Thank You for Being Here: A Heartfelt Message from Gin Lee

Hey y'all, I just wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for stopping by my little corner of the internet—Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee: The Deep South Cook. Whether you're a longtime reader or new to the journey, your presence means the world to me. This blog is more than just a collection of recipes; it’s a reflection of my passion, my memories, and my love for food that has been cooking in my heart since I was a little girl standing beside my grandma in her cozy kitchen.

Why I Started This Blog

From the very first time I held a spoon, I knew that food was my calling. Growing up in the Deep South, I was surrounded by rich flavors, family traditions, and stories told through hearty dishes and sweet treats. Cooking became my way of connecting with my roots—and sharing that love with all of you. This blog is my way of keeping that spark alive, inspiring others to find joy in the simple act of creating something delicious.

What This Journey Means to Me

Sharing Creativity: Cooking isn’t just about following recipes; it’s about expressing yourself and experimenting with flavors.
Preserving Traditions: I cherish the recipes and stories passed down from my family, and I love sharing those treasured moments here.
Building Community: I feel so blessed to connect with fellow food lovers, home cooks, and aspiring chefs through this platform.

A Heartfelt Thanks

To everyone who has read, shared, or simply stopped by—thank you. Your support encourages me to keep creating, exploring, and sharing my culinary adventures. It’s because of you that this blog continues to grow and evolve into a space filled with warmth, flavor, and genuine connection.

Looking Ahead

As I move forward, I promise to keep bringing you authentic Southern recipes, heartfelt stories, and a little bit of that deep-rooted passion that started it all. Whether it’s a classic fried chicken, a comforting gumbo, or a sweet homemade pie, I hope my words and recipes continue to bring a smile to your face and a full belly to your table.

In Closing

Once again, thank you for being part of this journey. Your support, your stories, and your love for food inspire me every single day. Remember, cooking is more than just a skill—it's a way to share love, create memories, and celebrate life. I am so grateful to share this passion with you all.

Stay tuned for more delicious adventures, and until then—keep cooking, keep loving, and keep being extraordinary in your own kitchen.

Oh, and I have added a lot of extra fun stuff at the top of the page of my blog. You'll find all the extra stuff underneath the "More" at the center page just right above my daily posts, "All Posts" (I added this so that you can scroll through and find all of my published post in alphabetical order) it's located in the center page right above my daily posts, and there's more at the "3 lines" at the very top right hand corner of the page. Just stroll down the long lists of items in each location of my blog. You'll find helpful tools, infographics, extra recipes for specific categories, my food podcasts episodes, and much more. The best part is that it's all completely free!

I will be adding new stuff underneath the More and 3 lines section from time to time. I'm trying to create a small space right here that includes not only all of my recipes, but also free entertainment to make my blog more enjoyable for everyone.

With all my heart, thank you for being here.

Gin Lee

Vegetables that contain protein

Vegetables that contain protein If food prices have you scrambling down the aisles of the grocery store trying to find something that's more affordable than meat but still has protein, know that you're not alone! Back in the days when my grandparents went through the Great Depression, it was really tough times, but they survived through the hardships by growing their own food. There are a lot of veggies that actually do contain protein, and they're packed full of additional nutrients that our bodies all need. Vegetables highest in protein: Vegetables high in protein include artichokes, asparagus, beans, bean sprouts, and beans in general: broccoli, Brussel sprouts, chickpeas, green peas, kale, mushrooms, mustard greens, spinach, sweet corn, and turnip greens. For a few examples: Black beans contain 15 grams of protein in just a 1-cup serving. In fact, a 1/2 cup of cooked beans provides close to 7 grams of protein, which is the same as eating one ounce of meat. As for collar...

Growing Vegetable Plants in Rockwool Cubes

Growing Vegetable Plants in Rockwool Cubes Hey there, fellow gardeners! Today we're going to talk about a cool way to grow your own vegetables using rockwool cubes. It may sound fancy, but it's actually pretty simple and fun. Let's dive in! What You'll Need: First things first, you'll need some rockwool cubes . These are like little sponges that help your plants grow strong and healthy. You'll also need some vegetable seeds, a tray to hold the cubes, and water. I personally use these hydroponic grow trays with dome lids. Step 1: Soak the Cubes Before you plant your seeds, you'll need to soak the rockwool cubes in water. This helps them absorb moisture and provides a good environment for your plants to grow. Step 2: Plant Your Seeds Once your cubes are nice and soaked, it's time to plant your seeds. Make a little hole in the top of each cube and drop a couple of seeds in. Some seeds are so tiny and I generally end up planting more than two in each cube. ...

Delicious Baked Sesame Seed Breaded White Fish Recipe

Delicious Baked Sesame Seed Breaded White Fish Recipe Elevate your culinary skills with this delectable recipe for baked white fish coated in a flavorful sesame seed breading. This dish is sure to impress your guests and leave them craving for more. Follow the simple steps below to create a mouthwatering meal that is both delicious and nutritious. Ingredients: 4 white fish filets 4 tablespoons sesame seeds 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon paprika Seasoning salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil Instructions: Place the sesame seeds, garlic powder, paprika, seasoning salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a shallow dish and mix well. Brush each fish filet with olive oil and then coat them in the sesame seed mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Place the coated filets on a greased baking tray. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the coating is crispy and golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious baked ...

Internet Troubles: A Quick Update

Internet Troubles: A Quick Update What’s Going On? Hey everyone! I wanted to take a moment to share something that’s been really frustrating for me. Since early March, my internet has been acting like it’s on vacation—totally gone! I’ve tried so many times to share new posts with you all, but every time I hit “upload,” it just doesn’t work. It’s like my internet is playing hide and seek, and it’s winning! My Struggles I’ve done everything I can think of to fix this problem. I’ve checked my connections, restarted my router, and even called my internet provider for help. But no luck! It feels like I’m stuck in a never-ending game of “Will It Work?” and the answer is always “No.” Keeping It Simple Because of all this trouble, I’m keeping this post super simple. I can’t even add any cool photos right now because I’m not sure if it will upload. I just wanted to let you all know what’s been happening and why I haven’t been able to share more with you. Thanks for being patient with me!

Jasmine Rice Salad

Jasmine Rice Salad Discover a refreshing and nutritious dish with this jasmine rice salad recipe that incorporates a flavorful variety of mixed vegetables. This recipe offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes, making it a perfect choice for a light lunch or a side dish for any meal. Ingredients: 1 cup of jasmine rice 2 cups of water 2 cups of mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, and corn) Fresh parsley, to taste Add seasoning salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Olive oil Instructions: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of jasmine rice with 2 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until done. Fluff the rice with a fork and set it aside. Drizzle olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add a sprinkle of seasoning salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Heat up a skillet with a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Toss in your chopped vegetables and sauté them until ...

Homemade Fresca Soda

Make Your Own Fresca Soda at Home! Hey there! If you're like me and love Diet Fresca but can't find it in stores anymore, don't worry! I've got a recipe for a homemade version that tastes almost like the real thing. Let's get started! Ingredients: 1 Ruby Red grapefruit, seeded and juiced. Save the peels for steeping 1 lime, seeded and juiced 1 lemon, seeded and juiced 2 teaspoons of Splenda, or your preferred sweetener 1 bottle of sparkling water Instructions: First, chill your sparkling water in the fridge. Peel the outer skin of the grapefruit, lime, and lemon using a vegetable peeler. Make sure to only use the colored part, not the white part. Steep the citrus peels in hot boiling water to extract the oils. Let it cool and strain out the peels. Squeeze the juice from the grapefruit, lime, and lemon using a juicer. Remove any seeds and strain the juice if needed. Combine the fresh squeezed juice with Splenda in a tumbler. Adjust the sweetness to your l...

Easy Homemade Rolls

Easy Homemade Rolls Get ready to elevate your baking game with these delightful homemade rolls! There are countless creative ways to shape loaves of bread, buns, and rolls, from classic round rolls to cloverleaf, crescent, and knotted varieties. My versatile dough recipe is a true kitchen superstar, perfect for crafting everything from cinnamon rolls to sweet rolls and even loaves of bread. Today, we’re focusing on making large, fluffy classic round rolls that are perfect for any occasion! Ingredients: 2 ½ tablespoons of active dry yeast 1 1/4 cups of warm water 1 tablespoon of honey 1/3 cup of cooking oil 1/4 to 1/2 cup of granulated Splenda or regular sugar 1 teaspoon of seasoning salt or kosher salt 4 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour Let’s Get Baking! First, grab a big bowl and mix together 2 ½ tablespoons of active dry yeast, 1 1/4 cups of warm water, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Give it a good stir and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it gets all froth...

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...

Pan-Seared Strip Loin Steak

Pan-Seared Strip Loin Steak Today, I used chili pepper-infused olive oil to elevate the flavors of my steak. However, feel free to use any cooking oil of your choice. I can confidently say that my recipe is not only delicious but also incredibly satisfying. I hope you will all savor every bite! Ingredients: 1 (16-ounce) strip loin steak Seasoning salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon of chili pepper-infused olive oil (or preferred cooking oil) 4 tablespoons of butter 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika 1 1/2 teaspoons of minced garlic Instructions: To prepare the strip steak, start by patting it dry with paper towels and generously seasoning it with seasoning salt at least 40 minutes before cooking. Next, preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for 4 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of chili pepper-infused olive oil (or preferred cooking oil) and allow it to heat up for about 1 minute. Season the steak with freshly ground black pepper just before searing. P...

Signs You Are Dehydrated

Image by Mohamed Hassan/ Pixabay Signs You Are Dehydrated Water comprises 60-70 percent of our bodies, and we are constantly losing water. This loss occurs through various means such as urination, sweating, tears, and even breathing. It is crucial to replenish the water our bodies lose regularly. According to a study, nearly 75 percent of Americans suffer from chronic dehydration. However, by recognizing the signs, you can prevent this issue. Here are five indicators that you may need to increase your water intake: Headache: Dehydration can lead to headaches due to the loss of sodium and potassium, reduced fluid volume, and decreased oxygen flow to the brain. A dehydrated brain can shrink and cause discomfort. Infrequent urination: If you are not drinking enough water, you may not urinate as often. Regular urination helps eliminate toxins from the body. The color of your urine can also indicate hydration levels - clear urine suggests adequate water intake, while dark yellow or brown ur...

Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee

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