The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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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...
October 4, 2025 - In kitchens across Alabama, few dishes evoke the warmth of home like a pan of Southern-style baked pork chops. Whether served on a Sunday afternoon with sweet tea and cornbread or plated for a weeknight dinner with collard greens and mashed potatoes, this dish is a staple of Southern comfort cooking-simple, satisfying, and steeped in tradition. 🧂 The Soul of the Recipe Southern baked pork chops are all about balance: savory seasoning, a hint of sweetness, and a golden crust th...
In kitchens across Alabama, few dishes evoke the warmth of family, the rhythm of tradition, and the soul of Southern cooking quite like chicken and dumplings. Whether served at a church potluck, a Sunday supper, or a quiet weeknight meal, this classic comfort food is more than just a recipe-it's a ritual of care, patience, and flavor. This guide walks you through the full process of preparing Southern-style chicken and dumplings, from boiling the bird to rolling out the dough. It's designed for...
Introduction Baked spaghetti is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines the best elements of traditional spaghetti and lasagna. With gooey melted cheese, savory pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, it's a family-friendly meal perfect for weeknights or gatherings. In this article, we'll walk you through a classic baked spaghetti recipe, provide tips for customization, and offer suggestions for serving. Ingredients • 12 ounces spaghetti noodles • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage • 1 small o...
America’s Halloween sweet tooth: 2025 candy and decor trends from Instacart data These days, Halloween doesn’t wait for October — the season seems to sneak up sooner and sooner. From candy corn to cobwebs, consumers dive into the festivities well before pumpkins take over porches and store aisles. From sweet treats to spooky décor, Instacart data shows that October is one of the most festive times of the year, and candy takes center stage. Candy’s Biggest Day of the Year Halloween is, unsurprisi...
Few dishes embody the warmth and comfort of Southern cuisine quite like country fried steak. With its golden, crispy crust and fork-tender beef smothered in creamy gravy, country fried steak is a beloved staple on dinner tables and diner menus across the United States. Whether you're new to this classic or looking to perfect your technique, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the history, ingredients, and step-by-step process to make an unforgettable country fried steak in your own...
In Alabama, where gardens flourish and summer heat ripens cucumbers faster than you can harvest them, canning pickles isn't just a kitchen task-it's a seasonal ritual. From rural homesteads to suburban patios, families across the state gather around steaming pots and mason jars, preserving the crisp tang of summer for the cooler months ahead. Whether you're a seasoned canner or a curious newcomer, learning to pickle in Alabama means embracing tradition, science, and a whole lot of vinegar. The...
Introduction Cornbread, a golden, crumbly delight with a gentle sweetness and rustic charm, is a staple of Southern cuisine and a comfort food enjoyed across North America. Whether served alongside hearty stews, spicy chili, or simply with a pat of melting butter, cornbread's versatility and simple beauty make it an essential recipe for every home baker. This comprehensive guide will walk you through baking classic cornbread from scratch, with tips for achieving the perfect balance of texture...
New Africa // Shutterstock See how popular pumpkin spice is in Alabama While we're still in the thick of summer, many are already looking forward to what they consider the best time of year: pumpkin spice season. This iconic fall flavor often makes its debut while it's still technically summer, which inspired Instacart to explore how popular pumpkin spice products are in Alabama and when they're showing up in carts nationwide. Instacart Pumpkin Spice Seasonality If it feels like pumpkin spice...
8 egg recipes for breakfast and beyond to help fuel your body and mind Wellness doesn’t need to be complicated. We may not have time every day to cook elaborate meals or get in a long workout, but there are other easy ways we can prioritize our health and well-being amid our busy lifestyles. In fact, one of the simplest steps you can take toward better health? Reach for a carton of eggs — it’s one healthy choice that supports your strongest self. Just two eggs give you 12 grams of complete prote...
