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    About

    a picture of Sharon Rigsby, blogger at Grits and Pinecones, a recipe blog.

    Hello, I’m Sharon Rigsby, the blogger, cook, recipe developer, photographer, and videographer for Grits and Pinecones®, a southern cooking and hospitality blog.

    I live in Tallahassee, Florida, with my husband Terry, and I’m all about creating delicious recipes with a Southern flair that are quick, easy, and PERFECT to share with family and friends. Nothing fussy or complicated, just “go-to” dishes with everyday ingredients for the home cook.

    Jump to:
    • Culinary experience:
    • What you will find here:
    • Frequently asked questions:
    • Sample reader comments: 
    • Recipes featured in: 
    • My favorite recipes:

    Culinary experience:

    As the oldest of six, I started cooking at a very young age and have over 50 years of experience in the kitchen. I like nothing better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family and friends, and I love to share my culinary creations with others.

    Several years ago, I started this blog to share some of my favorite recipes with family members. Now, with over 500 recipes, I love that I can share those recipes with you along with expert tips and tricks I have learned along the way. 

    What you will find here:

    If you are looking for southern recipes, you are in the right place. My southern recipes run the gamut from main dishes, desserts, and appetizers to side dishes and are precisely what you need when you’re craving comfort food from the South.  Be sure to give my hanky panky recipe a try as well!

    • Cornbread in a cast iron skillet.
      Easy Southern Cornbread with Buttermilk
    • A large grey bowl full of peas with snaps.
      Southern Field Peas
    • Six hoecakes or fried cornbread on a white plate.
      Quick and Easy Hoe Cakes (Fried Cornbread)
    • A white bowl full of creamy potato salad topped with paprika.
      Classic Southern Potato Salad
    • A white baking dish full of cornbread dressing.
      Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing
    • Four pieces of fried chicken on a plate.
      Southern Fried Chicken
    • A bowl of cocktail sauce next to fried oysters on a plate.
      Best Easy Southern Crispy Fried Oysters Recipe
    • An oven-baked Cheese Grits Casserole in a white baking dish.
      Easy Southern Cheese Grits Casserole

    Frequently asked questions:

    How did you come up with the name of your blog?

    I knew that I wanted to focus on southern foods and the kinds of dishes I grew up eating, so “grits” was an obvious choice as one of my favorite foods.

    I also wanted to include hospitality and entertaining topics, and in the South, “pinecones” are at the center of everything having to do with hospitality, including decorations, table decor, etc.

    What’s the best way to find recipes or menu ideas on this site?

    Every page has a small magnifying glass 🔎 at the top right of the page. Just click on this magnifying glass, and you can search for a particular recipe by name or ingredient.

    In addition, you can search my recipe index by category such as appetizers, bread, breakfast, condiments, chicken, game-day, and desserts. Additional categories include lunch, main dishes, seafood, side dishes, snacks, soup, and salads.

    I also have classic recipes for holidays and special occasions, including Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, the 4th of July, Mardi Gras, and more.

    Besides recipes, what else can I find on your site?

    *Expert cooking tips and tricks,
    *Ideas for substitutions to help you avoid an extra trip to the grocery store,
    *Recipe variations and serving suggestions,
    *Storage and reheating suggestions for leftovers,
    *Step-by-step tutorials and videos, and
    *Step-by-step process photos with each recipe.

    Sample reader comments: 

    1. Marie says: “This is an excellent recipe. I love the rub, glaze, and peach salsa. Very clear steps, and it has turned out great twice. I just ate it for supper tonight. Thank you for teaching me how to grill pork tenderloin.” Grilled Pork Tenderloin
    2. Susan says: “This recipe is AWESOME! I’ve never cooked fresh-picked white acre peas before and was a little nervous. I’ve followed several of your recipes before and have had great success, so I figured I’d give this one a try. SUCCESS! You make this recipe so easy and so good. Thanks for the tips too. I’m now blanching the rest of the white acre peas so I can freeze them and have this awesome dish again and again. Much appreciation to you!”Southern Field Peas
    3. Cindy says: “I made this cake last night. I brought it to work today; OMG, this cake is awesome! I have gotten so many compliments from my co-workers on this one!!! Sharon, Thanks so much for the yummy, yummy cake recipe. I will be making this one again real soon.” Southern Pecan Praline Cake
    4. Martha says: “I recently made the quick and easy creamy shrimp creole. Loved it! So did my guests. Can’t wait to make it again when family visits in July.” Creamy Shrimp Creole Recipe
    5. Jim says: “This pork tenderloin w mustard sauce was AMAZING! We modified the cooking instructions to do it on the grill, and both the marinade and mustard sauce were incredible. Thanks for your blog- we are never disappointed when we try one of your recipes….” Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin

    Recipes featured in: 

    The weekly TLC Life section of the Tallahassee Democrat-USA Today Network-Florida newspaper. 

    Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Taste of Home, TODAY.com, Country Living, Country Cooking, Tallahassee.com Community Blogs, Des Moines Register, FoodGawker, Shari’s Berries, Buzzfeed, Red Tricycle, Muckrack, YouTube, Cosmopolitan and MSN

    Also, my recipes have been showcased in Tailgater and Cowgirl, both print magazines.

    In addition, I have been a guest presenter on the ABC affiliate WTXL-TV Sunrise Morning Show cooking segment.

    A copy of a recipe for lemon butter chicken in the Tallahassee Democrat.

    My favorite recipes:

    I’m taking a risk in including this section because I wouldn’t include a recipe on my blog unless I have made it several times and thoroughly tested it.

    However, just as in life, it’s only natural to have favorites, and besides my Southern Potato Salad Recipe, which is my all-time favorite, as well as the other southern recipes listed above, here are eight more favorites:

    • Fried shrimp and a bowl of cocktail sauce on a white plate.
      Easy Crispy Pan-Fried Shrimp
    • Pecan crusted fish fillets garnished with lemon slices.
      Quick and Easy Pecan-Crusted Fish Fillets
    • A large bowl of cheese grits.
      Cheese Grits – Easy, Creamy, and Cheesy
    • A spoonful of Broccoli Cheese Casserole topped with crushed Ritz crackers and cheese.
      Easy Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ritz Crackers
    • Roasted Pecans in two wooden bowls on a wooden board.
      Roasted Pecans Recipe
    • Easy Classic Southern Tomato Pie ready to serve
      Easy Southern Tomato Pie
    • Rich and cheesy Easy Au Gratin Potatoes and Ham ready to serve
      Easy Au Gratin Potatoes and Ham
    • Close up shot of a bourbon pecan brie bite appetizer.
      Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites in Phyllo Cups

    I am so happy that you are here! Please don’t be shy; feel free to ask questions or leave a comment to let me know what you think or how you liked a recipe.

    I would also love it if you introduced yourself and let me know what recipes you want to see.

    You can reach me by sending an email to sharon@gritsandpinecones.com.

    Primary Sidebar

    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and I like nothing better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

    "Tis the season for delicious Christmas recipes:

    • A collage of six different christmas appetizers including cranberry brie bites.
      47 Make-Ahead Christmas Appetizers 2023
    • Beef tenderloin, green beans and cranberry cake.
      30+ Easy And Elegant Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas and Recipes
    • Five Christmas desserts including a cranberry cheesecake, gingerbread cookies and a gingerbread cake.
      38 Best Christmas Dessert Recipes 2023
    • A collage of six Christmas breakfast dishes including eggs benedict casserole and ambrosia.
      30 Make-Ahead Christmas Breakfasts 2023
    • 31 Easy Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts
      31 Easy Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts
    • Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is covered with meats, cheeses, and nuts.
      Easy Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board (How to Make)

    More Thanksgiving recipes:

    New Year: Recipes for good food and good times:

    • A collage of black-eyed pea dishes, collards and cornbread.
      10+ Traditional Good Luck Recipes for the New Year
    • A large bowl of cooked black-eyed peas topped with parsley.
      Southern Black-Eyed Peas
    • Black-Eyed Pea soup in a white bowl.
      Black-Eyed Pea Soup – Southern Style
    • Cooked Southern Collard Greens in two bowls.
      Southern Collard Greens Recipe
    • Southern Hoppin' John in a bowl with corn muffins in a basket in the background.
      Black-Eyed Peas and Rice (Hoppin’ John)
    • Four Meyer Lemon French 75 Cocktails on a silver tray.
      Meyer Lemon French 75 Cocktail

    More New Year's recipes:

    Featured in Parade, The Today Show, Better Homes & Gardens, Greatist, and more.

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