I love to cook. Or more rightly, bake.
So as I’m writing my novels—especially the Southern ones—it’s a natural thing for my heroines or secondary characters to be cooking up some scrumptious entrees and desserts. Here are just a few:
Click each of the images for the recipe
Ever had Buttermilk Pie? This is a recipe that’s been in my family for years. I bet you I’ve made this pie at least 200 times. Yum! It’s one of those one bowl pies that you cannot mess up. Really.
What about quiche? Are you a fan of this luscious egg and cheese—and oh this ol’ timey crust—dish? This crust really is one of the best I’ve ever had. And so easy. I always make two crusts. One to use then and one to freeze for next time!
What Southern novel would be complete without a pound cake? But not just any pound cake. A pound cake recipe dating back to the 1860s. I love eating food from yesteryear. Do you?
The Belle Meade Carrot Cake is a reader fav, for sure. And I love it that it was a favorite of the Harding family’s too. Veggies have never tasted so good!
And last but not least…Syllabub. This one is of the lemon variety. It’s made with wine and sugar and whipping cream and need I say more? So light and delicious. And this really was served at Belle Meade as far back as the early 1800s.
In fact, Susannah Harding served syllabub to Davy Crockett in the Old Harding Cabin featured in the video below (filmed on location at Belle Meade in Nashville). When asked if he liked the dessert, Mr. Crockett replied, “Well, I don’t know. I took a snap or two at it but I reckon I missed it!’ ”
Do you have a favorite food from yesteryear? Or perhaps a family recipe that’s been passed down for generations? Or have you made any of these recipes before?
Happy baking,
Tammy
View all the recipes from my novels
Tamera Alexander
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YUM!!! Now I’m hungry for a nice slice of pound cake with coffee for breakfast, and then quiche and buttermilk pie at lunch. 🙂
(Maybe I should eat before reading your posts, Tammy!) 😉
Everything you’ve mentioned today sounds (and LOOKS) scrumptious – – and this post has just reminded me that I told you a while back I would try my hand at baking the Buttermilk Pie – – Yikes! I haven’t done that yet – – but I WILL (and I’ll send you a pic….maybe, unless it flops, LOL).
Thank you for sharing this today – – definitely a post written in “good taste” (hehehe…couldn’t resist). 😉
Hugs to you, Patti Jo
LOL at the pun, Patti Jo. I can always count on you!! ; )
Tammy, I believe that you actually bake these wonderful treats, but I don’t believe that you eat them. If you did,you would weigh twice as much as you do. What’s your secret for resiting the urge to eat huge slabs of your carrot cake?
LOL, Lynn. We’ve traveled through Germany together. You know how much I can eat! Especially ice cream. #Lovethesweets
I love buttermilk pie, almost as good as egg custard pie. My grandmother made the best pound cake with almond flavoring and a crusty top that made it sooooo good. We have a family recipe called 5 generation dressing that my great grandmother originated. It was even published in the Dining During the Depression cookbook.
Oh Gail, that crusty top sounds delish! I love a crusty top! Well, on a pound cake.
I’m not a fan of carrot cake (red velvet is my favorite) but all your other recipes sound very yummy. Syllabub I’ve never heard of however!
Hope you’ll try the syllabub sometime. So good.
Well Tam! I was wondering when you were going to post about FOOD again! You’ve been rather quiet on that topic lately(or have I been asleep and missed it ?)
Your buttermilk pie sounds delish, to say nothing of your carrot cake and I could go a syllabub quite easily right now….even if it is fifteen past midnight.LOL
I know you’re not going to believe me but yesterday I began my healthy nutritional plan of eating… have to look T T&T for Summer!
I’m with Lynn here..What’s your secret for staying slim with all that YUMMY FOOD?
Loved your Post Tam… I always smile when I smell the”cyber” aroma coming out of your kitchen.LOL
If I could run a cake over, Rosie, I would! I just had the pleasure of seeing Catherine and Connor this morning at the Francine Rivers event at Lipscomb University. Was such fun and that little guy is adorable!!! Hugs to you, friend.
All the recipes pictured in your post look amazing! The buttermilk pie, especially. I love making a chicken/rice/artichoke salad that my grandmother often made. The taste of it hasn’t changed and always takes me back in time.
Taste can be such a powerful reminder, can’t it? Like smells. You close you’re eyes…and you’re back there. Thanks for sharing, Becky. That salad sounds great!
These are great recipes! I have them copied and saved on my computer. Thank you.
Yes, our family has some favorite recipes, also. Thanks for your beautiful recipes, Tamera – I copied them all. They’re probably almost as delicious as your wonderfully inspiring books!! Will try some of them, and hopefully, one day will find meet you at a signing and have my books signed, also!! Hugs!!
Post shared!!
Oh, that video of the dogtrot cabin is wonderful! I’m reading To Whisper Her Name now, and to see Bob Green like that… powerful stuff. Now I can’t wait to get back to the story.
My maternal Grandmother would make her famous 13 layer chocolate cake with homemade frosting. Her last cake to me was a few months before God called her home.
All of the recipes looks so good.