Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee

  Shellfish Used to Be Prison Food? How Oysters Became a Luxury A raw oyster can cost several dollars today, yet oysters once fed workers, families, and people in public institutions. The phrase shellfish prison food comes from this older reality, when coastal shellfish were cheap, local, and easy to collect. It doesn’t mean every prison served oysters or that shellfish had one fixed social class. It points to a time when oysters, clams, mussels, and other shore foods were everyday fare. Why Shellfish Used to Be Prison Food in Some Coastal Cities Oysters were a working person’s food Native oyster beds grew near many early American settlements. People gathered oysters in bays, tidal rivers, and estuaries, often close to where they lived. Clams, mussels, and periwinkles added more choices, especially for coastal families with limited income. Oysters appeared in stews, pies, soups, and simple meals served with bread. Vendors sold them in busy port towns, while households bought them ...

Bisquick skillet breakfast This recipe can almost be considered as a breakfast pizza, but it could also be considered a casserole. Instead of making a pizza crust, I opted to make a simple Bisquick biscuit crust for the bottom layer. So it's one big biscuit with scrambled eggs, cooked sausages, chopped peppers, diced onions, and gooey cheese on top. It can be sliced like a pizza or scooped out with a spoon. Ingredients for the dough: 2-½ cups of Bisquick (homemade biscuit mix or any other type of purchased biscuit mix would work as well) ½ cup of water To make the dough, add the following ingredients together in a bowl (just like you're making biscuits). Seasoning salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 4-5 eggs, scrambled 1-2 banana peppers, chopped 1 small onion, diced ½ pound of sausage, cooked (I used ground sausage, but made them into mini meatballs before cooking them. If you want to do the same, just roll the ground sausage by hand into ball shapes, then cook them until ...

One Pot Rice Chili Full Recipe for a Hearty Weeknight Dinner A warm bowl of tender rice, savory beans, sweet vegetables, bold spices, and tomatoes can come together in one pot. This One Pot Rice Chili Full Recipe keeps prep short, dishes to a minimum, and costs low with everyday pantry staples. The rice cooks right in the chili, soaking up the broth and tomato flavor as it softens. You’ll also find easy swaps for meat, beans, vegetables, and toppings, plus tips for keeping the rice tender instead of mushy. Why One-Pot Rice Chili Belongs in Your Weekly Meal Rotation A complete meal made in one pot Rice brings substance, beans add plant-based protein and fiber, and vegetables provide color and texture. Ground beef, turkey, chicken, or extra lentils can make the chili even more filling. Cooking the rice in the tomato broth gives each grain more flavor than plain boiled rice. It also means you won’t need a second pan for a side dish. Budget-friendly pantry ingredients Canned beans, tomatoe...

Cathead Biscuits Rest assured, no cats were harmed in the making of these delicious biscuits! The name "cathead biscuits" simply refers to their size, as they are roughly the size of a cat's head once baked. These biscuits are a Southern tradition, known for their large size and fluffy texture. Enjoy them as a savory side dish or a sweet treat with jam or honey. Ingredients: 3 cups of self-rising flour 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt 3 tablespoons of lard, vegetable shortening, or softened butter 1 1/2 cups of evaporated milk 4 tablespoons of melted butter (for brushing the tops of baked biscuits) Instructions: In a mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of self-rising flour and 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt. Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Next, add 3 tablespoons of lard, vegetable shortening, or softened butter to the flour mixture. Incorporate the fat into the flour using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial for achieving a flaky...

  Sliced Zucchini and Tomato Casserole Bake with Gooey Cheese A bubbling sliced zucchini and tomato casserole bake turns everyday vegetables into a colorful, comforting dish. Tender zucchini, juicy tomato slices, garlic, herbs, and melted cheese come together in one shallow baking dish. Patting the vegetables dry, using firm produce, and resting the casserole after baking help prevent a watery result. Why This Sliced Zucchini and Tomato Casserole Bake Belongs on Your Table Fresh vegetables create bright, comforting flavor Mild zucchini balances the sweet acidity of ripe tomatoes. Melted cheese adds savory depth and a rich, gooey finish. Each bite has tender zucchini, softened tomato, and a golden cheese topping. Garlic, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, black pepper, or red pepper flakes can shape the flavor. The bake works especially well during summer, when zucchini and tomatoes are plentiful. A short ingredient list delivers a satisfying dish The base needs sliced zucchini, sl...

  Traditional Labor Day Recipes for a Cookout That Feeds a Crowd The grill is barely hot before someone asks when the burgers will be ready. Traditional Labor Day recipes bring people around picnic tables with grilled meats, creamy salads, sweet corn, ripe fruit, and desserts made for sharing. A strong menu mixes familiar cookout favorites with make-ahead dishes, seasonal produce, regional flavors, and safe outdoor service. Build a Classic Labor Day Menu Around Cookout Favorites A traditional Labor Day meal works best when guests can build a plate at their own pace. Choose two or three grilled mains, then add cold salads, warm sides, fresh produce, and easy desserts. Grill Burgers, Hot Dogs, and Sausages Hamburgers remain a cookout staple because guests can dress them to taste. Season ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or Worcestershire sauce, then add lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and sliced cheese. Form evenly sized patties, press a sh...