Sweet, dark sorghumsyrup-soaked pancakes, biscuits, and cornbread are a true Southern specialty. Getty Images Elise Smith is a recipe developer, pastry chef, and founder ofWinniEs Bakery. What Exactly Is Sorghum? Credit:Getty Images A cereal grain originally from Africa, sorghum is farmed as a crop in the United States today. Both are appreciated by farmers for their drought resistance. What Is Sorghum Syrup? Credit:Getty Images Many Southern folks of a particular generation have a nostalgic association with the flavor of sorghum syrup....

But even beyond that, flowering plants produce drupes like olives, coconuts, and dates. Clingstone peaches are delicious for eating but dont hold up to freezing or canning. How To Choose The Best Stone Fruit The best test for ripeness is the scent. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Bring the fruit to your face, and breathe in the aroma. It should give off a delicate sweet smell. Also look for fruit that is soft but not overly squishy....

During the holiday season, you’ll find it in many Southern stockings and gift baskets. A summer sausage at Christmas is a tradition not unique amongst many Southern families. Despite existing year-round, its a holiday delicacy. Credit:Getty Images/MSPhotographic See why this smoky delicacy is a holiday tradition. Getty Images/MSPhotographic What Is Summer Sausage? How Did Summer Sausage Get Its Name? Therefore, the name derives from being a summer staple when other less-durablefresh meatswould spoil....

Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable from the same family as beets and spinach. Despite the name, it did not originate in Switzerland but in the Mediterranean region. you could add Swiss chard to soups, stews,frittatas, andbaked pastawith a delicate and sweet flavor. Credit:Suzifoo/Getty Images you could also substitute Swiss chard if your recipecalls for kale, spinach, or another leafy green. Here’s everything it’s crucial that you know about how to cook with Swiss chard....

This flavorful Cajun ingredient is in everything from gumbo to jambalaya. What Is Tasso Ham? Unlike a traditional ham, which is served as a dinner centerpiece, tasso isnt a main attraction. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox In fact, on its own, tasso can be intensely salty and spicy. Instead, its most often sliced or diced and cooked with aromatics in a dish. Tasso ham benefits from simmering or braising, where it has a chance to soften and become tender....

Don’t be alarmed. Getty Images You might be boiling chicken forchicken salador a comforting casserole and you notice foam. It congregates around the edges of the pot and is somewhere between white and gray in color. Credit:Getty Images Maybe the foam doesnt bother you, or perhaps youre the person who diligently skims it off. While it’s safe to consume, maybe youve wondered why it’s there in the first place. Let us explain that mysterious frothy layer that appears when you boil chicken....

This short style is the revamp youve been looking for. What Is The Kitty Cut? Its meant to be low-maintenance and softly textured, which is where the name is derived. Credit:Courtesy @mizzchoi Courtesy @charlieandcosalons How Do You Style The Kitty Cut? When asking for a kitty cut, its most important to always arrive with photo inspiration. Instead of choppy layers, ask for seamless rounded layers that fall easily into whatever your natural texture is....

Here’s what to use when you’ve run out of molasses. Don’t panic, there are a few options. David Tineris a director at the Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Credit:Caitlin Bensel This is because cane syrup is more mild than molasses. Sorghum Syrup you’ve got the option to use a 1:1 ratio when substitutingsorghum syrupfor molasses. Black treacle is actually the closest substitute to molasses. Credit:Caitlin Bensel It can be used at a 1:1 ratio, though it does have a slightly stronger flavor....

Of all your choices for bathroom color and design, the paint finish is the most important. Any bathroom renovation is rife with opportunities for mistakesdon’t let yourchoice of wall paintbe one of them. Whenpicking out wall paintfor your bath, you have so many options regarding brand, hue, and finish. Credit: Simon Watson/Getty Images Because few rooms produce as much dampness as the bath. Whichever paint you choose, it needs to stand up to humid conditions....

To be honest, if I was the equivalent of American royalty, Id do the same. I smile just thinking about it. How do you get the cleanest sheets possible, so you achieve that heavenly feeling with every wash? Credit:Cris Cantón/Getty Images I spoke to an expert to get her top tips for getting the job done well and right. Each jot down of bedding has its own specific washing instructions that should be followed....

Unpacking the truth about stalks and ribs. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different parts of the celery plant. What Is A Celery Stalk? Credit:Getty Images Botanically, the stalk is considered the main stem of the plant. What Is A Celery Rib? This misunderstanding can result in inaccurate measurements if the recipe doesn’t clarify further with weights or detailed instructions. Using only one rib is such cases could lead to a dish with a much milder flavor than intended....

Know before you plan! Who would have thought? Read on to find out whether you might want to plan one or the other this year. Credit:Alison Gootee; Styling: Raina Kattleson What Is A Supper Club? Supper clubs tend to gather regularly and remain intact for years, sometimes even decades. Having one non-negotiable dinner per month keeps scheduling easy. Credit:Getty Images/ClassicStock/Contributor What Is A Dinner Party? What Is The Difference? Dinner parties, on the other hand, occur sporadically with more off-the-cuff planning....

Being able to distinguish between these two threat levels could back up your life. Getty Images Key Takeaways Tornado season is stressful enough without adding confusing terminology to the mix. Fortunately, those words popping up on yourlocal weather stationarent as complicated as they might seem. Credit:Getty Images Weather expertsuse two terms most often to categorize tornado threats: watch and warning. They sound similar, but they actually mean very different things....