A Love Affair with Southern Cooking: Recipes and Recollections (Hardcover)
June 14, 2009 by TheChef
Filed under Culinary Cooking Books
From Publishers Weekly
Anderson, author of more than 20 cookbooks, dedicated almost four years to creating her latest collection of 300 uniquely Southern recipes—and her hard work, dedication and passion are evident throughout this extensive book. Along with classic dishes, Anderson shares stories about the South’s culinary history (such as the creation of Coca-Cola syrup in Atlanta, and the legend behind Tabasco sauce) and important food figures like Maryland native Frank Perdue and Krispy Kreme Doughnut founder Vernon Rudolph. Appetizer, soup, main course and dessert sections include popular favorites like Shrimp Gumbo, Smothered Pork Chops and Baked Virginia Ham. But the insider recipes like Shirt Tail Pies (fried apple turnovers), Tidewater Peanut Soup, Charcoal-Grilled Shad Roe and East Tennessee Stack Cake made with bourbon are what truly make this book special. Anderson’s instructions are easy to follow and The Language of Southern Cooking section is helpful, giving definitions of commonly used ingredients. (Oct.)
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Review
“Readers, whether from the South or not, will love the warmly written and carefully researched A Love Affair with Southern Cooking. . . . The 434-page book includes 200 classic and contempoarary recipes, plus anecdotes and personal reminiscences, all smartly told.” (4 stars — Outstanding) — Baton Rouge Advocate
A New York Times Best Book of 2007 — “This treasurable book is plentifully studded with capsule essays (on the likes of Duke?s mayonnaise or RC Cola) and mini-profiles (Mary Randolph, George Washington Carver) as well as a running timeline of historical tidbits.” — New York Times
A fascinating journey through the rich, complex history of southern foodways. Southern Cooking is a classic. — William Ferris
A tome that will win over workaday cooks and budding food scholars alike. — John T. Edge, author of Southern Belly: the Ultimate Food Lover’s Companion to the South
Jean Anderson’s splendid, entertaining and most useful new book is her truly essential volume to all who enjoy southern cooking. — William C. Friday, President Emeritus, University of North Carolina
Jean Anderson?s splendid, entertaining and most useful new book is her truly essential volume to all who enjoy southern cooking. — William C. Friday, President Emeritus, University of North Carolina William C. Friday, President Emeritus, University of North Carolina William C. Friday, President Emeritus, University of North Carolina William C. Friday, President Emeritus, University of North Carolina William C. Friday, President Emeritus, University of North Carolina William C. Friday, President Emeritus, University of North Carolina William C. Friday, President Emeritus, University of North Carolina
Recipe after delicious recipe will have y?all gathering round the table to celebrate the South?s rich culinary heritage. — Ben and Karen Barker, authors of Not Afraid of Flavor: Recipes from Magnolia Grill
Superb…comes as close as I can imagine toward providing a detailed guide for the recreation of an ancient cuisine. — Reynolds Price, author of Kate Vaiden
[A] charmingly intimate, authoritative, and deeply soul-moving tribute to the peerless cookery of our beloved South. — James Villas, author of The Glory of Southern Cooking
Buy A Love Affair with Southern Cooking: Recipes and Recollections (Hardcover) at Amazon
I saw this cookbook being advertised on GMA during the “shopping holidays”. I thought this would be an ideal gift for myself and my mother since she too is a gifted cook. I have not been able to put this book down! The historical content dating back to 1513 thru the present alone is a diamond alone.
My dad who is “not in the kitchen” he does the outdoor grilling, has taken this book and won’t give it up to my mom just yet.This book tells you about every origin of cooking in the America’s, who created it, the synopsis of the creator, including back stories of Jack Daniels, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts,etc. along with whimsical anecdotes. It tells of our Forefathers,African-American History, Native American History, the list goes on. This book has original heirloom recipes on how some foods were prepared dating back to the 1500’s. Anyone want to cook a racoon or just remembering days of the past such as real fresh homemade food in the public schools kitchens-fried chicken, banana pudding,ambrosia?
I want to tell everyone out there, that I have been collecting cookbooks for 35 years. I can look at a recipe and know whether it will work or not and if not, jot down beside a recipe what ingredients to erase and what to add. I’ve made the Angel biscuits and Black-Eyed Pea Salad so far and neither had to be altered. I’ve skimmed over most of the recipes in this book and can honestly say that the recipes can stand alone.For the seasoned gifted cook, you can add your own spin,but that’s all.
I know this was a lengthly review, however I Know every cook out there or not, will fall in love with this book.
I’m a fan of Jean Anderson’s cookbooks to begin with (she’s written more than 20!), but I am particularly enjoying “A Love Affair with Southern Cooking” because I recently moved to the South. This book not only gives me some great southern recipes, it gives me history and personal stories about growing up in the South.
Already I’ve tried three recipes. The Lemon Chess Pie is a snap to make (the whole filling gets whizzed up in the food processor) and has the tart yet sweet smoothness of great lemon curd. The Moravian gingerbread is like no other gingerbread I’ve ever eaten. Really scrumptious–uses chopped fresh ginger. I also made the Peppered Pecans–quick, easy and wonderful with a glass of wine.
I guess this is what you’d call a rave review. Well, why not? One of the things I treasure about Jean Anderson’s cookbooks is that the recipes always work. Even for me! She gives full instructions so you never get left hanging, wondering if she meant this or that. You know what she means. If all cookbooks were written as clearly as hers maybe I’d be a better cook.
Jean Anderson, is among the most recognized culinary leaders in our country and after reading through her latest cookbook, “A Love Affair with Southern Cooking: Recipes and Recollections”, and cooking some of the scrumptious recipes inside its pages, there is no doubt that Anderson is indeed, the most authoritative voice on Southern cuisine to date. Those of you who fell in love–as did I–with her “20th Century Cookbook” will recognize the familiar format with a clear chronology of people, foods, ingredients, and products–this time with a Southern slant–that Anderson uses to bring culinary history to life. Her recipe for Pimento Cheese is sublime, as is her rendition of a Gratin of Vidalia Onions. If you love grits and fried chicken, look no further than Jean’s recipes for Grits Casserole and Pecan-Crusted Oven Fried Chicken–among the best I’ve had. There are way too many delicious recipes to mention here. We are all in for a real treat with her latest cookbook; it is bound to delight avid fans and enamor new ones. If you live in the South, this is a must-have; if you don’t, after reading this cookbook, you’ll wish you did.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Southern Charmer
If you are a fan of Southern cooking as I am, you will love this cookbook by Jean Anderson. Jean chooses some wonderful recipes for the book–more than just the standards, Jean…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love the book hate the delivery service.
I love the book but hate that Amazon used USPS to deliver it. It took forever and when I tried to track it through USPS it would say arrival scan or departure and the time but…
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great yet Flawed
I adore this book for its content, which other reviewers have described, but I do have two problems with it: no photographs at all, and a production design that looks like the…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Southern Cookbook in Print…James Beard Winner!!!!
I’ve been cooking from this book since it came out. It’s a treasure trove of Southern cooking and food as well as an important historical document.
5.0 out of 5 stars
What most Southerners already know!
This was a gift to a southern couple who’ve moved to the Heartland, a place that’s never heard of “sweet tea” and vinegar-based barbeque!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mouth Watering!
This book is incredible.
Well written and entertaining.
The recipes are fantastic and many are easy to do.
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read…great recipes
Extremely well researched and written about Southern cooking. The style is easy to read and enjoyable.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Southern Cookbook on the market
This is a fantastic cookbook for those who want to know how to cook “Southern-style.” I bought this book because I was trying to duplicate some of the recipes my mother and…
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful-!
I have fallen in love with this cookbook-I am originally from NC, and this brings back so many special memories-I love the inserts about Coke, Cheerwine, Little Debbie, Lance…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Satisfies both nostalgia and the love of southern cooking.
Having read Jean Anderson’s book from cover to cover, it has become my favorite resource when I want to introduce my midwest friends to southern foods.