Innholdsfortegnelse for Simply Southern 2012 i Southern Lady

I love to spend a sunny morning in my colorful kitchen, pondering and humming while rolling out dough or slicing up fresh fruit. But even better are the moments when my house is filled with friends, family, laughter, and the sights and scents of edible delights. Foods and flavors just have a way of not only stirring up memories but also bringing folks together. In fact, some of my fondest recollections are tied to events like birthday parties, summer cookouts, and Christmas celebrations. Though menus and meals aren’t the focus of a gathering, they are certainly key ingredients for making the gettogether memorable, and that’s what this special issue is all about. Whether you cook most often for two or twenty, we hope you’ll find inspiration for your culinary creations…

Pot Roast Makes 8 to 10 servings 1 (5-pound) sirloin tip roast 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1½ teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon granulated onion 1 teaspoon granulated garlic ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 2 (10.5-ounce) cans beef consommé 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 10 sprigs fresh thyme 3 bay leaves 1. Preheat oven to 325°. Rub roast with 1 tablespoon olive oil. 2. In a small bowl, combine salt, granulated onion, granulated garlic, and pepper. Rub entire roast with salt mixture. 3. In an ovenproof Dutch oven, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook roast for 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until roast is browned on all sides. Remove from heat. Add consommé, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. Cover, and bake for 4 hours. Remove…

Each December, the Christmas season calls hearts home to enjoy the fellowship of family. Whether your kith and kin live across the country or just a few blocks away, show loved ones just how dear they are by setting the table as beautifully as you would for visiting royalty. A delectable meal prepared by thankful hands offers the crowning touch to this joyous gathering. Mad for Plaid Embellish plain pillar candles with bands of red satin fabric in the same bright hue as the ruffled place mats, then finish with a circle of plaid ribbon. Repeat this striking treatment on the napkins, and continue the plaid scheme with a ribbon garland on the Christmas tree. OOEY-GOOEY GOODNESS Pimiento cheese is one of those wonderfully transformative foods that can be enjoyed…

Orange-Thyme Shortbread Makes about 2½ dozen 1 cup butter, softened 1 tablespoon orange zest 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 2 cups all-purpose flour ¾ cup firmly packed confectioners’ sugar ¼ cup cornstarch 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream 1. In a large bowl, combine butter, orange zest, and thyme; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. In a medium bowl, combine flour, confectioners’ sugar, and cornstarch. Add flour mixture and cream to butter mixture; beat until well combined. Wrap dough in plastic wrap, and chill for 2 hours. 2. Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch square fluted cutter, cut out dough. Place cookies 1 inch apart on prepared baking…

With skies as blue as a robin’s egg and a gentle breeze carrying the sweet perfume of blossoming flowers throughout the air, this season is an ideal time to gather outdoors. A trio of salads, a lovely view, and a few frilly touches combine with sparkling conversation to make this an afternoon of pure delight. End the day in the sweetest way with Strawberry Bars and laughter aplenty. Lime-Mint Spritzer Makes 4 servings 1 cup fresh lime juice 1 cup Mint Simple Syrup (recipe follows) 3 cups club soda, chilled Garnish: fresh mint sprigs, lime slices 1. In a small pitcher, combine lime juice and Mint Simple Syrup. Add club soda, and stir gently to combine. Pour spritzers into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and lime slices, if…

Rather than pack away an alfresco studio when you’re expecting guests, re-envision the inspired space as a casual dinner setting. Imagine a white wooden table as your canvas, and set it with brightly brushed china and handblown stemware that are themselves works of art. The easel transitions into this landscape nicely, whether displaying a summer scene in progress or perhaps a watercolor version of the evening’s menu. A delectable dessert is easily carried away from the table, allowing guests to seek the best spot in the garden for watching the watercolor streaks of a setting sun. Art Elements Incorporate art supplies into the décor with neat groupings of paints, brushes, and other materials. Look for clever ways to echo the theme on the table—tall slender flowers arranged in a clear…

Chocolate Cake Makes 1 (9-inch) cake 3 cups all-purpose flour 2²⁄³ cups sugar 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking soda 1½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1¹⁄³ cups milk 1¹⁄³ cups butter, melted 4 large eggs 1½ cups sour cream 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Fluffy Chocolate Icing (recipe follows) Garnish: fresh strawberries 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 3 (9-inch) cake pans with nonstick baking spray with flour. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, melted butter, and eggs; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes or until well combined. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Spoon batter into prepared cake pans. 3. Bake for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick…

The inviting aroma of wood smoke mingles with the strumming strains of guitars as friends gather ’round the fire for food, fun, and folk songs. The menu is ideally suited for a casual gathering in the great outdoors— and any meal that ends with s’mores ensures a good time for all. Smokies in Beer Barbecue Sauce Makes 28 servings 1 large onion, thinly sliced 1 large green bell pepper, cut into ¼-inch strips 1 large red bell pepper, cut into ¼-inch strips 3 (1-pound) packages cocktail wieners 1½ cups chicken broth 1 (12-ounce) can tomato paste 6 tablespoons dark molasses 3 tablespoons whole-grain mustard 1 tablespoon minced garlic 2 teaspoons liquid smoke 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 (12-ounce) bottle beer 4 bay leaves 1. Layer half…

Embrace the magic of Easter, and plan an event filled with wonder. Picture the world through a child’s eyes, and stage a gussied-up, pint-size picnic near the backyard playhouse. Add whimsy with striped plates, patterned napkins, flowers in birdcages, and handmade flag garlands. Surprise one and all with a special delivery—a precious baby bunny—to make the celebration complete. Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Nuggets Makes 4 dozen 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts ¼ cup vegetable oil ¼ cup soy sauce ¼ cup honey 1 (16-ounce) package bacon, cut in thirds crosswise Honey Mustard Sauce (recipe follows) 1. Cut chicken into ½-inch pieces. Place chicken in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. 2. In a small bowl, combine oil, soy sauce, and honey; pour over chicken. Cover or seal, and marinate…

Banana Pudding Cake Makes 12 servings ¾ cup butter, softened 1½ cups sugar 3 large eggs 2 cups mashed ripe bananas 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2¼ cups cake flour 1½ teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt ¹⁄³ cup whole buttermilk 1 (3.4-ounce) box vanilla instant pudding mix 2 cups whole milk 2 cups heavy whipping cream ½ cup confectioners’ sugar Garnish: crushed vanilla wafers 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 13x9-inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray with flour. 2. In a large bowl, combine butter and sugar. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in banana and vanilla. 3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda,…

Everlasting love is wonderful indeed. When a couple reaches a milestone anniversary, it presents the opportunity for a truly special celebration. Drawing from the timeless beauty found in the great outdoors, host a dinner to honor the man and wife who have stayed true to the commitment they made so many years ago. With amorous strains of Nat King Cole filling the air, the hand-in-hand lovebirds gazing into each other’s eyes, and incredibly delicious crab cakes starting the dining experience, the night promises to be one that is unforgettable in every way. GROWING STRONG Leaf-motif accents, such as an embroidered tablecloth and artful salad plates, act as subtle reminders that the relationship is healthy and thriving. Commission a cake that reflects the theme, making the confection an extra party decoration…

German Chocolate Brownies Makes 2 dozen 1½ cups butter 2 (4-ounce) bars German chocolate, chopped 2½ cups sugar 4 large eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon salt 2 cups chopped pecans 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut 1 (12-ounce) jar caramel topping* 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil. 2. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine butter and chocolate. Microwave on High in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth (about 1½ minutes total). 3. In a large bowl, combine chocolate mixture and sugar. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour, vanilla, and salt, beating until just combined. Stir in…

Asaucer magnolia in all its pretty pinkness signals the turn of the season and offers inspiration for an outdoor meal. Set a table for two beneath the branches to honor spring with a tableau. Flower-shaped salad plates that resemble the blooms above look lovely, but any dish will do. Contrasting dinner plates add extra color, while hobnail tumblers lend a vintage touch. Keep the menu simple—spinach salad, rolls, and scrumptious chess squares—and sip on refreshing spritzers under the sheltering arms of this magnificent tree, enjoying the blessings that spring bestows. “ And Spring arose on the garden fair, Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere.” —Percy Bysshe Shelley Spinach Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette Makes 4 servings 1 (6-ounce) bag baby spinach 1 cup matchstick carrots ½ cup broccoli sprouts ½…

RECIPE DEVELOPMENT & FOOD STYLING Aimee Bishop Lindsey STYLING Adrienne A. Williams, Katherine Tucker & Andrea Fanning COVER Photography by Marcy Black Simpson Resources: Bowls; Anthropologie. FROM OUR EDITOR Photography by Will Dickey Hair Styling by Valerie Echols of Salon M2 Resources: Apron; Terrace-Hill. Red Stand Mixer; KitchenAid. CHAPTER INTRODUCTIONS Photography by Mac Jamieson Styling by Andrea Fanning, Karen Callaway & Amy Robinson SIMPLY SUMMER COLORS OF SUMMER Photography by Kamin H. Williams Resources: Provo Primo China by Richard Ginori; Bray-Farmer Associates. Hobnail & Glass Lanterns; Two’s Company. Rainbosaic Hand- Blown Wine Glasses; Bohemiarts. Rio Napkins & Juliette Napkin Rings; Bodrum. Special Thanks to World Market, Four Seasons Antiques, Art & Botanicals, & Libby Wright. THROUGH THE YEARS Photography by Sarah Swihart Resources: Printed Palm Salad Plates, Basilico Dinner Plates,…