Bobby Deen - From Mamas Table to Mine: Everybodys Favorite Comfort Foods at 350 Calories or Less

Bobby Deen nails it with these favorite Southern recipes. What theyve lost in calories, theyve gained in flavor. Perfect for everything from a quick weeknight meal to an elaborate Saturday-night celebration.

Rocco DiSpirito, chef and author

Its so great that Bobby has refashioned some all-time favorite Southern dishes in a healthier style. He continues to work hard to keep America healthy and happy.

Curtis Stone, chef, television host, and author

Thanks, Bobby Deen, for giving us 120 delicious reasons why we can have our cake and eat it too quickly! From Hush Puppies, to Slow-Cooked North CarolinaStyle Pulled Pork, to one of my favorite childhood sandwiches, the Crispy, Crunchy Reuben, to a number of delicious desserts, all the bases are covered. If you love Southern foodwithout the calories or the time commitmentyoull want this cookbook!

Carla Hall, host of ABCs The Chew

Bobby Deen has been our brother from another mother, and when you taste his dishes, you immediately recognize Paulas influence. His tasty food stresses eating healthier without sacrificing the delicious Southern flavors and traditions he grew up with! Way to go, Bobby!

Pat and Gina Neely, hosts of Down Home with the Neelys

THE DEEN BROS. GET FIRED UP

THE DEEN BROS. TAKE IT EASY

THE DEEN BROS. COOKBOOK: RECIPES FROM THE ROAD

THE DEEN BROS.: YALL COME EAT

A Ballantine Books Trade Paperback Original

Copyright 2013 by Bobby Deen Enterprises, LLC
Photographs copyright 2013 by Ben Fink Photography

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Ballantine Books, an imprint of
The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

BALLANTINE and colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS-CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA
Deen, Bobby.
From Mamas table to mine : everybodys favorite comfort foods at 350 calories or less / Bobby Deen and Melissa Clark.
pages cm.
eISBN: 978-0-345-53665-5 1.
Low-calorie dietRecipes. 2. Comfort food. I. Clark, Melissa. II.
Title.
RM222.2.D443 2012
641.563dc23 2012033950

www.ballantinebooks.com

Book design by Liz Cosgrove

v3.1

Mama, this book is dedicated to you. You taught me everything I know about making food that makes people happy. Your unconditional love and support continues to be the guiding force in my life. With you in my corner, I know the skys the limit. I love you.

D OWN HERE IN GEORGIA, were fond of that old saying Eat like a champ. When we see someone really digging into food and enjoying it, were sure to proudly clap him on the back and congratulate him. Well, I reckon that saying certainly applies to me. Of course I know how to eat like a champ; Ive been taught by the best, yall, Paula Deen. I love my Mamas food, it truly is the best-tasting food on this planet. But, lets face it. I cant eat her rich food every day of my life. While I was lucky enough to be raised on Mamas dishes, there came a day when I had to find a way to dial it back a bit. And being the champion eater that I am, I was determined to find a way to slim down my favorite recipes without losing one ounce of flavor.

The way I see it, eating right and living healthier is not about sacrifice, its about making good choices that keep you satisfied. For that understanding I have to give credit to the second most important influence in my life, my coach and good friend Sam Carter. Sam and I met when I was thirty years old, but I looked and felt like I was at least ten years older. He made me realize that being healthy is much more than just showing up at the gym. Being healthy is a whole lifestyle and mind-set. And that thinking has made all the difference in helping me look and feel younger. No matter where I am in my life, Sams words of wisdom stay with me.

Even though my work and personal lives are busy and often take me far from Savannah, I try to make it to my Mamas place for Sunday dinner as often as I can. Theres just nothing like sitting round her great-big-old kitchen table with the whole family gathered to share in her amazing food. Mama doesnt end up eating too much at these gatherings because shes so busy feeding us, but we all manage to get in a hearty feast.

From my can see from the before and after calories and fat info Ive included with each recipe. I like to call this process turning Sunday food into Monday food. Who wants to wait all week to enjoy these tasty treats? I certainly do not. But I know that I cant load myself up with the calories these dishes usually contain. So I sat down, took a good look at these favorite recipes, found the major culprits in them, and took the fat and calories down a notch without losing any of their great flavor and appeal. I came up with 120 comforting, down-home recipes, all containing 350 calories or fewer per serving. Then I shared them with my Mama. I knew I was on to something when she proclaimed, Sonny boy, are you sure you remembered to take down the fat and calories? Because I still taste all the great flavor Id expect in these down-home classics.

You see, I still want good food on the table, even when that food is good for me. And I also like it to be quick. Im sure youre as busy as I am, so I think youre going to like the fact that these recipes make fast and easy meals. Take a dish like , tack on a side salad, and youve got yourself a hearty lunch or light but satisfying dinner.

Because eating right is an all-day affair, Ive included some of my favorite breakfast recipes too. I wasnt always sold on breakfast, but nowadays, I make sure I get something into my body to fuel me up for the day. Whether it is something as quick and simple as a , these recipes have the nutrients to get me going.

In the middle of the day, armed with my fast and fresh sandwich, soup, and salad recipes, youll find its easier to make the right food choices. Soups, especially, are great to have around the house. I cook up a big batch of so that I have plenty in the fridge or freezer for a quick lunch. And thats really helpful on days when Im hungry and rushed and would be tempted to turn to fast food.