Review 1: A Good Ole Country Cookbook

From Teddie, to Norma Lee, to Me

by John Hine

ISBN: 978-0-6151-4915-8

Copyright: © 2007 First Edition
$9.95 Paperback
.99 cents E-book

            I’ve only been a “cook” for about four years. Before that, a bowl of Campbells or Ramen Noodles was as good as it got. Thanks to the Food Network and more TV “cooks” (not chefs) relating to an average Joe like me these past few years, I stopped using my oven for storage and learned how to cook a few more dishes besides a boiled egg. I also started venturing down the cookbook aisle at my local B&N, bought a subscription to a cooking magazine, and created an online recipe box at foodnetwork.com.

            Call me old fashioned. Having grown up in the South, I’m a sucker for simple down home recipes from Momma and Grandmomma’s kitchen. I think that is what drew me to John Hine’s first cookbook at Lulu. It’s called From Teddie, to Norma Lee, to Me. Teddie is John’s great grandmother, and Norma Lee is his grandmother. Both have passed, and John wrote this cookbook as a celebration of their lives and the meals they made. His introduction in the book is truly heartfelt. He dedicates the book to both of them and his two beloved aunts. All have their own recipes featured in the book.

            John’s cookbook is only 76 pages, but it’s packed with ideas for several courses…Main Dishes, Sides, Soups, and Salads, Desserts, Drinks, and Snacks. Paula Deen, eat your heart out! These recipes are so simple and almost all of them require under ten ingredients including the suggested spices.

            About a dozen black and white family photos divide the sections. Unfortunately, the photos are not labeled as this book was intended for just close family and friends according to Mr. Hine. However, there is a darling photo of his Grandparents standing in front of an old 1940’s car, and another of them embracing inside a store they once owned. If you look close, you will see Mr. Hine’s very young father peeking into the frame in the bottom corner. Elements such as these photos help to make the book very personal. We all have photos like these from our past, and admit it, we love sharing them with others.

            John’s own Simple Meatloaf recipe was probably my favorite. This is an ole dish that always needs to be spiced up, so it was nice getting someone else’s take. Norma’s Baked Beans was probably a secret recipe she never meant to leak out. Country dishes like Fried Spam and Southern Fried Chicken give the book that much appeciated Southern appeal, but a lot of German heritage is here too with dishes like Rice & Sausage Casserole, German Potato Salad, and Beef Stroganoff.

            What should make this cookbook stand out from all the rest? Original recipes like Salad Dressing Cake and Norma’s Wacky Vinegar Cake are definitely it. There’s a bit of humor to the book in the desserts section. Mr. Hine pokes fun at his two aunts and some of the recipes they contributed. There are some great pictures of them with funny captions. One in particular references how NOT to make caramel popcorn. Hine also adds words like “simple” and “easy” to his recipe titles, and he’s honest about it. As I mentioned before, his Simple Meatloaf calls for only 7 ingredients and two of those are salt and pepper.

            This book has inspired me to sit down with my own Mom and Grandmom very soon and take the time to capture those recipes they committed to memory so long ago and have been making for years. My mom could probably make her spaghetti and cole slaw while blindfolded, but it tastes the exact same way every single time. Delicious! Granted, I have my own recipe for spaghetti by now, but it doesn’t compare to hers. The point is we shouldn’t let those recipes slip away from us. Mr. Hine has done an excellent job of preserving his family recipes here, and he’s done the public a favor by offering this book on Lulu.

            I give Mr. Hine nothing but praise for his book, From Teddie, to Norma Lee, to Me. It’s well organized, easy to follow, and appealing to the taste buds just as a cookbook should be! Thank you, Mr. Hine, for making your family dinner table a part of the Lulu community.