COOKBOOK GIFT FOR FATHER'S DAY

SOUTHERN THYMES SHARED

By Doc Lawrence

A Dad is special and one day each year is dedicated to honoring him.  In today’s world he might enjoy something more oriented to his creativity than a lawnmower or set of wrenches. Good food ranging from entrees to delicious desserts will bring a big smile.

A sparkling wine produced in the French-style Méthode Champenoise like Wolf Mountain Brut Rosé from Dahlonega, Georgia or Asheville’s renowned Biltmore Estate Pas de Deux makes a thoughtful gift.

Consider the new high-quality cookbook, Southern Thymes Shared (Pelican Publishing, Gretna, Louisiana 2014). More men are cooking today, honing skills that go beyond barbecue and grilling steaks. Cooking is a relaxing and rewarding hobby and establishing a useful kitchen library is something that will last and can be passed on to future generations.

The highly respected Midwest Book Review praises this one-of-a-kind cookbook: “Southern Thymes Shared is an indulgent collection of original Old South recipes paired with excellent choices of wines of world wide fame. Scrumptious examples of Southern cuisine are presented in accessible recipe format with frequent inspiring color photos of finished delicacies.”

This collectible cookbook is one of the most original in years, filled with tried and true recipes. Chef Lara Lyn Carter is not only a television cooking celebrity, but hones her skills daily by preparing meals for three boys and a husband. ”You really learn about preparation and taste by satisfying the appetites in my family,” she says with laughter.

Here is the cookbook that pairs modern interpretations of traditional Deep South dishes with Old and New World wines including regional wines from Southern and Southwestern states. The imagination sours with these pairings and Dad will be inspired to expand his wine preferences.

Southern Thymes Shared is a work of art, stunningly beautiful with a cover that brightens a room when displayed on a coffee table.

Dad will love Southern Thymes Shared. It will bring precious memories of Sunday dinner, Thanksgiving feasts and football Saturdays. The wine pairing suggestions will entertain him.

Why not prepare a dish from the cookbook for Father’s Day? “This dessert is one of my dear father’s favorites,” says Chef Carter, “and it’s absolutely delicious.” A wine with this exceptional creation: “Eiswein” is a German term meaning ice wine, specifically a rich, flavorful dessert wine. Germany and Canada produce the best ice wines and they will pair seamlessly with Chef Lara Lyn’s special dessert saluting a great man on his day.


PEANUT BUTTER PIE
By Chef Lara Lyn Carter
(From Southern Thymes Shared)

CRUST
¼ cup sugar
½ cup butter melted
1 ½ cups crushed chocolate cookie crumbs (chocolate vanilla wafers or chocolate fudge cookies)
Mix together by hand and press into a pie plate.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes and allow to completely cool.
FILLING
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Blend first 5 ingredients of pie filling until creamy. Then whip 1 cup heavy whipping cream. Fold cream gently into mixture. Pour into prepared pie crust. Garnish with chopped peanut butter cups, shaved chocolate or chopped peanuts!
Note-
Chill for 4-6 hours before serving or place in freezer for 1 hour so that pie will become firm and slice easily.
This is beautiful served on clear glass plates drizzled with chocolate syrup and topped with chopped salted peanuts.

NOTE: Southern Thymes Shared is available on Amazon.com, local bookstores everywhere including the Monticello Museum gift shop in Charlottesville, Virginia.