Records & Southern Cuisine

So, I have a few prized possessions in my life. The first is my record collection. This week I got that out of my parents house and set up my stereo. Aside from dust in the volume pot it still sounds as sweet as ever. Breaking in a new house with your stereo requires some serious consideration. The very first thing that you saturate your house with sets the tone for everything that is to follow. I chose Miles Davis' "In A Silent Way." It is not favorite record of his but it does signal a change in direction so it went on first. It was followed by John Prine's self titled, a Live Jerry Jeff Walker record, and then Husker Du's "New Day Rising." I have sense played The Police's "Ghost in the Machine," Mozart's Jupiter Symphony and Merle Haggards, "Fighting Side of Me: Live From Philadelphia" (a choice record with some awesome surprise guests).
I remember when I was much younger that on any given Saturday or Sunday at the F household my dad would put a record on and then we would do something domestic. Either cook or clean or wash the car, etc. We listened to Jefferson Airplane, The Dark Side of the Moon (cleaning music for some reason), Joe Cocker, etc. So today I had to cook and thus had to pick out some appropriate mood music. I picked Kinda Blue and Sketches of Spain. Both great.
(JoC top left)
This brings me to another of my prize possessions: The Joy of Cooking. This cookbook is not just a cookbook it is a bible. Whether you want to make Mint Juleps, Lobster Thermidor, Baked Alaska, Bear, Periwinkles, Scotch Eggs, Whatever! it is the go to guide. It explains everything and mixes in some humor. My parents gave me a copy for Christmas a few years and and sat in silence and disuse at home while I was in NYC (without kitchen space to utilize it was a moot point). Today I have a birthday picnic (which thanks to the weather will now be held indoors. The theme is the south. So I prepared two things. Deviled Eggs and BLT dip. I am pleased with my efforts. The BLT dip (equal parts animal and dairy fat) was a recipe given to me. The deviled eggs used the JoC as a guide. I have, of course, scribbled my own corrections in. Much better my way.
I do prefer to dedicate things on this blog so here are my creations and kudos to the person whose spirit most exemplifies the dish or inspired me into bringing together the errant cause and create.

On the left is the BLT dip (garnished with Jalepeno slivers) and on the right are my deviled eggs (I borrowed the plat from my mom). The BLT dip goes out to Karl. His lack of good humor with my occasional "bubba shit" as he liked to call it would be corrected if he were to taste this concoction. Much like him it is rich in flavor and full of spice. The deviled eggs go out to Chris again. It just seems like some Haddix shit to do. I need to think of something for Rob. I have some Boone's Farm in the fridge that I purchased for the occasion (summer berry flavour) and I will dedicate that business to him.