Review: Nashville Eats by Jennifer Justus

Title: Nashville Eats: Hot Chicken, Buttermilk Biscuits, and 100 More Southern Recipes from Music City
Author: Jennifer Justus
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: October 6th 2015
Source: ABRAMS


Book Description:

If it seems like Nashville is everywhere these days—that’s because it is. GQ recently declared it “Nowville,” and it has become the music hotspot for both country and rock. But as hot as the music scene is, the food scene is even hotter.

In Nashville Eats, more than 100 mouthwatering recipes reveal why food lovers are headed South for Nashville’s hot chicken, buttermilk biscuits, pulled pork sandwiches, cornmeal-crusted catfish, chowchow, fried green tomatoes, and chess pie. Author Jennifer Justus whips up the classics—such as pimento cheese and fried chicken—but also includes dishes with a twist on traditional Southern fare—such as Curried Black Chickpeas or Catfish Tacos. And alongside the recipes, Jennifer shares her stories of Nashville—the people, music, history, and food that make it so special.

Review:

★★★★★

If you would have asked me a year ago about Nashville cooking, I wouldn't have known or cared much about it. But over this past summer, my family and I had a vacation in Nashville, and I absolutely fell in love with the place. From the music scene, to the bar scene, to the glorious food I shoved in my face, I hope to return many more times. I saw this book, and I had to have it. I wasn't disappointed.

The recipes in this book are divided by course: Scones Pones and Rolls, Starters and Salads, Birds, Meats, Fish, Veggies and Sides, Put-Ups, Sweets, and Drinks. What's really cool is that these sections include kitchen playlists. I have never seen a cookbook that came with music recommendations, and I love the Nashville touch it gives the collection. There's also a lot of personal connections and histories, giving the book a rustic, down-home charm.

The steps are written in paragraph format and are easy to follow. This book is FULL of pictures, and I absolutely love that. I hate cookbooks without pictures, so I really appreciated the volume of them in this book. It also made me more excited to cook, because good lord these dishes look amazing. I think this book is approachable to all skill levels. Some dishes are easier than others, but the steps are super clear and it's altogether not very intimidating for a beginner.

It's very hard for me to just pick a few recipes to highlight, because so much of this food sounds (and looks) amazing, but I must do what I must do. Some of the dishes that I'm most eager to try include Fried Hot Chicken on White Bread with Pickle*, Beef Brisket with Blue Cheese Grits, RC Cola Baked Ham, Watermelon Rind Pickles, Chess Pie, and a Float Named Sue.

*I will try very much in vain to make it as delicious as Prince's, but I know that I will hardcore fail.

This book is a must have for those who love southern comfort foods. I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.