This morning, Southern Living magazine assistant editor Norman King offered tips for throwing the perfect super bowl party featuring recipes from New Orleans and Indiana on the CBS Early Show. Watch this video to see our recipes and tips for enjoying the game!

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One of my favorite events each year is the Sandestin Wine Festival in late April.  The weather's always great (read not too hot) and the location is second to none.  This year's event is April 23 to 25.  If you're looking for that perfect Spring get-away, I can't recommend it enough. 

 
I calculated in the 5 years I have been in the test kitchen I have chopped over 1000 onions. I don't even want to know how many dishwashers I have unloaded. Between my kitchen here and the one at home, it's got to be scary.  So you can see, after preforming so many simple task day after day, my mind starts to wonder from time to time. What am I going to make for dinner tonight? Do I have photography tomorrow? What's my cat Souffle doing right now? A favorite topic as of late: What super powers would I like to have!

Yesterday I had the treat to go out for lunch, which is pretty rare for me to leave the Southern Living compound at all because of our filling daily taste testings. With my friend Shirley in tow, we ventured to Taqueria La Reyna in Birmingham. The pastor taco stood out to both of us as well as their super chunky fresh guacamole. After lunch it got me thinking, the pastor might as well be my personal contender as top taco. Chunks of pork and pineapple covered in spices and cooked together until tender; a spiced savory sweet combination. All you need is a dash of onion, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and generous squeeze of fresh lime (please, please no sour cream or cheese.)

I went to visit my mother, Clementa "Ment" Florio, when I was in Charleston.  At 96, she still loves to cook, and was just pulling a pound cake out of the oven when I arrived.  She tries different cake recipes she finds, but my sister has convinced her she's found a really good recipe and should stick with it, so she has. . .for now.  I don't have a copy of her recipe, but, here's one of our staff'favorites.   It's perfect for the holidays or anytime.  You can bake it now, wrap it tightly in foil, put it in a freezer bag, and it will keep for several months.

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=387309

I'm thrilled to announce the launch of a new Southern Living column, the Half-Hour Hostess, starting with the October issue. Each month, we'll provide quick and tasty recipes to help pull together any occasion you may be celebrating.

Take a look at some of my favorite ways to keep your get together real:

Entertaining Tips from Rebecca Gordon

Click here for the recipe: Mustard-Dill Tortellini Salad Skewers

Look for it and let me know what you think. I'd Love to hear your feedback!