Sierra is a writer and editor with many interests. She comes from a newspaper background and has over four years experience writing for magazines. She enjoys learning about new topics and providing readers with helpful tips and ideas. Experience Sierra Guardiola is a contributing writer and production assistant for Southern Living magazine. Her interests include well-balanced meals and lifestyle topics. We reach 7.2 million readers a month. Our content is written by experienced journalists and fact checked for accuracy....

ThisSouthern classicis the definition of speedy, too. In less than 20 minutes, these crispy patties will be ready to plate. Best of all, thissuperfast seafood dishisn’t just for your weeknight dinner table. Basic Salmon Croquettes.Credit: William Dickey / Styling Buffy Hargett / Food Styling Angela Sellersc This will help your batter firm up before you get going shaping the cakes. Ingredients Salmon Croquettes 1(14-oz.) Place salmon in a medium bowl....

Fill these flaky strawberry strudels with your favorite preserves. (Be sure to let the dough thaw in the fridge overnight before using for best results.) When it comes to the filling, it couldnt be easier to make. Credit:Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Ingredients 1(17.3-oz.) Place on a parchment paper-lined large rimmed baking sheet at least 1/2 inch apart. Repeat process with a second puff pastry sheet; set aside....

Plus, Grumpys tip about how to care for plants while youre away on vacation. I liked the old Zone 7. I really feel bad for our local nursery that is named Zone 7." Credit:HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ; Styling: BUFFY HARGETT MILLER Grumpy’s Answer:Climate zonesare based on the average coldest winter temperatures experienced in any given area. So the climate zones are marching north at roughly 13 miles a year. Tip Of The Week How to keep youroutdoor potted plantswatered while you’re away on vacation....

This Single-Crust Pie Pastry is so much tastier than frozen pie crust dough, believe us. This crust only takes 10 minutes hands-on. That’s less time than it takes to go to the grocery store. Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Your pie will definitely taste better. Add cubed butter and shortening, and pulse until mixture resembles small peas, 4 to 5 times. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons ice water over top of mixture....

Perfect for those hot Southern summer days. SONIC Our favorite Southern drive-in chain just announced plans to make summer a bit morerefreshing. Theres just something about having thousands of drink combinations right at your fingertips. Credit:SONIC And you cant beat theirperfect nugget ice. Nowhold onto your strawsthe nationwide chain is premiering a menu of brand-new drinks that are availableexclusivelythrough the Sonic app. These six new options in theFlavorista Favoriteslineup span flavored soft drinks, tangy lemonades, and creative slushes....

One skillet, 30 minutes, one easy dinner. Creamy cornteams up with hickory-smoked sausage and tender shrimp in thisskillet supper. The corn is so easy to prepare once you’ve husked the ears andremoved the corn silk. Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Quickly rotate the cob so all of the silk burns off. When you’re done, rub off the charred silk with a paper towel. Add corn and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8 minutes....

Quickly incorporate the hot bacon drippings into the batter with a fork. When you pour it back into the hot skillet, listen for the sizzle. That sound means your crust will be dark golden and crisp. Credit:Southern Living Meanwhile, stir together cornmeal and next 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Stir together buttermilk and egg in a medium bowl. During last minute skillet is heating in oven, stir buttermilk mixture into cornmeal mixture until just combined....

This easy skillet pasta primavera is full of vegetables and comes together in just 30 minutes. Add pasta to boiling water; cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Credit:Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely While pasta cooks, heat 6 tablespoons of the oil in a large high-sided skillet or saucepan over medium-low. Reduce heat to low, and add garlic....

This flavorful meal comes together in one pan. Elegant and easy, this hearty dish comes with a side and a sauce all-in-one. Be sure to brown the chops well so they’ll give the mustardy pan sauce deep flavor. Credit:Becky Luigart Stayner Becky Luigart Stayner Ingredients 4(6- to 8-oz.) Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Add apples and onion to skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes or until browned....

Juicy pork chops are the perfected partner to sweet, caramelized pears. And any leftover pork can be sliced and repurposed in wraps, sandwiches, or on asalad. Ingredients 4(9-oz. Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell )bone-in center-cut pork chops(1 1/4-in. each)green Anjou pears, unpeeled, cored, and cut into 1-in. wedges (about 3 cups) 1/3cupchicken stock 2Tbsp.puremaple syrup 2Tbsp.apple cider vinegar 2tsp.stone-ground mustard 4(4-in. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes....

Make this skillet sausage and rice dinner for an easy weeknight meal with very little cleanup. Smoked sausage is our preference, especially an extra-smoky version likeConecuh, but you could also use bratwurst. Bell pepper and onion add freshness and an aromatic base of flavor for what’s otherwise a simple dish. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Serve with someroasted vegetablesor a green salad for the perfect weeknight dinner. Ingredients 1(16-oz.)...

You’re destined to love this shrimp dish. You’re destined to love this shrimp dish. You’ll be surprised at how simple it is to put together this skillet shrimp dish. It’s equal parts refreshing and rich, which is our ideal balance for aseafood dish. A shower of fresh herbswe like dill and parsley heretops it when you’re ready to serve. Eleven ingredients, and you’re on your way. 2cupsuncooked orzo (1 lb.)...