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!

The Magic of Peanut Butter

Written Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 by April Boland

Inexpensive department stores such as TJ Maxx can often be a gold mine for cookbooks.  The other day I was browsing in one when I came across "The Magic of Peanut Butter: 100 New & Favorite Recipes" for $2.99.  A peanut butter aficionado, I grabbed it.  The book includes recipes for (surprise, surprise) peanut butter sandwiches, peanut butter snacks, peanut butter desserts, Asian peanut sauces and more.  Most of them are simple and fast, incorporating tried and true favorite peanut butter companions like jelly, apples and bananas as well as some new ones like chocolate chips, cinnamon raisin bread and breakfast cereal.

Peanut butter is definitely considered by many to be a healthy snack.  Not only does it taste good, but it is full of protein and much lower in sugar than other sweet treats.

"The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet"

Written Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 by April Boland

I absolutely love cookbooks. My only gripe is that most cookbooks have one or two of the qualities I seek, but not all. They might be vegetarian, but the recipes are decadent and high in calories and fat. They might be light, but each recipe requires 20 random ingredients that I do not have stocked and am not willing to invest in for a one-time deal.

I was overjoyed last month to find the answer to this problem: Nava Atlas's cookbook entitled The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet. The cover of the book says, "250 Simple Recipes and Dozens of Healthy Menus for Eating Well Every Day."

This book has been a lifesaver. Every recipe is limited to 5 ingredients max, so they are generally fast and easy to prepare. Atlas also lists calories, fat, protein, carbohydrate, cholesterol and sodium levels next to each. (I would have liked to see a sugar count as well, but I'll take what I can get.) Some of my favorite recipes are "Pasta with Asparagus," "Cranberry Slaw" and "Mixed Greens with Pears, Cranberries and Goat Cheese."

*Cash-saving tip: See if your library has a copy. You can always photocopy recipes you like!