Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks

With holiday parties coming up, more than likely you are looking for easy appetizer ideas. We recently went to an appetizer party where that’s all we ate, and these were a huge hit!

These mozzarella sticks have a zesty twist everyone will love! They are great paired with some homemade ranch or marinara sauce, or all on their own. They get even better as they cool down!

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Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks

Appetizer, Cheese, Comfort Foods, Dinner, Freezer, Fried, Non-Traditional, Sides

Ingredients

3 lbs Mozzarella cheese
15oz plain Breadcrumbs
3 tbs parmesan
2 tbs onion powder, divided
2 tbs garlic powder, divided
2 tbs Italian seasoning
4 cups flour
1 tbs black pepper
3 1.6 oz packets buffalo wings seasoning, divided
10 eggs
¼ cup buttermilk
¼ cup milk

Instructions

Cut cheese into 1 oz strips. Set aside.
Mix breadcrumbs, parmesan, 1 tbs onion powder, 1 tbs garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl.
In a separate bow mix together flour, black pepper, 2 packs of buffalo seasoning, 1 tbs onion powder, and 1 tbs garlic powder.
In a third bowl, beat together eggs, milk, buttermilk, and 1 packet buffalo wings seasoning.
Dredge Mozzarella strips in egg mixture first, then flour, eggs again, and finally breadcrumbs. Place breaded cheese onto a pan lined with parchment paper. After breading all cheese, place pan in freezer for at least one hour. *
Preheat deep fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry frozen Mozzarella sticks for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on cooling rack over a pan lined with paper towels.

Notes

* To store in freezer long term, place mozzarella sticks into an air tight container after original hour of freezing. Can be stored for up to 3 months. Fry as usual when ready to prepare.

What is your favorite appetizer to share (or not)? Let us know in the comments!

December 5, 2019December 5, 2019

Pork Strips

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Thanksgiving is great, but if you’re anything like me you can get sick of turkey leftovers pretty quickly.

Here to save the day is this twist on the classic chicken strips…made from pork!

Crispy and tender just like their poultry counterparts, these pork strips are great for dipping or on their own!

We made a bunch and are keeping them on hand in our freezer. They make for a quick dinner paired with mashed potatoes and a side of veggies!

These have a very subtle barbecue flavor, but are so simple to make! With a little planning on your part, you’ll give your family a meal they’ll beg for over and over!

Pork Strips

Comfort Foods, Dinner, Fried, Meals for a Crowd, Meat, Non-Traditional, Pork, Uncategorized

Pork Strips

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs pork shoulder
1 cup and 1 splash whole milk, divided
2 tablespoons western BBQ seasoning, divided
4 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 tablespoon black pepper

Instructions

Slice pork shoulder into 1 inch wide by 1/2 inch pieces. Tenderize meat strips and place in a container for marinating. Marinate meat in 1 cup milk and 1 tablespoon western BBQ seasoning for a minimum of 2 hours. For best results, marinate for 6 hours.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs and a splash of whole milk, mixing until eggs are beaten and milk is completely mixed in. In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1 tablespoon western BBQ seasoning, and black pepper until fully combined. Prepare a pan with parchment paper.
Remove slices from marinade and shake off excess liquid. Dredge in flour mixture, then eggs, then flour again. Place breaded strips onto prepared pan, layering more parchment paper as needed.
Place pan into freezer to solidify breading for at least one hour. *
When ready to fry, preheat deep fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a maximum of 4 strips into the fryer at a time, frying for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Place on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Notes

* To store in freezer, remove strips from pan and place in a freezer safe bag. Good for up to 3 months. Follow frying instructions above when ready to eat.

September 30, 2019September 30, 2019

Delicious Homemade Corn Dog Nuggets

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Fair season is winding down, and something I personally miss as it ends is the deliciously decadent fried foods. Luckily, most of these foods can be made easily from home. One perfect example is corn dogs, and their adorable counterparts, corn dog nuggets!

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I know what you’re thinking – how are these different from the ones I can buy in the freezer section? First, you know exactly what are in these. You can go as far as making your own hot dogs (though I’m not sure if that would be worth it), and you’ll know exactly what’s in the batter. These dogs are heartier than the ones you buy, and can be made in bulk for much cheaper!

You should pair them with some homemade french fries to complete the meal! They are definitely toddler approved, as our little guy couldn’t get enough of them.

Corn Dog Nuggets

Comfort Foods, Dinner, Freezer, Fried, Meat

Corn Dog Nuggets

Ingredients

18 hot dogs
2 1/4 cup corn meal
2 1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup sugar
8 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
2 cups milk
1/4 cup honey

Instructions

Cut each hot dog into 3 nugget size pieces. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together corn meal, flour, salt, pepper, sugar and baking powder until fully combined. In a smaller bowl combine the eggs, milk, and honey.
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the combined wet ingredients into the well. Mix until a smooth batter is formed.
Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip each hot dog piece into the batter, coating completely and as evenly as possible. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Once all pieces are coated, place the baking sheet into the freezer for an hour. *
Heat deep fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fry nuggets in batches for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up. * * Drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil. Serve hot with french fries and your condiment of choice.

Notes

*If freezing for future use, remove nuggets from pan once fully frozen and place into an airtight container. Store frozen for up to 6 months. When preparing, fry as instructed.

* * For picture worthy nuggets, cut off pieces of frozen, uncooked batter that flowed off of nuggets during freezing before frying.

What is your favorite fried food? Comment below!

July 11, 2019July 11, 2019

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

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Nothing says comfort food like fried chicken. You can never have enough, and there are so many ways to make it! (Click here for what we’ve posted so far!)

Of course when you ask anyone from the South how to make fried chicken, they will tell you that you MUST marinate in buttermilk! I didn’t used to, but I’ve been converted recently and I love it. j

Using buttermilk to marinate it tenderizes the chicken without making it tough like other acids can. Add the crispy breading and this chicken can’t be beat!

You’ll need this seasoning blend from Dean Jacobs to make this chicken perfect! We found it recently and can’t get enough of it!

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Chicken, Comfort Foods, Freezer, Fried, Meals for a Crowd, Meat, Southern

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Ingredients

3.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 cup buttermilk
5 cups flour
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 TBS creole seasoning
2 TBS granulated garlic
2 TBS black pepper
1/2 cup onion powder
10 cranks of Dean Jacobs Spicy Garlic and Himalayan Pink Salt seasoning
10 eggs
1/4 cup milk

Instructions

Cut the chicken thighs into strips. Place strips and buttermilk into sealable container, making sure buttermilk covers all the chicken.
Place in the fridge and marinate for at least 2 hours up to 24 hours.
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, cayenne pepper, creole seasoning, garlic powder, pepper, onion powder, and the spicy garlic salt. In a shallow bowl or dish, beat together the eggs and milk.
Place the chicken and buttermilk into a medium sized bowl. To dredge the chicken, shake each strip to remove excess buttermilk and then dredge in flour, the egg mixture, and flour again. Use different hands for wet and dry ingredients for best results.
Place breaded chicken onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place down more parchment paper to layer as necessary.
Place baking sheet in freezer for at least 2 hours.**
To cook, head deep fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a few pieces of chicken in the fryer at a time. Cook for 6 minutes or until golden brown or an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Notes

**Once frozen, chicken can be stored in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

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July 1, 2019July 1, 2019

Spicy Hush Puppies

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When we fried up our catfish, I looked into what sides commonly got paired with deep fried seafood in the south. I saw coleslaw, greens, and hush puppies – which intrigued me. I had never had hush puppies, but Lexi and her family love them.

Of course, I couldn’t just make hush puppies. I added my own twist, adding just a touch of spice that gives your throat a tickle without overwhelming you. They paired great with the catfish, and are amazing on their own as well!

Spicy Hush Puppies

2 hours

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 6 minutes

Appetizer, Comfort Foods, Dinner, Freezer, Fried, Meals for a Crowd, Sides, Southern, Spicy, Vegetarian

Yields 18-24 pieces

Spicy Hush Puppies

Ingredients

3/4 cup corn meal
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 TBS sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp creole seasoning
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 bunch green onions
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine corn meal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cayenne, creole, and salt. Mix until well combined.
Thinly slice green onions. Add to a medium mixing bowl with egg and buttermilk. Mix thoroughly.
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Mix until just combined – do not over mix.
Lightly grease a mini muffin tin. Spoon batter into tin, filling each cup about halfway. Place tin into freezer for about 1.5-2 hours. (See notes for long term storage.)
Heat deep fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place frozen hush puppies into fryer in small batches. Fry for 3 minutes, then roll and flip. Cook for an additional 3 minutes. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.

Notes

Frozen hush puppies can be stored in the freezer in an air tight container for up to 6 months.

Want to pair your Southern soul food with something else? Maybe try our homemade french fries or a salad instead!

June 27, 2019

Deep Fried Catfish Nuggets

Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Fishing season is here, and its one of my favorites! Fishing is my therapy. Getting out into nature, listening to birds and the water, while a cool breeze stirs up the hot summer air – almost nothing calms my spirit more.

Of course, I love reaping the benefits of fishing as well. Fresh fish can be spendy, but if I combine it with my favorite hobby then it seems almost free. Over the weekend I hit up a local pond and got my limit of catfish. I cleaned them there, then took them home and filleted them.

Fresh fish is so flaky, and the best way to serve up catfish – in my opinion – is deep fried! Served with your favorite hot sauce (or better yet, our Lemon Basil sauce), you just can’t go wrong!

Deep Fried Catfish Nuggets

Comfort Foods, Dinner, Fish, Freezer, Fried, Meat, Seafood, Southern, Summer

Deep Fried Catfish Nuggets

Deep fried delicious flaky catfish! Serve with hot sauce and fried sides for the ultimate southern comfort food!

Ingredients

1 lb fresh catfish fillets
2 cups buttermilk, separated
1 cup corn meal
1 cup flour
2 tsp powdered cayenne
3 tsp creole seasoning

Instructions

Slice the catfish fillets into 1″ nugget like pieces.
Place the nuggets into a zip top bag with 1 cup of buttermilk. Seal and marinate in fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
In a large bowl, combine corn meal, flour, cayenne and creole seasoning. In another bowl, pour in marinated fish and buttermilk along with 1 additional cup of buttermilk. Prepare a baking sheet, lining it with parchment paper.
Remove fish one piece at a time, carefully shaking off excess buttermilk. Coat in breading mixture, making sure to coat entirely. Place pieces on the prepared baking sheet, layering with more parchment paper as needed.
Place breaded fish in the freezer for at least 2 hours to freeze. (See Notes)
Heat deep fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In batches of 5 – 6 pieces, deep fry the nuggets for about 5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Serve hot.

Notes

To store frozen fish pieces, place pieces in airtight container and keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. Prepare as stated above.

Want another Southern fried comfort food? Our Spicy Hush Puppies recipe is coming soon!

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May 20, 2019May 20, 2019

Make Ahead Freezer Hash Browns

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Our family loves breakfast! Every Saturday morning we have to resist running to the nearest fast food place or diner to indulge.

We made it a bit easier on ourselves by cooking up these make ahead hash browns. Then we can fry them up with a side of eggs in the comfort of our own home! Not to mention we can use them in recipes that call for them.

We wait to make these until potatoes go on sale. When we made these up we found 10 pound bags of russets for $1 a piece during a case lot sale! We ended up buying 80 pounds and freezing them in various ways. (We’ve already shared our recipe for make ahead freezer french fries here!)

Make Ahead Freezer Hash Browns

Breakfast, Comfort Foods, Freezer, Potatoes

Make Ahead Freezer Hash Browns

Ingredients

Russet potatoes

Instructions

Preheat oven for 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Thoroughly scrub potatoes. Using a fork, poke several vent holes in each potato.
Bake the potatoes for one hour or until just fork tender. Place potatoes in the fridge until cooled.
Shred potatoes. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using a cookie cutter or mason jar lid, portion out how much potatoes will be in each hash brown. Shape potatoes into thin oblong ovals.
Place hash browns onto parchment paper in a single layer. Once pan is full, you may put down another layer of parchment paper and another layer of hash browns if needed.
Place sheet into freezer until potatoes are frozen solid – usually overnight. Place frozen hash browns into freezer safe bag. Hash browns are good for up to one year in the freezer.

Using the hash browns in a casserole

We recommend thawing the hash browns in the fridge overnight. Drain any excess liquid, then use as directed in the recipe.

Baking the hash browns

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place frozen patties on a greased cookie sheet in a single layer.
Bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown, flipping them halfway through.

Frying the hash browns

Preheat your deep fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
Fry hash browns for 2-4 minutes or until golden brown.

April 8, 2019May 20, 2019

Homemade French Fries

Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The average American eats 30lbs of French Fries a year! (Source) I haven’t met a person who doesn’t love the fried potato-ey goodness that is the crispy french fry!

Everyone knows french fries are best when they are fresh out of the oil. Nothing is worse than when you get your food to go and get home to find your fries limp and cold. Making them yourself is the best way to combat this!

French Fries

Appetizer, Comfort Foods, Freezer, Fried, Potatoes, Sides, Vegetarian

French Fries

Ingredients

5lbs Russet potatoes
1 TBS Lemon Juice
Fryer oil of your choice
Salt and other spices to taste

Instructions

Cut potatoes into 1/4″ strips. Place them into a large bowl and cover with water – water should be a few inches over the potatoes.
Add of lemon juice to water and stir. Allow fries to soak for a minimum of 30 minutes. For best results fries should be soaked for 1-2 hours.
Preheat deep fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Drain water and remove potatoes from the bowl. Dab fries dry with a paper towel. **THIS IS IMPORTANT! Do not add wet fries to hot oil!
Deep fry handful-sized batches of fries for 3 minutes, shaking frying basket about every 30 seconds to keep fries from sticking together. Remove from oil and drain. Allow fries to return to room temperature.
Once fries have cooled, return to oil and fry again for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from oil and drain. Sprinkle with salt and serve hot!

Make ahead fries for the freezer

After the first 3 minute cook time (see step 5 above), allow fries to cool to room temperature. Arrange on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. You can layer the fries with parchment paper in between.
Place in freezer for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
Place frozen fries into freezer safe bags. Remove as much air as possible. Frozen fries can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
When ready to eat, cook as instructed above for the second cooking time.

We serve ours hot next to our barbecue pulled pork sandwiches or smothered in chili and cheese.