Two Things Every Southern Cook Needs

There are two things every modern southern cook must have. I'm not talking about butter, cast iron skillets and fry daddys. Those things are a given. I am talking about new products on the market.

I have been watching a LOT of Paula Deen and reading a lot and experimenting a lot and I'm really learning. I am on the verge of becoming a really good cook. You can have plenty of happy accidents, but in order to be a good cook you have to do things for a REASON and know why you're doing it.

Example: I never knew you dredged meat in flour and seared it in order to put a crust on the outside, so the inside could be tender without the entire thing being mush.

Ok so the first thing you need is this fabulous new cookbook. I LOVE COOKBOOKS. They are my weakness. One day I'll take a picture of my shelf and show you. If you ever don't know what to get me for a gift- you can not go wrong with a cookbook. I even tried once to get them from the library and make copies of recipes. NOT something I am interested in. I am interested in owning them, stroking them, reading them and gazing at the pretty pics ... I am a saver, I don't spend a ton of money on anything, but I'd almost sell Conrad and Blanca up the river to get money to buy a new cookbook I've got my eye on. (Kidding).... Sort of ... I can TRY them out from the library. But if they're good, I'm buying it, budget be busted!

This is my new pride and joy. It's the new Southern Living one and it is FILLED with delights. I have never come across a book that I would actually make almost every single recipe inside. The only ones I don't care about are the fish - everything else looks awesome. I made my first one tonight and Conrad loved it- he said it WILL be in the normal rotation. This book is a SCORE! I think it was $19.99 on Amazon.com

The next thing you need to do is get to Kroger or Wal-Mart and get this Gold Medal Wondra. This is a specific type of flour, a in handy dandy canister that can sit RIGHT on your counter. I can't stand digging in the fridge looking for flour when I'm making my sauces. This one, is all you need. I saw it in a magazine about a year ago and have never been able to find it. Today I walk into Kroger and there it was for $2.49

If you make a lot of gravy or sauce, you NEED this flour. I am in LURVE ... I don't make tons of gravy but with all those stuffed chickens I've been making I've been experimenting with pan sauces. MAN this is going to make my life easier.


Kah