Happy Easter from Cooking Exceptionally with Gin Lee: The Deep South Cook

Spring has sprung, and there's no better time to celebrate with good food, great company, and a touch of Southern flair. At Cooking Exceptionally with Gin Lee, we’re excited to wish you a joyful and delicious Easter! Whether you're planning a family feast or a cozy brunch, we've got some tips and ideas to make your holiday truly special.

Why Easter Is the Perfect Time for a Deep South-Inspired Feast

Easter is all about renewal, warmth, and coming together — themes that resonate deeply with Southern hospitality and flavors. From savory dishes to sweet treats, embracing the rich culinary traditions of the Deep South can turn your celebration into a memorable gathering.

Top Tips for a Celebratory Easter Meal

Incorporate Southern Classics: Think collard greens, cornbread, fried chicken, or a hearty gumbo.
Sweet Endings: Indulge in pecan pie, banana pudding, or sweet potato casserole.
Fresh and Festive: Add springtime veggies and fresh herbs to brighten up your dishes.
Personal Touch: Share stories behind your favorite recipes to bring warmth and connection to your table.

A Little Easter Inspiration from Gin Lee

As the Deep South cook, I love blending traditional flavors with a modern twist. Maybe try a honey-glazed ham, or craft a refreshing mint julep to toast the holiday. Remember, Easter is about celebrating new beginnings—so don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen!

Wishing You a Joyful Easter

From all of us at Cooking Exceptionally with Gin Lee, have a wonderful Easter filled with love, laughter, and delicious food. Here's to celebrating the season with Southern charm and exceptional cooking!

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...

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays Just want to take this time out to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and the very best for the upcoming holiday season! If you are one of my Newsbreak followers, allow me to take this time to give you my appreciation and endless gratitude. Each of you matter so very much to me! I look so forward to sharing new ideas, new recipes, and gardening tips with you in the new year of 2023! Thanks goes out to each of you for being here for me! Happy Holidays! Stay safe!

I tried Martha Stewart's slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies recipe- this is how they turned out

I tried Martha Stewart's slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies recipe- this is how they turned out There's one lady on this earth (besides mom) that I have always simply adored; Martha Stewart. Anyone who knows me knows that Martha has been my lifelong hero since I was a teenager. She's witty, beautiful, and exceptionally talented in so many various ways. Such as DIY home and land renovations to whipping up any tantalizing masterpiece in her kitchen. Even though I have a multitude of recipes, I had never made slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies before. That's until I came across Martha Stewart's recipe for this delightfully delicious, gooey chocolate treat. I followed Martha's techniques and her recipe to the tee, and ooh-la-lah! Her slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies are sinfully exquisite. They are a chocolate lover's dream come true. Martha's slow-cooker brownie recipe takes 3-1/2 hours to bake. While some people may think that is too long to ...

Cook With Gin Lee

What's the difference between griddle cakes, pancakes, hot cakes, skillet cakes, and flapjacks? Have you ever pondered the question, what's the difference between griddle cakes, pancakes, hot cakes, skillet cakes, and flapjacks? Well, today, I would like to tell you the answer to that specific question. Which is that all five of these food items are exactly one and the same. Homemade country pancakes I have decided to write two separate articles on the subject of how I make homemade pancakes from scratch. The first one was just to take you through the steps of how I make the pancake and waffle mix from scratch. Inside this article, I will be going more into depth on how I use that particular mix to make pancakes. In the other article, I also covered how to make homemade waffles from this same mix. The dry mix is the same for both, but needs to be prepared a little differently when adding the last few ingredients to make the waffle batter. (Hopefully splitting the t...

Welcome Everyone!

Hello, I am the Deep South Cook! Welcome to my kitchen blog! Here is where I want to teach you how to cook exceptionally with me! Gin Lee!

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. ...

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 Holiday Cat Treats

Easy Holiday Cat Treats The holiday season is a time of joy and indulgence, and why should our feline friends be left out? In this article, I'll show you how to make easy homemade cat treats that will have your furry companion purring with delight. Whether you want to spoil your cat with a special holiday treat or simply enjoy the satisfaction of making something from scratch, these recipes are the perfect way to spread some cheer for your beloved pet. Choosing Cat-Friendly Ingredients Not all human foods are safe for cats, so it's important to know which ingredients are suitable for our furry companions. Stick to cat-friendly options like lean meats (chicken, turkey, and fish), vegetables (pumpkin, sweet potatoes), and fruits (berries, bananas) that are safe and delicious for your feline friend. Simple Homemade Treat Recipes for the Holidays Now, let's dive into some easy and delightful homemade cat treat recipes that will have your kitty begging for more: Turkey and Sweet...

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cake

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cake Do you love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups? If so then you'll not want to miss this! It's a simple recipe to make. Great for any holiday! My favorite chocolate candy- Reese's Peanut Cups. Somewhere out there I'm sure someone else has come up with this cake recipe of mine or something similar. I'm not sure, but this is one of my personal favorites. And I'm not even a big cake fan. So, like I said folk's- This recipe is simple & easy. This cake is layered in goodness. Ingredients : 2 Chocolate Fudge cake mixes 2 Ready made containersChocolate Frosting 1 big package of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups 1 jar of chunky peanut butter Sometimes when I make this cake, I add shreds of chocolate, and crushed nuts to the top of the cake & sides. It's a fun cake to play around with... Instructions : Mix your cake mix, with whatever Ingredients the box calls for. Add batter in 2 round cake pan...

Greenhouse Gardening How-To: A Beginner's Guide to Growing Success

Greenhouse Gardening How-To: A Beginner's Guide to Growing Success Embarking on the journey of greenhouse gardening can be incredibly rewarding, especially for beginners eager to nurture plants all year round. From sowing your first seeds to the thrill of harvest, understanding the fundamentals of natural fertilization, composting, proper planting depths, and maintenance can set you on the path to a thriving garden. Whether you have a spacious setup or a cozy windowsill greenhouse, this comprehensive guide will walk you through each step with practical tips, friendly insights, and expert advice to help you grow confidently. Table of Contents Sowing Seeds: Getting Started Right Embracing Natural Fertilizing Methods Mastering Natural Composting Determining the Correct Depth for Seeds Caring for Your Greenhouse Plants Harvesting at the Right Time Troubleshooting Common Issues Conclusion: Your Greenhouse Gardening Journey Begins Sowing Seeds: Getting Started Right Starting ...

Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee

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