A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

    [caption id="attachment_157894" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Credit Enabled[/caption]   No. 11: Carolina Dogs RECIPE BY SHERI CASTLE North Carolinians love a Carolina dog “all the way” — topped with chili,

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

    [caption id="attachment_157894" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Credit Enabled[/caption]   No. 11: Carolina Dogs RECIPE BY SHERI CASTLE North Carolinians love a Carolina dog “all the way” — topped with chili,

11 Our State Recipes You Loved in May

 


 

hot dog with mustard, chili, slaw, and onion

photograph by Charlotte & Johnny Autry

 

No. 11: Carolina Dogs

RECIPE BY SHERI CASTLE

North Carolinians love a Carolina dog “all the way” — topped with chili, slaw, onions, and mustard. Nothing more, and nothing less.

MAKE IT

 


loaf with blueberries and lemon

photograph by Matt Hulsman

 

No. 10: Glazed Lemon and Blueberry Loaf

RECIPE BY LYNN WELLS

The lemon glaze makes this bread even sweeter — and more delicious.

MAKE IT

 


photograph by Matt Hulsman

 

No. 9: Sweet Potato Biscuits With Herb Butter

RECIPE ADAPTED BY LYNN WELLS

We recommend slathering these buttermilk-sweet potato biscuits with savory homemade butter while they’re still warm from the oven.

MAKE IT

 


large pieces of strawberry in ice cream

photograph by Elena Brent Rosemond-Hoerr

 

No. 8: Old-Fashioned Strawberry Ice Cream

RECIPE BY ELENA BRENT ROSEMOND-HOERR

The best-tasting ice cream requires a little effort. Make strawberry ice cream the old-fashioned way, no hand-crank ice cream machine required.

MAKE IT

 


photograph by Stacey Van Berkel

 

No. 7: Barbecue Rice

RECIPE BY CHRISTOPHER PRIETO

This hearty, meaty rice is a customer-favorite side dish at Prime Barbecue in Knightdale that Chef Chris Prieto prepares the way his mother taught him.

MAKE IT

 


photograph by Matt Hulsman

 

No. 6: Basil Lime Cookies

RECIPE BY LYNN WELLS

An unexpected combination of fresh herbs and citrus zest gives these buttery cookies a refreshing flavor that keeps guests coming back for more.

MAKE IT

 


strawberry pretzel salad

photograph by Matt Hulsman

 

No. 5: Strawberry Pretzel Salad

RECIPE BY LYNN WELLS

Salty. Sweet. Crunchy. Creamy. This layered potluck pleaser hits all the right notes.

MAKE IT

 


photograph by Chris Rogers

 

No. 4: Grandma Clara’s Fresh Strawberry Pound Cake

RECIPE COURTESY OF TAMMY KELLY

Pull out your Bundt pan to make this showstopping Down East strawberry pound cake.

MAKE IT

 


photograph by Tim Robison

 

No. 3: Mom’s Prized Pineapple Pig Pickin’ Cake

RECIPE BY MAVIS BRANNON

In North Carolina, Pig Pickin’ Cake is an essential companion to any good barbecue (noun, not a verb).

MAKE IT

 


photograph by Matt Hulsman

 

No. 2: Ginnie’s Herb Chicken

RECIPE BY LYNN WELLS

Join Chef Lynn Wells as she prepares a spring dish that she first made with the late Ginnie Tate — her close friend and cooking companion who started Goat Lady Dairy.

MAKE IT

 


St. Timothy's Coffee Cake

photograph by Matt Hulsman

 

No. 1: St. Timothy’s Coffee Cake

RECIPE BY COMMUNITY COOKBOOK SERIES

Whip up this spiced treat for a cozy breakfast.

MAKE IT

 


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This story was published on May 22, 2025

Our State Staff

Since 1933, Our State has shared stories about North Carolina with readers both in state and around the world. We celebrate the people and places that make this state great. From the mountains to the coast, we feature North Carolina travel, history, food, and beautiful scenic photography.