Rick Bragg’s mom knows the secret to a great buttermilk pie. Who can resist it? Ingredients 1(9-in. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Crimp the edges of the piecrust, prick the bottom lightly with a fork, and set aside. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating between each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Add the flour, buttermilk, milk, and vanilla and beat until just combined....

These margarita balls will go fast at the picnic or office party. Margarita balls are fun, bite-sized, and crowd-pleasing treats for a summer party. You may also recognize the similarities tobourbon balls. Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke Both desserts lean into their boozy bite but are fun and totally portable. The hardest part is the long wait while they chill in the fridge. (Get the full recipe below)....

Make a margarita cake, and head for the beach. Our margarita cake uses tequila in a lime syrup that is brushed across each cake layer. A little green food coloring is added to the frosting to give the cake a lime-colored hue. Credit:Southern Living Now, who’s ready for thebeach? Learn how to make a margarita cake. Southern Living What Is a Margarita Cake? This cake can be made in advance so it’s ready to serve well before your party is underway....

No Southern picnic is complete without a cucumber, tomato, and onion salad. Learn how to make cucumber, tomato, and onion salad. Any leftovers can be whizzed up in your blender for an instant gazpacho. Credit:Hannah Zimmerman When so few ingredients are used, you taste every single one of them. But you have to wait 12 to 24 hours before this salad is ready to eat. And that’s the hard part....

Use marinated tomatoes in pastas, sandwiches, salads, and more for a fresh upgrade. Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Marinated tomatoes takes the flavor ofripe summer tomatoesto new levels. Consider our mouthwatering marinated tomatoes your quickest way to mealtime bliss. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Note that the tomatoes will need to sit for about an hour and 45 minutes before serving. This time is well spent, giving all those delicious flavors time to expertly meld together....

Be careful who you make this recipe for. It could lead to wedding bells. Learn how to make Marry Me Chicken, and discover delicious ways to serve it for a full meal. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox What Is Marry Me Chicken? This dish is incredibly flavorful. Why Is It Called Marry Me Chicken? Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox For folks who already have a significant other, the second explanation is perhaps the one to use....

Turn the viral chicken dinner into a family-friendly casserole. But we made it saucier and more casserole-like with additional brothy sauce and wild rice. One scoop is creamy with an umami-rich sauce and packed with tender, juicy chicken. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Learn how to make Marry Me Chicken Casserole, and impress anyone who comes to the table hungry. Storage and Reheating Leftover casserole can be stored in the fridge up to three days....

Serve with toasted baguette slices or seeded crackers for the ultimate party dip. 1 1/2cupssour cream, at room temperature 1(6.35-oz. shreddedrotisserie chicken 1/4cupchoppedsun-dried tomatoes 1(8-oz. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox )blocklow-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded (2 cups), divided 1(6-oz. Spray a 2-quart gratin or baking dish with cooking spray; set aside. Add dip to prepared dish: Spoon into prepared gratin dish and spread into an even layer. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox...

These chicken roll ups are a creamy, cheesy, family-friendly version of the viral dinner. Learn how to make Marry Me Chicken Roll Ups. Served over angel hair pasta, these chicken rolls are are an impressive and classic comfort food. Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless This recipe is also served over angel hair pasta, for the ultimate comfort meal. The good news is, there are a lot of hacks to make it easier....

1(6 oz.) cantomato paste 8cupschicken broth, divided 2tsp.driedItalian seasoning 2tsp.smoked paprika 1(20 oz.) pkg.refrigerated cheese tortellini 1(5 oz.)pkg. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, then cook until browned, about 3 minutes per side. If chicken is difficult to turn, cook 1-2 minutes longer, until chicken releases easily from the pan. Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox...

The country artist shares a comfort food staple, her favorite creamy chicken tortilla soup. In her cookbook, the Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup is certainly a fan-favorite. “Flavorful and delicious, this is a creamy, comforting version of the classic. Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Tortilla strips are sprinkled over the top before serving. The garnishes take it over the top. Cook the soup as written, through the point of adding the chicken, beans, and corn....

Layer upon layer of love and sweetness is in a Smith Island Cake. The cake’srich fudge frostingwas a sweet taste of home and a practical sweet to have on board. Today, bakeries across Marylandand one on the island itselfsell hundreds of cakes each year. Credit: Photographer: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox In 2008, it was named theofficial state dessertof Maryland. Mary Ada Marshall, a resident of Smith Island, shared her recipe for Smith Island Cake withSouthern Living....

Put a little salt and pepper in the batter, drip it in grease. Sit it in front of them. They’re going to love it. Credit: Laura Partain It’s a really, uh, beautiful lesson. Be yourself in your songs. Don’t put on airs." All this and more on this episode ofBiscuits & Jam. Now living in Nashville, Mary’s latest albumRifles and Rosary Beadswas co-written with wounded veterans. It speaks directly to the challenges and fears that soldiers and their families have faced....