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Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Featured Recipe

Muz’s Pancakes – The World’s Best

I believe that pancakes are love. It's true. Think about all the times you have eaten pancakes in your life (outside of a restaurant or diner), and I'll bet the pancakes were made by someone who loved you. Everyone who has been someone who loved me, and someone whom I loved. My grandmother, we called her Muz, make the world's greatest pancakes. She was born and raised in Nashville, and I'm sure this recipe came from that area. These pancakes have been uniquely "Mississippi" for over half a century now. They are love on a plate.

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Most Popular

Robert St. John’s Baked Shrimp and Squash

I have always believed that my baked shrimp and squash recipe is a perfect example of Pineywoods cuisine. It makes use of shrimp harvested an hour south in the Gulf of Mexico, it has Creole seasonings from New Orleans and the Louisiana bayous 90 minutes to the southwest. And it draws its main ingredient from the South Mississippi garden.

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Muz’s Pancakes – The World’s Best

I believe that pancakes are love. It's true. Think about all the times you have eaten pancakes in your life (outside of a restaurant or diner), and I'll bet the pancakes were made by someone who loved you. Everyone who has been someone who loved me, and someone whom I loved. My grandmother, we called her Muz, make the world's greatest pancakes. She was born and raised in Nashville, and I'm sure this recipe came from that area. These pancakes have been uniquely "Mississippi" for over half a century now. They are love on a plate.

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90% Crab Cakes

Preheat oven to 375. Preheat flat griddle to 350. Combine all ingredients except panko and crabmeat. Gently fold in the…

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Breakfast Staples

Andouille Cheese Grits

This recipe has been something I've served friends and family for years. It's a great breakfast to make for a large group. This recipe will be included in my upcoming book release, Mississippi Mornings.

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Chive and Cheddar Biscuits

Preheat oven to 375. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, pepper, cheddar…

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Perfect Scrambled Eggs

I had breakfast with Julia Child twice. I was in awe of her knowledge, passion, and modesty. I learned volumes in the short time we visited. Both times we spoke about eggs. She told me her recipe for the perfect scrambled egg, and it’s the method I still use today.

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Recent Recipes

Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

If you're looking for a creative twist on traditional hummus, black-eyed pea hummus is a delicious and nutritious option. Made with creamy black-eyed peas, tangy lemon, and a hint of garlic, this dip offers a unique Southern flair while keeping all the classic flavors you love. Perfect as a party appetizer, a spread for sandwiches, or a healthy snack, this recipe is both easy to make and irresistibly tasty.

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Monkey Bread

A perfect breakfast for a house full of teenage boys. This version instructs you to make them in individual muffin tins, but they can also be made in a casserole dish. I like to top the warm, finished product with a small pat of butter and a pinch of salt.

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Baked Asparagus

Bright, tender, and irresistibly flavorful, baked asparagus is a quick and healthy side dish perfect for any meal. Roasting brings out its natural sweetness while adding a delightful crispness to the tips. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, this recipe is a surefire way to elevate your veggie game.

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Meat Lasagna

Wrap the Ricotta cheese in cheesecloth and place in a strainer over a bowl. Weight the Ricotta with some plates…

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Panna Cotta

I always prefer a lighter fruit finish to a meal to a heavy chocolate finale. This recipe meets both criteria.

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Spicy Deviled Eggs

For the hard-boiled eggs: Place 8 eggs in a large pot. Add cool water, enough to cover the eggs by…

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Creole Crabmeat Deviled Eggs

For the hard-boiled eggs: Place 8 eggs in a large pot. Add cool water, enough to cover the eggs by…

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Smokey Bacon and Cheddar Deviled Eggs

For the hard-boiled eggs: Place 8 eggs in a large pot. Add cool water, enough to cover the eggs by…

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Basic Grits

These grits are anything but basic. The recipe uses heavy cream and chicken stock. Basic grits use just water. I probably should have named this recipe Not So Basic Grits.

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Smoked Duck and Grits

My brother is an avid duck hunter and I was thinking of him when we were testing this recipe. The grits say “basic” though they’re anything but basic. They are very rich, but so good, and perfect for this recipe. The caramelized onions are an equal player in this three-component game.

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Stewed Squid

In a 2 quart sauce pan, heat the oil over medium and sweat the garlic and the crushed red pepper…

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Cinnamon Cream Syrup

This pairs perfectly with Sweet Potato Pancakes. It may be better than the pancakes themselves (and they’re great). But try this recipe on regular pancakes, waffles, and French toast.

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Sweet Potato Pancakes

I ate my first sweet potato pancake during my only visit to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. My family, along with another couple and their young children rented a cabin in the mountains during spring break. I woke every morning and headed into town for breakfast. I would imagine Gatlinburg has more pancake houses per capita than any place on the planet. My problem is that I never found a good-tasting pancake until I happened across sweet potato pancakes at one of the pancake houses. We serve a version of this recipe at The Midtowner. The Cinnamon Cream Syrup is a must.

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RSJ’s Smoked Yellowfin Tuna Dip

The smoked tuna dip at Harbor docks is, by far, the best in the area. Actually, it’s the best I have ever tasted. Over the years I have taken a few stabs at recreating a Harbor Dock’s version, but always come up short. After several failed attempts, and facing a cookbook deadline, I finally worked up a recipe for smoked crab dip, which is excellent, though my wife still prefers Harbor Docks smoked tuna dip.

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Basic Muffin Mix

(This can be substituted with a white cake mix) Makes 12 each Sift together flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.…

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Streusel

Pulse the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, butter, salt, and vanilla in a food processor. Add the flour and pulse…

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Blackberry Farm Raspberry Almond Crumb Cake

 Makes one 11x 7x 2-inch rectangular cake Preheat oven to 350 degrees Cream ¼ cup butter and sugar briefly.  Add almond…

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My Version of My Mom’s Stuffed Peppers

I probably ate stuffed peppers 90% of the birthdays in the first half-century of my life. Stuffed peppers, mashed potatoes, and English peas. Almost all my fondest childhood memories are set around meals in my home or the homes of one of my grandparents. I never gave them much thought back then, but a shared meal is something that I cherish, and never take for granted these days.

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