S12:E21. 5.24.2025

We honor Memorial Day. We are so very appreciative of the service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. If you are fortunate enough to be able to go to a backyard cookout, I have some recipes for foods that go along with cookouts.

Amy shares recipes for Cornbread salad, Corn Muffins that will make people think you are the best cook in this world, Alice's and Barry Bales (Bales Farm, Misheim TN) recipe and directions for making Smoked Pork Shoulder and Sauce.

If you would like to see a video of Amy Campbell demonstrating how to make the cornbread salad, WBIR is streaming their Grillin’ and Chillin’: Summer Recipes segment, This series showcases some great recipes that are perfect to take to summer cookouts. My video starts at the 9:50 time stamp. If you enter WBIR.com on your computer, it starts right up when you locate for the "Grillin’ and Chillin’ title" on their website WBIR.com.

WBIR.com - https://www.wbir.com/video/features/producers-picks/grillin-and-chillin-summer-recipes/51-c75024bd-b56f-43be-9185-75d1539ee41a

Bales Farm website: https://balesfarmstn.com/

Emi Sunshine (sang and musically arranged out theme song at the age of nine-years-old!): https://www.theemisunshine.com/

Amy Campbell shares a recipe for Cornbread Salad from “All Recipes” This is not a green salad. It is considered a side dish and goes well with any picnic or cookout. This is not something I grew up making, I never heard of it until I was in my 30s. This is a great dish to make ahead and carry with you to a picnic, or serve with a BBQ dinner. It is easy to make, the ingredients are easy to find, and this budget budget-friendly. The most expensive ingredient is a pack of bacon. This goes a long way and feeds a lot of people. This recipe will serve 12 people.

I found this recipe from “All Recipes” https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/14487/cornbread-salad-i/

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Total time: 2 hours and 50 minutes (including time for the dish to chill thoroughly)

12 servings

Equipment you will need: Cast iron skillet A pretty serving bowl (use a clear glass bowl if you have one)

Step 1

Cornbread: Make your cornbread your favorite way. You will need at least an 8 x 8 pan worth of cooked cornbread. I use a cast-iron skillet. I also recommend using Benton’s Bacon grease to pour your batter into. Be sure your pan is VERY hot before pouring the batter in so that you get a good crispy crust. I cook my cornbread at 425°. Use a good stone-ground cornmeal like Shelton Farms of Lenny’s and Cruze Farm Buttermilk to make the cornbread with.

Ingredients for Salad:

• 10 slices bacon

• 1 ½ cups sour cream

• 1 ½ cups mayonnaise

• 1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix

• 2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained

• 3 tomatoes, chopped

• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper

• 1 cup chopped green onion

• 2 (11 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained

• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

Make the cornbread: Use your favorite recipe. Let cool; crumble, and set aside.
Meanwhile, make the salad: Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels.
Whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, and dressing mix together in a medium bowl. Assemble the Salad Crumble 1/2 of the cornbread in the bottom of a large serving dish. Evenly layer with 1 can of pinto beans, 1/2 of the tomatoes, 1/2 cup green bell pepper, 1/2 cup green onions, 1 can or ½ of corn, 1 cup of cheese, 1/2 of the bacon, and 1/2 of the sour cream mixture. Repeat the layers. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Tips:

This salad must be chilled for 2 hours in the refrigerator before serving. This helps the flavors to merge.
Make your cornbread with Cruze Farm Buttermilk if you can get it.
Use a good brand of cornbread. Locally, you can find Shelton Farms cornmeal. They are located in New Market, TN. It is locally grown and has more grit to the cornbread and a good flavor.
Use Benton’s Bacon if you can find it. Always reserve the grease and use the grease to make your cornbread with. It imparts a delicious flavor to your cornbread.
Make your own homemade ranch dressing. You want it to be thick and not runny. The bottled dressings are runny. (Recipe below) https://thesaltymarshmallow.com/easy-homemade-ranch-dressing/ Homemade ranch dressing recipe:

1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
1/4 Cup Sour Cream or Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons Dried Chives
1/2 teaspoon Dried Dill
1/2 teaspoon Dried Parsley
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 Cup Buttermilk, or regular whole milk (I use Cruze Farm Buttermilk)

Local Markets where you can find Cruze Farm Buttermilk, Benton’s Bacon, and stone ground corn meal varieties.

Knoxville

Butler & Bailey - 7513 S Northshore Dr, Knoxville, TN 37919
Cruze Farm Ice Cream - 445 S Gay St #3, Knoxville, TN 37902
Cruze Farm Pizza Barn - 2723 Asbury Rd #101, Knoxville, TN 37914
Farm Fresh Produce - 3617 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919
Horn of Plenty -
Loveday Garden Center - 8105 Chapman Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920
Midway IGA - 7345 Tazewell Pike, Corryton, TN 37721
Pratt’s Country Store - 3100 Tazewell Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918
Three Rivers Market - 1100 N Central St, Knoxville, TN 37917

Maryville:

Horn of Plenty Marketplace - 924 W Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN 37801
Maryville Corner Market - 800 Montvale Rd, Maryville, TN 37803