
Five Unspoken Rules of Southern Etiquette
We’re all family here at The Cottage, but it’s well-known that in the South, manners are everything. From strangers waving hello as they walk by

Our Bakery’s Top Tips for Baking with Chocolate
They say that cooking is love made visible, and there’s perhaps no better testament to that quote than the world’s favorite dessert: chocolate. Crack open

The Cottage’s Italian Sesame Christmas Cookie Recipe
While chestnuts roasting on an open fire sounds nice, we would much rather have Christmas cookies baking in the oven. Whether you’re heading to a

Secrets for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Dinner
Behind every family photo of loved ones gathered around a Thanksgiving dinner table, there’s one person who’s spent two days slicing, dicing, baking, and basting.

Five Ways to Use Pumpkin (Besides Baking Pumpkin Bread)
Ahh, fall is in the air…or maybe that’s just pumpkin bread we smell? If you’re like us, you’ve been looking forward to the return of

Destination Wedding Tips the Magazines Won’t Tell You
Beautiful beaches, winding rivers, and romantic oak trees are only a few reasons why so many couples are choosing the Lowcountry for their destination weddings.

Southern Cooking Debates
The Great Southern Cooking Debates If there’s one thing Southerners take seriously, it’s food. Well…maybe there are three things Southerners take seriously: Thanksgiving, cookouts, and

Cooking Secrets from Your Southern Grandma’s Kitchen
Sometimes, you really can taste the difference an old family recipe makes. When it comes to cooking, Grandma knows best, especially if she’s Southern. One

Three More Reasons to Love Dining Outdoors
Three More Reasons to Love Dining Outdoors There’s a lot to love about Summer in the Lowcountry (besides the obvious beach days). Warm-weather produce is

How to Make Your Favorite Southern Foods a Bit Healthier
Whether you’re planning to visit the Lowcountry soon or are lucky enough to live here, two things are probably on your mind this month: beach

Three Ways to Make a Better Cup of Coffee at Home
A day without coffee is like…just kidding. We have no idea. If you’re like us, you can’t start your morning without a hot cup o’

Eight Southern Wedding Traditions We Love
The South is steeped in elegance, beauty, grace, and – the part your grandmother will never let you forget about – tradition. It should come

Eleven Christmas Traditions Only Southerners Would Know (and How to Get in On the Fun)
However laid-back the lifestyle is, we Southerners are known for going big on three things: our hair, our portion sizes, and Christmas. From the endless

Not Sure If You Should Hire a Caterer for Your Holiday Party? Read This.
It’s that time of year again: party planning season. Decking the halls and donning your ugliest Christmas sweater is the fun part, but whether you’re

What Southern Hospitality REALLY Means
Southern hospitality is more than a catchphrase for Lowcountry locals – it’s a lifestyle. If you’re from out of town, the saying likely conjures up

Ten Surprisingly Delicious Southern Foods
From creamy pimento cheese to crispy fried pickles, the South undoubtedly has some of the most decadent, delicious, and downright bizarre cuisines in the nation. Born from a rich mix of culinary traditions and ingredients you might not find outside of the bottom states, Southern food is truly unlike anything else – which tends to confuse visitors.

Seven Insider Tips for Shopping Your Local Farmers Market
Farmer’s markets are summertime staples, especially here in the Lowcountry. Between the sunny weather, fresh foods, and some good old-fashioned Southern gab, shopping the stands

How to Photograph Your Food Like a Pro
We’re big believers in #PhoneEatsFirst. While there’s no way to capture the taste of a perfectly made meal (yet), a photo of your plate will

The Cottage Grilled Bread Salad
The Italian classic panzanella gets a new spin when you grill the bread. This added dimension, I think, further brings out the summer sweetness of

The Cottage Grains
This was super yummy but I think I would cut down on the butter next time. Way too much. Added in some fresh roasted peppers

The Cottage Pumpkin
Directions WATCH Watch how to make this recipe. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. For the crust: Combine the gingersnaps, brown sugar, and ginger

The Cottage Lemons
Ingredients Deselect All For the crust: 1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 cups flour 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt For

The Cottage Veggie Wash Tip
Knowing how to wash different types of vegetables and fruit the right way will keep your food tasting great and safe to eat. General tips

The Cottage Cafe Bourbon Baked Beans
Ingredients Deselect All 2 (16-ounce) cans baked beans, drained (recommended: Bush’s) 1/2 cup chili sauce (recommended: Heinz) 1/4 cup bourbon (recommended: Jim Beam) 1/4 cup

The Cottage Buttermilk Tip
Buttermilk is excellent in baked goods, and also as a and salad dressing base. It lends a rich, hearty flavor with fewer calories than milk

The Cottage Herbs
Green is the color of spring, and nothing says spring more than fresh greens! While salads are a great way to get a good dose

The Cottage (Avacado)
Ingredients Deselect All For the Crust: 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 tablespoon granulated sugar Pinch of salt For