Blog Posts by Southern Living

We changed the mixing method of our favorite lemon curd, then cooked it in the microwave. The results? Buttery rich and smooth as silk, every time.

Related: Sweet On Citrus

Quick and Easy Lemon Curd

Step One Grate zest from 6 lemons to equal 2 Tbsp. Cut lemons in half; squeeze juice into a measuring cup to equal 1 cup.

Step Two Beat 1/2 cup butter, softened, and 2 cups sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add 4 eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Gradually add lemon juice to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended after each addition; stir in zest. (Mixture will look curdled.) Transfer to a 3-qt. microwave-safe bowl.

Step Three Microwave at HIGH 5 minutes, stirring at 1-minute intervals. Microwave, stirring at 30-second intervals, 1 to 2 more minutes or until mixture thickens, coats the back of a spoon, and starts to mound slightly when stirred.

Step Four Place heavy-duty plastic wrap directly on

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February 2010Share the love with a batch of easy, homemade cookies.

Related: Bite-Size Valentine's Day Desserts

Lemon Butter Cookies

• 1 cup butter, softened
  
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
  
• 1 cup powdered sugar
  
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1/4 tsp. salt
  
• Parchment paper
  
• Royal Icing
  
• Colorful Glaze
  
  
  Preparation:
  1. Preheat oven to 325º. Beat butter and zest at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating well.
  
  2. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Shape dough into a disc.
  
  3. Roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut with a 2 1/4- or 3 1/4-inch heart-shaped cutter; place 1/2 inch apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. If desired, cut 1 or 2 holes at top of each cookie (to hang or thread ribbon through after baking).
  
  4. Bake at 325º for 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on

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February 2013Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and if you are looking for an indulgent dessert that won't ruin your diet, try our Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies! This recipe replaces half the butter with an extra bar of chocolate, so you and your sweetheart can enjoy these sweet cookies without the guilt!

Related: Wickedly Delicious Chocolate Desserts

Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

*For an even chewier texture, substitute 1/2 cup hazelnut or almond flour for 1/2cup all-purpose flour.

• 3/4 cup uncooked regular oats
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 3 (4-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bars, coarsely chopped and divided
• Parchment paper

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 400°. Bake oats in a 9-inch pie plate 10 to 12 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring Read More »from A Healthy Valentine's Day Indulgence!

Going gluten-free but still craving the delicious taste of homemade banana bread? This recipe was inspired by one from musingsofahousewife.com. For best results, use a light-colored pan. Or, turn your dark pan into a shiny one by wrapping the outside of it with heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Related: Guilt-Free Breakfast Recipes

Gluten-Free Banana Bread

• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup chopped dates
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups mashed, very ripe bananas (about 4)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 11/2 cups brown rice flour
• 1/2 cup sorghum flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Pour 1 cup boiling water over dates in a small bowl. Let stand 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
2. Lightly beat eggs with a whisk in a large bowl. Whisk in bananas and next 3 ingredients until blended.
3. Stir Read More »from Easy Gluten-Free Banana Bread

This Valentine's Day, treat your sweetie to the richest, darkest, most decadent chocolate dessert you've ever tasted. Indulge in a bite of our Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies or a spoonful of Mississippi Mud S'Mores-Fudge Pie. You won't be disappointed!

Related: Romantic Menus & Wine Pairings

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Rosemary Garlic Chicken
Entertain this: Beautifully browned rosemary chicken that simmers effortlessly in the slow cooker and is dinner-party-worthy!

Related: Slow-Cooked Comfort Food

The key to this dish is to brown the chicken before it goes into the slow cooker. Browning meats and poultry before simmering in the slow cooker yields major depth of flavor plus a picture-perfect presentation, so don't be tempted to skip it. (Watch the video to see how it's done!)

First, pat the meat dry with paper towels before seasoning. Set a heavy stainless-steel or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet (not nonstick) over medium to medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until hot enough for the oil to shimmer-the meat should hiss and sizzle as soon as it hits the pan. Be sure not to crowd the pan; doing so drops the temp, causing the meat to steam rather than form a crisp crust. Don't turn the meat until the bottom is well-browned.

For more easy chicken dinners head to SouthernLiving.com

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Fill Your Pantry with Healthy Southern Superfoods
Think the Southern larder is only butter, bacon, and bourbon? Think again. Here are seven Southern superfoods we cook with all winter long.

Related: Lightened Up Southern Classics

1. Buttermilk Cultured buttermilk is one of the oldest Southern probiotic foods. Drink it until the cows come home because it aids in digestion, is super-rich in calcium, and is good for your complexion. Stir some into delicious cornbread croutons to top your soup.

2. Dark Leafy Greens Grace your table with a daily dose of these powerhouses. Filled with antioxidants, leafy greens such as collards, kale, and turnip greens can lower cholesterol. Editor's Tip! Retain nutrients by cooking greens just until they're a vibrant green.

3. Beans & Peas Canned, frozen, or dried, beans and peas give you long-lasting energy and loads of fiber. Plus, they're a cheap protein. Make a big batch on Sundays for the week!

4. Chicory Coffee Reason #158432 why we love New Orleans: dark NOLA-style grounds. The natural

Read More »from Fill Your Pantry with Healthy Southern Superfoods

During the holiday season, take it easy and let guests build their own panini from a host of flavor combos. Serve it all on a large cheese board for one big moveable feast.

Cooking Instructions
Spread outsides of sandwiches with butter. Cook in a preheated panini press 2 to 3 minutes or until golden.

1. Pick a sturdy bread

• Raisin-nut bread
  
• French bread
  
• Slider buns or dinner rolls
  
• Challah or brioche
  
• Pumpernickel, rye, or hearty white bread
  
  Related: Flavorful Grilled Sandwich Recipes
  

2. Choose a cheese

• Brie, Gruyère, or Swiss
  
• Sharp white Cheddar
  
• Creamy goat cheese
  
• Blue cheese
  
• Cream cheese
  

3. Spread some flavor inside

• Apple butter
  
• Coarse-grained, Dijon, or honey mustard
  
• Herbed butter (for outsides of sandwiches)
  
• Fruit preserves or pepper jelly
  

4. Add a favorite topping (or two)

• Caramelized onions
  
• Sautéed apples or pears
  
• Sliced fresh fruit or

Read More »from Create a Grilled Cheese Bar for Dinner