Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2016 i Taste of the South

I’ve celebrated Thanksgiving in a handful of places across the South, but there is nowhere more special to me than my parents’ farm outside Jackson, Mississippi. It isn’t much of a farm, really—just a humble handful of acres in the countryside, away from the bustle of the suburbs where I grew up. But when fall descends upon the land, transforming the trees into a flaming tapestry of color, I can’t imagine a better place to be. Sometimes the weather yields a perfect fall day, just crisp enough to set the table on the flagstone patio, the sun setting over the lake in the distance. After two full days of cooking, we join our friends and family around the table, our plates full of good Southern food; our hearts full of…

Clarksville, Tennessee Only an hour outside of Nashville, Clarksville seamlessly blends Southern charm and big city cuisine in the restaurants, bakeries, and cafés in the classic storefronts of its downtown. Silke’s Old World Breads The bakers at Silke’s use age-old European recipes to bring their goodies to life. With a selection of authentic, time-honored standards like Bauernbrot bread and Bee Sting Cake, you’re sure to find something to love. silkesoldworldbreads.com Miss Lucille’s Cafe If the charming appearance of Miss Lucille’s Café doesn’t draw you in, the delicious food definitely will. They specialize in adding modern flair to country classics, like Willie’s Brisket Sliders and Hootie & the Grilled Fish Tacos. misslucillesmarketplace.com Johnny ’s Big Burgers Opened in 1965, Johnny’s Big Burgers has been serving their enormous, grilled-to-order burgers for more…

Proudly featuring: Get in the Holiday Spirit with a Visit to Louisiana Impressive home tours, the Holiday Trail of Lights and bonfires lighting the way for Papa Noel—just some of the ways Louisiana tucks festive cheer into every corner of the state. And no holiday experience in the Bayou State is complete without a bowl of soul-warming gumbo. Visit Louisiana for the holidays this year and create some memories of your own! a louisiana christmas HOLIDAY TRAIL OF LIGHTS On the Holiday Trail of Lights in north Louisiana, eight towns celebrate the festivities of the season from November to January. They create the Christmas spirit with beautiful light displays, parades, live performances and visits from Santa. In Alexandria and Pineville, known as the Heart of Louisiana, watch the beautiful Nutcracker…

Caramel Cake is one of the greatest achievements of the Southern culinary canon. To the guild of Southern grandmothers and those they’ve taught, stirring together that molten amber mixture is simply second nature. But to the uninitiated, homemade caramel frosting can be temperamental; a treasured recipe shrouded in mystery. And perhaps there is some mystique involved. How else can you explain the sudden strength displayed by your petite grandmother as she takes her wooden spoon to that quickly thickening concoction, whipping it into submission with a fervor that would intimidate any cook half her age? But in truth, success in caramel only requires two ingredients: knowledge and resolve. With a little knowhow, a watchful eye, and a determined spirit, anyone can make a pan-full of sweet and buttery caramel frosting.…

ALABAMA The Jimmie Hale Mission serves thousands of Thanksgiving meals every year. Volunteers can help by packaging, delivering, and serving meals, donating pantry items, and more. jimmiehalemission.com TEXAS At the Power of Pie event, pies donated from top Texas bakers are sold to benefit a non-profit organization that delivers meals to the elderly. Last year, they sold more than 1,500 pies and raised more than $40,000. powerofpie.org GEORGIA The Old Savannah City Mission’s Day of Great Thanksgiving provides a special Thanksgiving meal to more than 1,000 in need. oscm.org WEST VIRGINIA Celebrating its 50th year, the Frank Veltri Thanksgiving Dinner provides free Thanksgiving lunch to those in need, served and delivered by community volunteers.…

How to host your EASIEST THANKSGVING EVER HOST STARTERS + TURKEY & DRESSING Prepare the appetizers ahead of time so you can focus on the turkey and dressing. Time it so that the turkey has finished cooking when your guests arrive, freeing up the oven for reheating side dishes. GUESTS SIDE DISHES OR DESSERT To ensure a successful Thanksgiving Potluck, assign each guest a side dish so that you don’t end up with everyone bringing the same thing. Let your guests know they are welcome to use your oven or stovetop to reheat their dishes upon arrival. CLASSIC SOUTHERN THANKSGIVING Sage Roasted Turkey with Giblet Gravy Cornbread and Buttermilk Biscuit Dressing Sweet Potato Casserole Green Bean Casserole Cracker-Topped Squash Casserole Mashed Potato Casserole Ham Hock Braised Collard Greens TRADITIONAL WITH…

EAST NASHVILLE SPICE COMPANY SEASONING The folks at East Nashville Spice Company pack a flavorful punch into seasoning blends like their Original Seasoning, a versatile mix of herbs and spices that makes a savory addition to meat and veggies. $13 for a 5-ounce jar; eastnashvillespicecompany.com SUCRÉ SOUTHERN CANDIED PECANS Coated in a Louisiana cane sugar glaze, these candied pecans will satisfy your sweet tooth with New Orleans flair. Delicious on their own or on top of your favorite holiday pies and cakes, they’re the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dessert lineup. $16 for a 7-ounce tin; shopsucre.com A. CHANIN LONG APRON Handcrafted in Florence, Alabama, by Alabama Chanin, this apron is made from soft, organic cotton. We love its clean design and multiple pockets, perfect for tucking away utensils and…

SWEET POTATO PECAN PIE Makes 1 (10-inch) pie This gorgeous pie combines two of our favorite fall desserts. Crust: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed 6 tablespoons cold water Filling: 21/2 cups cooked mashed sweet potato (2 large sweet potatoes) 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon orange zest 3/4 cup evaporated milk Topping: 11/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 21/2 cups pecan halves 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1.…

Raleigh, North Carolina-based chef Ashley Christensen opened her first restaurant, Poole’s Diner, in 2007, serving up comfort food classics with local and seasonal ingredients. In the years since, she has added six more eateries, which under her direction dish out everything from fried chicken and wood-fired steaks to coffee and cocktails. In her new cookbook, Poole’s: Recipes and Stories from a Modern Diner, she delves into her first foray into the restaurant world and shares the recipes that have drawn so many into her diner haven. Tell us about your experiences with food growing up. I grew up in a small town that didn’t offer a lot in the way of restaurants, but both of my parents were great cooks, so most of our eating happened at home. They both…

Classically trained pastry chefs Kelly Fields and Lisa White earned their reputation in the New Orleans restaurant scene under the tutelage of acclaimed chef, John Besh. Recently, they have come together as the hearts and masterminds behind their splendid bakery and café, Willa Jean. This downtown New Orleans spot is named after Field’s grandmother, from whom she inherited her love of farm-fresh ingredients, and offers heavenly baked goods as well as Southern-and Creole-influenced fare. Who is your biggest baking influence? Kelly: My mom—she baked every week of my childhood, and frankly, I still steal her recipes. Lisa: It would have to be Kathleen Weber from Della Fattoria in Petaluma, California. First food memory? Kelly: Eating ripe tomatoes straight off the vine in our garden Lisa: I once snuck eggs and…