Feeling stressed with the vacations approaching? Let the queen of the kitchen, Paula Deen, help you throw the perfect vacation party.

In an exclusive interview with Paula Deen, she provides insight into what it takes to make guests feel at home, and what a vacation in the Deen household is like.

On the eve of the vacations, what good things to prepare for unforeseen guests?

“You know what saved me? This is my air fryer. I can do things fast in the air fryer. If I’m caught with nothing on my counter, which happens to me barely, I can grab a puff pastry and that I can make a deep-fried cheer pie in 10 minutes. Very easy.”

What tips can you share for healthy eating?

“I love cauliflower and it has almost no calories but has good-for-you nutrients. You can make fake mashed potatoes out of cauliflower.” Deen continues, “I try to practice something that I believe is the key to all success in weight loss and it is moderation—we can all have our cake—the other 5 cookies we want to eat after we have eaten our ruinous cake. . And I believe you should have a cheat day—because if you lose yourself for 6 or 8 weeks, by the time you finally get your hat cake or bowl of ice cream, you cannot stop. That one day a week is important for you to pamper yourself.

What are the must-haves to throw an excellent party?

“A must have are great guests because it’s the people and fellowship that will bring you together.”

Are your daughters-in-law dreading hosting the vacations with you being their mother-in-law?

“Yes I believe so. Maybe Claudia, Bobby’s wife—I do not think she would be scared, but she’s a vegan. But it is only natural that everybody ends up at Mom’s house, and I’d be devastated if they took the fun away from me. I know I must undergo a challenge at some point, but I’m not ready because I love to feed all my kids.

Does Deens have a signature vacation meal?

For Thanksgiving, it is my grandmother’s cornbread gravy, and for Christmas it is beef, turkey, and ham.

For more tips on entertaining and recipes for the vacations, look at Paula Deen’s latest cookbook, At the South Table with Paula Deen.