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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Cookbook Review: Quick-Fix Southern by Rebecca Lang

Rebecca Lang set out to combine taste, history, family, tradition, Southern roots, and her love for the kitchen in the fast-paced world of today in the cookbook Quick-Fix Southern.  She says she was raised with grandmothers who could "run a kitchen like nobody's business" ...in a part of the country steeped in rich tradition...food playing a major role in this history.  Aiming to get meals on the table in a shorter time-frame, Lang brings Southern Classics as well as more modern dishes to the table.  Starting out with a chapter on "the basics of quick cooking in the south", you'll be itching to get into the kitchen and stock your pantry with her Southern All-Purpose Flour and Southern Self-Rising Flour, Buttermilk, Tangy Barbecue Sauce and Sugar Syrup so that you, too can bring some comforting Southern classics to your table in no time at all.

While (of course) there were little strips of paper sticking out of this book from every open edge, I started out by making a big batch of Soft Buttermilk Waffles for breakfast.  They were quick and simple.  And awesome.  I'll be using this recipe often!
I HAD to try the Jalapeño Deviled Eggs in the appetizers and snacks chapter...for Mexi's sake {ahem}.  And just as I predicted, he said they rocked.  He likes his deviled eggs as sandwich-stuffers.  Sure enough, he shoved as many as he could in between two slices of bread and raved the whole time he chewed.  Yeah.  Not a pretty sight.
Next up is a Southern classic that I've wanted to try for...like...ever, but for some reason never had.  Until now.  Classic Pimento Cheese is just as addicting as I expected.  I mean, extra-sharp Cheddar is a total weakness of mine, anyway.  Combine it with some onion and a couple of other ingredients and it was a stinky-delicious-crave-worthy container of goodness.
Now, something funny.  My friend Deb from Kahaki Kitchen just happened to review this book last week.  And she just happened to choose two of the same things to test out that I did.  That would be the aforementioned Pimento Cheese, and the Oats and Bacon Meatloaf.  Fortunately, I had the meatloaf in the oven the day I saw her post, so I knew to save some and combine it with the cheese to make a killer sandwich like she did!  Seriously.  The meatloaf doesn't have too many ingredients, but it is super tasty.  I think I may have actually enjoyed it even more cold.  Cold meatloaf and pimento cheese sammich....YUM!  Like seriously.  YUM.  Seriously.  Thanks Deb...great minds think alike☺. But we already knew that, didn't we!?
Last, but certainly not least, some popcorn...kicked up with the salty, meatiness of bacon...the musty, earthiness of rosemary...and the pungeant punch of blue cheese.  And don't forget the butter!  A great and dare I say addicting (again!) snack that I just couldn't get enough of.  Oh, and wash it down with a cold beer for good measure.  Your breath will be odorific!
Blue Cheese and Bacon Popcorn
serves 4-6  (or 2-3 in my house)

1 (3.3 oz.) bag natural microwave popcorn
3 Tbs. butter, melted
2 oz. Maytag Blue Cheese
4 slices cooked bacon, finely chopped
2 tsp. chopped, fresh rosemary

Pop the popcorn according to package directions.  Pour popcorn into a large mixing bowl.  Drizzle about half of the melted butter over the popcorn.  Grate about half of the cheese over the popcorn.  Sprinkle with (you guessed it) half of the bacon and half of the rosemary.  Toss and repeat with remaining ingredients.  Serve immediately.

There are tons more delicious recipes, tips and meal choices packed into this great cookbook...check it out!

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher to review, should I choose.  The opinions stated in this post are 100% mine!

foodiesreadingchallenge

Would you like to comment?

  1. Great review--you were so much more ambitious than I even though I had all those little tabs in my book too. ;-)

    Thanks for the shout out. I'm glad you liked the meatloaf & pimento cheese sandwich too! I thought it made the most of both dishes. ;-)

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  2. I think I put that on my to-read list through Goodreads because of Deb and you! Great review. (Off I go to the local library)

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  3. I just discovered your Blog and I really have to say Wow! So much to read ans so much to learn. I want that widget on my blog!
    Rita

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  4. Blue cheese & bacon popcorn? Seriously? Oh my!

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  5. Heather,
    I'm thrilled you like the book! It's a wonderful thing to wake up to a glowing review. I appreciate you trying so many of the recipes and your photos are excellent.
    Rebecca Lang

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  6. Sounds like a great cookbook. The recipes look wonderful!
    Blessings,
    Catherine

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  7. Everything looks delicious! I could really go for those waffles right about now. Or the jalapeño deviled eggs. :)

    I lived in Texas for 3 years when I was a kid. Long enough for me to fall in love with Southern food. :)

    Off to Amazon to see search for this cookbook.

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  8. Yes! Yes! Yes! I have to have a pimiento cheese and meatloaf sandwich. I mean seriously....that's a genius combination right there!

    Everything sounds delicious though. Jalapeno deviled eggs would disappear in seconds at my house.

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  9. nice review :) you know i used to read a lot of novels and i still do .. but i never read a cook book. It's time ..right ?

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  10. For some reason I've been thinking about southern food a LOT lately and so I probably really should get my hands on this book! Everything you've made looks delicious! Especially those waffles...you know, now that I have a waffle maker :P

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  11. Wow - you covered it all. My Midwestern family would love the meatloaf. I'll take whatever you cook! You did a grand job of opening the book for us.

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  12. Great review, and as usual, your photographs are amazing! I love the idea of wonderful southern food in under 30 minutes. I definitely need to get hold of a copy of that book!

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  13. Oh Heather... you got me at Soft Buttermilk Waffles.... :)

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  14. I just cannot read this post.
    I am feeling hungry and mind you I have had dinner and dessert till I was sure I would have to roll around to get from point A to B.

    Just beautiful

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  15. Man, you have made me so hungry! I bet if I race down there I can grab the rest of that popcorn. ☺
    It all looks delicious.

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  16. Seems a very good book. You may buy it then, but even thinking about it. Are already so many cookbooks. Jamie Oliver is one of my favorite book. Italian food.
    http://www.konyv-konyvek.hu/book_images/65a/999624665a.jpg

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  17. Sounds like a great book and I would love to try those jalapeño deviled eggs, yum :)

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