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Melissa Cookston

A Food Blog from The Winningest Woman in BBQ

Melissa’s Recipes

Rotisserie Chicken Wings with Jalapeños

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

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Crab Louie Salad with Grilled Romaine and Horseradish Crema Gel

There are some things you cook because you’re hungry, it’s easy, and you need to get food on the table….

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Chilaquiles with Roasted Rojo and Verde Salsa

Chilaquiles are a super easy and amazingly delish dish that can fit the bill for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Chilaquiles…

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Instant Pot Cajun Rice

I must admit I have become an instant pot fan over the years.  I don’t cook a lot of things…

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Lucky 7 Smoked Salmon with Whole Grain Honey Mustard

I have several recipes on my blog with smoked salmon.  It’s a really versatile dish, it’s easy to cook, and…

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Woo Woo Turkey Melt with Worcestershire Aioli

A good patty melt marks off a lot of boxes for a satisfying and tasty meal.  It has toast for…

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steakhouse style mushrooms

Steakhouse Style Mushrooms

Sautéed mushrooms are one of my favorite sides, especially when I’m cooking steak.  Being an old hand in the restaurant…

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Sticky Smoked Dinosaur Ribs with Udon

As I may have mentioned a few times, I really like combining different flavors and cultures to create a new…

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Visiting Guatemala

Recently, I had the honor of going to Guatemala to judge a BBQ Contest.  Yep, a BBQ contest in Guatemala,…

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Reverse Seared Cowboy Ribeye with Kingsford Signature Flavors

This post is brought to you by my friends at Kingsford® When you want an awesome steak, you have to…

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smoked picanha with poblano relish

Smoked Picanha Steak with Poblano Relish

Picanha Steak is one of my favorite cuts of beef to eat.  Also known as a sirloin cap steak, culotte,…

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smoked beef ribs

Smoked Chipotle Beef Spare Ribs

Beef ribs don’t really get a lot of press or acclaim.  They’re bulky, to get tender they need an experienced…

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Sweet Corn Pie

I grew up in the country, and corn was a staple in our garden and on our table.  I’ve loved…

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lamb chops with shallot date jam

Grilled Lamb Chops with Shallot and Date Jam

The Spring is a time of reawakening, of the trees turning green and grass growing again.  Traditionally, lamb is a…

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Backyard Smoked Brisket Flat

Look, everyone wants to cook “competition quality” meat.  However, I’ll be the first to tell you that when you’re enjoying…

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Grilled Black Cod with Udon, Spinach, and Soy Broth

Black cod, also known as sablefish, is one of my favorite fish to eat. They have a lot of great…

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Basil Dutch Baby Pancakes with Burrata and Prosciutto

If you think I’ve been on a bit of a pancake kick lately, then you are correct.  To me, pancakes…

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Smoked Ancho Basil King Crab Legs

King crab legs are seriously my favorite dish.  As in, last-meal type of favorite food.  For the most part, I…

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Smoked Salisbury Steaks with Mushroom-Onion Gravy

Salisbury steaks are one of those classic meal choices that doesn’t seem to get enough attention.  Very simple to make,…

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Thai-inspired Basil Beef Drunken Noodles

I love Thai flavors, especially when using flavors like Thai basil. Drunken noodles has always been one of my favorite…

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Honey Peach Babyback Ribs

My new Honey Peach Rub is now available!  I’ve been developing this for a while, and it is amazing on…

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Bourbon Pecan Pancakes Recipe

You know, comfort food isn’t just for dinner.  A late breakfast full of delectable items served on a Saturday or…

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Smoked Birria Tacos Recipe

MMMMM, birria tacos.  If you haven’t had birria tacos before, you really must make them.  They are just absolutely full…

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Red Wine and Garlic Rotisserie Leg of Lamb

Leg of lamb is served often at Holidays such as Christmas and Easter, but it’s really an amazing dish anytime….

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My Favorite Beef Stew Recipe

It gets really hot and muggy in Mississippi.  By the time we have our 4 or 5 days of Fall…

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Smoked Short Rib Tacos

I, like many of you perhaps, am a fan of the humble taco.  I love them from street vendors, from…

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Sausage Cheddar Balls

The Holidays are fun, but they can get sooo hectic.   This is a super-easy recipe for a delicious appetizer…

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Smoked Turnip Greens on a Pellet Grill

I grew up in rural Mississippi, and much of our diet was what we grew or could raise.  I grew…

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Chipotle Bacon BBQ Shrimp

BBQ Shrimp is a dish that originated in Louisiana.  Rather than being grilled or cooked outside, the “BBQ” in the…

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Ham Bone and White Bean Soup

I love spiral sliced hams, especially around the holidays.  We sell thousands of my Double Smoked Spiral Hams at this…

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Instant Pot Short Ribs

Ok, sure, this isn’t a grilled recipe.  But it’s delicious, easy, and quick to prepare, so even I bust out…

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Gochujang Glazed Brisket Burnt Ends and Slices

Ok, confession time- I don’t turn in burnt ends in my brisket box at KCBS contests.  I know all the…

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Fall Tomato Soup

Don’t you just love it when Fall really comes in?  I know I do.  I live in the sweat zone…

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Apple Pie Pork Chops with Sage Maple Apples

My very favorite herb has to be sage.  My family always jokes about the amount of sage I put in…

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Orange Blossom Poached Lobster Tails

Have you ever just had a craving, then an idea, then that made a bigger craving?  That’s what happened here….

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Easy Cajun Seasoning

Everybody loves a little bit of spicy cajun food now and then, so I wanted to share my Easy Cajun…

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Creamy Crawdad Sauce

I made this Creamy Crawdad Sauce as a dipping sauce for my Louisiana Meat Pies recipe.  But, it is so…

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Louisiana Meat Pies

*This post is sponsored by my friends at Johnsonville Sausage.  True Tongsmen know Johnsonville makes the sausages everyone loves. Louisiana…

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Grilled “Nothing But” Crab Cakes

Crab cakes are one of the real American foods.  Europe has seen an influx of our beloved blue crabs, and…

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South of the Border Stuffed Bell Peppers

The post is sponsored by my friends at Johnsonville.  Sausage isn’t a side meat, make it the star of the…

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Easy Grilled Oysters with Spicy Butter Sauce

Ok, if you live in the South, you kind of wonder what all these people are doing grilling in the…

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BBQ Chicken in Pink Butcher Paper

Smoking foods wrapped in pink butcher paper should not be reserved just for briskets.   I’ve cooked many meats in…

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Asian Glazed Pork Belly Bites

My BFF’s at Prairie Fresh invited me to cook at their little party at the American Royal.  By little, I…

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BBQ with Butcher Paper

*I’m thrilled to announce I partnered with Reynolds Kitchens® to show off their NEW butcher paper for this post! Butcher…

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Piri Piri Grilled Snapper

Have you tried Piri Piri sauce (aka Peri Peri?)  If you haven’t, you are in for a treat.  The flavor…

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Poblano Creamed Corn Chicken

  Well, it’s officially summer. While that means that it’s a little warm outside for my liking, it also means…

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Sweet Pepper Sauce

Turnip greens, pinto beans, and cornbread are staples of many meals in the South.  Sometimes, we don’t even need anything…

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Soy Grilled Asparagus

I love asparagus, especially during the summer.  For me, it’s one of those vegetables that is ok when cooked inside…

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Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce

Yummmm- Enchiladas!  I love them.  They are so versatile, you can wrap just about anything up in a tortilla, douse…

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How to Dry Chili Peppers

As you may know, I got into patio gardening in a serious manner last year during the pandemic.  Growing a…

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Grilled Mussels

Mussels are one of my guilty pleasures, they are tasty, fun to eat, and make a great appetizer or meal….

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Peach Rosemary Glazed Pork Chops

It’s summertime, and everyone loves a good grilled pork chop.  I like to take my chops to next-level goodness with…

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The Pitmaster Interviews!

Every year at Memphis in May, I like to masquerade as an “embedded reporter” and ask champion pitmasters the hard-hitting…

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plated medallions

Blackberry Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Everyone who knows me knows I love blackberries.  I mean, I love them.  As a child, picking the ripe, juicy…

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Pork Tenderloin Sandwich with Grilled Brie and Apricot Glaze

Want to elevate your sandwich game?  Me too.  I’m pretty tired of those standard burgers, cold cuts, etc.  So, here’s…

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Cajun Pork Chops with Jalapeño Butter

This recipe for Cajun Pork Chops with Jalapeno butter is so easy because I just use already-prepared cajun seasoning.  Jalapeno…

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smoked prime rib

Smoked Prime Rib

MMMMmmm.  If there is one dish out there that is so utterly delicious, I think I’ve yet to find it….

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smoked poblano soup

Smoked Poblano Soup

My Smoked Poblano Soup recipe is an inviting soup no matter the season.  I love rich, hearty soups and stews…

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Chipotle Pecan Short Ribs

Short ribs are among my favorite things in the world.  Just the smell of them slowly cooking is enough to…

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glazed pheasant

Asian Glazed Smoked Pheasant

If you’re not a hunter in the midwest, pheasant is not a game bird with much awareness.  However, it is…

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giveaway pic

Melissa’s Big Present Giveaway for 2020!

Melissa’s Big Present Giveaway! I’m so excited about this year’s December Giveaway!  I’m so lucky to be partnered with some…

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Announcing Maggie’s General Store!

I’m really pleased to announce my new website, Maggie’s General Store! My daughter, Lauren, and I make or personally source all…

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injected turkey

Ghee Injected Turkey Breast

I love turkey.  A lot.  In fact, it’s pretty much a year-round item for me, not just around the holidays….

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Herbed Pork Tenderloin Crostini with Goat Cheese and Pepper Jelly

It’s coming to the time of the year when you’ll probably entertain a few family and friends.   Everyone wants…

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carved turkey

Turkey Injection Recipes

It’s almost Turkey Time!  Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means lots of people think of those dry turkeys…

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quesadilla with cream

Wagyu Asian Beef Quesadillas with Wasabi Crema

Fusion Time!  I love mixing and matching flavors, and this recipe does exactly that.  It brings the umami of Asian…

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Pork Chili Verde

If you want to impress the friends, fam, or whomever with your cooking prowess, this is a recipe to try….

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jalapeno jelly and cream cheese

How to make Jalapeño Jelly!

I am a lover of jelly.  I know, I’m not supposed to like it, it’s really not good for you….

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fresh sliced tomatoes

Make your own Sun-dried Tomatoes!

As you may know, I started my own little patio garden this year.  I’ve really enjoyed it, and have had…

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fried chicken

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

I’m a foodie, and if you’re reading this you probably are too.  I love challenging recipes, creating flavors, and seeing…

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chicken salad sandwiches

Super Chicken Salad

Chicken salad has long been a mainstay of the “church social” in the South, and for good reason.  It’s just…

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pose rojo

How to make an amazing Posole Rojo!

Check out my video on how to make an amazing Posole Rojo!  Posole is a Mexican soup that is traditionally…

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pork chop

Pork Chop Lollipops with Prickly Pear BBQ Sauce

Problem:  I want to impress the family or friends for dinner, but I don’t want to spend all day in…

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Muscadine Glazed Quail

One of the highlights of my professional life was being able to cook at the James Beard House.  I was…

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Fermented Habanero Ginger Hot Sauce

2020 has been very trying to get through but it has brought back a lot of interest in making and…

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What I’ve been doing!

What have I been doing? I’ve literally had to work harder than ever before to keep my restaurants alive and…

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Hope everyone is staying safe!

Wow, it’s been a while! Hey everyone, it’s been a while since I’ve had time to post. I hope everyone…

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carne asada tacos

Carne Asada Skirt Steak

Skirt steak is one of my favorite cuts.  It grills quickly, accepts marinades well, and has a great beefy flavor….

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porterhouse steak

Wagyu Porterhouse with Pink Peppercorn Sauce

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, you may be thinking about making a special dinner.  I have the solution, not only…

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pink peppercorn sauce

Pink Peppercorn Sauce

I love love love pink peppercorns!  Pink peppercorns are actually berries from a shrub known as Peruvian Peppertree.  They are…

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melissa holding taco

BBQ Yucatan Pork

BBQ Yucatan Pork A recent trip to an international market yielded plenty of treasures to play with in the kitchen….

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crawfish dip

Spicy Crawfish Dip

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…

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Winter Pork Stew

Winter Pork Stew

A few days ago I had plans to cook a Boston butt for a friend (of course, it was going to…

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catfish in smoker

Smoked Catfish Dip

When you get an invite to cook at the James Beard House, you make plans to go to NYC!  I…

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achiote pork

Achiote Pork Tenderloin

I’m posting some of the recipes I cooked at the James Beard House dinner.  This recipe for Achiote Pork Tenderloin…

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Piri Piri Sauce

Piri Piri Sauce

Have you tried Piri Piri Sauce (aka Peri Peri?)  The sauce runs the gamut of flavors, from citrus-y fresh, savoriness,…

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Bone-in Pork Loin with Smoked Cherry Sauce

It is definitely the season for special meals, and I hope I have given you some ideas with my recipes…

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pork shank

Smoked and Braised Pork Shanks

Have you had braised pork shanks?  Well if you have, I’m here to help you take this amazing comfort dish…

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chimichurri on steak

Wagyu Ribeye Caps

note:  I am a paid ambassador for Mishima Reserve, but all opinions and recipes are my own. Spinalis Dorsi, or…

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chimichurri sauce

Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri sauce is one of my favorite sauces to serve with steaks.  The freshness and zip of a nicely-made chimichurri…

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smoked goose

Smoked Goose

Smoked goose is a traditional Christmas item that has fallen in popularity over the years.  However, I think it should…

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glazed game hen

Smoked Cornish Game Hens with Peach Glaze

Cornish game hens take on a whole new flavor when prepared in the smoker.  These flavorful little birds make for…

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black cod

Grilled Black Cod with Ginger Soy Broth

I’ve been on a seafood kick lately.  I served Smoked Catfish dip at the James Beard House.  I made some…

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kingsford smoked trout

Smoked Trout Year Round

*This post and recipes are sponsored by my friends at Kingsford Charcoal.  All recipes and opinions are my own, however….

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Ribeye and lobster tails

Horseradish crusted rib roast with lobster tails.

When you’re looking for a special meal, I present my Surf and Turf Extravaganza!  The centerpiece is a horseradish crusted…

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smoked beef tenderloin

Smoked Beef Tenderloin

Recently I was so honored to cook at the James Beard House and I want to share the recipes!  This…

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Melissa and prizes

Melissa’s Holiday Giveaway

Melissa’s Holiday Giveaway! Yep, you guessed it, it’s time for another giveaway!  I had been planning to have this early,…

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holiday smoked turkey

Thanksgiving Turkey Q and A

Everything you need to know about cooking Turkey! Holiday time!  Finally, America starts remembering that they love turkey!  I don’t…

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Melissa with Turkey Leg

Smoked Turkey Legs with Garlic Sriracha glaze video

It’s that caveman drumstick time of year!  Does your family fight over turkey legs?  Easy solution, just cook extra!  And,…

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Creole Pasta with Cajun Pork Tenderloin

I was shopping in my local grocery the other day and they had Cajun Flavored Pork Tenderloin from my friends…

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Beef bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon sets the standard in comfort foods Beef bourguignon has kind of fallen out of favor over the last…

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smoked turkey

Smoked and Lacquered Turkey

  It’s turkey time, and I couldn’t be happier!  This is one of my favorite times of the year because…

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Grilled Sambal Chicken and Shrimp

One of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is to mix and match flavors from different cultures.  The…

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Golden’s Cast Iron Grill Review

Cast iron.  There’s a reason cast iron skillets get handed down through generations, it’s because they’re awesome.  They hold and…

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Chipotle Maple Pork Chops

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot*. Fall and early winter are my absolute favorite times to grill.  I…

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beet, butternut and bleu cheese salad

Grilled Beets, Butternut and Bleu Cheese Salad

  Fall weather seems to bring out in me a desire for earthy, comfort flavors.  This recipe has grilled beets,…

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gochujang glazed pork porterhouse with sesame asparagus

Gochujang Glazed Pork Porterhouses

Have you tried gochujang?  It is a Korean fermented chili paste that packs quite a punch.  Other ingredients include soybeans…

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grilled brussels sprouts

Smoky Grilled Brussels Sprouts

One of my favorite side items to make is brussels sprouts.  I cook them many ways, when I’m feeling lazy…

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Win Game Day Eats with a Slider Bar!

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot*. It’s finally the season for game day, and that means it’s time…

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Chipotle Citrus Chuck Eye Roll Tacos

Everyone loves tacos.  However, I tend to think I am in the “obsessed with tacos” club.   As in, lately,…

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Grill Review- Hub Grill by Everdure by Heston Blumenthal

I get asked to review lots of grills.  As my house is literally chocked full of grills and smokers, I…

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Asian and Whiskey Grilled Salmon

Ok folks, this is the last installment of my “salmon series,” which features 4 different salmon recipes cooked on four…

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The Salmon Series- Smoked Salmon

This is recipe three of four in my “Salmon Series,” and is definitely the easiest.  Check out my Miso Salmon…

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Miso Glazed Salmon on a Cedar Plank

This is the second recipe in my “Salmon Series.”  I am writing this series for a couple of reasons.  First,…

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Easy Sesame Aioli

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The Salmon Series- Seared Sesame Salmon

Hey, it’s summer, and it’s grilling season!  I wanted to put out some easy recipes to help you get out…

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The Best Steaks Ever!!

Have you ever wanted to eat the Best Steak Ever?!?  Let me tell you what you’ve been missing then, Wagyu…

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Easy Smoked Cauliflower

  Have you ever smoked cauliflower before?  It’s so easy and delicious, you’ll be wondering why you never did!  I’m…

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Smoked Pork Loin with Raspberry Balsamic Glaze

  When you’re looking for a special (but still easy) meal, this is a show stopper.  My Smoked Pork Loin…

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Coffee Rubbed Ribs with Espresso BBQ Sauce

Two of my favorite things in life are Ribs and Coffee.  This recipe combines both of them!  This recipe for…

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The BBQ Allstars

About Melissa Cookston

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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