Southern Living, December 2013 Page 6

Lump Crab Mornay Recipe

Julia adapted this creamy dip from a recipe in Bayou Cuisine by St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Indianola, Mississippi.

Pecan Bourbon Balls Recipe

Think a bourbon ball is a bourbon ball is a bourbon ball? Think again. Try coating them in spiced toasted pecans for a sweet-salty variation and you'll be a convert for life.

Buttery Toasted Pecans Recipe

Patiently roasting pecans (the entire 25 minutes!) at 325° to coax out their flavor and essential oils takes them from good to great.

Cheese Dreams Recipe

These savory little gems will be the first party appetizer to disappear. Make ahead the day before and refrigerate, or you can freeze them up to 3 weeks in advance. If frozen, pop in the oven straight from the freezer and increase the bake time by 10 minutes. We find that sharp cheddar works best for creating a super cheesy flavor, but feel free to experiment with your favorite flavor of cheddar--an aged white cheddar would be amazing here. These are guaranteed to be one of the best easy appetizer recipes you've ever made.

Mini Corn Cakes with Smoked Salmon and Dill Crème Fraîche Recipe

Make these in the morning, and top with salmon and crème fraîche just before your guests arrive. Tight on time? Use store-bought blini instead.

Asparagus with Curry Dip Recipe

Asparagus with Curry Dip gives a classic side dish an extra kick with spices like curry, horseradish, and hot sauce.

Blue Cheese Straws Recipe

Entertain guests with Blue Cheese Straws—a flavorful twist on a classic Southern appetizer. These cheese straws add a bit of edge with black pepper and a generous hunk of blue cheese.

Millionaire's Candied Bacon Recipe

Offer guests sweet-savory bites of Millionaire's Candied Bacon at your next party.

Tomato Bisque Recipe

Alex learned this creamy soup from his former business partner Mary Boyle Hataway. Strong coffee gives it superior depth.

Green Beans with Hollandaise Sauce Recipe

Tie green beans in small bundles of five or six with chives that have been boiled for 5 seconds.

Potatoes Patio Recipe

A mixture of Gruyère and Parmesan cheese makes luxurious baked Potatoes Patio all the more delicious.

Pecan-and-Dill-Crusted Salmon Recipe

This refined whole side of salmon takes only 10 minutes to prep.

Charlotte Russe Recipe

Chill any remaining custard, and serve it with the remaining ladyfingers for dipping.

Sweet Potato Biscuits Recipe

Serve these from-scratch biscuits warm with butter, honey, and jam, along with two platters--one with seared slices of country ham and pepper jelly and another with deli ham and pimiento cheese.

Chicks in a Blanket Recipe

Dough-wrapped chicken-apple sausages are best fresh from the oven, so bake one batch at a time and serve warm.

Bloody Mary Bar Recipe

No brunch is complete without a Bloody Mary Bar. Offer fresh and pickled garnishes for your Bloody Mary Bar.

Cheesy Grits Soufflé Recipe

This recipe for Cheesy Grits Soufflé turns a classic Southern dish into a light, fluffy soufflé for the ultimate holiday brunch.

Beet-and-Citrus Salad Recipe

Play with different citrus here, such as tangelos, blood oranges, or clementines.

Espresso Shortbread Cookies Recipe

If you're a true coffee connoisseur or enjoy the savory taste of coffee with chocolate, you'll enjoy Espresso Shortbread Cookies.