Eat & Explore Arkansas Cookbook & Travel Guide
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Eat and Explore Arkansas Cookbook and Travel Guide (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 Eat and Explore Arkansas Cookbook and Travel Guide. 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. Cookbook & Travel Guide by Christy Campbell 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 171 Lone Pine Church Road • Lena, MS 39094 TOLL-FREE 1-888-854-5954 • www.GreatAmericanPublishers.com ISBN 978-1-934817-09-4 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 by Christy Campbell Front cover: Map© he National Atlas of the United States of America ® Front cover photos: Back cover photo: Back cover food image: Chapter opening photos: Appetizers & Beverages © Smokingdrum/istockphoto.com Bread & Breakfast © Tannjuska/thinkstock.com • Soups & Salads © funwithfood/istockphoto.com Vegetables & Other Side Dishes © Diana Didyk/istockphoto.com Meat & Seafood © Ezhicheg/istockphoto.com Desserts & Other Sweets © Edward ONeil Photography/istockphoto.com Index © Roberto Zocchi/istock.com Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this book. However, dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Please call or visit websites for up-to-date information before traveling. To purchase books in quantity for corporate use, incentives, or fundraising, please call Great American Publishers at 1-888-854-5954. Introduction . 7 Beverages & Appetizers . 9 Bread & Breakfast . 45 Soups & Salads . 73 Vegetables & Side Dishes . 103 Meat & Seafood . 143 Desserts & Other Sweets . 187 Index of Events & Destinations . 232 Index of Recipes . 241 5 Arkansas has had several nicknames throughout its history, and I do believe they have a winner with “The Natural State ”. When I began this journey, my knowledge of Arkansas was very limited . In the past I had visited Eureka Springs, done business in Bentonville, and accompanied my husband to Little Rock . It wasn’t until I began learning of Arkansas’ magnificent lakes and mountains, its miles and miles of trails, the crystals and diamonds, and regional crops—the abundance of grapes, rice, strawberries, tomatoes, sorghum—that I knew I had truly discovered a hidden gem within the vastness of the United States . In addition to Arkansas’ plentiful natural resources, it was a pleasure to discover its traditions . Festivals that have celebrated for decades and the committed communities that support them are part of a heritage that spans generations . I discovered an array of diversity within the culture of Arkansas: a homestead depicting a simpler time, a parade for German cars only, a giant statue of Christianity’s central figure, majestic architectural styles from around the globe, and a gathering in honor of toads are just a small sampling of the unique customs and ways of life tucked into every nook and cranny throughout the state . Then there’s the food . our publisher and my personal mentor, Sheila Simmons, can always tell how good a cookbook is by how often she wants to stop reading and start cooking . And that is exactly what she said while viewing the rough draft of this cookbook . As varied as the culture, thus is the food . There are tried and true Southern favorites like My Favorite Garden Potato Salad and Sweet Potato Casserole, but it doesn’t stop with quintessential Southern fare . Lavender Chocolate Fudge, Cherry Coke Salad, and Roasted Zucchini with Ricotta and Mint are culinary delights for cooks of all types . Of course, All- American Strawberry Pie, Veggie Chicken Wraps, and Gourmet Meatloaf are favorites I am always happy to see at the dinner table . 7 Every great journey of discovery should be shared to be truly appreciated, and I could not have completed this one without the outstanding team at Great American Publishers and the good people of Arkansas . Brooke Craig, Anita Musgrove, Krista Griffin, Diane Rothery, Pam Edwards—thank all of you so much for your endless help . As it had to be shared, this project also needed someone to ‘man the map’ and it could not have been done without the graceful influence Christy Kent. Christy took the reins of this edition of Eat & Explore Arkansas, making it unique and relevant . Roger Simmons’ input proved invaluable, right up to the very end . A very special thank you goes to Cyndi Clark, the designer who is taking our books in new and beautiful directions . And none of it would be possible without Sheila Simmons, a person whose experience, kindness, and knowledge of all things under the sun continues to motivate and inspire, year after year . To Michael, Michael-Jason, and Preston, your love, support, and patience is the biggest deal of all—thank you . Eat & Explore Arkansas is not only a journey through the kitchens, celebrations and history of the Natural State, it is the beginning of a larger mission . It is the starting point of our quest to preserve America’s traditions, the food we share and the experiences that define us . I look forward to bumping into you again in the future, in another stopping place in the road . Until then, have fun exploring . Arkansas . 8 • Eat & Explore Arkansas Maggie’s Phenomenal Dip 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup grated Swiss cheese 1 bunch green onions, chopped ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon ½ cup crumbled Ritz crackers, plus more for serving. Mix cream cheese, mayo, Swiss and onions. Spread in 8x8-inch pan. Top with crumbled bacon and Ritz crackers. Bake at 350° for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve with Ritz crackers for dipping or spreading. Bella Vista Arts & Crafts Festival Creamy Pumpkin Dip 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar 1 (16-ounce) can pumpkin 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg Beat cream cheese at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add sugar. Beat well. Stir in pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve immediately or cover and chill. Serve with gingersnaps for dipping. Hot Springs Arts & Crafts Fair 10 • Appetizers & Beverages Bella Vista Arts & Crafts Festival 3rd Weekend in October Bella Vista, AR 72714 (For GPS the address is 1991 Forest Hills Boulevard) 479-855-2064 www.bellavistafestival.org For this world-renowned arts and crafts weekend in October, Northwest Arkansas is awash with some 200,000 visitors from across the country . The Bella Vista Arts & Crafts Festival has celebrated over 42 years and is now the premier show in all Arkansas. The Festival is sponsored by the non-profit Village Art Club. Profits from the Festival provide scholarships for promising artists and continuing education for artists and artisans . Over 300 booths provide visitors with the finest art pieces and the finest craft items that are available—always hand-made! Come browse the beautiful, tree surrounded grounds while finding that special gift for someone. There is free parking and free transportation to and from the parking areas and visitors can enjoy a full day of delicious meals from unique and diverse food providers . Appetizers & Beverages • 11 Fruit Dip 1 jar marshmallow cream 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (8-ounce) carton sour cream 1 can sweetened condensed milk Combine all ingredients in electric blender. Beat until smooth, scraping sides if needed. Chill at least 1 hour. Serve with assorted fruit. Wildflower Bed & Breakfast on the Square Ozark Folk Center State Park Mountain View www.ozarkfolkcenter.com Nestled on a hill above the city of Mountain View, the Ozark Folk Center State Park keeps the music, crafts and lore of the Ozark folks alive . The pace of life is easy here . Folks have time to sit and visit and talk about their music and crafts . In the Craft Village there are more than 20 master craftsmen creating and demonstrating their crafts, from pottery and basket making to gunsmithing and quilting . Tuesday-Saturday, they open their workshops, giving guests the chance to see how these things are made and an opportunity to purchase a one-of- a-kind treasures directly from the person who created them . 12 • Appetizers & Beverages Wildflower Bed & Breakfast on the Square 100 E. Washington St. Mountain View, AR 72560 870-269-4383 www.wildflowerbb.com The Wildflower Bed and Breakfast on the Square is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mountain View is considered The Folk Music Capital of the World . Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, it is convenient to the Ozark Folk Center and Blanchard Springs Caverns . Musicians gather to play on the square, plus in various music theaters. The Wildflower is just steps away from a lively shopping district, with craft, gift & antique shops, and restaurants . Relax in one of the six well appointed rooms or suites . Civil War buffs will enjoy the Civil War Suite honoring Robert E . Lee and Abraham Lincoln . Enjoy a full country breakfast in the sunny dining room . Then rock cares away on the wraparound porch while overlooking activities on the square .