The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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6 red wines that pair well with Christmas dinner The holiday season transforms dinner tables into festive gatherings where every detail makes a difference—wine selection included. Christmas dinner demands a variety of wines that not only complement the rich flavors on the table, but also promise to satisfy a variety of preferences. When it comes to red wines, factoring in traditional holiday dishes, as well as the innate characteristics of classic grape varieties, is the first step to s...
America's favorite pie isn't apple: See the winners in each state Apple pie has long been a staple of American culture. However, a recent survey by Hers on Americans’ favorite pie for Thanksgiving found that 77% of respondents call a variety other than apple pie as their go-to. So, are people still “as American as apple pie?” As for the overall pie winner, pumpkin takes the cake (err, pie), beating apple pie as America’s favorite by a narrow margin (24% versus 23%). Sweet potato pie, chocola...
Southern-style beef stew with carrots, okra, and potatoes is a hearty, soul-warming dish that blends rich flavors, tender meat, and classic Southern vegetables into one unforgettable pot. This stew is perfect for cool evenings, family gatherings, or anytime you crave comfort food with a regional twist. The Essence of Southern Stew Southern beef stew is more than just a meal-it's a tradition. Unlike Northern-style stews that rely heavily on root vegetables and thick gravies, Southern stews often...
Gen Z says stuffing is for Boomers: Here’s what they’re serving instead for Thanksgiving Get ready, America: Thanksgiving is getting a Gen Z makeover. A recent Hims & Hers study investigated which Thanksgiving side dishes various generations love most. According to results, which Hers examines here, it seems that the classic plate of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy that typically dominates dinner tables for the holiday is getting an update — and some classic side dishes are on th...
Elena Veselova // Shutterstock Easy as pie: See the most uniquely popular pie in Alabama As the air turns crisp and kitchens across the country start to hum with the sounds of Thanksgiving prep, one dessert takes center stage: pie! From the seasonal warmth of pumpkin to the sticky sweetness of pecan, pie is the crown jewel of the Thanksgiving holiday table. Using its purchase data from 2024, Instacart serves up a slice-by-slice look at which pies reigned supreme during Thanksgiving week, how...
Deep frying a turkey is a bold, flavorful way to prepare the holiday bird, especially popular across the South. When done right, it yields a golden, crispy skin and juicy, tender meat in a fraction of the time it takes to roast. But it also requires precision, safety precautions, and the right equipment-especially when using peanut oil, the gold standard for deep frying thanks to its high smoke point and neutral flavor. Whether you're a seasoned fryer or a first-timer in St. Clair County, here's...
MOODY, AL. - In Alabama, the holidays are more than a season; they are a ritual of flavors, stories, and family traditions passed down through generations. At the center of many tables sits a dish that Southerners hold dear: dressing. While other regions may call it stuffing, Alabamians know it as dressing, and they know it best when it's made with cornbread. Yet in recent years, home cooks across the state have begun experimenting with blends of cornbread, white bread, and even brown bread,...
When it comes to comfort food that's easy to prepare and sure to please a crowd, few dishes beat a bubbling, golden macaroni casserole. Add tender chicken and sharp cheddar cheese, and you've got a hearty, family-friendly meal that's perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or Sunday suppers. This Southern-style casserole blends creamy textures with savory flavors, and it's a great way to use leftover chicken or stretch a rotisserie bird into a second meal. 🛒 Ingredients Here's what you'll need for a...
Few desserts capture the spirit of Southern hospitality like pecan pie. But when you add rich chocolate to the mix, you elevate this classic into a show-stopping treat that blends nutty crunch with velvety sweetness. Whether you're preparing for Thanksgiving with family and friends or hosting a church potluck, this chocolate pecan pie recipe is a crowd-pleaser that's easy to make and impossible to forget. Why Chocolate Pecan Pie? Traditional pecan pie is beloved for its gooey filling and...
When the holidays roll around in Alabama, few dishes are as beloved-or as expected-on the table as green bean casserole. Creamy, crunchy, and comforting, this dish has earned its place alongside turkey, ham, and sweet potato pie. Whether you're hosting a family gathering in St. Clair County or contributing to a church potluck, this casserole is a crowd-pleaser that's easy to make and even easier to love. 🌿 A Brief History Green bean casserole was created in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly, a home ec...
Thanksgiving in Alabama is more than just a meal-it's a celebration of family, gratitude, and tradition. And no dessert captures that spirit quite like pumpkin pie. With its velvety filling, warm spices, and flaky crust, pumpkin pie is the sweet finale that brings generations together around the table. Whether you're baking for a church potluck in St. Clair County or preparing a feast for your family, this guide will walk you through every step of making a perfect pumpkin pie from scratch. A...
In Alabama, corn on the cob is more than a side dish-it's a seasonal celebration. From roadside stands in St. Clair County to backyard cookouts across the South, sweet corn is a staple of summer gatherings. While boiling and grilling are common, frying corn on the cob in peanut oil adds a bold, nutty flavor and irresistible crunch that elevates this humble vegetable into something truly special. Whether you're preparing a batch for a family fish fry or experimenting with new flavors for a...
When Thanksgiving rolls around in Alabama, the dessert table is a place of pride-and while pumpkin pie and pecan pie often take center stage, carrot cake is a beloved alternative that brings warmth, spice, and Southern charm to the holiday spread. Moist, flavorful, and crowned with cream cheese frosting, carrot cake is a celebration of fall's bounty and a sweet way to honor tradition. Whether you're baking for a family gathering in St. Clair County or preparing a dish for a church potluck, this...
In Alabama, Thanksgiving isn't complete without a rich, savory gravy ladled over cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, and slices of roasted turkey. And when it comes to flavor, nothing beats giblet gravy. Made from the heart, liver, gizzard, and neck of the bird, turkey giblet gravy is a time-honored tradition that transforms humble parts into a luxurious sauce. Whether you're cooking for family in St. Clair County or preparing a dish for a church potluck, this guide will walk you through how...
Thanksgrilling recipes and how to do it right Thanksgiving is a popular holiday; gratitude and good food are a winning combination. Adding grilling to the mix adds a twist on home-cooked favorites, gives you an excuse to be outside, and adds new flavors to family favorites. Wildfire Outdoor Living shares several steps to prepare for a great Thanksgrilling. Curate a grilling menu Are you going to grill your turkey or smoke it? What Thanksgiving sides will you be preparing? Should dessert go on...
stockcreations // Shutterstock Best BBQ restaurants in 50 major cities Barbecue in the United States is more than a way of cooking—it's a living tradition that traces the country's history of migration, ingenuity, and community. Its roots reach back to Indigenous peoples who slow-cooked meat over open pits, a technique that blended with African, Caribbean, and European influences during the colonial era. Enslaved Africans of the 1600s in particular shaped barbecue into what we know and love i...
An overhead view of a table full of cajun creole dishes. VDB Photos // Shutterstock A brief look at Black American history told through 10 food traditions Visit any region of the United States, and you'll find Black American cuisine with historic and multinational roots. Some dishes are so indelible to American culture that the contributions of African American chefs in their creation have largely been forgotten. "We are a race that has never before existed: a cobbled-together admixture of...
Few dishes capture the spirit of Southern cooking like a rack of smoky, fall-off-the-bone barbecue ribs. Whether you're firing up the grill in St. Clair County or slow-roasting in the oven, this recipe delivers bold flavor, tender texture, and a sticky-sweet finish that'll have folks lining up for seconds. 🛒 Ingredients For the Ribs: • 2 full racks of pork baby back ribs (about 4–5 lbs total) • 2 tbsp yellow mustard (for binding) • 2 tbsp olive oil Dry Rub: • 2 tbsp brown sugar • 1 tbsp smoked p...
The joy and health benefits of induction cooking It’s a busy evening at Bauman’s on Oak, the popular new taproom in Southeast Portland, Oregon. At the bar toward the back of the room, customers are ordering drinks from a 30-strong list of intriguing-sounding ciders, including Looking Glass and Forbidden Fruit. Over to the right is a window into the tiny galley kitchen where Chef Daniel Green is expertly sautéing squid with sofrito and black rice in a cast iron skillet. So far, so to be expe...
Close up hands holding burger at outdoor restaurant table. AKS-Stock Agency // Shutterstock 50 most popular chain restaurants in America Since A&W Root Beer became the first American restaurant to franchise in 1926, the United States—and the rest of the world—has been dominated by chains. Iconic establishments like the now-defunct Howard Johnson's trained customers to look toward its distinctive orange roofs for consistency and comfort, while McDonald's revolutionized the industry with its foc...
Shopping for a 7-day weight loss meal plan at 5 grocery stores: Which is cheaper? Planning home-cooked meals can help you reach your health and weight loss goals. In fact, research supports that eating at home more versus going out may help you naturally consume fewer daily calories and eat a healthier diet. That’s why Hers created a seven-day meal plan for weight loss full of delicious meals packed with protein, fiber, and even some treats to nourish you all week. The plan also includes a g...
Curly hipster holding craft mouth-watering bacon and angus beef burger. Maksim Denisenko // Shutterstock The most caloric burgers at 20 fast-food chains They're big, juicy, tasty—and if they're loaded with bacon, condiments, and cheese, all the better. It's no surprise that burgers are one of America's most popular foods, with diners eating three burgers on average every month, mostly from fast-food chains. While a fast-food burger might hit the spot in the moment, it's not the best choice f...
Beyond pumpkin spice: 16 fall coffee drinks ranked from healthiest to unhealthiest Pumpkin spice season 2025 is in full swing, with the country’s largest fast-food chains rolling out new flavors alongside returning autumn favorites. You’ll find plenty of classic pumpkin spice lattes on this list, along with pecan, caramel, and even cereal-inspired flavors. But before you head to your nearest drive-thru, look at how each drink stacks up nutritionally. Hers analyzed 16 fall coffee drinks bas...
How Cup Noodles became one of the biggest transpacific business success stories of all time See a container of Cup Noodles at a convenience store and you might think of dorm rooms and cheap calories. But, as Alisa Freedman, a professor of Japanese literature, cultural studies and gender at the University of Oregon, writes in The Conversation, there was a time when eating from the product’s iconic packaging exuded cosmopolitanism, when the on-the-go meal symbolized possibility — a Japanese ind...
Stuffed bell peppers are a beloved dish across the South, combining hearty ingredients with vibrant presentation. Whether you're feeding a family, hosting a church potluck, or prepping for a week of meals, this recipe delivers comfort, nutrition, and flavor in every bite. Ingredients (Serves 4–6) • 6 large bell peppers (any color, tops cut off and seeds removed) • 1 lb ground beef (or venison for a local twist) • 1 cup cooked white rice (or brown rice for added fiber) • 1 small onion, finely ch...
