Deep South Dining

The new year is always a great opportunity to start fresh and create new chapters in your life in and out of the kitchen. As Malcolm and Carol open up 2021 with plates full of blackeyed peas, leafy greens, and cornbread they are also looking to create some better habits while cooking in the kitchen. With tips from a few of our regular listeners and advice from some past guests, the new year should be more delicious than ever. Also, will Carol be able to keep her food resolution of making her own pasta? Only time will tell...but the journey should be fun.

They say when the spirit moves you, it is best to act on it. So, Malcolm and Carol let the spirit lead them to one more show for 2020. Just a few days removed from Christmas, they quickly discuss all the non-traditional holiday meals that were posted on the Cooking and Coping Facebook page and served on their Christmas tables. After a very enlightening fried pie exchange, former president of Viking Culinary, Joe Sherman joins the show to talk about making kitchen memories with the ones you love.

To close out 2020 Deep South Dining brings back one of our favorite guests from the year, Chef Vivian Howard. Back in April, she joined Malcolm and Carol to talk dumplings and her new show "Somewhere South". Now she returns with a new cookbook, "This Will Make It Taste Good: A New Path to Simple Cooking". Aimed for the kitchen novice, Vivian talks about flavor heroes and her motivation for writing such an accessible cookbook. Also, Malcolm and Carol share about their upcoming holiday festivities and meals.

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that should not be compared to Christmas unless you want to analyze the food dishes that seem to only come around this time of year. In this episode of Deep South Dining, Malcolm and Carol speak with the author of the books Matzah Ball Gumbo and The Edible South Dr. Marcie Cohen Ferris. She talks about the intersection of southern and Jewish traditions through Hanukkah foods and how her youth in Arkansas shaped her southern Jewish palate. Also, we hear from the one and only Stafford Shurden about his highway foodie adventures. Show Links:Stafford ShurdenDr. Marcie Cohen FerrisNorth Carolina Sweet Potato and Apple Latkes

Farm fresh sweet potatoes do not need much to shine. One of the original "heat & eat" foods, sweet potatoes often make a special appearance on holiday tables in the south. Born and raised in the sweet potato capital of the world, Vardaman, MS, April McGreger knows what a great sweet potato is capable of. This chef and cookbook author joins the show to share some tips for her perfect potato and how online cooking classes have help her stay connected during this pandemic. Also Carol shares about her beef bourguignon experience and Malcolm talks about his restaurant tour of the coast.Show Links:Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon RecipeSweet Potatoes: a Savor the South cookbook by April McGreger

The cookbook may seem like the obvious gift for the foodie or home cook in your life, but choosing the perfect title can become a tall task for the uninitiated. Fresh from Thanksgiving and ready to spread some Christmas cheer Malcolm and Carol have some gift ideas that will please any foodie on your gift list. From old staples to the latest in smart home technology. Also they welcome Katie Mulpos from Lemuira Books (Jackson, MS) to talk about the latest cookbooks that offer more than just another twist on fried chicken.

The holidays are here and today Malcolm and Carol are taking a look back at some of their favorite moments of 2020 so far. There is still a month to go but this year has been full of great guest and callers. From bacon to banana peppers and cookbooks to tailgates this show covers just a sampling of all the great moments that have been heard on Deep South Dining. Show LinksBenton BaconStafford ShurdenLarrison Campbell - Vanity Fair Article

In less than two weeks Thanksgiving 2020 will be among us. Set to be different, like most everything this year, Malcolm and Carol share their thoughts about the perfect Thanksgiving plate. Does it include white meat or dark meat? How about canned cranberry sauce? And don't forget about the always debatable list of best Thanksgiving side dishes. With a few funny Thanksgiving memories from listeners to round out the show, this episode is full of thanks and great recipes for all.Sweet Potato Casserole(Cotton Country Collection, Monroe, Louisiana)Casserole Ingredients3 cups sweet potatoes (about 4 good-sized ones)1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup butter2 eggs, beaten1 teaspoon vanilla1/3 cup milkTopping Ingredients1/3 cup melted butter1 cup light brown sugar1/2 cup flour1 cup chopped pecansDirectionsCasserole: Boil and mash potatoes.Mix in sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and milk.Put in 13 x 9 inch baking dish.Topping: Melt butter and mix in remaining ingredients.Sprinkle on top of potato mixture.Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees.Serves 10-12

Okra is a great southern delicacy, but is also one of the most misunderstood vegetables around. These two views of okra caused author Chris Smith to write the book, The Whole Okra: A Seed to Stem Celebration. After a 2006 trip to the US from his native land of England, Chris was fascinated with this wonder plant that often gets reduced to being fried or stewed, but is capable of so much more. Malcolm and Carol chat with Chris about his okra journey and also get a history lesson about the beloved Fighting Okra of Delta State University (Cleveland, MS) from archivist Emily Jones.Okra Fires (Recipe by Vivian Howard as found in The Whole Okra: A Seed to Stem Celebration by Chris Smith)Ingredients1 pound okra (453g; 20-25pods), split or quartered lengthwise2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil2 teaspoons ground coriander1 teaspoon salt10 turns of the pepper mill or 1/4 teaspoon black pepperInstructionsHeat oven to 400 degrees.In a medium bowl, toss the okra with the olive oil, coriander, salt and pepper.Spread the okra onto your largest baking pan, or two pans if necessary. What's important is that the okra have plenty of room to spread out. If they are piled on top of each other, they will steam, not roast.Slide the pan onto the middle rack of the preheated oven. After 10 minutes, toss the okra gently with a spatula and rotate your pans if you are using two. Cook an additional 10 to 15 minutes.When okra is done, it will be brown and crispy in a lot of places but shouldn’t smell burnt. Serve warm or at room temperature as a snack.