Don’t use the most expensive butter in the store for just anything. They’re typically the most expensive butter in the grocery store. Some varieties are only $1 more; others are almost twice the price. Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox What Is European Butter? Butter is mainly two things: water and fat. What Is Irish Butter? Kerrygold is a popular brand found in U.S. stores, and it’s also a favorite brand of chefs....

Fatback is exactly what it sounds like: the fat from the back of a pig. If youve seen little flecks of fat in salami or mortadella, that is fatback. Fatback is also the name of a traditional dish in the South served on New Years Eve. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox It is fried or baked until golden brown and served withblack-eyed peasandcollard greensto bring good luck. Learn how to use fatback and some alternatives for similar, rich flavor....

Shhh…it’s the secret ingredient your gumbo is missing. But if you have no idea what the heck file powder is, youre in the right place. Lets get into it. Credit:Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster So, What Is File Powder? What Is File Powder Used For? This unassuming powder is a popular ingredient inCajundishes, especially gumbo. Its used by some cooks to help thicken gumbo in the same way that okra does....

Flank steak is beefy, meaty, and delicious when prepared properly. There are so many different kinds and cuts of meat, fromrib-eyestocowboy steaks, skirt steak, and tri-tip. Youve probably also come across flank steak, but what exactly is flank steak? Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox And what do you do with it? What Is Flank Steak? First things first, what is flank steak? Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Flank steak is a cut of steak taken from the abdominal area of the cow....

It’s a New Year’s staple in the South. It tastes a lot like bacon but has a silkier texture. Getty Images What Is Hog Jowl? Credit:Getty Images Logistically, hog jowl is the cheek of the hog. The cut is known for its rich marbling and tender texture. Hogs dont use their jowl muscle much. The tough rind can be removed, and the hog jowl can be sliced like bacon. How Do You Prepare Hog Jowl?...

We’re dreaming hoop cheese dreams. But many farmers and cheesemakers still produce it when they’ve got the milk to make it. Ashe County Cheesehas a strong following throughout the Southeast. Credit:Getty What Is Hoop Cheese? Hoop cheese is a cows milk cheese thats made by a simple method of separating curds and whey. For this reason, it can be tricky to make commercially or at an industrial scale. Credit:Getty: Liliya Krueger...

This spicy-sweet sauce has a surprising link to Steel Magnolias. For that, we have aclassic recipe for Jezebel Saucethat calls for just six ingredients. However, many states claim the recipe, including Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Florida. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Why Is It Named Jezebel Sauce? “When they finally put Bucky Dupuy behind bars…I went wild,” says Annelle. “I was drinking, smoking…” “…Jezebel!” Credit: Robin Platzer/Getty Images...

The joy of missing out is a concept that isnt lost on us. George Marks/Getty Images Southern culture is one that embraces fellowship. What Is JOMO? Credit:George Marks/Getty Images Why go out when you’ve got the option to stay in? Case in point: do not disturb mode. Be Okay with Silence Sitting in silence is something I struggle with. Get Comfortable with the Polite Decline Theres nothing wrong with saying no, politely, of course....

This nostalgic seasoning brand is still a pantry classic. It might look and sound a little mysterious, but it’s got a cult followingand for good reason. Find it in the aisle of any conventionalgrocerystore with the sauces and seasoning staples like vinegar and oil. Credit:Amazon Learn more about this nostalgic condiment, why it’s still apantryclassic, and how to use it. What Is Kitchen Bouquet? Kitchen Bouquet was originally developed in 1882 by a British caramel candy-maker....

And is it really superior to every other kind of salt? If immediate panic doesnt ensue, you might be wonderingwhat is kosher salt? And can I just use regular salt? Credit:Getty Images Barry Tonkinsonis the chef and Vice President of Culinary Operations at theInstitute of Culinary Education. What Is Kosher Salt? Kosher salt is used in kosher cooking, but is used much more widely as well, he says. Tonkinson says that chefs prefer to use kosher salt due to its taste and consistency....

“The roast that owns the internet.” There’s a reason it’s sweeping the internet: It’s easy and delicious. (Because that is how new recipes come about, right?) Credit: Regina H. Boone/Detroit Free Press/TNS via Getty Images Her family loved the new variation, so Chapman put it in her regular rotation. At this point, it was known simply asroast beef. As the saying goes, the rest is history. The recipe eventually became so popular thatThe New York Timesdeclared it “the roast that owns the internet....

Parisa is hard to find outside Medina County, Texas. Courtesy of Palm & Pine Have you ever heard of parisa? Parisa is a hyper-regional recipe found almost exclusively in Medina County, Texas, next door toSan Antonio. Credit:Courtesy of Palm & Pine Learn more about this special Texas dish. What Exactly Is Parisa? It can also be made with venison, especially during deer season, or with bison. Some recipes include additional seasonings or garlic....

Give your pepper jelly a breakthis sauce is cream cheeses perfect pairing. Pickapeppa isn’t a phrase in a tongue twister. Made withCaribbean flavors, this sauce can easily be the condiment you always reach for. But what exactly is Pickapeppa sauce used for? Read on to learn more about this condiment and how to use it. What Is Pickapeppa Sauce? ClassicPickapeppa sauceis a thick, dark brown sauce with layers of Caribbean-influenced flavor....