2011 Best Recipes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
Our editors test and approve all recipes featured in our magazine, but these picks stand out above the rest.
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JanuaryLemon-Poppy Seed Belgian Waffles

Jennifer Davick

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

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.

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JanuaryLucky Black-Eyed Pea Salad

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Lucky Black-Eyed Pea Salad

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

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JanuaryBaked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: 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.

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FebruaryDouble Crust Chicken Pot Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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FebruaryBite-Size Desserts

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe:

Peanut Butter TrufflesRecipe:Homemade Chocolate-Dipped CaramelsRecipe:Sweetheart Sugar Cookies

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

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FebruaryPraline-Pecan French Toast

Photo: Jennifer Davik

Recipe: Praline-Pecan French Toast

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

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MarchGoat Cheese and Strawberry Grilled Cheese

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Goat Cheese and Strawberry Grilled Cheese

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

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MarchButtermilk Pound Cake with Custard Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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MarchMango-Spinach Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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AprilRosemary Roast Lamb

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Rosemary Roast Lamb

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

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AprilRoasted Salmon with Lemon and Dill

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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

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

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AprilMississippi Mud, Caramel-Pecan, and Marbled Brownies

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe:

Mississippi Mud BrowniesRecipe: Caramel-Pecan BrowniesRecipe: 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.

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MaySweet Tea Tiramisù

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Tea Tiramisù

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

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MayKentucky Hot Browns

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: 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.

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MayFried Chicken Bites

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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!

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MaySweet Tea-Brined Chicken

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken

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

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MaySweet Tea Rice

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe:

Sweet Tea RiceRecipe: Sweet Tea Rice TabboulehRecipe: Sweet Tea Rice with Jalapeño, Peaches, and Pecans

Tea gives these rice dishes subtle flavor and color.

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MayStrawberry-Rhubarb Hand Pies

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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JuneFried Green Tomatoes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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JuneKentucky Benedictine Tea Sandwiches

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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JuneCherry-Bourbon and Coffee-Chocolate Ice Cream

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe:

Cherry-Bourbon Ice CreamRecipe: Coffee-Chocolate Ice Cream

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

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Pimiento Cheese-Bacon Burger

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe:

Best Beef BurgersRecipe:Pimiento Cheese-Bacon Burger

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

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JulyLightened Squash Casserole

Photo: Becky-Luigart Stayner

Recipe: 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.

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JulyInsalata con Peche

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Insalata con Peche

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

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JulySummer Grilled Peach Salad

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: 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.

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AugustGrilled Tri-Tip with Citrus-Chile Butter

Photo: John Kernick

Recipe: 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.

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AugustLemon Meringue Ice-Cream Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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AugustHerbed Tomato Tart

Photo: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: 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.

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SeptemberSkillet-Roasted Okra and Shrimp

Photo: Squire Fox

Recipe: 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.

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Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

This delicious apple bundt cake features a sweet cream cheese filling and homemade praline frosting. Garnish the frosting with extra toasted pecans.

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SeptemberMini Muffulettas

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

Watch: Mini Muffulettas

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SeptemberPesto-Crusted Pork Chops with Sweet-and-Sour Collards

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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OctoberChicken Under a Skillet

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: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.

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OctoberSticky-Bun Pumpkin Muffins

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe:

Sticky-Bun Pumpkin MuffinsRecipe:Pecan-Pumpkin Bread

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.

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Fettucine with Zucchini and Pecans

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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.

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NovemberPumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

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

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NovemberCreole Deep-Fried Turkey

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: 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.

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