Book Review: "Farm Fresh Southern Cooking" by Tammy Algood

It took me all of 2 seconds to jump on the opportunity to review a book on southern cooking.  But, this is not just any old southern cookbook.  This cookbook is based on fresh foods from farmers markets all over the south.  It includes recipes from Virginia to South Florida and Georgia to Texas, with a stop-over in the bayous of Louisiana... I was hooked!

My first impression of the book was its simply appealing cover.  The paper has a nice, organic feel with font and photos to match.  As I looked through the recipes, I was pleased to see that they were as simple as the books cover.  Each recipe contained fresh from the farm ingredients, no boxes.  The recipes were easy to read and could be cooked simply.  In fact, most of these ingredients are foods that you would commonly find in your kitchen regardless of where you lived.

Although the ingredients are simple, the variety of recipes was refreshing.  Take, for example, the desserts.  Often times, the dessert section of a cookbook is full of nutty, peanut-ty goodness which, along with many other unsafe ingredients, is not appealing for those with allergies.  But this book offered up much more than those nutty, bready favorites.  I was particularly tempted by the Fresh Orange Pound Cake, Lighter-Than-Air Peach Mousse, and Upside-Down Caramelized Nectarines.  While these goodies are not allergy-safe for us, I was pleasantly surprised to find some recipes that were:  Fresh Raspberry Sauce and Sunny Lemon Granite.  That is indeed rare and a testament to the variety of low-fuss, fresh recipes that are found throughout this book.

I am excited to try more of these recipes.  I am excited to adapt some of the recipes that are not safe for my family.  This book is full of tasty, fresh, and inspiring ideas.  And, I can not wait to try all of them!




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”