Southern Living’s brand spanking new cookbook, Home Cooking Basics, is a treasure that is a must have for anyone that spends anytime at all in the kitchen. Even if you don’t cook but spend your time in the kitchen eating someone else’s cooking, this book is still a must have. You never know when you might be called to spring into action and cook a meal for yourself or someone else. This 8×10 hardcover, full color cookbook with 416 pages will guide inexperienced cooks every step of the way. Experienced cooks will delight in the simplicity of the layout and the tried and true Southern Living recipes which have become a gold standard of southern cooking.
All photos were reproduced from Southern Living Home Cooking Basics with the permission of Southern Living.
Having this cookbook in your collection is like having a Southern grandmother and a 7th grade Home Economics teacher on call and ready to cook with you or answer questions any time of the night or day.
I don’t know that I’ve ever gotten excited by a Table of Contents before but I found the layout interesting, appealing and intriguing. All that excitement before I even see the contents of the cookbook.
The chapter devoted to The Setup, offers instruction on basic cooking tools and implements needed in the way of cookware, bakeware, knives, tools, power tools, table settings and barware.
A guide to purchasing and storing food is found in the chapter called The Ingredients. Working with spices and herbs is quite often a challenge, especially for inexperienced cooks. One of the jewels of this chapter is the tutorial on spices. Information is also at hand on everything from sugar and salt to cheeses capturing fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts along the way.
Everything from mincing garlic to deveining shrimp is found in The Prep. Two full color pages are devoted to showing the difference between chop, slice, mince and julienne along with some other well-known action words found in recipes.
Methods of food preparation, including no cook, are covered in The Methods. Frying is but one method included and, of course, a recipe for Granny and Mama’s fried chicken is part of the deal.
My personal favorite cooking methods are well represented . For meat, it’s braising.
And I roast every vegetable that doesn’t run away from me.
In The Recipes, you find what you expect to find. Recipes. Lots and lots of recipes. The kind of recipes that makes Southern Living a trusted source. All the food categories are there: appetizers and beverages, breakfast and brunch, breads, sandwiches and soups, meats and poultry, fish and shellfish, side dishes, desserts and sauces and condiments.
Many of the recipes include full color photos. They all have easy to follow ingredient lists and instructions.
The dessert section has plenty of traditional Southern desserts just like your grandmother used to make. And in true Southern Living fashion, included are some desserts with just the right touch of Southern Living flair to make you look like a superstar. Take a gander at these Southern-style Caramel Apples using branches for sticks.
And if all this isn’t enough, peppered throughout are tips, secrets and Southern folklore. Here’s an example of Southern folklore:
Maque Choux is a traditional dish of southern Louisiana similar to succotash. It’s believed that the name of this dish is a Cajun French translation of the Native American name.
So, there you have it. If you’ve been searching for the origin of the name “maque choux” , the case is solved.
If you’re interested in purchasing many, many copies of this cookbook, click here.
To enter the giveaway for this piece of southern cooking treasure, leave a comment below describing the person who you think is the best cook in the world. Is it your grandmother, mother, a celebrity chef? How about yourself? Or, perhaps a childhood friend’s mother. We all know and love good cooks. Let’s celebrate them.
For additional chances to win, do any or all of the following with this post:
(1) Share on Facebook.
(2) Tweet on Twitter.
(3) Pin on Pinterest.
(4) Email to a friend.
After you share, tweet, pin and email, leave me a message and let me know.
The contest ends at midnight, Sunday, September 30. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Monday, October 1.
Two copies of the cookbook were provided by Southern Living in exchange for the review. All comments, thoughts, ramblings, stumbles, banterings, ravings and general nonsense are strictly, only, exclusively mine.
The contest is now closed. Congratulations to Trish D. on winning!
Jill Van Vlack says
I think that my stylist’s mother is an awesome cook.
Jennifer Winemiller says
My Aunt Helen was the most amazing cook. She made everything from scratch. There were many homemade noodles left out to dry that never made it to be cooked! From pies and home decorated cakes to fresh fried chicken, I will never forget the many nights going to bed full and happy….just because she cared.
Vickie Schexnayder says
I would love to win and have this cookbook. My grandmother was one of the best cooks in my life. Although I loved all of her cooking, her baking was very special to me. She would make Homemade Bread (the old fashion method) and my favorite was Fig Cake Bars. I wish she were here today to know how much of an influence she was on me because I love to bake and share with my neighbors. My mother is also an excellent cook and baker–so they are the two inspirations in my life who have helped me become the cook and baker I am today. I am so Blessed.
Jamie White Wyatt says
Shared on Facebook!
Jamie White Wyatt says
My mother is a great cook, and is one of the best I know! She loved to entertain, and tried new recipes all the time. She encouraged us to have adventurous palates. As a home economics major, Mama’s food always looked as good as it tasted.
Jennifer Winemiller says
Shared on Facebook, I couldn’t figured out how to pin on pinterest, I don’t email and a don’t have twitter. Consider me anyway 😀 ?
Bonnie M says
My mom and my mother-in-law are terrific cooks. I’ve been fortunate to learn a lot from both of them.
Bonnie M says
Shared on Pinterest!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
What a wonderful giveaway. No chance at getting Southern Living down here but I always bought it when I lived in the states. It’s one of the best as I recall.
Barbara Palermo says
I think that my mother is an awesome cook.
Christina witchey says
My dad is the best cook… Pies, hash (in cast iron) and anything with meat and potatoes!!! Don’t tell my mon!! 🙂
Barbara Freeman says
My mom! She made the very best pies, I’m still trying to duplicate hers!
Jane D says
My mom is an amazing cook.
Jane D says
Also e-mailed your post to a friend for an extra chance to win what looks like a great Southern Living cookbook.
Ann says
Looks like a wonderful addition to my library!! I have pinned it and posted to facebook!
Kelly Kirk Lockhart says
My sister is an amazing cook… she went to school to be a pastry chef (and she is an incredible pastry chef) but, she can really do it all. I wish I was as talented as she is in the kitchen.
trish duncan says
shared on face book and pinned to my yummy page on pintrest
Shari Keen says
I love the looks of this cookbook, Jackie.. My Grandmother took Pennsylvania Dutch cooking to a whole new level…..I’d love to have one more time at her table. I’m also emailing this to a friend.
~kim says
hands down, my maternal grandmother… a consummate “Kitchen Queen” in my eyes~
(now, to share on FB!)
Joyce Faucheux says
all my family is gone but I think my cousin Gail is the best cook – anything she cooks taste
so good- and I’ll add a friend Beverly who is always a go to cook if you need something –
her kitchen is always opened