Hey, my name is Katt, welcome to my blog!  I love to cook, well maybe I just love to feed people. I find great pleasure in knowing that everyone walks away from my table with a full tummy.  I am a farm raised Coastal North Carolina girl  I spent 5 years in the great state of Colorado and with that half decade I grew very fond of mid-western and even tex-mex food. I incorporate that into my menu often, along with the southern farmhouse classics that have been passed down from my grandmothers.

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SWEET TEA, now y’all, I played with the idea of naming my blog Sweet Tea and Grits, but after searching the web and trying not to come too close to any other blogger’s name I realized that my love for Sweet Tea is shared by a WHOLE LOTTA southern women. Just let me say, I drink sweet tea morning, noon, and night and make very little apologies for it. It is the nectar of youth for me!  Gracious!

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I am not trained in the Culinary Arts, I am just a home cook that loves what she does. I do not claim to be a photographer and you will see that my pictures are as rustic as my recipes.  I am a huge fan of black and white photography, it is timeless and classic and my love of it shows in every aspect of my social media life.

I am wife and best friend to Bob, and we have long been referred to as “BobKatt”

He makes me laugh, he drys my tears and he makes me…. me! I think I will keep him!

I am mother to Melody… this kid is my mini me… we share so many characteristics that its unreal… She can answer my phone, and talk to people that I have known for years and they have no idea its her and not me… that’s kinda creepy, but in a good way.  

She is, by far, my most precious gift!

And finally, there are these two fur critters, Odie and Harmony…that make my days brighter and louder… they bark at EVERYTHING!! Trucks, Cars, WIND!

But, its okay…. I still love ’em

08/10/202208/10/20221 Comment

I know Fall is on the horizon, but I am not quite ready to let go of all those Summer flavors. With the help of my pal Vanessa, I have created this yummy cucumber side. Now mine is spicy because I used hot pepper vinegar, but you can easily add red pepper flakes, or simply … Continue reading Spicy Cucumber Salad

07/15/202207/15/20221 Comment

Summertime screams pasta salad and this recipe has always been our go-to favorite!! Have you tried it? You haven’t? Well, no better time !! It’s been a hot one here and anything that doesn’t sit steamy on the tummy is a grand idea to us !! 1 pd. cooked macaroni pasta 1/8 cup finely diced … Continue reading Amish Pasta Salad

07/05/202207/08/2022Leave a comment

A Summertime Favorite We love pimento cheese in the summer months, but in all honesty.. we love it all year. It’s a good cold sandwich maker that isn’t too hard on the tummy. If you are veggie lover like me, you’ll love this on cucumbers, celery and even on a romaine lettuce leaf!! I don’t … Continue reading Loaded Pimento Cheese

05/30/202103/04/2022Leave a comment

This pasta salad is so Dilly it’s Silly!! INGREDIENTS   1 pound macaroni pasta cooked, drained and rinsed2 cups dill pickles chopped1 8oz block of cheese of choice diced small1 cup mayo1/4 cup sour cream1/2 cup ranch dressing5 oz fresh minced dill1/2 small purple onion diced small1 cup pickle juice INSTRUCTIONS  Cook the pasta to al dente, drain and rinse.Combine the rest of the ingredients, and mix well.Fold in the pasta and chill at least 2 hours. … Continue reading Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

05/28/202105/28/2021Leave a comment

Dorito casserole, a family favorite!! ENJOY!!

First, we want to thank those in our nation’s Military that gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend us and a thank you to those that continue to serve.

With Memorial Day Weekend here, the unofficial start to Summer, we celebrate the freedom given to us, and we do that most often with remembrance and fellowship with family and friends and with every occasion, ya gotta eat!! We can’t have a holiday weekend without Tater Salad!!! Southern style is by far my favorite, go figure right? Join me in the kitchen as I make up a batch that will only get better as the weekend rolls through.

5 pounds of tater, peeled and diced into bite sized pieces ( my method in video) Boil taters to just tender, you may even want them to have a little “bite” to them. DILL PICKLE RELISH 2 cups dill chips, chopped 1 1/2 yellow onions, diced small

1 tsp Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning ( or Badia Complete)

Fold the relish, along with 2 cups mayo, 2 Tbls yellow mustard, and another 1/2 tsp of the seasoning into the potatoes.

fold well

salt and pepper to taste

garnish with green olives ( 100% optional )

Chill at least one hour, overnight is best.

Stir before serving

Sprinkle with Paprika just before serving.

WATCH ME MAKE IT HERE: 

09/23/2017Leave a comment

I use a lot of Chicken stock in my kitchen. I have to agree with Ina Garten, if you can use homemade it is best. Not only is it best, it’s cheaper than store bought. You can use this recipe to make almost 2 gallons and it costs less than $7 ( What the what?!) … Continue reading Farmhouse Chicken Stock

02/27/2018Leave a comment

When I was 11 years old, my role in the kitchen changed. I was promoted from dish washer to sous-chef. It was a great day really…I still held the title of head dish washer though, lucky me… oh the pains of being an only child until I was 15.  ( yeah, fifteen) I remember daddy … Continue reading Carolina Collards with Pork and Dumplings

02/23/2018Leave a comment

I wanted to do a step by step recipe for this one, but that Spring like weather was calling our names. We wanted to eat and get out in the sun and we wanted to do it fast, before the mirage of Springtime faded away.  I added this to the recipe card list and hope … Continue reading Farmhouse Breakfast Casserole

02/23/2018Leave a comment

Now, I have been a fan of chips and dip for a long time. I think I could eat dip and something every night for supper. The hubbyman may protest and holler for meat, but he is right there with me in loving a good dip. This dip is too easy to even call a … Continue reading Ranch Cottage Veggie Dip

02/17/2018Leave a comment

Here is a quick one for the Farmhouse Recipe Card section. I had a very busy morning.. so I am writing this up for y’all real quick…. have a great weekend!! Icing Recipe:  INGREDIENTS 1 cup real butter, 2 sticks at room temp 1 cups vegetable shortening 2 pounds of confectioners sugar 3 teaspoons vanilla … Continue reading Crusting Vanilla Buttercream Icing

02/17/2018Leave a comment

Bean DIP!! We have been on a serious dip kick this past month. I dunno why, but I’m certainly not gonna question such a good thing. That hunnyman O’ mine loves bean dip. I am a fan myself, so when I knew we would have the night alone together I made our favorite dip and … Continue reading Tex Mex Bean Dip

02/17/2018Leave a comment

I think Pico is very personal salsa … it just depends on who is making it. Some add jalapenos, some add cumin, some add vinegar… but me? I add a very unusual ingredient, which you will see in just a bit and wonder, “what in the world is Katt thinking?” Just wait…. you’ll see… you’ll … Continue reading Exploding Flavor Pico de Gallo

02/14/201802/15/2018Leave a comment

Everyone has Sloppy Joes on Valentine’s Day right? No? Just us? Hmm, who would have thought… cause they say love to us .. okay, that was laying it on a bit thick, but we do love them and we love each other, so it just seems fitting. I have made sloppy joes for years with … Continue reading Weeknight Sloppy Joes

02/10/20185 Comments

I have been on a Cajun kick lately… I can not get enough of that good old Creole flavor! I need to be stopped… but I don’t wanna be stopped… it is just so good!! Spring and Summer need to get here quick, this comfort food season has been  bad on my thighs! This recipe … Continue reading Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

02/06/2018Leave a comment

Southern Potato Salad, or Yellow Potato Salad, has a very distinct flavor… it’s the mustard. Without the mustard you don’t get that color or that flavor… it’s the only potato salad that I like., but I am not knocking the other kinds out there in the big world… this just happens to be what was … Continue reading Southern Potato Salad

02/05/2018Leave a comment

Well, this is our new favorite way to enjoy cheesecake… gotta think outside the pie…yes, cheesecake is a pie… just saying. Pretty much every recipe for this dip is the same, I am not sure who invented such greatness, but thank you. http://www.theblondcook.com has one with chocolate… now y’all, I am trying hers next!! Check … Continue reading Cherry Cheesecake Dip

Well y’all … I’ve made cheeseburger bombs and Philly Cheese Steak Bombs and this one won the taste test. Its the sauce y’all … dip that glorious biscuit in pasta sauce and just smile.

The ooey gooey cheese and the sauce are what makes this dish. It’s fun and kid friendly and we kinda just stood in the kitchen and ate them while talking… it was actually very enjoyable. So not only are they good, they bring you together for great conversation !

Corny, but true.

Watch Me Make Them:

video available July 24th 10:00 am

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INGREDIENTS 1 lb. ground beef 1 large egg 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 tablespoon dried oregano

salt black pepper 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce Cooking spray 1 large can refrigerated biscuits 1 stick  melted butter

2 tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan

DIRECTIONS
1 Preheat oven to 350° and line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, egg, 2 tablespoons parsley, garlic, Italian
seasoning and Oregano.

Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine,. A fork works best.

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Roll into even sized balls.

Use your thumb to make a whole in each one and then stuff with a piece cheese.  Roll

ball in your hand to insure cheese is completely surrounded by meat.

Repeat until all meatballs are done  and place on baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, then let cool slightly,  grease a

medium baking dish with cooking spray.

Remove biscuits from can and cut the biscuit in half horizontally, creating two rounds.  Flatten biscuit until it

is large enough to wrap around each meatball.

Place one meatball in the center of each biscuit round, then wrap dough to completely cover the meatballs. Pinch and twist  to seal and place in prepared baking

dish, placing them seam side down.

In a  bowl, whisk to combine melted butter, parmesan,  Brush all over stuffed biscuits and bake until golden, 10 to 16 minutes

Garnish with parmesan and parsley and serve.

07/31/2016Leave a comment

Melody’s  White Queso My daughter, what I can say about my daughter? That child loves Mexican Food and her go-to favorite at any restaurant is the White Queso. Most people are content with the free chips and salsa, not us… we gotta have the chips, salsa, white queso, AND the guacamole! We always tend to … Continue reading White Queso Dip

07/31/201607/31/2016Leave a comment

Hubbyman’s Salsa Verde… My Colorado born and raised Hubbyman is a Mexican Food Junkie ( I have been looking for a 12 step program, any near you ?) He is a Tamale fan from way back, but I tend to not want to heat up the stove with a steamer in JULY! So, I made … Continue reading Salsa Verde

07/31/201608/03/2016Leave a comment

Key Lime Pie, it’s traditionally a custard pie made with key limes and eggs and simple goodness. However I wanted a No Bake version. Easy to make and with few ingredients. So here it is, my $4.56 Pie! Simple, affordable and so refreshing for this summer heat!  It came together so well that I almost … Continue reading Key Lime Cheesecake

03/28/202103/28/2021Leave a comment

Winter months are great and all… the comfort food, fuzzy socks and nights of coziness, but Spring and Summer bring out some fo the best refreshing flavors out there and I for one, and happy to see them back !!! There are so many strawberry farms near us, its easy to get caught up in … Continue reading Southern Strawberry YUM YUM

08/13/2016Leave a comment

Summer’s Bounty! There is nothing like fresh Basil. You wither like it or don’t… Hubbyman falls into the “Don’t” category and I fall into the “LOVE” category! I love to make up fresh pesto when I get a harvest of Basil.. however this batch is from a local farm about a mile away, Simpson’s®.I wasn’t … Continue reading Fresh Pesto

08/13/2016Leave a comment

Oh glorious buttercream, how I love thee. I have never made it at home until today. What what? Yup… first time ever..and now that I have, I do not think I will ever buy the can stuff again. I have used this recipe ( the cupcakes) forever and my friend gave me her recipe for … Continue reading Lemon Lime Cupcakes with Buttercream

03/29/201803/29/2018Leave a comment

Anyone else love Steel Magnolias? How can you not love a classic like that? I mean, I guess its okay if you don’t, but it seriously makes me want to Bless your Heart . Remember the scene when Dolly (Truvy)  calls the tea, The House Wine of the South? Well… she wasn’t fibbin! I know … Continue reading Carolina Sweet Tea

03/05/201803/07/2018Leave a comment

I have had numerous requests for this recipe. All Down East ( Eastern Carteret County NC) women have a recipe for light rolls. My daddy called em Light Bread Biscuits… it’s the same thing… no difference and all the recipes are just a wee bit different…. I did not do a step by step photo … Continue reading Carteret County Light Rolls

02/23/2018Leave a comment

I wanted to do a step by step recipe for this one, but that Spring like weather was calling our names. We wanted to eat and get out in the sun and we wanted to do it fast, before the mirage of Springtime faded away.  I added this to the recipe card list and hope … Continue reading Farmhouse Breakfast Casserole

02/17/2018Leave a comment

Here is a quick one for the Farmhouse Recipe Card section. I had a very busy morning.. so I am writing this up for y’all real quick…. have a great weekend!! Icing Recipe:  INGREDIENTS 1 cup real butter, 2 sticks at room temp 1 cups vegetable shortening 2 pounds of confectioners sugar 3 teaspoons vanilla … Continue reading Crusting Vanilla Buttercream Icing

02/17/2018Leave a comment

I think Pico is very personal salsa … it just depends on who is making it. Some add jalapenos, some add cumin, some add vinegar… but me? I add a very unusual ingredient, which you will see in just a bit and wonder, “what in the world is Katt thinking?” Just wait…. you’ll see… you’ll … Continue reading Exploding Flavor Pico de Gallo

02/05/2018Leave a comment

Well, this is our new favorite way to enjoy cheesecake… gotta think outside the pie…yes, cheesecake is a pie… just saying. Pretty much every recipe for this dip is the same, I am not sure who invented such greatness, but thank you. http://www.theblondcook.com has one with chocolate… now y’all, I am trying hers next!! Check … Continue reading Cherry Cheesecake Dip

02/05/201802/05/20182 Comments

I know that I normally do a full on photo shoot for my recipes and of course will continue that … but this was a quick supper that I just snapped a picture of and got a huge reaction on instagram. I have decided to create a category on the blog titled “recipe cards” these … Continue reading Farmhouse Mushroom Soup