Blog Posts by Southern Living

When the cold winter days leave you longing for the farm-stand flavor of fresh vegetable, head to the freezer!

Frozen Snap Peas
Vegetables Fresh From the Freezer
Packaged at their seasonal best, frozen vegetables are a bargain this time of year. With no trimming or cleaning (and no costly waste), you can put a taste of summer on the table every night of the week. Here are a few tips and tricks we've learned.

• Before simmering frozen greens in chicken broth, sauté chopped cooked ham in a Dutch oven until lightly browned for a lean, smoky flavor. Just add the broth directly to the Dutch oven, stirring to loosen the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.

•  Combine the taste and texture of different types of frozen peas, such as butter peas, lady peas, and field peas with snaps. Cook according to package directions in chicken or vegetable broth rather than water.

• Coarsely chop partially thawed, sliced yellow squash, and use in place of fresh for a quick start on a casserole. Because most frozen vegetables

Great as a Christmas gift or tasty snack for yourself, candy bark is a delicious and easy treat to make during the holidays.

Southern Living Magazine

Tired of the plain buttered biscuit or the tried-and-true bacon, egg, and cheese combo? Try out some of these amazing toppings on our homemade biscuits instead! Fried apples and pancetta on a biscuit? Yes please!

The mantel is the easiest place to add some instant holiday cheer. Look no further to find inspiration for the best look in your home.

Simple & Refined




















Simple & Refined
To get this look, drape garland down the length of the mantelpiece. Decorate the garland with holly berries and magnolia leaves.

Next, nestle large hurricanes in the garland, one on each end of the mantel for symmetry.

Finally, hang stockings above the hearth. Simply space them evenly along the mantel and hide the hooks under the garland.

Related: Our Favorite Christmas Trees

Natural & Cheerful




















Natural & Cheerful
Start with a variety of greenery and intersperse green and white flowers.

Add viburnum berries and pomegranates throughout the greenery to add color and texture.

Use extra materials from the mantel to make a small coordinating arrangement for your table.

Related: Festive Christmas Wreath Ideas

Vintage & Whimsical




















Vintage & Whimsical
To get this look, begin with faux snow instead of heavy garland. Center mason jars, either colored like ours or clear ones,

This year, trade in lemons in your cocktails for satsumas. This type of mandarin, grown in coastal Louisiana and Alabama, is seedless, easy to peel, and delicately sweet with just the right amount of pucker. We like to eat our fill and then save the ring to make Satsuma-cello, our take on the classic Italian cordial limoncello. Serve it chilled or in one of our signature cocktails.


Satsuma-Cello
Makes: about 3 quarts
Hands-On Time: 2 hr., 30 min.
Total Time: 7 hr., plus 8 days for standing and chilling

Ingredients
20 satsuma oranges (15 minneola tangelos may be substituted)
2 (750-milliliter) bottles vodka
4 cups sugar

Preparation
Peel satsuma oranges using vegetable peeler, reserving flesh for another use. Scrape bitter white pith from orange rind strips, and discard pith. Place orange rind strips in a large glass pitcher or 3-qt. jar; pour vodka over strips. Cover and let stand at room temperature 7 to 10 days.

Bring sugar and 5 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan over

Our Christmas Cover Cakes always represent the best of our heavenly holiday desserts. Try one of these show-stopping cakes that have graced the cover of our December issue in years past and see what all the fuss is about!

Chcoolate-Citrus Cake with Candied Oranges
Chocolate-Citrus Cake with Candied Oranges
Ingredients
Parchment paper
2 (4 oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bars, chopped
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 2/3 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 (8-oz.) container sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup hot brewed coffee
Whipped Ganache Filling
Seven-Minute Frosting
Candied Oranges (optional garnish)
Garnishes: fresh citrus leaves, cranberries

Whipped Ganache Filling
Microwave 1 (12-oz.) package semisweet chocolate morsels and 1 1/2 cups whipping cream in a 3-qt. microwave-safe glass bowl at high 2 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals. Whisk in 1 Tbsp. orange liqueur until

Infuse holiday recipes with seasonal flavors and aromas using homemade spice bags. Here are give ways you can spread the joy.
Spice Bag

Create a warm and festive welcome with one of these beautiful wreaths. (You'd be surprised at how easy they are to make!)

Colonial Christmas
Colonial Christmas
Give your holiday a colonial feel by embellishing your wreath with colorful fresh or dried natural materials. Plants such as holly, magnolia, mistletoe, pine, ivy, and fir were common in the 18th century. Use them as a base for a more authentic look and then build with cinnamon sticks, lemons, dried artichokes and pomegranates.

Related: 15 Stunning Christmas Trees

Magnolia Wreath
Magnolia Wreath
Magnolia wreaths have a sophisticated, Southern look, and they don't shed messy needles like pine versions. Try handing your wreath with strips of fabric or with pretty grosgrain ribbon.

Related: How to Make a Magnolia Wreath

Natural-Glitzy Combo
Natural-Glitzy Combo
Layer a natural grapevine wreath with a glitzy ornament one and tie with a colorful ribbon. It's a simple way to achieve a unique look.

Related: Rise and Shine! Holiday Brunch Favorites

Simple Boxwood
Simple Boxwood
Small boxwood