive enough for guests. It's simple enough for a weeknight yet elegant enough for any special occasion.

The salmon gets seared until golden, then you make the sauce by sautéing shallots, garlic, fresh thyme, red pepper, zucchini and corn. Then whisk some heavy cream and Dijon mustard, add it to the vegetables along with some white wine and let it reduce a bit and finish the sauce with a bit of butter, lemon juice and zest. You can either spoon the sauce over the salmon or pour it on a plate and top with the salmon.

By Leslie Blythe

Soy-and-Cola-Marinated Steak

Coca-Cola is the secret weapon for incredibly tender and flavorful grilled steak. The magic lies in Coca-Cola's high acidity and sugar content. The acidity works to tenderize the meat, breaking down tough fibers, while the sugar promotes rapid caramelization on the grill, creating that perfect, sought-after char.

This recipe harnesses this technique, using a savory-sweet marinade of Coca-Cola, soy sauce, garlic, and white miso for skirt steak. Remember to use regular Coca-Cola, not diet.

By Leslie Blythe

Salt & Vinegar Potato Salad

My family can't get enough of anything salt and vinegar. These bold flavors really took off with salt and vinegar potato chips, which were a huge hit in the United Kingdom long before they made their way to our shores. Now, inspired by those very chips, Salt and Vinegar Potato Salad offers a vibrant, flavorful twist on the classic side dish. Finishing the potato salad with crushed Salt & Vinegar potato chips is a stroke of genius! It delivers a double punch of that iconic tangy flavor and an irresistible crunch.

By Leslie Blythe

Zucchini Orzo Salad with Pepperoncini Dressing

Zucchini Orzo Salad with toasted walnuts, herbs, and a zesty Pepperoncini Dressing is refreshing and flavorful. Pepperoncini peppers are mild, yellow-green chili peppers that are typically pickled. They are tangy, slightly sour, and subtly spicy. It’s a great side dish for a summer barbecue.

By Leslie Blythe

Watergate Cake

Watergate Cake is a classic American dessert, with its vibrant green color and pistachio flavor, is a popular retro dish, especially associated with the 1970s. The precise history of Watergate Cake remains a bit of a mystery. This pistachio-flavored dessert, distinct from the similarly named Watergate Salad (which is also packed with nuts), predates the salad's popularity.

Desserts made with convenience ingredients such as gelatin and pudding mixes, like Watergate Cake, were at their most popular in the mid-20th century, long before the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to President Richard Nixon's resignation. It is NOT on the dessert menu at the upscale Watergate Hotel!

By Leslie Blythe

Back-Pocket Caper-Butter Chicken

Your jar of capers is the secret weapon in this super quick and easy recipe. A vibrant marinade made from caper brine, red wine vinegar, and grated garlic first infuses chicken breasts, keeping them tender as they sizzle in a hot pan. Then, that same flavorful marinade, with a touch of water and honey, becomes a bright, tangy pan sauce, finished with butter for a velvety texture and whole capers for bursts of briny goodness.

By Leslie Blythe

Divorce Salad

I have made several Marry Me recipes. My husband was a little upset by the title of this salad. One bite and he was raving and would probably marry me again. It's that good!

"Divorce Salad" refers to a specific type of salad, and its name often comes with a story. The most widely referenced "Divorce Salad" is a recipe that gained popularity for its meal-prep friendly qualities and was created by Emily Farris after her divorce as a way to prioritize self-care through food.

The idea behind this "Divorce Salad" is that it's easy to make, nourishing, and designed to be something you can enjoy when you need a simple, comforting meal, especially during a challenging time. It combines marinated cannellini beans, Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese and crispy fried onions.

By Leslie Blythe