Linda Allison-Lewis - Kentucky Cooks: Favorite Recipes from Kentucky Living

Kentucky Cooks Favorite Recipes from
Kentucky Living Linda Allison-Lewis THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY Copyright 2009 by Linda Allison-Lewis Published by the University Press of Kentucky
Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University.
All rights reserved. Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky
663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008
www.kentuckypress.com 13 12 11 10 09 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Allison-Lewis, Linda, 1948 Kentucky cooks : favorite recipes from Kentucky living / Linda Allison-Lewis. p. cm. Includes index. paper) 1. paper) 1.

Cookery, American. 2. CookeryKentucky. I. Kentucky living. II.

Title.
TX715.A44292 2009

641.59769dc22

2008049876

This book is printed on acid-free recycled paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials.

Manufactured in the United States of America. Member of the Association of
American University Presses To my editor, Anita Travis Richter,
for helping me believe I really could
come back after my stroke I want to thank my great kids and their spousesChristian and Andrea Lewis, Scott Lewis, and Nolle and Eric Langfor being in my lifeMy mom, Jean, who still inspires me with her great mealsMy grandchildren, Nick and Meredith Lewis, who provide me with unspeakable joy every dayMy sister, Tammy Ricketts, who not only helped me with this book but is always full of just the right ideasMy nephew, Bo Ricketts, computer whiz and typist extraordinaireMy boxersLola, Sophie, and Roxwho always sit adoringly at the stove, never letting on when they sense a flop comingLaura Sutton, Leila Salisbury (Ill miss you), Mack McCormick, and the great staff at the University Press of Kentucky. The Kentucky Living staff: Paul Wesslund, Anita Travis Richter, Ellie Hobgood, Paula Sparrow, Lynne Christenson, Monica Pickerill, Kate Wheatley, Arlene Toon, Kathy Wade, Tammy Simmons, Carol Smith, Nick Gatens, and Curt Smith. I also want to acknowledge the writers and contributors who make Kentucky Living such a quality magazine: David and Lallee Dick, Teresa Bell Kindred, Shelly Nold, and all the others who provide me with great reading each month and great pride in this publication. Most of allmy readers of fourteen years and the greatest audience I could have. It has been ten years since Kentuckys Best: Fifty Years of Great Recipes was published.

It is a collection of not only recipes that have been in my family for years, but also my favorite recipes from Kentucky chefs, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts, as well as those that are truly traditions in the Bluegrass State. For many years, I have dreamed of publishing a collection of the best recipes from my column, Kentucky Cooks. I receive so many requests for recipes featured in my column and have been asked by readers where they can find the best of Kentucky Living. One day while reading an e-mail from a reader requesting such a book, I decided that it was time to pull that title and make it a reality. Now my readers do not have to take the time to write and wait for a reply. The best of Kentucky Living is in this collection.

Im often asked about my job and the photos. Jim Battles is my photographer, and he not only does the food shots, but also takes photos on many topics for the magazine. He makes the food look so appetizing, and, surprisingly, there have been only a few mishaps. The most memorable was a beautiful scoop of ice cream melting under the lights. We plan our shots for the year and set up three or four months at a time, cooking the dishes in my home or Jims studio. Besides being a great photographer and a talented drummer, he loves to eat our food as much as I do.

We have to be Kentucky Livings official foodies. Many times, I have the good intention of sending his wife, Nancy, and his kids a dish we prepare, but Jim and I usually manage to polish it off. I consider us a great team, and we have a wonderful time. Rememberfirst and foremost, were foodies! Throughout the years, my work at Kentucky Living has been hard to think of as a job. While I love signing books, judging food events, giving cooking demonstrations, and receiving everything from food products, cookbooks, recipes, and cooking gadgets to proposals (really), I love interacting with my readers more than anything. I feel like I know them and enjoy answering their letters and e-mails.

One sweet lady has sent me an Easter card every year since I started to write my column in 1995. I often call a reader to ask her opinion about an upcoming column or to congratulate him on a food accomplishment. I enjoy working with Kentucky State Fair winners and finalists and hearing about all their food contributions. I open the Kentucky Living Web site to learn about great recipes, such as Sour Cream Pound Cake from Marilyn Gay and those from so many other talented Kentucky cooks who share their favorites each month. More than anything, I love to laugh and chat with my readers, knowing that Im in the company of the greatest cooks in the South: Kentucky cooks! Can you tell that Im proud of my magazine? Does this really sound like a job? Does it get any better than this? I dont think so! Kentucky Cooks

What she didnt realize was that she was wearing the evidence. Ive never met a boxer I didnt love, and my own three girlsnew baby Rox and Lola and Sophie (high-maintenance sisters and inseparable)provide me with all the love and amusement one person can handle. Although they are big-time foodies, I never give them treats except for an occasional ice chip.

I dont care to know what Nolle feeds them. Lola loves sweets and sticks of butter, while Sophie prefers finding medicine and eating Nolles expensive makeup. The fact that they have attended school regularly and do not beg at the table does little to prevent them from dreaming and sneaking around to look for their favorites. My cousin Kim comes from Florida every year the day after Christmas to celebrate the New Year with me. She loves to have a pot of my Bean Soup and my Coconut Cream Pie waiting when she gets here. On December 26, 2006, I was waiting when she called on her cell phone to tell me that she was getting off the interstate.