Southern Routes: Secret Recipes from the Best Down-Home Joints in the South - Hardcover

Vaughn, Ben

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0718011627 ISBN 13: 9780718011628

Publisher: Harper Horizon, 2015

Synopsis

In most of Ben’s experiences the humble Southern chefs share their long protected family recipes, but it’s not an adventure if everyone cooperates. Some of these institutions guard their recipes like members of the family. To the untrained eater, the secret ingredients it takes to create such an iconic dish would remain a bewitching mystery without the original formula. However, Ben’s journey and mission is to deliver the most amazing 100 Southern recipes. With his charm and ability in the kitchen, Ben acquired each recipe–one way or another. If he was unable to get the recipe directly from the source, Ben replicated it himself, only having tasted the dish. After deciphering the exact mix of ingredients, Ben’s recipe was put to the test when the recipe gatekeeper gave him the thumbs up.

From iconic Southern kitchens all throughout the Delta—such as Mat & Naddies and Carlos and Rocky’s in New Orleans; Our Way Café in Decatur, Georgia; McMel’s, City Café, Dipsy Doodle, and Wendell Smith’s Restaurant in Tennessee; and Martha’s Menu in Mississippi—experience the real recipes, real people, and real stories as Ben journeys through the South exploring Southern Routes.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

"Ben Vaughn who has all the right credentials is about to right a wrong- and in doing so will take you on a tasty journey and food adventure you never expected or possible even knew!
 
In New York, Los Angeles and here in Las Vegas we sit pretentiously at our star chef dining tables and revel in the frou frou of expensive food, serving gimmicks, and yes even oddball culinary items we probably shouldn't be eating in the first place. Eating has been turned into an awkward art form and regular diners have turned into foodies in ecstasy over the strangest of plates- a floating sashimi biscuit comes to mind! 
 
It's become fashionable to stand around the office water fountain and extol the latest micro bean or newest of kale leaves that come with a magnifying glass so you can see it. Let alone pierce it with one of the fork's fingers!
 
In our bid to be "food insiders" and "food aficionados" we've lost sight of the basics. That's a crime because it's where good food came from that we should be honoring. Ben has discovered that America's best kept food secrets are really down in the south where family is an integral part of food history: recipes handed down from generation to generation; produce picked from farm to table within hours and lovingly prepared as only a grandmother could do.
 
This is about getting back to the basics yet simultaneously enjoying the robust mixed in with secrets to provide the ultimate comfort at the dining table. 
 
Southern Routes is a fascinating and adventurous food journey that rights the wrong that good, nay great food is only to be found in NY LA or Las Vegas!  Read, savor, learn, cook and enjoy some of the best meals you'll ever eat anywhere!"
 
Robin Leach of "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous" fame has been a journalist for more than 50 years 

About the Author:

Ben Vaughn is an award-winning chef, author, restaurateur and Food Network host. In 2015, Ben opened his "Southern Kitchen" in Las Vegas as an homage to his passion, southern cuisine. Ben's culinary career started in South Florida and flourished as he became chef/owner of trendsetting and critically acclaimed restaurants throughout the South. He sits on the culinary advisory board to National Food Day and serves as CEO and culinary director for his restaurant group Fork-Knife-Spoon. A food lover, family man and author, Ben's latest book, "Southern Routes," chronicles his journey to find the best dishes and restaurants from North Carolina to Texas. "Southern Routes" is published by Harper Collins. You can find more of Ben's writings as a weekly columnist for the Las Vegas Sun, and The Daily Meal, and original recipes on his website bvate.com. Ben is also the host of the upcoming digital series "The Breakfast Show". 

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Horizon
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0718011627
• ISBN 13: 9780718011628
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 273