Innholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2022 i Taste of the South

EACH YEAR as the first real chill descends, I start to crave more cinnamon and nutmeg (along with cardamom, ginger, and mace). I welcome the shorter days and colder evenings, as they give me an excuse to see loved ones more and cook for them. In this issue, we did our best to make the most of iconic seasonal flavors and give you great ways to share them with your family and friends. Whether they’re casual and comforting or stunning showstoppers, these recipes will help you get into the holiday spirit. To me, and to many, cranberry sauce is one of those things that makes Thanksgiving. Growing up, we left the ridges of the can visible on the sauce, but now that I’m cooking most years, I have a few…

WHEN OUR CHILDREN, Dallas and Hannah, were young, my late husband, George, worked as a state police officer with the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board. Early in his career, George traveled all over South Alabama “busting moonshine stills.” His job kept him away from the supper table more than once, but most nights, he was home. But, as time advanced, so did George’s career, and after years of hard work and dedication, he was offered a promotion to chief of the enforcement division of the ABC Board. I was so proud of him, and I still am. He earned that promotion, and he was faithful in his service to the people of Alabama. With the promotion, though, came new difficulties. George’s office was in Montgomery, Alabama, and so for most…

TRUE PEACE AND TRANQUILITY—and even a great deal of adventure—can be found when you’re among mountains. That’s exactly what the cozy and welcoming mountaintop community of Townsend, Tennessee, offers travelers year-round. Settled about an hour’s drive south of Knoxville and just a stone’s throw from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s an idyllic getaway for those craving a change of pace and relief from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. But don’t be mistaken, there’s plenty more to this place than its abundance of beautiful vistas and good ole Southern charm. History is rich in Townsend and plays a large part in how the town came to be as it is today. A visit to one of several local museums like the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage…

ANY SOUTHERN MEAL can be made that much better with a gigantic slice of cake for dessert. Layered, frosted, decorated—these cakes are so good, you may not want to wait until the end of dinner to indulge. Haymaker in North Carolina churns out farm-fresh fare from meat and seafood dishes to drinks and dessert. Their Fig & Olive Oil Cake features olive oil, fig preserves, wildflower honey, Chantilly cream, fresh local figs, Brie ice cream, and candied orange zest all sourced from local purveyors. Rock ’n’ roll music blares within the black walls, studded with yellow lightning bolts, at West Virginia bakery Rock City Cake Company. Known for its modern takes on classic treats, Rock City revives a beloved cake recipe in the form of a cupcake for one local…

dishing with Serving up success with Tallahassee’s rising star SYLVIA GOULD When Sylvia Gould moved from southeastern Florida to Tallahassee for college, she didn’t expect to make the panhandle her forever home. A creative at heart, she has had her hands in everything from fine art and sculpture to ceramics and printmaking over the years. But one thing was a constant in Sylvia’s life through it all—baking. The opportunity to make it her career came while waiting tables at Kool Beanz Cafe. Their pastry chef position opened up, and Sylvia knew this was her chance, convincing the team she could do it. And for the now James Beard Award nominated chef, the rest is history. Are you self-trained or did you attend culinary school? I never went to culinary school,…

Garlic-Herb Butter Roast Beef MAKES 8 TO 10 SERVINGS All it takes are herbs, butter, garlic, and onions to make this roast beef a showstopping centerpiece to your holiday meal. 1 (5- to 5½-pound) beef top-sirloin roast1 cup unsalted butter, softened2 shallots, minced4 cloves garlic, minced1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano2 teaspoons kosher salt½ teaspoon ground black pepper¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper2 red onions, each quartered1 head garlic, halvedGarnish: fresh rosemary sprigs, fresh oregano 1. Remove beef from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking. 2. Preheat oven to 400°. 3. In a medium bowl, stir together softened butter, shallot, garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper. Rub half…

Orange Rolls MAKES 12 These rich and citrusy rolls are the perfect sweet to start your Christmas morning. 4¼ to 4½ cups all-purpose flour, divided1⅓ cups sugar, divided1 (0.25-ounce) package active dry yeast2 teaspoons kosher salt1¼ cups whole milk1 cup unsalted butter, softened and divided1 large egg2 tablespoons packed orange zest (about 2 large oranges)Orange–Sour Cream Glaze (recipe follows) 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whisk together 1½ cups flour, ⅓ cup sugar, yeast, and salt. 2. In a medium saucepan, heat milk and ½ cup butter over medium heat until an instant-read thermometer registers 120° to 130°. Add warm milk mixture to flour mixture; beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add egg; beat at medium-high speed for 2 minutes. With mixer…

BEVERAGES Eggnog 38 BREADS Cheddar-Rosemary Bread Wreath 53 Egg Bread 30 Eggnog Biscuits 40 Orange Rolls 65 Overnight Gingerbread Sweet Rolls 58 Walnut Streusel Cranberry Sauce Muffins 74 DESSERTS Chocolate-Peppermint Cookies 61 Cranberry Buttermilk Breakfast Cake 73 Cranberry-Swirled Pound Cake 73 Eggnog Bread Pudding 39 Eggnog Snickerdoodles 39 Hot Chocolate Slab Pie 59 Nancy’s Chewy Gingersnaps 65 Red Velvet Bundt Cake 58 Sugar Cookie Layer Cake 61 MAINS Cranberry-Glazed Turkey Breasts 73 French Onion–Potato Soup 24 Garlic-Herb Butter Roast Beef 49 Slow Cooker Cranberry-Apple Pork Chops 41 MISCELLANEOUS All-Butter Piecrust 59 Candied Cranberries 74 Orange–Sour Cream Glaze 65 Vanilla Buttercream 61 SIDES & STARTERS Baked Balsamic Onions 25 Caramelized Onion and Bacon Mashed Potatoes 24 Cream Cheese and Bacon Green Bean Casserole 51 Dressing 30 MeMama’s Macaroni & Cheese 30…

Sour Cream and Onion Smashed Potato Casserole MAKES 1 (13X9-INCH) CASSEROLE Side dishes don’t get much more irresistible than this flavor-packed recipe. 2½ pounds small red potatoes1 tablespoon plus ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature1 (8-ounce) container sour cream¾ cup mayonnaise¼ teaspoon garlic powder¼ teaspoon onion powder¼ teaspoon ground black pepper1 (8-ounce) package sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded and divided½ cup sliced green onionsGarnish: sliced green onions 1. In a medium pot, bring potatoes, 1 tablespoon salt, and water to cover to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover and cook until just tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well and let cool to room temperature. 2. Place potatoes in a large bowl. Using a fork or potato masher, mash potatoes, leaving them chunky. 3. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray…

Overnight Gingerbread Sweet Rolls MAKES 12 Do most of the work for these decadent rolls the night before you serve them, and let the earliest riser set them out in the morning before baking. ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon warm whole milk, divided⅓ cup water¼ cup granulated sugar, divided1 (0.25-ounce) package active dry yeast4¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided2¾ teaspoons kosher salt, divided1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided2 teaspoons ground ginger⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly2 large eggs, room temperature¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons molasses, divided½ cup plus 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and divided4 ounces cream cheese, softened1½ cups confectioners’ sugar 1. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine ⅓ cup milk and ⅓ cup water. Microwave until warm (105° to 110°).…

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken Sliders MAKES 12 Sweet and tangy sliders are the perfect party starters for any occasion. 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning*1 teaspoon onion powder1 teaspoon ground cumin, divided1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided½ teaspoon garlic powder1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts1 tablespoon olive oil, divided1 cup finely chopped yellow onion, divided1 (16-ounce) can whole-berry cranberry sauce½ cup ketchup¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, divided¼ cup bourbon2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce1 tablespoon Dijon mustard½ teaspoon smoked paprika¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper2 cups chopped green cabbage1 jalapeño, seeded and diced1 (12-pack) potato slider buns, warmed 1. In a small bowl, stir together ½ teaspoon salt, Cajun seasoning, onion powder, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle evenly over chicken breasts…

THE SOUTH LOVES GRAVY. Redeye gravy, tomato gravy, sawmill gravy, sausage gravy, brown gravy, giblet gravy—we’re tempted to smother and cover everything we can find with a generous ladleful. In the rolling mountains of the Appalachians and Ozarks, folks are tethered to a particular cocoa-kissed gravy that is devilishly decadent and downright delicious. Like many of the region’s best eats, the story behind chocolate gravy is hazy. Some theorize it resulted from a trade network between Spanish Louisiana and the Tennessee Valley, believing Southerners took the concept of Spanish breakfast chocolate and transformed it into a more familiar food: gravy, always poured over fresh-baked buttermilk biscuits. Whether that’s how it went, or it was the invention of a daring home cook with a hankering for fudge, no one will ever…