Trust me, I know real southern cooking when I taste it: My mother learned to cook from my grandmother, who was born and grew up in Kentucky. I grew up on their cooking, but didn't have sense enough to record the recipes. Wasted a small fortune on wantabe southern cookbooks. Then I found this book, cooked a bunch of the recipes and they were exactly like back home at my mother's and grandmother's tables.
Just buy Bill's book. The price is right. You'll never regret it.
That said, the 150+ recipes themselves are terrific! Our favorites are Herb Crust Pork Loin with Onion Gravy (much requested by frequent visitors!) and the famous Shrimp and Grits, Crook's Corner Style... Crook's Corner was Bill Neal's restaurant in Chapel Hill, NC. Living ten minutes from it means we have been able to enjoy the "original" Shrimp and Grits, which is unique and outstanding. Neal claims the restaurant serves that dish 10,000 times each year! Fortunately, the recipe is fairly easy to make at home as well, and just as tasty.
The book includes such southern basics as spoonbread, Brunswick Stew, gumbo, peanut soup, crab cakes, and fried chicken. Most of the recipes are not complicated, but some do require effort and time. Devoted cooks will recognize that the results are well worth the effort! Some of the recipes are quite simple, however, like the Raspberry Fool... with divine results! Neal is quite detailed in his instructions, so they are not hard to follow, as well as including some serving suggestions and recommended equipment.
There are no photographs in this cookbook, but they are not needed. (This from a die-hard "all my cookbooks must have color photos" fanatic!:) Bill Neal paints a complete picture of what the dish should be. Your imagination and taste buds will do the rest.
Happy Eating!
