Book Review: Pit Stop in a Southern Kitchen

Written Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 by Penny Hawkins

My husband brought me this cookbook as a surprise yesterday, and the biggest surprise of all was that he had it autographed for me! What a guy!

Pit Stop in a Southern Kitchen is a newly-published book of recipes and family stories authored by Martha Earnhardt and Carol Gordon Bickford, the mothers of Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon. As a long-time Earnhardt fan, I admit I was intrigued by a book of recipes written by his mother, and the mother of one of his biggest rivals, Jeff Gordon. 

In the introduction, the ladies explain that while their sons may have been rivals, such is not the case with them. In fact, they say they have much in common, and that they have a great deal of respect for each other. Two very touching forwards, one from Jeff and one from Dale Jr., add to the feeling that this book was indeed a work of two much-loved women who formed a bond based on the respect of one mother for another.

The recipes in this book are standard home-cooking fare: simple , and honest southern cooking with (Jeff 's mom's) California twist. You will find recipes for southern delights like cornbread, red velvet cake, shrimp creole, cornbread dressing, and homemade biscuits. Yum!  However, the really special thing about this book, for racing fans as well as lovers of southern cooking, are the stories.

Both ladies share stories about their lives and their families, as well as the stories behind the recipes. In addition, there are lots of family photos throughout the pages of this cookbook. It's a lovely and nostalgic read, and well worth the time and money.

So, if you are a lover of southern cooking, a NASCAR fan, or if you love someone who is, I recommend Pit Stop in a Southern Kitchen  as both a good read and a good cookbook. Get yourself a tall glass of "sweet tea" and check it out. It's available at Amazon.com right now!

Tags: books, cookbooks

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 at 01:15 pm and is filed under Recommended Cookbooks, Uncategorized. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.