The first time I made Brenda Gantt’s corn dip, I set it out at a family gathering thinking it would be one of several snacks on the table. It was gone in under twenty minutes -and three people asked me for the recipe before the night was over. That is the power of this dip. … Read more
The first time I tasted creamed corn at a Texas BBQ joint, I knew it was nothing like the canned stuff from childhood. It was rich, smoky, just a little spicy, and impossibly creamy -the kind of side dish that steals the spotlight from the brisket. Terry Black’s BBQ in Austin has built a serious … Read more
I still remember the first time I pulled up a chair at Terry Black’s Barbecue. I was there for the brisket -everyone is -but it was the mac and cheese sitting quietly in that little side dish that completely stole the show. Creamy, smoky, rich beyond what I thought a side dish had any right … Read more
The first time I made the Brenda Gantt cornbread recipe, I stood at my oven with zero expectations -and walked away with a golden, crispy-edged round of cornbread that made me wonder why I had ever bought a box mix. There is something almost magical about the way this recipe comes together. It is humble. … Read more
I still remember the moment I fell in love with El Pollo Loco’s corn. It was a Tuesday night, nothing special planned, just a quick drive-through run on the way home. I ordered it almost as an afterthought -a side dish, barely a thought. Then I took one bite and completely forgot about everything else … Read more
The first time I made this Brenda Gantt cornbread salad recipe, I knew within one bite why it disappears at every potluck table within minutes. There’s something almost magical about the way warm, sweet cornbread crumbles melt into a tangy homemade ranch dressing, while crispy bacon and sharp cheddar add bursts of salty richness in … Read more