Customer Reviews

A Love Affair with Southern Cooking: Recipes and Recollections

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
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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.

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 The historical content dating back to 1513 thru the present alone is a diamond alone.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.

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.

My mother was from North Carolina and my father from Canton, China. Both were wonderful cooks and both instilled in me a love of food and cooking. The Southern food my mother prepared not only nourished me, it nurtured me with its wonderful use of ingredients and flavor combinations and comforted me throughout my childhood. It remains very much a part of my life today. So, it is with great pleasure I welcome Jean Anderson's A Love Affair with Southern Cooking. Here, in one compelling book, are some of the familiar recipes of my childhood plus an entire repertoire and history of Southern food. As with all her books, Jean takes you by the hand and guides you through the recipes. The results are delicious every time. I've been a huge fan of Jean's books throughout the years but this one has particular significance for me. Bravo!

I was born in the South, and have lived most of my (considerable) life here. I have seen what Southern cooking is, and I have done a good bit of it. This book is the real thing. It is informative, accurate, and fun to read. The recipes can be trusted just as much as the history, and the author has provided sources for ingredients that might be hard to find, either in the South or otherwise. Excellent work. I will use it at least as often as I use James Beard's American Cookery.

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. Each time I open the book I take a nostalgic trip through my southern heritage which captures and refreshes my memory of years gone by. Jean is a multitalented friend who mentored me by opening doors to my career path and I treasure this book above all others. I gave one to a friend for Christmas and she read it aloud to her family of five on a trip from Indiana to Tennessee over Christmas--they loved it! I have enjoyed introducing friends to several wonderful recipes over the holidays.

I was born and raised in the South and I have seen many books on Southern cooking, but "A Love Affair with Southern Cooking" is the best so far and most comprehensive. Jean Anderson has written an engaging book chockfull of recipes from the South. She also takes us on a tour of Southern culture with sidebars on the history of Krispy Kreme doughnuts and her take on barbecue, a controversial subject in the South. The pecan pie recipe is superb as is the black-eyed peas with smoked ham hock, a dish always found on my table at New Year's. I have kept the book at my bedside table for night reads and near my stove. And it's been my Christmas present to friends and family. I am grateful that Jean Anderson has taken the time and effort to create this masterpiece of authentic Southern cooking.

Jean Anderson's latest cookbook is as practical as it is entertaining. Loaded with tips, advice, fascinating sidebars, and helpful notes, Jean makes each of the kitchen-tested recipes foolproof to prepare. Whether you're a novice cook, new to the South, or an armchair cook who enjoys reading great food writing, this book will give you hours of enjoyment--and tasty results. I could hardly put it down long enough to try out the recipes!

Jean Anderson's latest book, A Love Affair with Southern Cooking is full of the aromas, tastes, textures, and images of my Southern heritage. I spent many happy afternoons with Granny making the Pulled (Butter) Mints that Jean describes exactly as I remember it.

However, you need not be a Southerner to enjoy the wealth of recipes, lore, gossip, and history Jean provides. From melt-in-your-mouth Cheese Daisies, to the secret of crispy fried chicken, to regionally unique desserts, Jean shares her years of experience and research in this informative and interesting book.

This is a treasure. Knew of Jean's work and then had a chance to meet her and learn about how her career and travels shaped this book. An unbeatable combination!

The timelines and anecdotes are a rich and humorous resource.