Blog Posts by Southern Living

No need to deprive yourself when it comes to dessert. Get all 14 yummy recipes and bring on the indulgence!

Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake
Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake With Mocha Sauce
Ingredients
2 cups crushed chocolate graham crackers (about 18 crackers)
1/3 cup reduced-fat butter, melted
Vegetable cooking spray
4 (8-oz.) packages reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup coffee liqueur
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
4 large eggs
4 (1-oz.) bittersweet baking chocolate squares
Mocha Sauce

Preparation
1. Stir together crushed graham crackers and melted butter; press mixture into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray.
2. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add liqueur, vanilla, and coffee granules, beating at low speed until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears after

Treat your sweetheart to one of these romantic meals coupled with our favorite wine and enjoy a night in.

Mediterranean Salmon With White Beans
Mediterranean Salmon With White Beans
Ingredients
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 (15-oz.) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
4 (6-oz.) salmon fillets
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Garnish: fresh parsley sprigs

Preparation
1. Sauté onion in 1 Tbsp. hot oil in a saucepan over medium heat 2 minutes or until slightly softened. Add beans, olives, and tomatoes; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat, and stir in basil.
2. Sprinkle salmon fillets evenly with salt and pepper. Cook salmon in a large nonstick skillet in remaining 1 Tbsp. hot oil over medium-high heat 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily. Spoon bean mixture evenly over salmon fillets, and

Don't fumble and miss your chance to try these easy dips perfect for your Super Bowl party!

Loaded Baked Potato Dip
Loaded Baked Potato Dip
Ingredients
1 (2.1-oz.) package fully cooked bacon slices
1 (16-oz.) container sour cream
2 cups (8 oz.) freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/3 cup sliced fresh chives
2 teaspoons hot sauce
Garnishes: cooked, crumbled bacon; sliced fresh chives; freshly cracked pepper
Serve with: waffle fries

Preparation
Microwave bacon according to package directions until crisp; drain on paper towels. Cool 10 minutes; crumble. Stir together bacon and next 4 ingredients. Cover and chill 1 to 24 hours before serving. Garnish, if desired. Serve with crispy, warm waffle fries. Store leftovers in refrigerator up to 7 days.

Note: We tested with Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon.
Note: We baked frozen waffle fries extra-crispy for our dippers.

Related: 5 Delicious Mashed Potato Bakes

Blue Cheese "Hot Wing" Dip
Blue Cheese
Ingredients
1 (8-oz.) package 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened and cut

These basic dips are sure to dazzle your crowd and are simple to make! Each recipe is full of flavor and travels beautifully.

Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Ingredients
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
4 green onions, sliced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 1/4 cups (5 oz.) shredded pepper Jack cheese
1 (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 (14-oz.) can medium-size artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
Crackers and assorted fresh vegetables

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Stir together first 6 ingredients and 1 cup pepper Jack cheese. Fold in spinach and artichokes. Spoon into a lightly greased 1-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup pepper Jack cheese.
2. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until center is hot and edges are bubbly. Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve with crackers and assorted vegetables.

Try it with crab! Hot Spinach-Artichoke

Earn extra points with your guests when you serve these delicious chicken wing recipes at your Super Bowl party! Try them with our dip recipes for an extra kick!

Sticky Chicken Wings
Sticky Chicken Wings are sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any party.
Ingredients:
2 pounds chicken wings
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon dry mustard

Preparation:
1. Cut off wingtips, and discard; cut wings in half at joint.
2. Combine soy sauce and next 5 ingredients in a broiler pan; add chicken, turning to coat. Cover and chill 1 hour. Drain chicken, discarding marinade. Return chicken to pan.
3. Bake at 375° for 1 hour. Broil 5 inches from heat (with electric oven door partially open) 10 minutes or until browned. Serve with carrot and celery sticks and dip, if desired.

Related: Game-Day Drinks

Sweet-and-Spicy Chipotle Chicken Wings
Sweet and spicy make a great combination on these wings.
Ingredients:
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup chipotle-flavored hot

For the love of cornbread! Return the sparkle to a Southern kitchen staple.

Your trusty cast-iron skillet will eventually lose its sheen and, as a result, its super nonstick powers. Bringing back its luster and protecting it from rusting is as easy as a scrub, oil, and bake. Here's what to do.

1. Scrub skillet well in hot soapy water.
2. Dry thoroughly.
3. Spread a thin layer of melted shortening or vegetable oil over the skillet.
4. Place it upside down on a middle oven rack at 375°. (Place foil on a lower rack to catch drips.)
5. Bake 1 hour; let cool in the oven.

Tip: For day-to-day TLC, clean cast iron under hot water only (never use soap) and dry with towel before storing.



More from Southern Living:
Seasoning a Cast-Iron Skillet Video
Superfast Skillet Suppers
Cooking in Your Cast-Iron Skillet

In Louisiana, February means two things: Mardi Gras and crawfish. Two-thirds of all mudbugs are harvested this month. Most locals start with a boil (corn, sausage, and 'taters optional), but what's left goes into étouffée, crawfish pie, and luscious appetizer dips. This one works as well for a Super Bowl party as a formal Mardi Gras ball. You'll need 6 to 7 pounds of cooked whole crawfish for 1 pound of hard-earned meat. Or sub in frozen, peeled crawfish tails.

Be it for a formal party or impromptu get-together, this crawfish dip delivers.

HOT CRAWFISH DIP
Makes: 8 to 10 servings. Hands on time: 30 min. Total time: 30 min.

½ cup butter
1 bunch green onions, sliced (about 1 cup)
1 small green bell pepper, diced
1 (1-lb.) package frozen cooked, peeled crawfish tails, thawed and undrained
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained
2 tsp. Creole seasoning
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese
Softened French bread baguette slices
Garnishes: sliced green onion, chopped flat-leaf parsley

1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat; add green

Charm your sweeties this Valentine's Day with confections such as our ultra-easy truffles, sparkly cookies, and chocolaty cherries.
Peanut Butter Truffles, Homemade Chocolate-Dipped Caramels, and Sweetheart Sugar Cookies

Peanut Butter Truffles
Makes: about 2 dozen Hands-on time: 20 min. Total time: 3 hr., 30 min.
If you overbeat the chocolate mixture in Step 2, beat in 2 to 3 Tbsp. more whipping cream to return mixture to a smooth consistency.

1 (12-oz.) package semisweet chocolate morsels
½ cup whipping cream
3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
¾ cup finely chopped, lightly salted roasted peanuts
Wax paper

1. Microwave first 3 ingredients in a medium-size microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 to 1½ minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals. Let cool 10 minutes.

2. Beat chocolate mixture at medium speed with an electric mixer 1 to 2 minutes or until whipped and smooth. Cover and chill 2 hours or until firm.

3. Shape chocolate mixture into 1-inch balls, using a small ice-cream scoop. Roll in chopped peanuts. (If chocolate mixture becomes too soft to