In Down Home with the Neelys Patrick Neely states, "the food in this book is born of three generations of Neelys." When Patrick says generations, he means generations - mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, godmothers, and, lest we forget, the men of Neely's Bar-B-Que who have been satisfying return customers for years. The result is the down-home cooking which the Neelys offer on their Food Network show. The recipes in Down Home with the Neelys are so comforting that you will rush to the kitchen wondering if you can move so that your "down home" is the same as the Neelys.
The recipes are written with care but also with gusto and a little bit of sass, a winning combination for home cooks as the recipes are easy to follow and that enthusiasm is contagious. Primarily classics of the south, these are recipes that have passed the test of time in the Neely family. You'll find some of their signature dishes in every category of the meal, from Southern Soups and Stews; Refreshing Salads; Stick-to-Your Ribs Side Dishes; Savory, Soulful Entrees; Show-Stealing Sandwiches; Our Favorite Desserts, Breakfasts and, to not miss a beat, Southern Libations. Needless to say, one of the star attractions is that bbq chapter entitled Hog Wild: Memphis-Style Barbecue.
Neely's Bar-B-Que (one in Memphis and a second in Nashville) is famed for barbecue, and the Neelys freely share both their knowledge and their many barbecue recipes from barbecued potatoes and spaghetti to classic meats. Patrick gives solid advice on cooking ribs at home, and the accompanying photos show that he is not alone when preparing ribs, but having fun in the kitchen with others.
All is not barbecue in the Neelys world and you'll find recipes that run the gamut from Barbeque Deviled Eggs, Florida Coast Pickled Shrimp, Pat’s Wings of Fire, Gina’s Collard Greens, Grandma Jean’s Potato Salad, Nana’s Southern Gumbo, Memphis-sized Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Slaw, Get Yo’ Man Chicken, Sock-It-to-Me Cake, a classic Southern Red Velvet Cake and a delicious Momma Daisy's Peach and Blackberry Cobbler.
This is a family book and one to enjoy with others. The photographs by Shelley Strazis range from food close-ups to family shots of a very happy family and a good sprinkling of how-to action shots.
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