A wise man once said "It ain't how a hog looks as wins the prize,it's how she smells". Well maybe he wasn't so wise but the principle is the same in everything we do.

Presentation is a big part of how successful a meal or any other kind of offering is received. Making easy southern BBQ dinners got you off to a good start by teaching you how to make easy pulled pork BBQ. Now I'll show you what kind of side dishes really make your guests want to dig right in.

Just one word of caution, though. Make 'em say grace first. It gives the Lord His due for providing all the good eats, a great cook to make them, and builds the anticipation since they really want to eat right now .

Why the smell of that dinner alone will make 'em faint with hunger. Let's make them ravenous when they see oven roasted redskin potatoes, Ronnie's signature Tennessee baked beans and several other delicious side dishes.

Here's what we're going to make today.

:

• herb roasted redskin potatoes
• hash brown casserole
• Tennessee baked beans
• Dixie hot slaw

The next hub on how to make an easy southern BBQ meal will teach you to make some delicious bread and dessert items to climax an unforgettable dining experience for your family and friends. Believe me when I say they'll ask for it over and over. You'll hear your kids bragging to their friends about what a great cook you are!

 Roasted  Redskins

For this recipe you will need    

•     2 lb of washed redskin potatoes
•     2 T fresh chopped basil
•     3 T kosher salt
•     3 T coarse ground black pepper
•     1/2 cup chopped crispy bacon
•     1/4 cup minced onion
•     sour cream
•     1/3 cup oil or melted butter

 Take the washed potatoes and dry them well. Cut into quarters and put into a large bowl.  Mix  potatoes with the butter ( I like butter better than oil for the flavor)  and mix in salt and pepper. Place parchment paper on a large sheet pan  and spread seasoned potatoes into pan.  Roast at 400F for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes become tender as ovens vary.   While the potatoes are cooking, saute the onions and mix with the bacon. Set aside until potatoes are finished cooking. After the potatoes are finished cooking pour them into  a large serving platter  and  sprinkle onion and bacon mixture on, mixing it in gently so as not to break the potatoes. Garnish with the fresh chopped basil  and serve with sour cream on the side. Your family is going to love this one! 

Baked beans is a dish that while simple to prepare requires care while cooking. Make them well and people will keep coming back for more. Here's my recipe.

•     1 #10 can pork "n beans (or vegetarian beans)
•     1 cup molasses
•     1cup dark brown sugar
•     1 large onion, dice and saute
•      1 cup crumbled bacon-crispy
•     1/4 tsp ground ginger
•     1 T bourbon ( or bourbon flavor extract)
•     1 tsp Texas Pete cayenne pepper sauce

•     1 cup sweet & bold dark BBQ sauce( Kraft is good and cheap also)

In a large bow mix all ingredients thoroughly and pour into seasoned  Dutch oven or other deep pan. Cover and bake at 325F for 1 1/2  hours. Remove cover and bake 15 minutes more. Take out of oven and let rest for 15-20 minutes and then serve.

This cold salad dish is great on the easy pulled pork BBQ as a   garnish or as a side dish.It's tasty and very easy to make. It's a favorite here in Tennessee for hot dogs and BBQ.   To make it you will need  

•     1 bag shredded  slaw mix
•     3 T mayonnaise
•     2 T salad mustard
•     2 T sugar
•     1 T white vinegar
•     2 tsp finely chopped jalapeno pepper

 Mix vinegar, sugar, mayonnaise and mustard in a large bowl. Add  cabbage and peppers and mix well. Let  sit in cooler for at least thirty minutes prior to serving.  To serve use slotted spoon to transfer to serving dish.This will eliminate excess liquid from the slaw as the seasoning causes the cabbage to sweat. Serve on the sandwich or on the side. I know your family willlove it as much as mine does.   

This is one of my personal favorites  because it's so easy to make and everyone I've given it to has liked it. Here are the ingredients you will need.  

•     1 bag of frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
•     1 can cream of chicken soup
•     1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
•     1 cup shredded swiss cheese
•     1 stick ( 4 oz.) melted butter
•     1/2 cup diced onion
•     2 tsp black pepper
•     2 tsp salt
•     1/2 cup diced ham (optional)

 To begin we place the potatoes and onions in a large bowl. Add the cheddar and the salt &pepper along with the ham (optional) and mix well. Stir in the melted butter and cream of chicken soup and mix thoroughly.  Pour into sprayed or oiled casserole dish and top with the shredded Swiss. Bake covered at 350F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and return to oven for about 15 minutes until swiss cheese is golden brown. Voila, you're ready to serve this delicious side dish.