Hoppin’ John

Heather says: In my corner of the south, Hoppin’ John is a traditional New Year’s dish believed to bring good luck. I’m not superstitious, but some traditions, like this one appeal to me. Every year on New Year’s Day we serve Hoppin’ John, collard greens, and cornbread. Hoppin’ John is a nice, flavorful version of …

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Sloppy Joes

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Heather says: I know a can of sloppy joe sauce is easy, but it’s often loaded with high fructose corn syrup, something we work hard to avoid. This recipe is our go-to alternative. If you’re also trying to cut out hfcs, be sure to check the label on your hamburger buns. Oh, and even though …

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Broccoli, Roasted

Once in a while, every cook stumbles on a technique that transforms a vegetable from a tolerated item into a highly anticipated side dish. This technique which can easily be modified does it for broccoli and me. Admittedly I never hated broccoli, I didn’t love it, except in salads like broccoli almond salad, where the …

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Carrot Raisin Salad

Heather says: This classic pairs well with sandwiches and meals that call Spring and Summer to mind.  In its most basic form, the recipe here, it’s low cost and low effort.  There are many variations on this recipe, feel free to share yours in the comments. Ingredients: 2 cups coarsely shredded carrot 1/2 cup raisins …

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