Product Description

More than a cookbook, this is the story of how a little girl, born in the South of Yankee parents, fell in love with southern cooking at the age of five. And a bite of brown sugar pie was all it took.

"I shamelessly wangled supper invitations from my playmates," Anderson admits. "But I was on a voyage of discovery, and back then iron-skillet corn bread seemed more exotic than my mom's Boston brown bread and yellow squash pudding more appealing than mashed parsnips."

After college up north, Anderson worked in rural North Carolina as an assistant home demonstration agent, scarfing good country cooking seven days a week: crispy "battered" chicken, salt-rising bread, wild persimmon pudding, Jerusalem artichoke pickles, Japanese fruitcake. Later, as a New York City magazine editor, then a freelancer, Anderson covered the South, interviewing cooks and chefs, sampling local specialties, and scribbling notebooks full of recipes.

Now, at long last, Anderson shares her lifelong exploration of the South's culinary heritage and not only introduces the characters she met en route but also those men and women who helped shape America's most distinctive regional cuisine—people like Thomas Jefferson, Mary Randolph, George Washington Carver, Eugenia Duke, and Colonel Harlan Sanders.

Anderson gives us the backstories on such beloved Southern brands as Pepsi-Cola, Jack Daniel's, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, MoonPies, Maxwell House coffee, White Lily flour, and Tabasco sauce. She builds a time line of important southern food firsts—from Ponce de León's reconnaissance in the "Island of Florida" (1513) to the reactivation of George Washington's still at Mount Vernon (2007). For those who don't know a Chincoteague from a chinquapin, she adds a glossary of southern food terms and in a handy address book lists the best sources for stone-ground grits, country ham, sweet sorghum, boiled peanuts, and other hard-to-find southern foods.

Recipes? There are two hundred classic and contemporary, plain and fancy, familiar and unfamiliar, many appearing here for the first time. Each recipe carries a headnote—to introduce the cook whence it came, occasionally to share snippets of lore or back-stairs gossip, and often to explain such colorful recipe names as Pine Bark Stew, Chicken Bog, and Surry County Sonker.

Add them all up and what have you got? One lip-smackin' southern feast!

A Love Affair with Southern Cooking is the winner of the 2008 James Beard Foundation Book Award, in the Americana category.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #97422 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-16
• Released on: 2007-10-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 464 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780060761783
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

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.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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

Review
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 )

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 CarolinaWilliam C. Friday, President Emeritus, University of North CarolinaWilliam C. Friday, President Emeritus, University of North CarolinaWilliam C. Friday, President Emeritus, Universit )

Her Love Affair with Southern Cooking will have you falling in love, too--and running for your kitchen." (Damon Lee Fowler, author of Classical Southern Cooking )

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 )

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 )

"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 )

"Fun to read, with nuggets of lore packed into every page. . . . A Love Affair with Southern Cooking is that rarity, a book that's as good to read as it is to cook from." (Weight Watchers Magazine )

"[Jean Anderson] has turned her genius to southern cooking and presents us with a classic that will live in southern homes forever and in all American homes that revere great food." (Pat Conroy )

[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 and MY MOTHER'S SOUTHERN COOKING )

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 fascinating journey through the rich, complex history of southern foodways. Southern Cooking is a classic. (William Ferris )

Customer Reviews

I love 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.

The One Cookbook Treasure that You Will Talk About
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.

Best Southern Food Cookbook to date!
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.