Late in the summer is one of my favorite times of the year for produce. That’s when fresh peas, beans,…
Melissa’s Recipes
A Quick Trip to Brazil!
So my husband and I had a plan. We were going to fly in to Santiago, Chile, visit the country…
A Quick Trip to Santiago, Chile
Like many of you, I’ve had a pent up wanderlust thing going on lately. I did get to go to…
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…
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….
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…
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…
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…
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…
Steakhouse Style Mushrooms
Sautéed mushrooms are one of my favorite sides, especially when I’m cooking steak. Being an old hand in the restaurant…
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…
Visiting Guatemala
Recently, I had the honor of going to Guatemala to judge a BBQ Contest. Yep, a BBQ contest in Guatemala,…
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…
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,…
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…
Sweet Corn Pie
I grew up in the country, and corn was a staple in our garden and on our table. I’ve loved…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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….
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…
Smoked Short Rib Tacos
I, like many of you perhaps, am a fan of the humble taco. I love them from street vendors, from…
Sausage Cheddar Balls
The Holidays are fun, but they can get sooo hectic. This is a super-easy recipe for a delicious appetizer…
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…
Chipotle Bacon BBQ Shrimp
BBQ Shrimp is a dish that originated in Louisiana. Rather than being grilled or cooked outside, the “BBQ” in the…
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…
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…
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…
Fall Tomato Soup
Don’t you just love it when Fall really comes in? I know I do. I live in the sweat zone…
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…
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….
Easy Cajun Seasoning
Everybody loves a little bit of spicy cajun food now and then, so I wanted to share my Easy Cajun…
Creamy Crawdad Sauce
I made this Creamy Crawdad Sauce as a dipping sauce for my Louisiana Meat Pies recipe. But, it is so…
Louisiana Meat Pies
*This post is sponsored by my friends at Johnsonville Sausage. True Tongsmen know Johnsonville makes the sausages everyone loves. Louisiana…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Sweet Pepper Sauce
Turnip greens, pinto beans, and cornbread are staples of many meals in the South. Sometimes, we don’t even need anything…
Soy Grilled Asparagus
I love asparagus, especially during the summer. For me, it’s one of those vegetables that is ok when cooked inside…
Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce
Yummmm- Enchiladas! I love them. They are so versatile, you can wrap just about anything up in a tortilla, douse…
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…
Grilled Mussels
Mussels are one of my guilty pleasures, they are tasty, fun to eat, and make a great appetizer or meal….
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…
The Pitmaster Interviews!
Every year at Memphis in May, I like to masquerade as an “embedded reporter” and ask champion pitmasters the hard-hitting…
Blackberry Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Everyone who knows me knows I love blackberries. I mean, I love them. As a child, picking the ripe, juicy…
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…
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…
Smoked Prime Rib
MMMMmmm. If there is one dish out there that is so utterly delicious, I think I’ve yet to find it….
Smoked Poblano Soup
My Smoked Poblano Soup recipe is an inviting soup no matter the season. I love rich, hearty soups and stews…
Chipotle Pecan Short Ribs
Short ribs are among my favorite things in the world. Just the smell of them slowly cooking is enough to…
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…
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…
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…
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….
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…
Turkey Injection Recipes
It’s almost Turkey Time! Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means lots of people think of those dry turkeys…
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…
Pork Chili Verde
If you want to impress the friends, fam, or whomever with your cooking prowess, this is a recipe to try….
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….
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…
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…
Super Chicken Salad
Chicken salad has long been a mainstay of the “church social” in the South, and for good reason. It’s just…
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…
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…
Muscadine Glazed Quail
One of the highlights of my professional life was being able to cook at the James Beard House. I was…
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…
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…
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…
Carne Asada Skirt Steak
Skirt steak is one of my favorite cuts. It grills quickly, accepts marinades well, and has a great beefy flavor….
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…
Pink Peppercorn Sauce
I love love love pink peppercorns! Pink peppercorns are actually berries from a shrub known as Peruvian Peppertree. They are…
BBQ Yucatan Pork
BBQ Yucatan Pork A recent trip to an international market yielded plenty of treasures to play with in the kitchen….
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…
Winter Pork Stew
A few days ago I had plans to cook a Boston butt for a friend (of course, it was going to…
Smoked Catfish Dip
When you get an invite to cook at the James Beard House, you make plans to go to NYC! I…
Achiote Pork Tenderloin
I’m posting some of the recipes I cooked at the James Beard House dinner. This recipe for Achiote Pork Tenderloin…
Piri Piri Sauce
Have you tried Piri Piri Sauce (aka Peri Peri?) The sauce runs the gamut of flavors, from citrus-y fresh, savoriness,…
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…
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…
Wagyu Ribeye Caps
note: I am a paid ambassador for Mishima Reserve, but all opinions and recipes are my own. Spinalis Dorsi, or…
Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri sauce is one of my favorite sauces to serve with steaks. The freshness and zip of a nicely-made chimichurri…
Smoked Goose
Smoked goose is a traditional Christmas item that has fallen in popularity over the years. However, I think it should…
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…
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…
Smoked Trout Year Round
*This post and recipes are sponsored by my friends at Kingsford Charcoal. All recipes and opinions are my own, however….
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…
Smoked Beef Tenderloin
Recently I was so honored to cook at the James Beard House and I want to share the recipes! This…
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,…
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…
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,…
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…
Beef Bourguignon
Beef Bourguignon sets the standard in comfort foods Beef bourguignon has kind of fallen out of favor over the last…
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…
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…
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…
Chipotle Maple Pork Chops
This post is sponsored by The Home Depot*. Fall and early winter are my absolute favorite times to grill. I…
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,…
Gochujang Glazed Pork Porterhouses
Have you tried gochujang? It is a Korean fermented chili paste that packs quite a punch. Other ingredients include soybeans…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Easy Sesame Aioli
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…
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…
