“Southern food is more than fried chicken and biscuits,” said Virginia Willis, James Beard Award-winning chef, cookbook author and Editor-at-Large for Southern Living magazine and author of the popular column “Cooking with Virginia.” Though many people associate Southern food with deep fried and butter-laden meals, Willis argues that misperception overlooks the rich cultural history and agricultural nature of the cuisine. She sees the regional fare as a wholesome way to use fresh, local ingredients, like peanuts; and she’s helping others rethink Southern food.
The 1980s-television series Cheers™ didn’t just give us Norm as the ideal beer-drinking buddy, it also memorialized peanuts as the iconic, salty bar snack to go along with a pint of beer. But even before the show aired, peanuts already had a seat at the bar. As one beer expert explains, there is a gastronomical reason these two are a perfect pairing.
Whether you’re hosting a casual backyard barbeque or an upscale dessert party, a cheese and charcuterie board is a great addition to the menu. A crowd-pleasing appetizer board doesn’t have to require much prep time, and it will keep guests occupied so you can enjoy hosting.
With 13 years of experience in food and beverage, Sanjiv Patel has already had a lifetime’s worth of career experience that other entrepreneurs in the industry would kill for. Patel’s career adventures with The Tetley Group and Stacy’s Pita Chip Company laid the foundation for his latest success, Lord Nut seasoned peanuts.
Craft brewers are defining this artisan field by experimenting with varying consistencies, characteristics and flavors of their brews. Some are even incorporating familiar flavors like peanut that complement classic beer notes, such as the roasted flavor of a dark, malty porter. While brewers create their beers with depth and complexity that are enjoyable well enough on their own, any beer sommelier will tell you that just like a fine glass of wine – craft beer is even better with food.
Most of us grew up eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Mom or Dad would make it for us to take to school, or it was the first “meal” we could make on our own. When the rest of the world is chaos, we can always rely on the comfort of a PB&J.
As the Peanut Vendor, it’s well known that I love peanuts. Some people say I’m “obsessed” with them and that I should “get help.” But I have great news—there’s someone who loves peanuts even more than me! And that’s former professional football player Charles “Peanut” Tillman.
Think about the beauty of offering peanuts. They are an inexpensive (insert joke here), healthy conversation-starting snack, that will not put you in an awkward situation of offering a too expensive or cheap ice breaker.
Whether you’re hosting a party or entertaining for friends, the food you serve should be a memorable part of the event. Passed hors d’oeuvre are a little passé. Why not get your guests involved in a more interactive and inspiring way to nosh? Try a do-it-yourself peanut butter sandwich bar to enliven your soiree.