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/ main dishes - Page 21

main dishes

Quick and Easy Salmon Cakes

cooking | main dishes

Quick and Easy Salmon Cakes

Balsamic Chicken Thighs with Honey Balsamic Glaze

cooking | main dishes | Meal Prep | Southern Recipes

Balsamic Chicken Thighs with Honey Balsamic Glaze

Easy Gnocchi Bolognese

cooking | main dishes

Easy Gnocchi Bolognese

The Most Favorite Fall Recipes, Ever!

cooking | holidays | main dishes

The Most Favorite Fall Recipes, Ever!

Grandma’s Roasted Turkey

Christmas | cooking | main dishes | Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Faves | tiktok recipes

Grandma’s Roasted Turkey

Easy Greek Grilled Chicken Marinade

cooking | low carb living | main dishes

Easy Greek Grilled Chicken Marinade

Sloppy Joe Tot-Chos

appetizers | cooking | main dishes

Sloppy Joe Tot-Chos

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Sloppy Joe Sauce

cooking | main dishes

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Sloppy Joe Sauce

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Hey, y'all! I’M ashley!

Welcome!

Many years ago, I created Sweetpea Lifestyle as a way of sharing simple recipes and entertaining tips with friends.⁣

Sweetpea Lifestyle is a go-to resource for dependable recipes that help you effortlessly entertain—you’ll learn to edit out the mess of over-complicated dinner parties

u003cstrongu003eLooking for something?u003c/strongu003e

sweetpealifestyle

🍴 Easy recipes to gather
👯‍♀️ Your new hostess bestie
👇 Start with a recipe
🪄 Stay for the magic

Y’all… if you’re tired of scrambling at 6pm

Y’all… if you’re tired of scrambling at 6pm wondering what on earth you’re going to eat, let me hand you my easiest weeknight lifesaver: freezer taco bricks. 🌮✨

This is genuinely the best taco meal prep I’ve ever done. You make one skillet of taco meat — ground beef, black beans, taco seasoning, a splash of water — let it simmer until flavorful and saucy… and then the magic happens.

Instead of transferring it to random containers (and losing half of them in the fridge), you portion it into a parchment-lined baking dish, freeze it, and pop it out like a perfect little taco block.

Stack them in a freezer bag and boom: taco night is now a 20-minute bake away.

When I’m ready for dinner, I grab one, drop it right back into the same dish, and bake until melty, bubbling, cheesy perfection.

Serve it however you want — tacos, bowls, nachos, inside lettuce cups, stuffed into peppers, wrapped in tortillas — it ALL works.

It’s high-protein, freezer-friendly, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy nights, last-minute hosting, weekend meal prep, or when you just want something delicious without cooking from scratch.

This is honestly the kind of meal prep that respects your life, your time, and your energy. And that’s my love language. 💁🏼‍♀️❤️
 Save this post for the next time you need a weeknight miracle.

Here’s the taco meat recipe, in case you need it!

Easy Taco Meal Prep

1 lb Ground Beef
1 can Black Beans (drained and rinsed well)
3 TBS Taco Seasoning
1/2 cup Water

In a large skillet, brown the beef. Drain off any excess grease, then add in black beans, taco seasoning, and water. Mix these around and let the whole skillet simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minute, either serve as you would tacos, taco salad, etc.
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#easymealprep #freezerfriendly #tacomeatprep #weeknightdinnerideas #busypeoplesfood

Okay y’all — before you drown in casserole and

Okay y’all — before you drown in casserole and pumpkin pie regrets, let’s talk about a little air-fryer magic. 🔔

The only thing smokin’ more than your relatives’ gossip this Thanksgiving?

🤩 This juicy BBQ chicken breast from yours truly. 🍗✨

Crunchy air-fried outside, sweet-and-smoky inside — because if the turkey can’t win the spotlight, at least the chicken will.

Grab the recipe (say BBQ) and let your air fryer do the heavy lifting while you sip whatever makes your hosting stress a little less… starring role, and a lot more “I’ve-totally-got-this”.

Tag that one friend who always ‘forgets’ the side dish and send them this as a subtle hint #1. 😉

Let’s make dinner easy, delicious, and fun — even when the rest of the table is wrestling with timing and turkeys.

�📌 Say BBQ to snag the recipe!

�➡️ Ready, set, AIR FRY.
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#DinnerPartyUpgrade #AirFryerQueen #ThanksgivingPreGame #bbqchicken LinkDM *101*

✨Sometimes the most loving thing you can do… i

✨Sometimes the most loving thing you can do… is make a giant batch of Sloppy Joes. 😌
 This saucy, sweet-savory magic freezes like a dream, which means Future You is already sending a thank-you note.

And honestly? It makes the perfect “here’s dinner so you don’t have to cook tonight” gift for a friend who’s tired, overwhelmed, or just deserves a little comfort. 💛

🍔 Make a double (or triple!) batch 🍔 Freeze in flat bags for easy storage 🍔 Reheat + pile high on toasted buns 🍔 Add pickles… because we’re classy like that

It’s cozy, it’s no-stress, and it’s the kind of meal that quietly says “I’ve got you.”
 And isn’t that what good food is all about?

Want this easy recipe delivered straight to your inbox so you can make a batch this week?

Drop JOE in the comments and I’ll send it your way!
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#sloppyjoes #easyrecipes #freezermeals #familydinner #mealprep LinkDM *099*

I tested this recipe seven times…  SEVEN.  B

I tested this recipe seven times…
 SEVEN.
 Because apparently this self-proclaimed non-baker has become a woman who kneads dough for fun now. 😂💁🏻‍♀️

But y’all… these Parkerhouse Rolls are worth every bowl of flour I wiped off my counters.

They’re soft, buttery, honey-kissed, and full of those pretty little layers that make you want to tear one open while it’s still steaming.

There’s something beautiful about doing a “mundane” task like baking bread.

It slows you down.
It softens you a little.
And then—just like magic—you get to share warm, golden rolls with people you love. ❤️

If you need a cozy win in the kitchen today…
 This is it.

✨ Want the recipe?

Comment ROLLS and I’ll send it to your inbox!
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#homemaderolls #parkerhouserolls #bakingfromscratch #breadmaking #dinnerrolls LinkDM *100*

If you’ve ever wondered why restaurant food tast

If you’ve ever wondered why restaurant food tastes just a little more magical… it’s the seasoning, babe.

✨ And the Cole & Mason Derwent Salt & Pepper Gift Set is how you bring that magic home.

With precision grinding and a design that looks right at home on a candlelit dinner table or your Tuesday night pasta bowl, these mills turn every meal into a gourmet moment.

Truly—one good twist and suddenly you’re Ina Garten.

And because we love a good deal around here…
 ✨ Get 15% OFF on Amazon using my code AshleyE15 at checkout! ✨ FREE Prime shipping (even if you’re just grabbing the set—no minimum!) ✨ Thoughtful, high-quality materials that are actually beautiful and built to last.

Keep the flavor of summer going strong and elevate every cozy dinner, backyard bite, or lazy brunch.

Say COLE in the comments to snag the link!
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#amazonaffiliate #coleandmasonpartner #coleandmason #giftidea

Let me put you onto the easiest side dish you’ll

Let me put you onto the easiest side dish you’ll make all week: Honey Butter BBQ Corn. 🌽✨

Say CORNY for the recipe!
 It’s sweet, smoky, buttery, melty, glossy, and tastes like something you’d serve at a backyard dinner party where everyone thinks you worked way harder than you actually did.

My favorite vibe.

Here’s the magic: 🧈 1 stick of butter 🍯 3 tablespoons honey 🔥 1–2 tablespoons BBQ seasoning 🌽 2 pounds corn (fresh, frozen, or canned!)

That’s it. FOUR ingredients. ZERO fuss. FIVE minutes.
 The math is mathing.

You toss everything into a pot (or an oven-safe dish), let it get all melty and delicious, give it a little stir, and bam — your family thinks you’re a kitchen sorceress.

This is the exact kind of recipe that fits my Sweetpea philosophy: make dinner feel special… without adding chaos.

Serve it with grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, steak, burgers, meatballs, roasted veggies — literally anything. It also works beautifully for cookouts, potlucks, football parties, weeknight rushes, or when you want a “wow” moment with almost no effort.

✨ Bonus ideas: • Add a splash of cream to make it silky. • Add lime for brightness. • Add cayenne for heat. • Add more honey if your heart says yes.

Save this for your next dinner party or weeknight dinner! 💛

Say CORNY for the recipe!
 And if you want more cozy-cheeky hosting ideas + magical meals with zero stress, follow along.
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#easyrecipes #cornrecipe #bbqcorn #quickside #dinnerideas sweetpealifestyle LinkDM *098*

Every family has that one recipe that magically ap

Every family has that one recipe that magically appears at every holiday, tailgate, sleepover, and random Tuesday night… and for us, that’s Mama Leah Dip. 🥹❤️

((I have no idea who Mama Leah is… Don’t ask.))

�It’s creamy, zesty, a little nostalgic, and takes maybe 60 seconds to make.

And the best part? It works as both a party dip AND a taco-topper that will make you feel like a culinary genius with zero effort. 🤭

If you need a last-minute appetizer, a game day snack, or something to dollop on your chili, tacos, or nachos… this is the one you keep in your back pocket.

Here’s exactly how to make it:
MAMA LEAH DIP:�
• 16 oz sour cream�
• 3 tbsp Ranch seasoning (yes, the packet kind)�
• 1 can Rotel tomatoes (drained)�
• Optional but DELICIOUS: chopped fresh green onions

INSTRUCTIONS:�
In a mixing bowl, stir together the sour cream + Ranch seasoning until smooth.�Add in the Rotel and fold it through gently so you get perfect little bites of tomato and green chile in every scoop.�If you want it extra fresh and pretty, sprinkle in chopped green onions — it gives it a little crunch and color.
�Serve immediately with tortilla chips OR refrigerate for an hour to thicken and let the flavors hang out.

WAYS TO SERVE IT:�
🌮 As a taco topper (trust me, life-changing)�
🫔 With burritos or quesadillas�
🎉 As a party dip with tortilla chips�
🍗 Drizzled over nachos, chili, or pulled chicken�
🥕 With veggies for a lighter snack�
🥔 As a baked potato topper (yes ma’am)

It’s simple, it’s cozy, it’s affordable, it’s crowd-pleasing… and you probably have everything you need already sitting in your kitchen.

THAT is the power of a Mama Leah recipe. 🤍✨

Save this for your next party night — and tag a friend who always brings the chips. 😉
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#easyappetizer #gamedaysnacks #partyrecipes #quickrecipes #easyentertaining #southerncooking #fallrecipes #dipsandapps #superbowlsnacks #tacotuesday #rotelrecipes #budgetfriendlymeals

It still blows my mind that Sweetpea Lifestyle sta

Let me go ahead and say it softly but firmly, suga

Let me go ahead and say it softly but firmly, sugar: Thanksgiving is meant to be served buffet-style. 🤭🦃✨

Listen… I love a pretty table. I love candles, flowers, linens, and all the cozy magic.

But nothing kills the vibe faster than shoving 14 hot dishes into the middle of the table like it's a game of holiday Tetris. 😂

Here’s why buffet style is the move:
✨ Your table stays beautiful. Let those candles glow, let those florals shine — your tablescape doesn’t need to compete with a crockpot and a pan of dressing.

✨ Guests can get what they want, when they want. No passing, no juggling, no spilling gravy on the linens. Everyone serves themselves and sits down happy.

✨ It keeps the flow calm and smooth. People move through the line, fill up, sit down, relax. It’s civilized. It’s gracious. It’s delightful.

✨ Refills are easy. Want seconds of mashed potatoes? Go get you some, baby! No need to interrupt Aunt Linda mid-story.

And if you want to elevate the buffet, here’s how I set mine up:
➡️ Plates at the front
➡️ Proteins first
➡️ Sides next
➡️ Salads & rolls at the end
➡️ Drinks and desserts are separate, so you don’t create a traffic jam

The goal? A Thanksgiving that feels smooth, warm, gorgeous, and peaceful. Let the buffet do the work so you can enjoy your people. 🤍✨

Save this for your Thanksgiving prep — and send it to the friend who still loads the table with 27 dishes. 😉
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#thanksgivingtips
#thanksgivingdinnerideas
#hostingtips
#holidayhostingtips
#thanksgivingprep

✨ If you’ve ever heard “Oh honey, just bring

✨ If you’ve ever heard “Oh honey, just bring yourself!” before a holiday gathering… let me lovingly whisper a little Southern truth in your ear. 🤍

If you’re the host:
➡️ Let people bring something.

Truly.

Folks want to contribute — it helps them feel part of the celebration, and it takes a smidge of pressure off you. (And you deserve that, sugar babycakes.)

If you’re the guest:
➡️ Always, always show up with something.

It doesn’t have to be fancy or fussy — just thoughtful and helpful.

Here are my go-to “I’ve got you, friend” items:
🧊 Ice (you can never have enough)
🥤 Cups (because somehow these multiply and disappear)
🛍️ Take-away containers
🍷 Wine or drinks
🎲 A fun game for after dessert

And if you want to go the extra mile and bring a true host gift, try:
🥘 A frozen breakfast casserole for the next morning (the ultimate love language)
🕯️ A candle
🧼 A cute dish towel
🌶️ Your favorite seasoning blend

What not to bring? Flowers that are not in a vase.

✨ So whether you’re hosting or arriving with a smile and a dish towel, remember: generosity builds community — and that’s the real heart of Thanksgiving. 🤍🦃

Save this and tag a friend who needs it!
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#hostingtips
#southernhosting
#hostgiftideas
#thanksgivingtips
#holidayetiquette
#dinnerpartyideas
#cozyhosting
#guestetiquette
#holidayhostingtips
#thoughtfulgifting

If you’ve ever thought, “I have no idea how to

If you’ve ever thought, “I have no idea how to set my table for Thanksgiving..."

🥰Bless your heart — because today we’re fixing that. 🤭🦃✨

Here’s my easy, budget-friendly table-setting formula that works every single time, no matter the table situation:

FOR A LONG TABLE:
Table ➝ Tablecloth ➝ Runner ➝ A long, leading topper that drapes or stretches beautifully down the center.

FOR A ROUND TABLE:
Table ➝ Tablecloth ➝ Placemats ➝ One gorgeous center topper (simple, elevated, effortless).

And those toppers?

Honey, they do not need to come from Pottery Barn.

Think:
🕯️ Candles tucked in every kind of vessel you’ve got — jars, glasses, thrift finds.
🪴 Herbs served up in a soup tureen for that “cozy dinner party at Grandma’s” charm.
🍃 Magnolia leaves, flameless candles, and a sprinkle of twinkle lights for instant magic.

And don’t forget — your own backyard is basically nature’s free flower market.
Snip a branch, add an unscented candle, and voilà… you’ve got yourself a Thanksgiving table that feels intentional, warm, and welcoming. ✨

🏷️ Save this to refer back to over and over!
Perfect for when the holiday chaos hits and you need an easy win. 😉🫶

Every time I pull this out of the oven, someone sa

Every time I pull this out of the oven, someone says, “This is the best thing you’ve ever made.” (Spoiler: I know.) 😏

This baked Swiss Onion Dip is one of those dangerously simple recipes that make you look like you’ve been working for hours when you really just stirred, baked, and waited for the compliments to roll in. 🥖✨

It’s bubbling, golden, and gloriously gooey — the kind of dip that makes people hover near the oven, baguette slice in hand, pretending they’re “just having a bite.” (Sure, Jan.)

💫 Perfect for:
🥂 Easy holiday appetizers
🕯️ Dinner parties or girls’ nights in
🍷 “I’ll just bring a dip” situations that need to impress

Save this post, tag your favorite dip-lover, and say SWISS in the comments to snag the recipe!

#appetizerrecipes #holidayhosting #dinnerpartyideas #sweetpealifestyle #easyrecipes #swissoniondip LinkDM *091*

👉 How Do You Time Everything? Good Question, Li

👉 How Do You Time Everything? Good Question, Linda!

Thanksgiving timing feels like conducting a 47-piece orchestra… but once you reverse-engineer from your dinner time, it becomes ridiculously simple.

Hundreds of y’all have downloaded your own Game Plan, and I will not stop preaching about its gospel!

Fill in your own One Page Wonder, and reverse engineer your own Thanksgiving Day. Grab your own by saying PLAN in the comments!

Turkey first, casseroles second, rolls last — and everything fits like puzzle pieces.

A written timeline means you don’t spend the whole day thinking, “What’s next?”

You just follow the plan and sip your coffee.

✨ May you leave room on your to-do list for wonder, in your schedule for slowness, and in your heart for the tiny holiday moments that matter most.
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.�#thanksgivingprep #holidaymealplanning #hostingtips #simpleentertaining #cozykitchen LinkDM *095*

If you want Thanksgiving to feel easier this year,

If you want Thanksgiving to feel easier this year, here’s my #1 efficient kitchen hack: keep half your sink filled with hot, soapy water.

Every time I’m done with a dish, I toss it in. Since I don’t have a dishwasher, this trick keeps my kitchen from turning into a full-blown crime scene. 🫠🍽️

A few other tiny-but-mighty tips that make a BIG difference on busy cooking days:

🥣 Keep a “trash bowl” on the counter for scraps
🧻 Two-damp-towel system (one for hands, one for counters)
🧄 Pre-chop your aromatics for the whole day
🍳 Create a utensil “parking lot” next to the stove
🏷️ Masking tape + Sharpie = no mystery leftovers
🥘 Use a sheet pan as a prep tray to corral the chaos

None of these are fancy… but they make Thanksgiving cooking feel manageable — even kinda delightful. 💕

Tell me: what’s YOUR go-to kitchen hack that keeps you sane during the holidays?
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#thanksgivingtips #entertainingathome #dinnerpartyideas #hostingtips #holidaykitchenhacks #sweetpealifestyle

Top Thanksgiving Question: “How do I keep all th

Top Thanksgiving Question: “How do I keep all the food warm?”

Food finishing at 12 different times is quite the conundrum!

But keeping everything hot is actually super easy with these options:

♨️ If you have a second oven, keep it at a low 200˚ and store until ready to serve.

🥘 Slow cookers are great for mashed potatoes or other casseroles.

🆒 Coolers! Y’all, did you know you can “hot box” a cooler and store your warm casseroles in it??

You can find warming mats on Amazon, and use those too. They're great for serving buffet style for a long period of time.

No lukewarm mashed potatoes, no stressed-out host, just warm, cozy, deliciousness! Woo hoo!

✨ May you feel proud of whatever this year looked like — the wins and the wobblier parts — because you still created space for people to gather.
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#thanksgivingtips #holidayhosting #kitchenhacks #hostwithheart #cozyseason

Here’s what I do before guests walk in the door

Here’s what I do before guests walk in the door — and it changed everything. ✨

I work my Game Plan, pour myself a cheeky cocktail, and get ready like I’m the guest of honor. Hosting is so much better when you start from calm instead of chaos.

Because here’s the truth: your guests don’t care if everything’s perfect. They care that you’re present. 🕯️

💫 Try this before your next party:
1️⃣ Ten minutes of music + a glass of something lovely
2️⃣ Five deep breaths
3️⃣ Light a candle and welcome the moment

Hosting gets to feel good. Say PLAN in the comments to grab your printable Game Plan and make it effortless.

#hostingtips #dinnerpartyideas #entertainingmadeeasy #sweetpealifestyle #cozyhome LinkDM *090*

That moment when your guests go quiet after the fi

That moment when your guests go quiet after the first bite… yeah, that’s what this recipe does. 🥩✨

This Beef Tenderloin Dinner Party Menu is pure magic — simple ingredients, elegant flavor, and a make-ahead game plan that lets you actually enjoy your own party.

Think candlelight, clinking glasses, and that happy hum of satisfied silence around your table.

That’s the Sweetpea version of success. 💕

💫 Why you’ll love it:
🔥 Perfect centerpiece for holidays
🍷 Pairs beautifully with red wine and roasted veggies
💌 Comes with a full dinner party menu + hosting tips

Say PARTY in the comments for the full menu — or save this for your next cozy celebration.

#dinnerpartyrecipes #holidaymenu #beeftenderloin #hostwithstyle #sweetpealifestyle LinkDM *088*

If someone asks, “What can I bring?” and you s

If someone asks, “What can I bring?” and you say, “Oh, nothing!” then YOU, my friend, are creating unnecessary stress.

People want to show up with something. This is a fantastic way to make people feel instantly welcome and included.

Hand them a job from this simple delegation list and instantly lighten your load.

Ice🧊
Rolls or a bread thing 🥖
Dessert 🥧
Extra chairs if you need them 🪑
To Go Containers 🥡

🥰 The best hosts accept help.

May you give yourself permission to sit, breathe, and actually taste the meal you made. Hosts deserve joy, too.

🙋‍♀️ Want a list of Amazon Thanksgiving Finds?

Check out these Amazon Finds: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sweetpealifestyle/list/2TT4SJ3608EK1?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_5Q3PZBNMJJBWKQ36RV7X
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#hostesswiththemostes #thanksgivingchecklist #holidayhosting #amazonaffiliate

🥣 Thanksgiving dinner is where you serve it up

🥣 Thanksgiving dinner is where you serve it up big, but y’all…

…the rest of the week still requires dinner. 🙃

Before you dive into turkey, pie & that inevitable leftovers marathon, let’s make sure the other nights don’t look like “frozen-pizza, again.”

I’ve got your back with super simple, totally delicious meals that won’t steal all your spoons before the main event!

Say LIST in the comments and I’ll share the link!

✨May you feel the sacredness of feeding people — a holy kind of hospitality that can change the temperature of a home.
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#EasyWeeknightMeals #SimpleSuppers #QuickDinnerIdeas #NoStressMeals #cozykitchen LinkDM *096*

If you want Thanksgiving to feel easier this year,

If you want Thanksgiving to feel easier this year, here’s my #1 efficient kitchen hack: keep half your sink filled with hot, soapy water.

Every time I’m done with a dish, I toss it in. Since I don’t have a dishwasher, this trick keeps my kitchen from turning into a full-blown crime scene. 🫠🍽️

A few other tiny-but-mighty tips that make a BIG difference on busy cooking days:

🥣 Keep a “trash bowl” on the counter for scraps
🧻 Two-damp-towel system (one for hands, one for counters)
🧄 Pre-chop your aromatics for the whole day
🍳 Create a utensil “parking lot” next to the stove
🏷️ Masking tape + Sharpie = no mystery leftovers
🥘 Use a sheet pan as a prep tray to corral the chaos

None of these are fancy… but they make Thanksgiving cooking feel manageable — even kinda delightful. 💕

Tell me: what’s YOUR go-to kitchen hack that keeps you sane during the holidays?
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#thanksgivingtips #entertainingathome #dinnerpartyideas #hostingtips #holidaykitchenhacks #sweetpealifestyle

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cooking
- appetizers
- basics
- beverages
- breakfast
- low carb living
- main dishes
- meal prep
- salads
- sandwiches
- soups
- southern recipes
- side dishes
- something sweet
- tiktok recipes
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