Not Entirely Average

GET THE RECIPE Beet greens are having a moment—and for good reason. Sautéed in garlicky olive oil and tossed with golden raisins, crispy prosciutto, and crunchy croutons, this warm-weather favorite easily adapts for fall with collards, kale, or chard. A bold, crave-worthy side that’s just as at home on a holiday table as it is on a Tuesday night! Visit Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Tucked between centuries-old oaks...

GET THE RECIPE You’ll know you’ve nailed Saturday morning the second these Buttery Crisp Cornmeal Waffles hit the iron—golden, gritty, and unapologetically good. With crispy edges, a soft center, and just enough cornmeal crunch to handle syrup, butter, or a fried chicken stack, these waffles don’t mess around. Sweet, savory, or somewhere in between—they’re here to hold the plate and the spotlight. Visit Isle of Palms, South Carolina Just beyond Charleston’s edge, Isle of Palms feels like a...

GET THE RECIPE Sink your teeth into beef that practically melts with every bite. This Beer-Braised Beef Brisket delivers the perfect blend of tender, slow-cooked beef nestled in a savory onion-infused and rich stout sauce. Serve with a reduction of the onion braising liquid or a North Carolina vinegar barbecue sauce, white bread, and pickles—because some traditions aren’t up for debate. PS. Loving my emails? Buy me a coffee :) It's like a thank you note, but with a little extra love. x -...

GET THE RECIPE When it comes to cream puffs and éclairs, freshness is everything. Nothing crushes the spirit quite like a beautiful pastry case hiding a stale, soggy disappointment inside. Cream Puffs with Jasmine Custard are the cure for that heartbreak. They give you the light, airy choux pastry that made us fall in love with cream puffs in the first place. The best part is that this recipe is wonderfully doable at home and calls for ingredients most of us already have. Cream puffs are...

GET THE RECIPE This oven roasted pork tenderloin is marinated in Italian dressing for 24 hours, seared to lock in juices, and roasted with a flavorful herb crust, making it a tender and delicious dish for any occasion. Pairing this tender pork with Jezebel Sauce offers a perfect balance of sweet Southern heat that’s simply unforgettable! Visit Isle of Palms, South Carolina Just beyond Charleston’s edge, Isle of Palms feels like a well-kept secret waiting to be shared—and at its heart, the...

GET THE RECIPE Before the silver screen ever turned them into icons, fried green tomatoes were a practical, heartland solution for using up end-of-season produce — a thrifty kitchen trick that migrated south and became a classic. Though Alabama’s Whistle Stop Café helped make them famous, the earliest known recipes trace back to Jewish immigrants in the Midwest. Unlike ripe garden tomatoes that come and go with the season, green tomatoes are available year-round in most major grocery stores...

GET THE RECIPE As it bakes, this cheese bread fills the kitchen with the sort of buttery, garlicky aroma that makes neighbors mysteriously swing by to “see how you’re doing.” Oregano, feta, and Parmesan perfume the air while a golden, braided loaf rises and shines like it was made for the spotlight. This is no ordinary bread. The dough is rolled, stuffed, and braided around a punchy spinach pesto that is more dry filling than sauce, made with fresh spinach, garlic, oregano, Parmesan, butter,...

GET THE RECIPE If there’s one recipe on Not Entirely Average that draws readers back time and again, it’s this Banana Nut Bread made with sour cream for a moist crumb and topped with a crunchy streusel topping. It’s been a personal favorite for years—which is exactly why I shared it when the blog first launched. No sense in gatekeeping the greats, right? This recipe comes together in three silly-easy steps: a buttery, coffee cake‑style streusel gets layered over a rich banana batter made with...

GET THE RECIPE Chock full of vegetables and rotisserie chicken, One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup is the sort of uplifting remedy you need when the days get shorter and the evenings turn chilly. It is cozy, creamy, and just wholesome enough that you can pretend it counts as self-care. The method is exactly the same using turkey if it's your preference, and I promise no one will complain. I usually make this soup with white rice for that classic texture, although wild rice works beautifully...