This lighter version of the classic wedge salad replaces bacon and cheese with extra crunch and earthy flavors from bits of sesame seeds and seaweed in the Japanese spice mix furikake. The dressing, essentially a coconut-based ranch, gets its body from coconut cream. For a subtle allium bite, it’s spiked with fresh chives. Make this the grand opener for a dinner party or the main event at lunch.

Served on New Year's Day with a side of collard greens and cornbread, Hoppin' John is a hearty African-American dish made by slowly simmering black-eyed peas with pork and vegetables. Traditionally served over a bed of freshly cooked rice, this simple yet incredibly flavorful dish of rice, pork, and beans is believed to bring luck and prosperity for the upcoming year.

My love for Italian food began, as Ed's grandmother had taught him what her mother had taught her and her mother before that .... you know how it goes in regional Italy. One of my favorite - and one of the simplest - dishes remains Nonna's pesto, which we often make with walnuts, but in the hills above Genoa where she lived, pinoli were used.

The Moscow Mule's most famous component isn't an ingredient, it's the copper mug that traditionally holds the simple cocktail of vodka, ginger beer, and lime. It's the mug's burnished sheen that set the drink apart in the early days of the cocktail revival when vodka-based drinks were considered passé. The mug is the very reason the Moscow Mule exists in the first place. Where this began is up for debate, however.

The first time I visited Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina, I was overwhelmed by the history, beauty and the true culture of Southern hospitality. When I frantically pulled off a wrong road in Savannah, a kind woman strolled over, glanced at my rental car, and calmly said, what's the rush, Miss, you are in the South now.

Gochujang is a Korean red chili paste that's sweet, spicy, and savory all at the same time, perfect for sauces and marinades. You can find it in many Southern California supermarkets and Korean specialty stores. If you live outside of SoCal, you can probably order it online.

I’m always anxious to devour Brussels sprouts in any way, shape and form: tenderly boiled al dente, followed with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a dollop of goat cheese or butter, or perhaps a dash of Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese. I’ve noticed that when the sprouts are crisscrossed on top with a knife, and boiled a tad too …

Citizens in the U.S. South often get a bad rap. But it's not due to lack of humor. In a sense, they're very much like the Swedish pop group, ABBA; where we think we're laughing at them, but they're really laughing at themself, and asking us to join along.

Bangers and Mash is a traditional English dish made of mashed potatoes and sausages, generally prepared with flavored pork sausage. The dish is sometimes served with rich onion gravy and fried onions.

Ever heard of a Sgroppino? Well, it’s a lemon-flavored, creamy-smooth, frothy alcoholic beverage. More a digestivo (digestive) or liquid dessert than an aperitivo (cocktail), the Sgroppino was created by the inventive and masterful Venetians back in the 16th century.