A Love Affair with Southern Cooking: Recipes and Recollections (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

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

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Cookbooks (October 16, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060761784
• ISBN-13: 978-0060761783
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,521 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!, October 20, 2007

By	Lynne Whiteley Novy (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The One Cookbook Treasure that You Will Talk About, January 9, 2008

By	The Cake Lady "L. Frye" (Carthage, NC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Southern Food Cookbook to date!, October 24, 2007

By	Sandra A. Gutierrez (Cary, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.