Category: cook’n with NC goodies
Egg Nog Chess Pie with bananas and cream…
December 30, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under baking (she said in terror), bananas, Carolina Country, Christmas, eggs, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, pie please, published, Simply Natural Creamery, sweet treats, wendy's signature recipes |
It seems fittin’ to use up that last bit of holiday eggnog in a good old southern chess pie. ‘Nog and bananas go together like mac and cheese, so partake of pie while toasting toes in front of a cozy fire as you settle into the New Year.
Roasted Grape & Cheese Crostini with spiced pecan crumbs
December 30, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, Carolina Country, carolina gold oil, cheesy, honey, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, party foods, published, roasted goodness, Toaster Oven, wendy's signature recipes |
Sometimes we just need “a little something” to nibble on — roasting grapes and serving over warm, softened cheese on crostini is a new favorite! The grapes become nice and “jammy” and oh-so-good with a drizzle of herbed oil, vinegar and honey. No exact measurements needed for this one.
Bacon-Stuffed Pork Loin With garlicy apple cider gravy
October 20, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under apples, bacon & belly, Carolina Country, gravy, here piggy piggy!, Heritage Pork, published, roasted goodness |
Ahhh, fall. Time for roasting and slow cooking flavors of the season. Low and slow is just right for lean pork loin … surrounded by bacon and salami for the moist fat needed to make it tender and juicy. This pork stuffed pork with garlicky apple cider gravy will make ya tummy happy!
Don’t throw away those watermelon rinds!
August 28, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under bogue sound watermelons, carolina gold oil, cook & eat nekkid, fun food, garden goodness, gluten free, nekkid-throw cooking ~ what is THAT?, no cook, party foods, watermelon, wendy's signature recipes |
Stop… Don’t throw that watermelon rind away! Throw this together… Bogue Sound Watermelon Rind drizzled with Carolina Gold Oil! Great for nibblin, appetize’n… or on top of your tacos, hot dogs, salads and more.
Pairing a couple of my NC favorite foods… Mimi’s Mountain Mixes & Carolina Gold Oils
July 1, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, baking (she said in terror), breads, Mimi's Mountain Mixes, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge |
Pair North Carolina’s Mimi’s Mountain Mixes Beer Bread with Carolina Gold Oil’s Mediterranean Dipping Oil for an easy fun nibble. Great addition to your charcuterie boards too! I gave a little twist and used orange beer…. realllll good!
Deviled Crab Hushpuppy Waffle & Pickled Seafood Medley ~ The New Southern Seafood Platter in Our State Magazine
June 29, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, cornbread & hushpuppies, crab, fish, fish & seafood, fun food, lobster, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, Our State Mag, scallops, shrimp |
We love a seafood platter in the summertime — especially one that features fresh, local fish. Here, we imagined what a modern twist on this classic dish might look like with these Deviled Crab Hushpuppy Waffles and Pickled Seafood Medley!
Spicy Citrus Seafood Cocktail With NC wild-caught shrimp
June 23, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, avocado, Bruce Julian Foods, Carolina Country, cook'n with NC goodies, crab, fish & seafood, fun food, garden goodness, gluten free, lobster, low carb, published, scallops, shrimp, wendy's signature recipes |

Spicy Citrus NC Seafood Cocktail
Published in Carolina Country Magazine July 2020
Who has time or desire to do much cooking during the lazy hazy hot days of North Carolina summer? Not me! Y’all, this seafood cocktail is light… so full of flavor with just a hint of fresh citrus, and only a little bit of fuss when it comes to cook’n. Loaded with a bounty of fresh seafood from our coast, you can enjoy this for a late morning brunch… for lunch… or right out of a jar in your porch swing watching the sun set!
This is one of those recipes where specifics and exactness isn’t important — you know, throw cook’n! Use all of one seafood or whatever combo you like. Go with your favorite vegetables and what’s in season. Add veggies you like to my recipe… as The Frugal Gourmet Chef Jeff Smith would say…
“Omit and substitute! That’s how recipes should be written. Please don’t ever get so hung up on published recipes that you forget that you can omit and substitute.”
And in keeping with my North Carolina company ingredients, I chose North Carolina’s Bruce Julian’s Blood Mary Mix to finish out my recipe! Just round up what you need and throw together some of my seafood cocktail… soon! You’ll be so glad you did… and so will your company.
And while you’re at it, be sure to make some of my Savory Bay Crackers with browned butter too. Followed up with a little dish of my No-Churn Cantaloupe & Coconut Ice Cream.
Come on over, and hang out with us in my fun facebook community too, where you will find this and lots of other goodies.

Light and spicy... with just the right hint of fresh citrus, the seafood cocktail features all sorts of North Carolina goodness!
- 2 quarts favorite Bloody Mary mix* or V8
- 1 bunch radishes, roughly chopped
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 1-2 tablespoons horseradish
- 4 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- zest of 1 lemon, lime, orange and juice of ½ each, Cut the remaining halves into wedges for guests to squeeze into their cocktails
- cracked black pepper
- 2 pounds wild-caught North Carolina shrimp, peeled, cooked and cooled
- 1 pound bay scallops
- 6 small lobster tails
- 2 firm avocados, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 pound lump crab meat
- cilantro
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Combine and chill the spicy sauce ingredients.
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A few minutes before serving, add about four pounds of cooked shellfish of your choice (or use our suggestions above) and gently stir in the avocados and cilantro.
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Sprinkle with crabmeat and more cilantro.
*I used NC’s Bruce Julian Bloody Mary Mix.
Peanut Butter & Hot Pepper Jelly Doughnut Holes… with Peggy Roses jellies and all natural peanut butter
June 8, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under fun food, Peggy Rose's Jellies, product recipe development, sweet treats |
You will want to make some of these scrumptious Peanut Butter and Jelly Doughnuts! Made with canned biscuits filled with Peggy Roses Hot Pepper Jelly and All Natural Peanut Butter! Y’all. Just do it.
Krispy Kreme Cannoli Strawberry Shortcakes!
May 1, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under Carolina Country, chocolate, garden goodness, krispy kreme, no cook, published, strawberries, sweet treats, wendy's signature recipes |
We love strawberry time! And Krispy Kreme doughnuts, of course. How about an NC cannoli strawberry shortcake? Those signature doughnuts, combined with a creamy cannoli-like filling, sweet berries, plus a pillow of whipped cream drizzled with chocolate? Yes, please!
Anytime is Deviled Egg time!
April 8, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, bacon & belly, buttahhhh, cheesy, cook'n with NC goodies, corn, crab, duke's mayo!, Easter, fun food, gluten free, low carb, Mt. Olive Pickles, Our State Mag, party foods, product recipe development, published, sensational sides, wendy's signature recipes |
While recipe developer and food stylist at Our State Magazine, I was asked to give a classic deviled egg a North Carolina twist. These recipes inspired by our culture are fun to make and good to eat.
Honey Baked Ham Salad …with wilted caraway slaw and rye croutons
April 1, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under Carolina Country, cook & eat nekkid, garden goodness, here piggy piggy!, Mt. Olive Pickles, nuts, published, salads, slaws and such |
Ready for something traditional with a nontraditional twist? Impress your table of Easter guests with this eye-catching ham salad. Or jazz up your leftover ham and skip the boring ham sandwich!
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