Mississippi Hometown Cookbook (Sample) Do you find that the hardest part of cooking for your family is coming up with what to cook? Great American Cookbooks can help make that so simple with easy-to-follow, delicious-tasting recipes from hometown cooks across the USA. Our goal is to provide everyday recipes for the everyday cook. That is why we strive to select the best recipes using ingredients most cooks already have in their kitchen. Just to give you an idea of the great cookbooks Great American has to offer, here is a small sample of Mississippi Hometown Cookbook. Each book we produce is a full-color, top- quality cookbook with 200 to 300 wonderful family recipes. We also include interesting stories and articles that will bring you and your family hours of fun. Thank you for taking the time to view this Great American Cookbook Sample. Mississippi Hometown Cookbook Tupelo Mississippi Hometown Cookbook by Sheila Simmons and Kent Whitaker Great American Publishers www.GreatAmericanPublishers.com TOLL-FREE 1.888.854.5954 Recipe Collection © 2011 by Great American Publishers ALL RIGHTS RESERVED All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Great American Publishers 501 Avalon Way, Suite B • Brandon, MS 39047 www.GreatAmericanPublishers.com 1.888.854.5954 ISBN 978-1-934817-08-7 by Sheila Simmons & Kent Whitaker 10 9 8 7 6 5 Contents Introduction ......................... 7 Appetizers .......................... 9 Bread & Breakfast ...................31 Soups & Salads .....................59 Vegetables & Side Dishes ...........89 Beef & Pork ........................115 Poultry ............................133 Fish & Seafood .....................149 Cookies & Candies .................165 Cakes & Cobblers ..................187 Pies & Other Desserts ..............215 Festivals by Month .................235 Index of People & Places ...........236 Recipe Index ......................243 Introduction Mississippi. The Hospitality State. Birthplace of America’s Music. The South’s Warmest Welcome. Home. I’m a born-and-raised, been-here-all-my-life Mississippi girl. Kent’s father is an Ole Miss graduate who was also born and raised in Mississippi. Kent and his two brothers spent many lazy summer days swimming in Grenada Lake. Though he now resides in the Chattanooga area, much of Kent’s family still calls Mississippi home. For both of us, Mississippi is not simply a place, it’s our heritage. And Mississippi’s heritage is strong. The Magnolia State has served as home and inspira- tion to many famous authors: William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, and Willie Morris to name just a few. Mississippi, Birthplace of America’s Music, is where the blues, rock n’ roll, and country music were born. From blues legend B. B. King, to Elvis Presley “The King of Rock n’ Roll,” to Jimmie Rodgers “The Father of Country Music,” great music is an important part of Mississippi’s history. Today’s Mississippi offers diverse fun for everyone. There are outdoor adventures galore—hunting, fishing, horseback riding, golf, canoeing, bird watching, and more—in the unspoiled natural landscapes of the state. From museums to beaches, casinos to camping, baseball and football to motorcycle and car shows, there is great fun for every member of the family. Another important part of our heritage is family, and where there’s family in Mississippi, there is always great food. Any gathering is excuse enough to share food made from recipes handed down through generations of excellent family cooks. From spicy favor- ites like Mississippi Cajun Catfish, Crawfish Étouffée, and Zesty Butter Beans… to classic Southern cooking…Aunt Ceil’s Mississippi-Must Fried Corn, Mama’s Southern-Style Chicken ‘n Dumplings, Creamy Banana Pudding, or Tomato Gravy…to all-new down-home favor- ites like “Less Fat” Fried Baked Chicken, Southern Soul Bean Salad, Sweet Potato Candy, and Easy Coconut Cake…not to mention Belinda’s Biloxi Shrimp Cheese Grits, Hometown Chicken Salad, Granny’s Divinity, and Muscadine Cobbler. Mississippi music, cooking, and Southern hospitality all come together during the many festivals that are held throughout the state each year. And throughout this book, you’ll find information about fun, food-related festivals plus a complete listing of all Mississippi festivals in the back of the book. From Dudie Burger Festival in Tupelo to the Biloxi Seafood Festival, from Belzoni’s World Catfish Festival to Mississippi Pecan Festival in Beaumont, from Poplarville’s Blueberry Jubilee to Vardaman Sweet Potato Festival, to Mississippi Watermelon Festival in Mize, there is a celebration to suit every taste. 7 This fifth volume in our STATE HOMETOWN COOKBOOK SERIES would not be possible without the generous support of many people. Kent and I spoke to friends, family and many more people throughout the state who generously shared their recipes, their stories, and their memories. Thank you to everyone associated with the food festivals and the Chambers of Commerce and the tourist bureaus who were ever patient and helpful. Our sincere gratitude goes to Brooke Craig, Anita Musgrove, and Krista Griffin who are forever working tirelessly behind the scenes, and to the rest of the Great American Team: Christy Campbell, Christy Jenkins, Courtney Rust, Kathryn Lang, Mikaela Patrick, Sheena Steadham, and Serena Neal. A very special thank you goes to Lacy Fikes, without you this book may have never made it to the printer, and to Corena Gill, former Mississippi girl. As forever and always, a big thank you goes to our families for their unwavering support: Ally and Macee; Roger, Ryan, and Nicholas—we couldn’t do it without you. Mississippi Hometown Cookbook is for Mississippi residents, visitors, transplanted natives or anyone who wants to experience the unique flavor of our state’s special food heritage. We hope you will enjoy this outstanding collection of down-home Southern recipes from hometown cooks across the state. Wishing you many happy kitchen memories, Sheila Simmons & Kent Whitaker “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV) 8 Appetizers Natchez Trace Parkway APPETIZERS Blueberry Smoothie 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen 8 ounces yogurt, any flavor 1 banana, peeled 1 cup milk, more if desired 1 tablespoon wheat germ, if desired Blend all ingredients until smooth and serve. Gulf South Blueberry Growers John Braswell, MSU-ES, Poplarville Chef Jenard Wells’ Mango Salsa Also good with diced red bell pepper and jicama. 1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and diced (about 1½ cups) ½ medium red onion, finely chopped 1 jalapeño pepper, minced (include ribs and seeds for a hotter taste, if desired) 1 small cucumber, peeled and diced (about 1 cup) 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice Salt and pepper to taste Combine all ingredients in a bowl. If the salsa is a little too hot or acidic for your taste, you can temper it by adding some diced avocado. Chef Jenard Wells originally from Michigan City, Mississippi 10 Mississippi APPETIZERS Watermelon Salsa ½ small seedless watermelon, 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced finely diced ½ red onion, diced 2 jalapeños, seeded and finely 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced finely diced 1 bunch cilantro, chopped 1 green bell pepper, seeded and 2 limes, juiced finely diced ½ teaspoon salt In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Sample salsa with a chip; adjust ingredients as needed. Serve with chips or on top of grilled chicken or fish. May also be served as a side salad. Richard “Monk” Morris Water Valley Watermelon Carnival Water Valley Watermelon Carnival 1st Weekend in August Water Valley Thousands attend Water Valley’s annual Water- melon Carnival the 1st weekend in August. Enjoy live music, watermelon seed-spitting contest, melon eating and throwing contests. Join the walk/run races. Shop over 125 craft booths and enter a BBQ contest including; Best Side, Dessert, Sauce, and Watermelon Dish. Stroll through the car show, show off your dance moves at the street dance, and be amazed as the fireworks pop. They also have a Queen presentation, the Biggest Melon contest, a Pet Parade, children’s games and FREE watermelon slices. 206 North Main Street • Water Valley, MS 38965 662.473.1122 • www.watervalleychamber.info Hometown Cookbook 11 APPETIZERS Yummy Easy Fruit Dip 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (13-ounce) jar marshmallow crème Any fruit you desire, such as apples, grapes, strawberries, and bananas Beat cream cheese and marshmallow crème until smooth; chill. Serve with fruit for dipping. Sara Albritton, Canton Mississippi Watermelon Festival 3rd Weekend in July Mize It's a time to eat all the watermelon you can handle at the annual Mississippi Watermelon Festival. You'll enjoy seed spitting and watermelon eating contests, live music and more. Since 1978, it’s been two days of family fun and entertainment you don't want to miss. If you are a regular, we'll see you there; if you've never been, well, there's plenty of shade and fun for the entire family. Bring your lawn chairs, sit a spell, sample some delicious, ripe, world-famous Smith County melons and enjoy some down home Southern hospitality. Y’all come see us 507 Cedar Street • Mize, MS 39116 877.790.9722 • www.mswatermelonfestival.com 12 Mississippi APPETIZERS Sausage & Cream Cheese Rotel 1 pound ground sausage, hot or mild 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, cubed 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 2 (10-ounce) cans Rotel tomatoes, hot or mild Brown sausage; drain. Add to slow cooker with cream cheese, Cheddar cheese and Rotel; mix. Cook on low, stirring occasionally, until melted and hot. Serve hot with tortilla chips. Mmmmm good. Krista Griffin, Carthage April’s Meaty Crowd-Pleaser Dip This is a party favorite amongst my friends. In fact, if I do not make it, I get racked with guilt from their overwhelming disappointment.