Sunday, December 18, 2011

Holiday Giveaways: My Favorite Southern Cookbooks - CLOSED

***This giveaway is now closed and a winner has been chosen.  Thank you for entering!***

For my final giveaway this year, one lucky winner will receive three of my favorite cookbooks.  Born and raised in the south, southern food is quite easily my favorite cuisine.  And I would argue vehemently that it has the richest food culture of any other region in the US.  It is definitely more than just Paula Deen, fried food, and lard.  It's the original farm-to-table cuisine.  It's about passing down treasured recipes from generation to generation.  It's about family and togetherness and love.  And this week I want to share that love with all of you.  I'll be giving away three cookbooks:  The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook, Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen, and Basic to Brilliant, Y'all by Virginia Willis.  I have made multiple recipes out of each of these cookbooks, all with rave reviews.




The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook is my Bible when it comes to southern food.  It has all the basics of southern cuisine - a killer pimiento cheese recipe, boiled peanuts, fried green tomatoes, collards, Brunswick stew, pound cake, biscuits... plus some fun and interesting spins on classics as well.  Wine and beer and beer pairings are also included with most of the recipes, and the recipes and commentary are witty and wonderfully written.  This is the first book I pull out when I want to reference any southern classic.




Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen is another winner.  She's all about seasonal and local cooking.  She takes traditional southern recipes and gives them a modern twist - some of the standouts:  flounder with garden vegetable ratatouille, corn cakes topped with an avocado-tomato salad, country ham and hominy hash, Autumnal chicken pot pie,  grits with roasted butternut squash and blue cheese, grilled peach salad with country ham and herbs, rhubarb-cornmeal tart...and her cornbread dressing is one of the best I've ever had.  It is now my Thanksgiving staple, bar none.


And finally, Basic to Brilliant, Y'all.  This is the newest cookbook that I've added to my collection, and I am so in love.  Virginia Willis is a classically French-trained chef who was born and raised in the south.  She combines the two cuisines effortlessly, giving fancy French recipes a down-home feel, and updating some classic southern-style dishes as French preparations.  Some standouts:  sweet potato grits, pecan-crusted trout with brown-butter sauce, kale omelet baked in a bread boule, roasted red pepper and goat cheese gratin, apple-Roquefort turnovers, summer squash slaw, poached eggs in red wine sauce, deviled chicken thighs, peach dijon-crusted pork tenderloin, Coca-Cola Cake... and each recipe is accompanied by a "brilliant" idea:  a shortcut, a short recipe that can accompany the dish, or an alternate presentation.  The book is also beautifully photographed by the talented Helene Dujardin.

The Rules:
  1. To enter, leave me a comment answering this question: What is your favorite cuisine?
  2. One entry per person.  The winner will be chosen by a random number generator.
  3. Must leave a valid email address with your entry (I need a way to get in touch with you if you win!!)
  4. Giveaway is open until Thursday 12/22 at 10 pm EST.


160 comments:

Lyndsi said...

Definitely Thai food!

amy beth marantino said...

italian

Jan said...

french

Jackie said...

Southern Food/Soul Food.

Kristen Hadley said...

It's so hard to choose! I think it's Italian though!

Uni Korn said...

From scratch food. I love a lot of types. Southern. Italian. But, really I just love comforting food that didn't come from a box or can.

Lynn said...

Italian!

Melissa said...

Peruvian cuisine is my absolute favorite. I fell in love with the food during my time there and have been trying to master the favors ever since. nimlas{at}yahoo{dot}com

Lindsay said...

I love Mexican food! Yum! I just adore cookbooks - what a great giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Oh man, so hard to choose, but I would have to say Vietnamese (I'm Vietnamese, after all)!

email: annpham@gmail.com

Lauren said...

I'm Cajun and can't do without etouffee, shrimp creole, and boudain!

Leslie said...

Definitely Italian cuisine!

Sara said...

I love to make healthy versions of traditional food!

Amy said...

It's so hard to choose. I love Thai, Italian, Mexican.... I do have my southern roots myself, but have never lived there. I'd love to learn more about the food and try out these cookbooks!

ljyoung85 said...

Italian is my favorite.

ljyoung85 at gmail.com

June said...

I love food, but I guess if I have to choose, it would be Italian!

jelizoxner@gmail.com

Ashleigh said...

So hard to choose just one!! :) I suppose I'd have to say authentic Italian.
abgardner@liberty.edu

jeanneod said...

Italian food!

Anonymous said...

Very hard to choose! I would have to say Southern for sure! It's my husband's favorite too! So many fun things to make and we love the spicy kick!!!

Meg said...

I like Italian.

Sandra said...

I don't think I can choose just one...I love all food and am always looking to try something new! I do miss southern, tex-mex and BBQ terribly since moving from Texas to CT earlier this year, though!

Kate said...

it's pretty tough to pick just one - but i LOVE italian food. too bad i'm less than 5% italian!

Val said...

I'm a big fan of American comfort foods - mac and cheese, meatloaf, etc. My favorite foreign foods are Eastern European, specifically Russian. I will never, ever forget the wonderful plof I had there when I visited in 2004. So yummy!

Kristin said...

My dad's side of the family is from Tennessee, so I definitely have a soft spot for Southern food! It's my favorite!

Lindsey said...

Awesome giveaway! My favorite cuisine is definitely Greek.

Genelle Pretty said...

Italian, for sure!

Becca annoyinglittlegirl@hotmail.com said...

Italian! I could eat pizza and pasta all day and not get sick of it (but I might end up the size of a house)

Michele said...

Sorry to delete my other comment. I didn't realize that it didn't automatically include my email address which is chelebelle72@yahoo.com

It's a toss up between Southern food (my heritage) and Greek food (my husband's heritage.) Love them both!

Sara {home is where the cookies are} said...

Is "sweets" a cuisine?? Just kidding. . . mine is probably Italian. I can't resist hot and cheesy.

Gracie said...

I love Scandinavian food for every day (meat and potatoes!) and that's what I make for myself. If I'm going out to eat though, my favorites are Lebanese, Mexican, and Korean food.

Lauren said...

my favorite cuisine is most definitely italian...who doesnt love a good meatball?!

mary said...

Mexican gets my vote.

Atlanta, Food and Love said...

I love southern food, but I also feel like I could eat Chinese food every day!

Kasie said...

I don't really have a favorite cuisine. I like seafood prepared anyway. One of my favorite dishes is a Cajun BBQ shrimp. It's delicious!

Caitlin said...

I love the contrast between rich and bright flavors in Mediterranean food!

Rhi said...

French!

Marg said...

Italian, or mexican if it comes with a margarita, and i know, shame on me for thinking about margaritas at 9:45 on a Monday morning, but ya gotta dream

Amanda Thompson said...

Southern food = Comfort food for me!


adb6{at}humboldt{dot}edu

Tiffany said...

My favorite is Thai food. It's not something that I can make at home but I love going out to eat Thai.

sami said...

Italian
Have a wonderful holiday....

Kate said...

Hmmm...Mexican, no maybe italian, or southern. I really love them all!

Megan said...

I could eat Mexican every single day.

Kelsey said...

Wow, Josie! This is such a generous giveaway. You know I love my Southern home food, but if I could only choose one food for the rest of my life, I might have to go with Mexican food. But man is that a tough choice!

Stephanie said...

this is hard, but i love spanish! i love tapas!!!!

Suburban prep said...

Italian for sure.

Stacey said...

I love Greek food...I could live on it for the rest of my life!

Such The Spot said...

Perhaps it's because I grew up in California and now call Arizona home, but--hands down--my favorite cuisine would have to be Mexican. Especially Sonoran Mexican; the fresh flavors are a far cry from that greasy Tex-Mex many people think of when they think of Mexican food.

Rima said...

Spanish food, all the way!

Sara Caldwell said...

I have really been into Indian food lately! But as a good southern girl myself I always love some good southern food!

Cassie said...

I could eat good authentic Mexican food almost every day of the week. Not Tex Mex, but the real stuff!

VAS said...

Italian...:)))

Jennifer D. said...

Italian! :)

PJ said...

It's a toss-up between Mexican and Italian. I grew up in the South, but didn't really eat "southern" cooking, but ate a lot of great Mexican food. But the Italians have all that pasta!

Karen B said...

Mexican

Dani @ Cloud 8½ said...

I love Tex-Mex!

Anna said...

After living in Taiwan, authentic Chinese food is definitely my favorite cuisine.


bashfulbao@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

We love mexican

bekfitts said...

French cuisine! Rich and elegant!

Desi said...

I just now started to love Indian food! Chicken tikka masala.... naan... butter chicken, I want it all! But of course I love my good old American steak and potatoes :)

Kellie Groves said...

I live on the West coast now, but will always have a love for the southern cuisine that I grew up on.

Kira said...

As much as I love Southern food, it's a bit meat-heavy for me, so I'll have to with Indian as my favorite cuisine.

Christy said...

Is there a cuisine called "Hodge Podge" because I just like food. I'm not sure I could pick one type. As long as it is full of flavor it's going to make my mouth water!

Donna said...

Italian

Bridget said...

It's so hard to choose, but if I have to pick just one, I'll go with Italian.

rusvaplaukė said...

Most probably italian.

eikit.sau at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Italian!

asb14@bu.edu

Courtney said...

My favorite is Italian! It's so versatile!

Kelsey said...

So hard to choose, but I live in Koreatown now and eat a lot of Korean food, so it's probably my current favorite!

elliotjames said...

Despite the fact that have no personal or cultural connection to it, I'm wild about indian food and could never get enough.


(eekennedy@gmail.com)

Amy said...

Mexican! Especially anything covered in cheese! ;-)

Cheryl D. said...

Hands down Italian! cheryldunn1919@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Mexican food is my favorite!

Melissa @IWasBornToCook said...

Italian. Or Greek. I'll say Mediterranean :)

Susan said...

Anything Italian!

gsue@comcast.net

Sarah - The Home Cook said...

Hmmm...it's a toss up between Mexican, Italian and Asian.

kimt said...

thai, italian, french...and many more. love to try them all.
would love these cookbooks to try some "southern".

Eva @ Eva Bakes said...

Asian!

ddahenry@gmail.com said...

Japanese

Anonymous said...

Asian :-)

Nikki said...

Mexican food!!

bisalsoforbridget said...

I'm going to say Mexican - although I do love Italian as well...

Julie said...

I love simple foods from anywhere that just taste awesome. Peasant Cuisine? Is that even a category?!

Kara D said...

I definitely love Mediterranean food best!! YUM! :)

Adrena said...

Mexican&Asian !

Unknown said...

hmm...if i had to pick i would say mexican, but i looove all types of food!

Virginia said...

Either Southern or Mexican, but I'm a MS girl, so I'll go with Southern :)

Mellybrown said...

I can ALWAYS eat Mexican food. My Papa is a good ol' boy from Missouri and it is such a treat to make and eat his favorite southern meals.
mellybrown@aol.com

The Beachside Baker said...

That is such a hard question, because I love so many! I like Japanese food, and lately, Peruvian food.

Anonymous said...

French

selb235 at gmail dot com

Anibanan said...

Moroccan!

Sophie said...

Italian, mainly pasta.

Hezzi-D said...

Mine is definitely Italian...I could eat pasta all day every day.

Melissa said...

Mexican by far!! reidmeli@yahoo.ca

Melisa said...

Italian!

VicB said...

Southern food

Emma Bee said...

I absolutely love southern food, but Mexican and Thai food are also strong favorites!
Emma Michel

AMSpohn said...

My favorite cuisine has to be Japanese. The choice is based on the fact that it has be something that I can eat any time of year in any given mood and stresses seasonal ingredients. As much as I love Latin flavors, southern BBQ, or Italian family-style, my go-to cuisine is based on Japanese traditions.

Savannah said...

my favorite cuisine is probably japanese, i.e. sushi. not sure that counts as an actual cuisine, but oh well!

Barb bjpershe54@yahoo.com said...

It's hard to choose just one cuisine, but I will choose Italian food!

Allison C said...

I like Mexican food...especially anything with avocados! Thanks for the opportunity.

alibear167 at gmail

JuLo said...

How does one choose?! I'll say I cook Indian most often, but Japanese and Thai hold a special place in my heart/yummy as well. ;)

Andrew and Kate said...

You can't go wrong with Italian!

Joanne said...

Thai food all the way!

Shawn Palmer said...

Mexican food!

Eileen said...

just all-american! like something of most any cuisines...as long as it doesn't involve something weird--but of course my idea of weird might be someone's idea of normal!!!

thanks for the opportunity and have a Merry Christmas

janetd said...

Not exactly a cuisine, but anything "farm-to-table"!
darvill@bellsouth.net

Katie said...

Italian!

Anonymous said...

italian food most definitely! i love cheese and pasta and italian food is like a party in my mouth.

shannonzhan@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Southern food is the best! Thanks for the give away

Ali @ Solano's Kitchen said...

I'd have to say Italian or my dad might disown me :-) He grew up in Sicily, and we grew up eating delicious food!

Nicole said...

I would have to say Italian.
Merry Christmas!!

maggie said...

japanese, definitely. love me some sushi!

Marie said...

I think my favorite cuisine is probably a tie between Italian and some down home Americana :) I can't get enough of either one!

charysma88[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anjana Sivaraman said...

Favorite cuisine is Mexican.Thanks for the give away.

Ashley said...

I'm all about good old southern food. It can't be beat! :)

Meghan said...

My favorite cuisine is Japanese and/or french!

Birdie said...

Japanese food all the way! I could eat it every day of my life and never be bored.

Kim said...

I'm from Texas so I adore Southern cooking and Mexican food. Yum!

Cory said...

Mexican...I could always go for some chips and queso!

annie said...

I would have to say any type of Mediterranean style food....Italian, Greek, Lebanese, but all good food is great to eat.
girolamo@sympatico.ca

Haley Wheeler said...

It's a toss up between Mexican and Italian, but I think Mexican might win out. Can't beat the heat!

Amanda R said...

I am a huge fan of Mexican fare. Ole!

Anonymous said...

Southern Food Rocks! :)
mahenry123@aol.com

Kaitlin said...

I would definitely have to say Mexican.

Kaitlinjo at hotmail dot com

Amy and Mike said...

Definitely Italian! And thankfully I married into an Italian family with amazing recipes that have been passed through the family.

CAR said...

Mexican food!

Unknown said...

I would have to say Mexican, it's in my blood and I can't get enough!

Anonymous said...

Southern with Mexican being a close second!

Lacy.Lambert@yahoo.com

Megan C. said...

Southern! I've been watching the Lee Bro's cookbook FOREVER!

mlcoggins@hotmail.com

Nic said...

Italian for sure!

ndernbach AT gmail DOT com

Molly said...

Japanese -- too bad that's not the easiest to make for myself!

blondebruin at gmail

Leigh and Anthony said...

That's hard. It changes a lot, but right now it's mexican. I love all of the fresh flavors.

Dee said...

I love Soul food especially my grandmothers :)

Anonymous said...

Basque and French/Med influenced. I make all kinds of food, but this I prefer to have someone else make. Feels so special.

Kt.williamson@yahoo.com

Cori said...

Tie between Thai and Mediterrean

Linda said...

Italian

Suz said...

I always love Mexican, but have discovered a new Thai place that is fabulous! I would love to learn to do a little southern cooking.

Debbie said...

Italian!

Koko @ Koko Likes said...

Italian!!!

Laura said...

American Italian food - haven't had the real stuff

Kate said...

I crave home cooking...does that count?? Anything homemade and delicious is right up my alley :)

Hilary said...

My favorite cuisine is Latin:)

Heather@Kids in the Sink said...

My favorite cuisine is Italian! I love pasta!

Melissa@Kids in the Sink said...

My favorite cuisine is Mexican. It seems we have Mexican dishes on our menu more often than anything else.

Carol said...

What I have to pick one?! Can I just say American because it is a giant mash of up everything else and tends to use a lot of cheese?!

amanda @ fake ginger said...

Southern definitely! I lived in Alabama for the first 26 years of my life and now that I'm in Colorado, I miss the collards and the fried chicken and the fish fries.

amanda @ fakeginger.com

yellowfish said...

I love Thai food, but I also love comfort food and don't have any Southern cookbooks so am very excited about this giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Italian. . . . especially since I'm pregnant. I want tomatoes and carbs.
jesse k
jessicakuntz@embarqmail.com

Paige said...

Southern food deinitely, but Italian is a close second.

e-in-tx said...

Mexican!

Crystal said...

Mexican! All day, every day!

crystal3482 @ hotmail.com

Megan Mkrtschjan said...

I'd go with Italian food

Emily O said...

Is All the above an option? Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Mediterranean, American...etc ;)
e_d_colby@hotmail.com

Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen said...

Tex-Mex!

maggiekathleengill at gmail

Kristen said...

Love it all but probably Italian. kkl13 at scasd.org

Jan T. said...

I love Southern food - maybe too much :)

way2kul1 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Darlene E said...

So many to choose! But probably my favorite would be good ol' Americana!

Stephanie said...

I love Mexican and Tex-Mex food! I think Southern/Soul Food is a close second though!

Stefibeth @ aol.com

LeAndra said...

My favorite cuisine is Thai (love those flat noodles), but it's also hard to beat a good dish of Southern grits. [leandra@loveandflour.com]

Lisa said...

My favorite cuisine is definitely Italian! Indian comes in a close second though.

lisa (dot) walsh09 @ gmail (dot) com

 
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