2011 Best Recipes

January
Lemon-Poppy Seed Belgian Waffles

These fluffy waffles are filled with the sweet, lemony flavor of their muffin cousins. Cook up the batter as waffles or pancakes for breakfast or dinner. Finish the fruity flavors with our Blackberry Maple Syrup.

• Recipe: Lemon-Poppy Seed Belgian Waffles with Blackberry Maple Syrup

January
Lucky Black-Eyed Pea Salad

Peppery watercress fills in for traditional greens, and fresh peaches, cilantro, and black-eyed peas add fresh flair.

• Recipe: Lucky Black-Eyed Pea Salad

January
Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

This delicious mac and cheese is light on the butter and cheese yet still melts in your mouth. Change the flavor profile of the recipe with combinations such as sweet peas and proscuitto or ham and broccoli.

• Recipe: Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

February
Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie

This recipe may just replace your old, tried-and-true chicken pot pie recipe. Use refrigerated piecrusts to make this supper an easy must-have.

• Recipe: Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie

February
Bite-Size Desserts

Who doesn’t love a little bite of something sweet?  These easy-to-make petite treats fill the bill.

• Recipe: Peanut Butter Truffles
• Recipe: Homemade Chocolate-Dipped Caramels
• Recipe: Sweetheart Sugar Cookies

February
Praline-Pecan French Toast

Assemble this breakfast treat the night before for a fabulously easy and special morning meal.

• Recipe: Praline-Pecan French Toast

March
Goat Cheese and Strawberry Grilled Cheese

Make a healthier version of grilled cheese by substituting flavorful goat cheese and strawberries.

• Recipe: Goat Cheese and Strawberry Grilled Cheese

March
Buttermilk Pound Cake with Custard Sauce

We sampled this traditional pairing several different ways and loved them all, but our favorite was a warm pound cake with chilled custard.

• Recipe: Buttermilk Pound Cake with Custard Sauce

March
Mango-Spinach Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

This is a delicious partner for grilled fish. Don't forget fresh crusty bread to soak up every bit of the warm vinaigrette.

• Recipe: Mango-Spinach Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

April
Rosemary Roast Lamb  

Fresh herbs and a touch of anchovy paste give this roast a beautiful crust and delicious depth of flavor.

• Recipe: Rosemary Roast Lamb

April
Roasted Salmon with Lemon and Dill

Serve up this easy roasted salmon recipe with a Creamy Lemon Horseradish Sauce and basmati rice with peas, parsley, and mint.

• Recipes: Roasted Salmon with Lemon and Dill
• Creamy Lemon Horseradish Sauce

April
Mississippi Mud, Caramel-Pecan, and Marbled Brownies

Try one—or all—of these sensational chocolate treats. The base is a rich, dark brownie that you can customize to suit your taste. 

• Recipes: Mississippi Mud Brownies
• Caramel-Pecan Brownies
• Marbled Brownies

May
Sweet Tea Tiramisù  

Tiramisù is always delicious. Throw sweet tea into the mix and you'll have a to-die-for dessert.

• Recipe: Sweet Tea Tiramisù

May
Kentucky Hot Browns

In need of a little comfort? Tuck into the classic knife-and-fork sandwich smothered in Mornay sauce for a decadent Southern dish.

• Recipe: Kentucky Hot Browns

May
Fried Chicken Bites

Serve these zesty chicken bites warm or cold with a side of blue cheese or honey mustard dressing. The kids will love these, too!

• Recipe: Fried Chicken Bites

May
Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken

A hint of tea, brown sugar, and rosemary makes up the marinade for this grilled chicken. The combination is irresistible!

• Recipe: Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken

May
Sweet Tea Rice

Tea gives these dishes subtle flavor and color.

• Recipes: Sweet Tea Rice
• Sweet Tea Rice Tabbouleh

• Sweet Tea Rice with Jalapeño, Peaches, and Pecans

May
Strawberry-Rhubarb Hand Pies

Crisp rhubarb has a tart flavor that teams up perfectly with sweet strawberries.

For a fried version, read How to Make Fried Strawberry Pies.

• Recipe: Strawberry-Rhubarb Hand Pies

June
Fried Green Tomatoes

It doesn't get much more Southern than a plate of Fried Green Tomatoes. Great on sandwiches, in salads, or plain, this is a recipe every Southern cook should master.

• Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

June
Kentucky Benedictine Tea Sandwiches

Cucumber, cream cheese, and fresh herbs make the filling for this delightful finger food. Add a festive trim with spicy micro-greens.

• Recipe: Kentucky Benedictine Tea Sandwiches

June
Cherry-Bourbon and Coffee-Chocolate Ice Cream

You won’t believe these amazingly delicious ice creams are all low calorie! 

• Recipes: Cherry-Bourbon Ice Cream
• Coffee-Chocolate Ice Cream

Pimiento Cheese-Bacon Burger

Dress up our Best Beef Burgers with fresh herbs, bacon, and a hearty scoop of pimiento cheese.

• Recipe: Best Beef Burgers
• Recipe: Pimiento Cheese-Bacon Burger

July
Lightened Squash Casserole

Take advantage of this golden veggie in a lightened version of squash casserole. A combo of cornflakes and French fried onions add an irresistible crunch, without adding too many calories.

• Recipe: Lightened Squash Casserole 

July
Insalata con Peche

Combine prosciutto, fresh peaches, and mozzarella cheese for an irresistible salad. Sprinkle with fresh thyme to add some zip.

• Recipe: Insalata con Peche

July
Summer Grilled Peach Salad

Grilled peaches served atop a bed of arugala make for a great summertime salad. Add gorgonzola cheese and pecans for the perfect final touch.

• Recipe: Summer Grilled Peach Salad

August
Grilled Tri-Tip with Citrus-Chile Butter

Rethink steak night! Serve grilled lean tri-tip with a zesty citrus butter made with lime and lemon zest, fresh thyme, and jalapeño peppers.

• Recipe: Grilled Tri-Tip with Citrus-Chile Butter

August
Lemon Meringue Ice-Cream Pie

Homemade lemon curd delivers a burst of bright citrus flavor to this simple-to-fix pie, and it can be made up to 2 weeks ahead. You'll have about ½ cup lemon curd left after making the pie. Serve it alongside the pie, drizzle over fresh fruit, or try it as a spread on hot biscuits.

• Recipe: Lemon Meringue Ice-Cream Pie

August
Herbed Tomato Tart

This updated tomato pie is served pizza-style on a puff pastry with a combination of feta and mozzarella cheese. An assortment of herbs along with colorful fresh tomatoes gives this tomato tart its wonderful flavor.

• Recipe: Herbed Tomato Tart

September
Skillet-Roasted Okra and Shrimp  

Only six simple ingredients impart tons of flavor in this dish. Use the freshest shrimp you can find more best results.

• Recipe:Skillet-Roasted Okra and Shrimp

September
Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

With a cream cheese filling and sweet praline frosting, this apple bundt cake is a must-try! Garnish with toasted pecans for a pretty finish and a little crunch.

• Recipe: Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

September
Mini Muffulettas

You can easily make these mini muffulettas the day before the game. Just assemble, place in zip-top freezer bags, and refrigerate overnight. Store-bought craft paper and simple twine make clever, team-inspired sandwich wrappers.

• Recipe: Mini Muffulettas

September
Pesto-Crusted Pork Chops with Sweet-and-Sour Collards

Use pesto as a flavorful coating on pork chops and serve alongside collards seasoned with brown sugar and red pepper.

• Recipe: Pesto-Crusted Pork Chops with Sweet-and-Sour Collards

October
Chicken Under a Skillet

A juicy, flavorful grilled whole chicken is a dynamite dish! Rosemary leaves, lemon zest, garlic, and herbs de Provence impart great flavor, but it's the grill that really does the work.

• Recipe:Chicken Under a Skillet

October
Sticky-Bun Pumpkin Muffins

Sticky buns and pumpkin bread combine in this amazing muffin recipe. A mixture of toasted pecans, butter, and brown sugar creates the sweet topping. Serve these for breakfast, or skip the "sticky" part and make Pecan-Pumpkin Bread instead.

• Recipe: Sticky-Bun Pumpkin Muffins
• Recipe: Pecan-Pumpkin Bread 

Fettucine with Zucchini and Pecans

Pecans aren't just for dessert. Try them toasted in this Italian-inspired fettucine with fresh basil and Asiago cheese.

• Recipe: Fettucine with Zucchini and Pecans

November
Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Combine your favorite Thanksgiving desserts into one delicious cheesecake! A sweet Praline Topping sends this dessert over the edge.

• Recipe: Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

November
Creole Deep-Fried Turkey

Southerners love to fry their food, and there's no stopping us when it comes to our Thanksgiving turkey. Give this fried turkey recipe a try and enjoy the flavors that only deep-frying can create.

• Recipe: Creole Deep-Fried Turkey

November
Persimmon-Pear Salad

The flavors of the season shine in this elegant salad. 

• Recipes: Persimmon-Pear Salad
• Honey-Cider Vinaigrette

November
Marinated Shrimp-and-Artichokes

This recipe can double as a side dish or appetizer. Feta cheese, fresh herbs, and a garlic-and-herb marinade give the shrimp and artichokes outstanding flavor.

• Recipe: Marinated Shrimp-and-Artichokes

November
Fried Confetti Corn

Cream, bacon, and sweet peppers take this dish from down-home to top shelf. 

• Recipe: Fried Confetti Corn

November
Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots

Shallots and a touch of brown sugar bring out the sweetness in the beans. 

• Recipe: Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots

December
Herb-and-Potato Chip-Crusted Beef Tenderloin

Potato chips?  On a roast?  You betcha!  They add wonderful salty crunch to this showstopping entrée.

• Recipe: Herb-and-Potato Chip-Crusted Beef Tenderloin

December
Capital Eggnog

This decadent beverage qualifies for the name “sipping dessert,”  whether you serve it with or without alcohol.  You’ll have lots of egg whites left over—use them in angel food cake or meringue cookies.

• Recipe:  Capital Eggnog

December
Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

Prepare this one-dish wonder up to a month before you plan to serve it.   It’s just right for a weeknight supper or casual entertaining.

• Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole