Everybody loves a good chicken wing. At my restaurant, we marinate our wings in hot sauce and BBQ rub for…

A Food Blog from The Winningest Woman in BBQ
Everybody loves a good chicken wing. At my restaurant, we marinate our wings in hot sauce and BBQ rub for…
There are some things you cook because you’re hungry, it’s easy, and you need to get food on the table….
Chilaquiles are a super easy and amazingly delish dish that can fit the bill for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Chilaquiles…
I must admit I have become an instant pot fan over the years. I don’t cook a lot of things…
I have several recipes on my blog with smoked salmon. It’s a really versatile dish, it’s easy to cook, and…
A good patty melt marks off a lot of boxes for a satisfying and tasty meal. It has toast for…
Sautéed mushrooms are one of my favorite sides, especially when I’m cooking steak. Being an old hand in the restaurant…
As I may have mentioned a few times, I really like combining different flavors and cultures to create a new…
Recently, I had the honor of going to Guatemala to judge a BBQ Contest. Yep, a BBQ contest in Guatemala,…
This post is brought to you by my friends at Kingsford® When you want an awesome steak, you have to…
Picanha Steak is one of my favorite cuts of beef to eat. Also known as a sirloin cap steak, culotte,…
Beef ribs don’t really get a lot of press or acclaim. They’re bulky, to get tender they need an experienced…
I grew up in the country, and corn was a staple in our garden and on our table. I’ve loved…
The Spring is a time of reawakening, of the trees turning green and grass growing again. Traditionally, lamb is a…
Look, everyone wants to cook “competition quality” meat. However, I’ll be the first to tell you that when you’re enjoying…
Black cod, also known as sablefish, is one of my favorite fish to eat. They have a lot of great…
If you think I’ve been on a bit of a pancake kick lately, then you are correct. To me, pancakes…
King crab legs are seriously my favorite dish. As in, last-meal type of favorite food. For the most part, I…
Salisbury steaks are one of those classic meal choices that doesn’t seem to get enough attention. Very simple to make,…
I love Thai flavors, especially when using flavors like Thai basil. Drunken noodles has always been one of my favorite…
My new Honey Peach Rub is now available! I’ve been developing this for a while, and it is amazing on…
You know, comfort food isn’t just for dinner. A late breakfast full of delectable items served on a Saturday or…
MMMMM, birria tacos. If you haven’t had birria tacos before, you really must make them. They are just absolutely full…
Leg of lamb is served often at Holidays such as Christmas and Easter, but it’s really an amazing dish anytime….
It gets really hot and muggy in Mississippi. By the time we have our 4 or 5 days of Fall…
I, like many of you perhaps, am a fan of the humble taco. I love them from street vendors, from…
The Holidays are fun, but they can get sooo hectic. This is a super-easy recipe for a delicious appetizer…
I grew up in rural Mississippi, and much of our diet was what we grew or could raise. I grew…
BBQ Shrimp is a dish that originated in Louisiana. Rather than being grilled or cooked outside, the “BBQ” in the…
I love spiral sliced hams, especially around the holidays. We sell thousands of my Double Smoked Spiral Hams at this…
Ok, sure, this isn’t a grilled recipe. But it’s delicious, easy, and quick to prepare, so even I bust out…
Ok, confession time- I don’t turn in burnt ends in my brisket box at KCBS contests. I know all the…
Don’t you just love it when Fall really comes in? I know I do. I live in the sweat zone…
My very favorite herb has to be sage. My family always jokes about the amount of sage I put in…
Have you ever just had a craving, then an idea, then that made a bigger craving? That’s what happened here….
Everybody loves a little bit of spicy cajun food now and then, so I wanted to share my Easy Cajun…
I made this Creamy Crawdad Sauce as a dipping sauce for my Louisiana Meat Pies recipe. But, it is so…
*This post is sponsored by my friends at Johnsonville Sausage. True Tongsmen know Johnsonville makes the sausages everyone loves. Louisiana…
Crab cakes are one of the real American foods. Europe has seen an influx of our beloved blue crabs, and…
The post is sponsored by my friends at Johnsonville. Sausage isn’t a side meat, make it the star of the…
Ok, if you live in the South, you kind of wonder what all these people are doing grilling in the…
Smoking foods wrapped in pink butcher paper should not be reserved just for briskets. I’ve cooked many meats in…
My BFF’s at Prairie Fresh invited me to cook at their little party at the American Royal. By little, I…
*I’m thrilled to announce I partnered with Reynolds Kitchens® to show off their NEW butcher paper for this post! Butcher…
Have you tried Piri Piri sauce (aka Peri Peri?) If you haven’t, you are in for a treat. The flavor…
Well, it’s officially summer. While that means that it’s a little warm outside for my liking, it also means…
Turnip greens, pinto beans, and cornbread are staples of many meals in the South. Sometimes, we don’t even need anything…
I love asparagus, especially during the summer. For me, it’s one of those vegetables that is ok when cooked inside…
Yummmm- Enchiladas! I love them. They are so versatile, you can wrap just about anything up in a tortilla, douse…
As you may know, I got into patio gardening in a serious manner last year during the pandemic. Growing a…
Mussels are one of my guilty pleasures, they are tasty, fun to eat, and make a great appetizer or meal….
It’s summertime, and everyone loves a good grilled pork chop. I like to take my chops to next-level goodness with…
Every year at Memphis in May, I like to masquerade as an “embedded reporter” and ask champion pitmasters the hard-hitting…
Everyone who knows me knows I love blackberries. I mean, I love them. As a child, picking the ripe, juicy…
Want to elevate your sandwich game? Me too. I’m pretty tired of those standard burgers, cold cuts, etc. So, here’s…
This recipe for Cajun Pork Chops with Jalapeno butter is so easy because I just use already-prepared cajun seasoning. Jalapeno…
MMMMmmm. If there is one dish out there that is so utterly delicious, I think I’ve yet to find it….
My Smoked Poblano Soup recipe is an inviting soup no matter the season. I love rich, hearty soups and stews…
Short ribs are among my favorite things in the world. Just the smell of them slowly cooking is enough to…
If you’re not a hunter in the midwest, pheasant is not a game bird with much awareness. However, it is…
Melissa’s Big Present Giveaway! I’m so excited about this year’s December Giveaway! I’m so lucky to be partnered with some…
I’m really pleased to announce my new website, Maggie’s General Store! My daughter, Lauren, and I make or personally source all…
I love turkey. A lot. In fact, it’s pretty much a year-round item for me, not just around the holidays….
It’s coming to the time of the year when you’ll probably entertain a few family and friends. Everyone wants…
It’s almost Turkey Time! Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means lots of people think of those dry turkeys…
Fusion Time! I love mixing and matching flavors, and this recipe does exactly that. It brings the umami of Asian…
If you want to impress the friends, fam, or whomever with your cooking prowess, this is a recipe to try….
I am a lover of jelly. I know, I’m not supposed to like it, it’s really not good for you….
As you may know, I started my own little patio garden this year. I’ve really enjoyed it, and have had…
I’m a foodie, and if you’re reading this you probably are too. I love challenging recipes, creating flavors, and seeing…
Chicken salad has long been a mainstay of the “church social” in the South, and for good reason. It’s just…
Check out my video on how to make an amazing Posole Rojo! Posole is a Mexican soup that is traditionally…
Problem: I want to impress the family or friends for dinner, but I don’t want to spend all day in…
One of the highlights of my professional life was being able to cook at the James Beard House. I was…
2020 has been very trying to get through but it has brought back a lot of interest in making and…
What have I been doing? I’ve literally had to work harder than ever before to keep my restaurants alive and…
Wow, it’s been a while! Hey everyone, it’s been a while since I’ve had time to post. I hope everyone…
Skirt steak is one of my favorite cuts. It grills quickly, accepts marinades well, and has a great beefy flavor….
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, you may be thinking about making a special dinner. I have the solution, not only…
I love love love pink peppercorns! Pink peppercorns are actually berries from a shrub known as Peruvian Peppertree. They are…
BBQ Yucatan Pork A recent trip to an international market yielded plenty of treasures to play with in the kitchen….
Need a rich, creamy dip for a get-together, but you’re tired of the same-old-same-old? Then here’s an easy recipe for…
A few days ago I had plans to cook a Boston butt for a friend (of course, it was going to…
When you get an invite to cook at the James Beard House, you make plans to go to NYC! I…
I’m posting some of the recipes I cooked at the James Beard House dinner. This recipe for Achiote Pork Tenderloin…
Have you tried Piri Piri Sauce (aka Peri Peri?) The sauce runs the gamut of flavors, from citrus-y fresh, savoriness,…
It is definitely the season for special meals, and I hope I have given you some ideas with my recipes…
Have you had braised pork shanks? Well if you have, I’m here to help you take this amazing comfort dish…
note: I am a paid ambassador for Mishima Reserve, but all opinions and recipes are my own. Spinalis Dorsi, or…
Chimichurri sauce is one of my favorite sauces to serve with steaks. The freshness and zip of a nicely-made chimichurri…
Smoked goose is a traditional Christmas item that has fallen in popularity over the years. However, I think it should…
Cornish game hens take on a whole new flavor when prepared in the smoker. These flavorful little birds make for…
I’ve been on a seafood kick lately. I served Smoked Catfish dip at the James Beard House. I made some…
*This post and recipes are sponsored by my friends at Kingsford Charcoal. All recipes and opinions are my own, however….
When you’re looking for a special meal, I present my Surf and Turf Extravaganza! The centerpiece is a horseradish crusted…
Recently I was so honored to cook at the James Beard House and I want to share the recipes! This…
Melissa’s Holiday Giveaway! Yep, you guessed it, it’s time for another giveaway! I had been planning to have this early,…
Everything you need to know about cooking Turkey! Holiday time! Finally, America starts remembering that they love turkey! I don’t…
It’s that caveman drumstick time of year! Does your family fight over turkey legs? Easy solution, just cook extra! And,…
I was shopping in my local grocery the other day and they had Cajun Flavored Pork Tenderloin from my friends…
Beef Bourguignon sets the standard in comfort foods Beef bourguignon has kind of fallen out of favor over the last…
It’s turkey time, and I couldn’t be happier! This is one of my favorite times of the year because…
One of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is to mix and match flavors from different cultures. The…
Cast iron. There’s a reason cast iron skillets get handed down through generations, it’s because they’re awesome. They hold and…
This post is sponsored by The Home Depot*. Fall and early winter are my absolute favorite times to grill. I…
Fall weather seems to bring out in me a desire for earthy, comfort flavors. This recipe has grilled beets,…
Have you tried gochujang? It is a Korean fermented chili paste that packs quite a punch. Other ingredients include soybeans…
One of my favorite side items to make is brussels sprouts. I cook them many ways, when I’m feeling lazy…
This post is sponsored by The Home Depot*. It’s finally the season for game day, and that means it’s time…
Everyone loves tacos. However, I tend to think I am in the “obsessed with tacos” club. As in, lately,…
I get asked to review lots of grills. As my house is literally chocked full of grills and smokers, I…
Ok folks, this is the last installment of my “salmon series,” which features 4 different salmon recipes cooked on four…
This is recipe three of four in my “Salmon Series,” and is definitely the easiest. Check out my Miso Salmon…
This is the second recipe in my “Salmon Series.” I am writing this series for a couple of reasons. First,…
Hey, it’s summer, and it’s grilling season! I wanted to put out some easy recipes to help you get out…
Have you ever wanted to eat the Best Steak Ever?!? Let me tell you what you’ve been missing then, Wagyu…
Have you ever smoked cauliflower before? It’s so easy and delicious, you’ll be wondering why you never did! I’m…
When you’re looking for a special (but still easy) meal, this is a show stopper. My Smoked Pork Loin…
Two of my favorite things in life are Ribs and Coffee. This recipe combines both of them! This recipe for…
Melissa Cookston is a 7-time world barbecue champion; owner of Memphis BBQ Company in Horn Lake, Mississippi; an author of two cookbooks, “Smokin in the Boy’s Room” and “Smokin’ Hot in the South;” and a celebrated southern Delta chef who is sponsored by Prairie Fresh.
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