Scratchmade Southern

I’ve had bolognese on my mind a lot lately. So I decided it was time to make some. 🍝

This isn’t traditional. My Publix was out of ground pork, and I wasn’t sure that even mild Italian sausage would deliver the end result I wanted. After a quick brainstorm with the lady at ’s butcher counter, I decided to use a high-quality bacon in its place.

Traditional, no. Absolutely luscious and delightful, yes.

Piled atop fresh homemade pasta? Divine. 👌

What’s something delicious you’ve cooked lately?

Bougie Banana Pudding for Easter dessert 🍌🐰

It had been a while since I made a fun, indulgent dessert, and I got inspired after binging some baking videos. The result was this creamy, rich, silky Southern classic, taken up a few notches.

Featuring a pound cake foundation, creme diplomat middle layer (pastry cream recipe from ), banana coins, and slightly sweetened whipped cream, topped with a light sprinkling of crushed Biscoff cookies. It was well loved and well eaten.

Happy 10th Birthday to the dog that turned me into a dog person. 🥰 Ender, you’re the bestest boy who ever lived. All the walkies, snacks, treatos, pets, and lovins for you today and always. ❤️

Left behind the gray skies and cold for sunshine, blue skies, and island vibes and it was magnificent. ☀️

Scenes from the US Virgin Islands and national park number six 🏝️⛰️

Views from St. John USVI:
Ram’s Head hike
Coral Bay
Cinnamon Bay beach

Snow day seemed like a good time to do some baking. 🍞❄️

Hadn’t made focaccia in way too long, so I took the opportunity to try Recipe of the Year, Big Bubbly Focaccia. Super easy, no fussy ingredients, turned out soft and squishy, and lives up to its name. I’ll be making this again to go with tomato soup, or as a vehicle for sandwiches. 😋

This year’s new garden addition: luffa!

Each year I like to add at least one new thing to our garden: a new variety or whole new plant. This year that honor went to luffas (and butternut squash but this post is about luffa).

We put up a trellis in the back of our garden, planted a couple seedlings, and hoped for the best. The plants grew quickly and produced more than a dozen gourds, which I’m now drying and processing into sponges.

How amazing is it that we can grow our own household items right in our backyards?

Here’s to growing even more next year.

Love getting to spend time at my favorite local coffee shops—and discovering new ones. ☕️ They’re my favorite place to work outside of my home office. The creative vibes are immaculate.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner and chatter of menus and favorite sides abounding, this felt like the perfect opportunity to remind all y'all of my favorite side: pineapple casserole.

Pineapple Casserole - Scratchmade Southern Pineapple Casserole is a uniquely salty, sweet side dish often served at Southern holiday meals. Try this super simple six-ingredient recipe!

Hi! 👋 Been a minute. I'm back with a quick and tasty snack for all your upcoming party needs. Try these Baked Party Crackers sweet or savory!

https://scratchmadesouthern.com/2024/10/25/baked-party-crackers/

Belated beach photo dump 🏖️☀️

Every year the Gulf takes a little more of my heart.

I love a bar with a personality, and is full of it. Warm and inviting, witty and self-aware. Not trying to be fancy or full of frills, just trying to be fun.

It’s one of my favorite lunch stops in Gulf Shores, and I’m 100% unashamed of my love for this pink beach-side pub (and their rum punch).