southerncooker's Profile

From: Boomer, NC USA

Joined: January 3rd, 2010

About me: I collect cookbooks and love to cook and try new recipes. I tested recipes for Leite's Culinaria for almost eight years. I learned to cook from many good southern cooks including my Mom, Dad, several Aunts and my Grandmothers. My children and husband also like to cook and try new foods and recipes. My son still lives with us but our daughter is married. She often visits to cook with me. We are adventuresome eaters willing to try new things.


Latest review:

November 19th, 2018

Bourbon Roasted Pork Loin from Everyday Dorie: The Way I Cook

This was delicious. I know she says in the book not to use the good bourbon but all I had was Woodford Reserve so that's what I used. I marinated for about 8 hours in fridge. Loved the apples and onions... read more >


recipe reviews (2277)
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southerncooker's Reviews


Search Reviews:

10 recipe(s) reviewed. Showing 1 to 10Sort by: Title | Date | Rating

Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy: Down Home Classics for Vegetarians (and the Meat Eaters Who Love Them)

By Damaris Phillips
Abrams - 2017

23rd October 2017

Beer Cheese & Mac : page 124

Son, daughter and I enjoyed this one but we've had other mac and cheeses we've enjoyed a bit more. Still this was quiet good. Cheeses were smoked Gouda, extra sharp cheddar and cream cheese. Liquid was half-and-half and amber beer. There was also shichimi togarashi (a Japanese spice). Damaris noted that it might be hard to find so she suggested using cayenne pepper, black pepper, sesame seeds, orange peel, and ground ginger instead which is what I did.

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11th November 2017

Berbere Burnt Parsnips & Carrots : page 152

I ordered the Berbere spice from Amazon just so I could make this dish. So glad I did since grandson loved the parsnips cooked this way. Daughter, and I enjoyed this dish as well. Hubby, son, and son-in-law didn't care for it.

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23rd October 2017

Brussels Sprout Slaw : page 116

Daughter and I enjoyed this one. Loved the addition of dried tart cherries and pecans. I couldn't get the sprouts to shave on the box grater so I just used a knife which was a little time consuming but worth it. The dressing was nice too. Son even liked it and he doesn't enjoy fruit and nuts in his slaw or salad - he picked those out though.

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23rd October 2017

Cajun Hoecakes : page 107

While this was good we all agreed we enjoy my version better. Not a big fan of sugar in cornbread and this did have some. Cajun seasoning interesting but we like it better without. I did fry them in coconut oil. She gives you a choice of that or butter.

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22nd October 2017

Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookies : page 179

Loved these cookies. The tart dried cherries along with the dark chocolate chips make for an amazing cookie combination. I used the option of plain Greek yogurt instead of milk. Putting in fridge for 30 minutes before scooping onto parchment paper lined baking sheet makes for an easy to scoop batter.
This recipe is also in the Nov 2017 issue of Food Network magazine.

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22nd October 2017

Classic Pimento Cheese : page 111

This is an excellent version of pimento cheese. I used Cabot extra sharp white cheddar and of course Dukes mayonnaise (which she recommends and is the only kind I use as well). The cream cheese is a nice addition and makes it smooth. Will definitely make again.

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11th November 2017

Dad's Hearty Chili : page 29

Loved this version of chili. Son and son-in-law as well as hubby enjoyed it but they like one we make a little better. I enjoyed the addition of corn and edamame. The peanut butter was a nice touch too. I often use PB to flavor my pinto beans and hubby says it tastes like I've used a ham hock. I did substitute black beans for the pintos since son and son-in-law like bb better in chili. I also omitted the bell pepper since son isn't a big fan of those. I made the carnivore version and used ground beef.

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23rd October 2017

My Old Kentucky Home Fried Chicken : page 95

Chicken is brined in bourbon, light brown sugar, salt, pepper, warm water and bay leaves. I omitted the bay leaves since we're not big fans of it's flavor. Chicken then dipped in three mixtures. There is a bit of cornmeal in the final mix and it gives the chicken a nice crunch. She suggests using bone in breasts but my family enjoys dark meat best so I did legs and thighs.

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27th October 2017

Southern-ish Sloppy Joes : page 47

Son and I liked this one but hubby did not. I did omit the red bell pepper since son doesn't enjoy them. I used molasses instead of sorghum and romaine instead of iceberg or cabbage. I used the bourbon that Damaris suggested using on her show if you wanted good bourbon to drink or for a recipe - Woodford Reserve. I made the carnivore version since I know hubby and son would prefer that way.

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19th November 2017 (edited: 19th November 2017)

Spicy Pinto Bean & Miso Stew : page 51

My hubby loved this one. He wanted to know where I got the recipe and when I told him he said now that southern girl knows how to cook. I made the carnivore version omitting the miso and shiitake mushrooms and used the andouille instead as suggested. I couldn't find mushroom broth so I used vegetable broth instead. We had ours with sour cream and green onions as suggested. The dark beer is a nice touch and the spicy Cajun/Creole seasoning gives it a nice kick. I used Tony Chachere's More Spice Creole Seasoning. We ate ours with corn bread and slow cooker collard greens. I know hubby will be requesting this one again.

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