The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook

It's seldom one finds two themes meshed in a book about cooking. However, Paula Deen's "The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook" marries a rags-to-riches success story with the notion that good, wholesome food--and its preparation--do not have to be intimidating to anyone.

Everyone loves the American success story, and the reader gets a warm dose of 'feel good' after discovering Deen's rise to the top of Savannah's culinary tradition--having started nine years ago with $200, a brand-new divorce after 27 years of marriage, a Mt. Everest-high stack of bills--and two sons to feed.

The reader discovers that work--hard work--creativity, and the way to a person's heart through their stomach can translate into the American Dream. An added bonus is a book with easy-to-follow and prepare southern traditional recipes with many unique examples of Deen's culinary presentations from her famous historic district restaurant in downtown Savannah.

Having eaten in her restaurant, I was surprised to find Deen a warm, real woman who makes her customers feel as if they are guests in her home. Walking the restaurant with a platter of southern hoecakes and cheese biscuits, Deen shares her recipes, tips and kitchen advice with customers eating platters of piled-high southern traditions. Her cookbook share the hoecake and cheese biscuits recipes, as well as her rich, meaty crabcakes--a signature dish in both the cookbook and restaurant.

The noted writer, John Berendt, was so taken with Deen and her story, as well as the restaurant and her food, that the "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" author enthusiastically penned the forward, referring to Deen as a "Steel Magnolia."

The reader, too, will embrace his assessment while preparing warm, wholesome recipes which bring to mind those days-gone-by when family truly enjoyed the mealtime as a focal point to share the day's experiences while eating good, simply-prepared food.

Again, having visited her restaurant and having purchased her cookbook, I am definitely a fan, and hope to hear more of her in the future.

We spent a week on Hilton Head Island, SC and thankfully stopped in Savannah for a day. We ate at The Lady & Sons and would have to say that of the all the restaurants (most of which were overpriced) this was the best. Her food is fantastic and the recipes are all there, except for a wonderful pecan pie that she said will be included in her upcoming cookbook (my husband described it as the only pecan pie he's eaten that afterward he wasn't gasping for a cup of coffee). The greens are fabulous as is her melt-in-the-mouth fried chicken and macaroni and cheese and, and, and. I wanted to buy the book while in Savannah, but the town was sold out. This is a must-have for every kitchen.

Paula Deen's cookbook gives us recipes not only from her famous Savannah restaurant but also from her family and friends. This is a true southern cookbook with many wonderful "comfort food" recipes. If you understand southern cooking, you know that most recipes are not for those with an aversion to butter, sour cream and salt. However, if you can get past that mindset, you'll love her terrific and simple recipes such as hoppin' John, collard greens, fried green tomatoes and baked grits. This is an unpretentious and charming cookbook with lots of familiar southern favorites with Paula's special interpretation of them.

I have made many recipes from this book and have eaten at her resturant several times (I've met her also- she's very nice). I have never once been disappointed. Some may be turned off by some of the convenience products used (ie cream of mushroom soup) but since I'm on a budget and a new mom I have found her recipes to be cost effective, easy, fast, and delicious (there are a few that are more challenging/expensive that I haven't tried yet). I've never brought home leftovers. The strawberry and cheese ring was a hit (even people who were at first wary of strawberries and cheddar cheese combo). The spinich-artichoke dip, hoecakes, and cobblers are great as well. The recipes are well tested and detailed. This is one of the first cookbooks I turn to when I have company coming (which seems to happen a lot with a new baby!) or for luncheons at work. Most of these recipes are also very kid friendly. If you like to cook non-fussy foods that everyone enjoys, you'll like this cookbook. ps. The desserts are fabulous!

OK, I admit that I am a Paula Deen, Food Network groupie...I love her warm, upbeat manner and I'm impressed with her Cinderella story which has been recounted by countless other reviewers. Her charm is found all through this title and its sequel and reading the stories behind the recipes is just as enlightening as the recipes themselves. Paula writes the way she speaks, and you can even hear her easy Savannah drawl as you read. The recipes are down-to-earth, mostly pretty simple, and decadently satisfying. Those doing Atkins or Weight Watchers need not apply here...we're talkin' SERIOUS cheese, butter, and cream (yep, the real stuff!). After making the basic meat loaf, sesame chicken strips, pot roast (my husband RAVED!), Southern fried chicken, and baked spaghetti (this, actually from the 2nd book), I was convinced that hearty Southern cooking would become a regular part of my usually less calorie-laden California fare! Fun and delicious!