Kara's Sights & Bites
Frying chicken is not hard when using Minny’s recipe
By Kara Kimbrough Following last week’s column on chicken and dumplings and other old-school dishes and kitchen skills, I was surprised to hear from so many who had never tried most of the kitchen skills everyone should “learn or at least attempt.” Many that responded were quick to tell me they “can” make dumplings, just…
Read MoreHomemade jelly, jam, and pound cake are skills worth mastering
By Kara Kimbrough Before you dismiss homemade jelly and jam-making due to lack of spare time or the ease of picking up a ready-made jar in the supermarket, please keep reading. I believe I can convince you to partake of this centuries-old tradition and live to tell about it. First, believe me when I say…
Read MoreMaking your own bread will ease inflation pains
By Kara Kimbrough This isn’t an essay on rising food prices. For one thing, it’s not fair to pick on one area when costs are skyrocketing in almost every segment of the economy. However, it's a fact that food prices are climbing. The rising cost of bread is part of the equation. I’ve found a…
Read MoreAdd the MS Gulf Coast to your spring itinerary
By Kara Kimbrough Spring, wonderful spring…the official start of vacation season. Before you pack the car or book a flight, consider an alternate plan. Don't wreck the budget with a long sojourn to an expensive out-of-state resort area filled with pricey restaurants. Instead, look no further than our own Gulf Coast. Besides festivals held almost…
Read MoreBay St. Louis’ treasures are the perfect escape from reality
By Kara Kimbrough Before extolling the delights of Hancock County in the second installment of “Top reasons to visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast," I’d be remiss if I left out the charming cities of Long Beach and Pass Christian. They’re worth a stop on U.S. 90 as you make your way to the Bay Bridge…
Read MoreWhat would Elvis think about today’s bacon prices?
By Kara Kimbrough Elvis has been on my mind this week. But not for the normal reasons, like hearing one of his songs or seeing footage online of a press conference or concert at which the Mississippi native displayed his enduring charisma and talent. No, I thought about his penchant for consuming a pound of…
Read MoreCherry blossoms in Mississippi? Yep, it's true!
By Kara Kimbrough Mississippi doesn’t always get a lot of love from other parts of the country – in fact, we sometimes get overlooked altogether by those looking for scenic places to visit in the spring. And that’s a shame, as our state is filled with natural beauty, ranging from delicate dogwood trees to breathtaking…
Read MoreNext up: the happiest month of the year
By Kara Kimbrough We’re entering the month I call the “happiest month of the year.” May is just plain "happy," filled with joyous occasions like Mother’s Day, high school and college graduations and spring wedding celebrations. On top of personal events are fun tours, pilgrimages and festivals showcasing the best and most beautiful of our…
Read MoreGrilling season is upon us!
By Kara Kimbrough It’s a proven fact: most Southern men are happiest when warm weather arrives and they can spend quality time over a hot bed of coals. Grilling is the true southern way to cook meat – it's outdoors, it’s casual and it delivers great food. Even Southern ladies consider grilling one of, if…
Read More‘Special sauce’ elevates any burger to superstar status
By Kara Kimbrough After last week’s column about the upcoming start of grilling season, it’s only fitting that I share a few of my favorite burger sauces. Burger purists may recoil in horror when I mention dousing, dipping or sprinkling a grilled burger with anything. Disputing their belief that the flavor of the meat should…
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