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Showing posts from December, 2024

Get Ready to Cook with Gin Lee in 2025!

Audio:  happy-new-year-electropop-music-183324, Pixabay Graphics by: Canva studios and Gin Lee Get Ready to Cook with Gin Lee in 2025! Welcome to the New Year with The Deep South Cook Meet Gin Lee, Your Cooking Guide Hey there, foodies! It's a brand new year, and we're kicking things off with a bang here! I'm Gin Lee, your go-to cooking expert, and I'm here to help you whip up some delicious dishes in 2025. Cooking Tips and Tricks Are you ready to take your cooking skills to the next level? Stay tuned for some awesome tips and tricks that will make you a pro in the kitchen. From chopping veggies to mastering the perfect sear, I've got you covered. Exciting Recipes to Try Get ready to expand your culinary horizons with some exciting new recipes. Whether you're a fan of comfort food classics or looking to try something totally new, I've got a dish for you. Stay tuned for some mouth-watering southern recipes coming your way! © 2025 cookexceptionallyginlee.blogs...

Black-eyed peas and ham, a Southerner’s New Year’s dinner

Black-eyed peas and ham, a Southerner’s New Year’s dinner Hey there, have you ever heard about the magical powers of black-eyed peas with ham and collard greens? They're said to bring good luck and good fortune for a prosperous new year! Today, I'm whipping up a pot of black-eyed peas and ham, with collard greens on the side. It's a tradition here in the South to have this meal every New Year's Day. But this time, I'm making my peas ahead of time so I can share my recipe with you in time for the new year. Ingredients: 1 16-ounce bag of dried black-eyed peas 2 pounds of cooked ham, bacon, or ham hocks, diced 1 onion, diced 2 teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper 2 teaspoons of seasoning salt 1 teaspoon of red cayenne pepper flakes ½ teaspoon of garlic powder 2-4 tablespoons of butter 4 cups of water 4 cups of vegetable stock, or chicken broth Instructions: First, rinse your black-eyed peas and pick out any bad peas, pebbles, or other debris. You can soak them for ...

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! I am absolutely thrilled to wish you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays this Christmas and New Year! The holiday season is a time for joy, gratitude, and spreading love to those around us.  I hope that your days are filled with laughter, warmth, and unforgettable memories with family and friends. As we approach the end of the year, it's a perfect time to reflect on all the blessings we have received and look forward to new beginnings in the coming year.  May this holiday season bring you peace, happiness, and an abundance of good cheer. Here's to making this Christmas and New Year truly amazing and magical for you and your loved ones! Cheers to a fantastic celebration ahead! Happy Holidays, From our family to yours!

Christmas Fruit Salad

Christmas Fruit Salad Create a festive and refreshing addition to your holiday spread with this delightful Christmas fruit salad recipe. Perfect for bringing a burst of color and flavor to your table, this salad combines a medley of fruits, including fruit cocktail, apples, bananas, cuties, and grapes, all topped with sugar-free Cool Whip. Whether served as a side dish, dessert, or potluck contribution, this easy-to-make dish is sure to be a hit with family and friends. In this article, we will explore the ingredients needed, preparation steps, serving suggestions, nutritional benefits, variation options, and storage tips for this delicious Christmas treat. Introduction to Christmas Fruit Salad Recipe Tis the season for a refreshing and festive twist on the classic fruit salad! This Christmas fruit salad brings together a delightful mix of flavors and colors to brighten up your holiday table. Say goodbye to boring fruit salads and hello to a merry medley that will have your taste buds ...

Sweet Delights: Christmas Lollipops and Gumdrops

Sweet Delights: Christmas Lollipops and Gumdrops Once upon a time, in a quaint little town nestled in the snowy mountains, there was a magical shop called "Sweet Delights." This shop was known far and wide for its delicious old-fashioned lollipops and gumdrops that seemed to transport people back to simpler times. As Christmas approached, the shop was bustling with customers eager to stock up on treats for the holiday season. The owner, Mrs. Maple, was a kind and jolly woman with a twinkle in her eye and a warm smile for everyone who entered her shop. One day, a young girl named Lily wandered into Sweet Delights, her eyes wide with wonder at the array of colorful candies that lined the shelves. Mrs. Maple greeted her warmly and offered her a sample of her famous peppermint lollipop. Lily's eyes lit up as she tasted the sweet, minty treat, and she knew she had found the perfect gift for her family and friends. She spent hours carefully selecting lollipops and gumdrops in e...

Homemade Microwave Fudge: Without Marshmallow Fluff or Sweetened Condensed Milk

Homemade Microwave Fudge: Without Marshmallow Fluff or Sweetened Condensed Milk “It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” And if you are searching for a simple, delicious dessert for the holiday, today I am making an easy microwave fudge that doesn't require sweetened condensed milk or marshmallows. My recipe can be made sugar-free or with regular powdered sugar. I hope that y'all will enjoy it either way! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone! Ingredients: 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder 1 cup of sugar-free powdered sugar or regular powdered sugar 1/4 cup of evaporated milk, coconut milk, almond milk, or regular cow's milk 1/4 cup of butter Optional Ingredients: 1/2 cup of chopped nuts, or more depending on your preference. You can also use whole nuts and press them on top of the fudge just before placing it into the refrigerator to firm up. Instructions: To make easy microwave fudge without sweetened condensed milk or marshmallows, combine ...

Chocolate Brownie Thumbprints with Fudge Centers

Chocolate Brownie Thumbprints with Fudge Centers Indulge in the deliciousness of Chocolate Brownie Thumbprints with Fudge Centers this holiday season! These decadent treats are sure to impress any chocolate lover. To create these mouthwatering delights, gather the following Ingredients: For the chocolate brownie thumbprints: 1 cup of flour 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon of salt 1/2 cup of butter 3/4 cup of granulated Splenda, or sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract For the fudge filling: 1 (12-ounce) bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/4 cup of sugar-free powdered sugar, or regular powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract 6 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk Instructions for the fudge filling: Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, then add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir well and microwave for one minute, stirring every 30 seconds. Instructions for the chocolate brownie cookies: Prehea...

Delicious Honey Divinity With Chopped Pecans

Delicious Honey Divinity With Chopped Pecans The holidays just wouldn't be the same at my house without a batch of homemade divinity. This sweet treat is decadent, light as air, and absolutely delicious! If you encounter challenges while preparing my divinity recipe, please refer to the end notes for troubleshooting tips. The technique I am sharing is effective for all divinity recipes that do not yield the desired results. Ingredients: • 2 cups of granulated Splenda or granulated white sugar • 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon (1/3 cup) of premium honey • 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon (1/3 cup) of water • 2 egg whites, beaten to soft peaks • 1 1/2 cups of chopped pecans, chopped Maraschino cherries, or chocolate chips Instructions: Here's a fun and easy recipe for making delicious divinity candy! First, grab a heavy-bottomed pan and mix together granulated Splenda or sugar, honey, and water. Boil the mixture until it reaches a hard ball stage. To test if it's ready, drop a small...