Hello, and welcome to Practical Southern Cooking-where Southern comfort food meets simplicity!
I'm Sharon Rigsby, the cook, recipe developer, and photographer behind this blog. My culinary journey began as the oldest of six when I began cooking at a young age. Now, with over 50 years of kitchen experience, I'm excited to share my passion for Southern cooking in its most practical, approachable form.
I live in North Florida with my husband, Terry, my chief taste tester, dishwasher extraordinaire, and famous hand model. As a retiree myself, I understand the value of time, flexibility, and flavorful meals that don't require a sink full of dishes to get dinner on the table.
This blog is brand new and just getting started; think of it as a well-seasoned cast iron skillet that's just beginning to sizzle. I'll be adding new recipes each week, and I'm so glad you're here early to watch it grow!
What You'll Find Here:
- Simple, Soul-Warming Recipes: My recipes are designed for busy retirees and smaller households. They focus on easy-to-make meals with pantry-friendly ingredients.
- Reinvented Leftovers: Discover creative ways to transform your meals, ensuring that today's dinner becomes tomorrow's delight.
- Seasonal Southern Flavors: With recipes that celebrate what's fresh, what's in season, and what's comforting.
Want more Southern recipes?
You may also know me from my first blog, Grits and Pinecones® - a collection of hundreds of easy, Southern-inspired recipes that readers have come to love for years.
While Practical Southern Cooking is all about smaller-scale, no-fuss meals focusing on everyday ease, Grits and Pinecones is packed with reader-favorite recipes for holidays, family gatherings, and classic Southern comfort.
Whether you're here for practical meal ideas, tips for repurposing leftovers, or just a taste of the South without all the fuss - welcome! I hope you'll pull up a chair and stay awhile.
Thanks for joining me on this new chapter - I'm so happy to have you in my kitchen!
I hope Practical Southern Cooking becomes your go-to resource for comforting, no-fuss Southern meals. Feel free to explore, try out recipes, and share your experiences. Let's make cooking a fun and practical part of your everyday life!
Warmest regards,
Sharon Rigsby
A few fun facts about me:
- I'm a born-and-raised Southerner with a deep love for cornbread, casseroles, grilling, and anything that simmers low and slow.
- I love to saltwater fish for fun and tasty eating, hoard cookbooks like they're going out of print, and firmly believe that leftovers should pull their weight in a second meal.
- My Southern Cornbread and Southern Potato Salad are two of the most popular recipes on my original blog, Grits and Pinecones®, and yes, they're both husband and kid-approved.
- I started Practical Southern Cooking to share quick, comforting meals perfect for smaller households and busy folks who love real food without a fuss.
- If I could only eat one dessert forever, it would be a warm peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream (and maybe just a tiny extra scoop on the side).