The official Southern ladies guide to hosting the perfect funeral.
The Southern Cookbook to Die For
Each chapter in the book includes those Southern-style recipes necessary if you plan to die tastefully (tongue-in-cheek pun here) any time soon. A definite 'must-have' cookbook throughout the Mississippi Delta where there is a strong sense of community, and being dead is no hindrance to belonging to it.
At Southern funerals, everybody is obsessed with the notion that there won't be enough food and out-of-town guests will go away hungry (Sally Stephens is out of town, so who's going to bring stuffed eggs?). They don't want another death brought on by starvation! At Delta funerals Campbell's cream-of-mushroom soup drenches fresh vegetables. If you wonder why this is so, you have to realize that it acts “As An Extender”. LOL.
The most humorous cookbook I have ever read, plus some fun recipes to try whether you are Southern or not. A Mississippi Delta funeral needs comfort foods, proper etiquette, and, of course, The Restorative Cocktail? (What does one do when a family gets three sheets to the wind and eats the entire feast the night before a funeral?)
From the Southern-style Green-bean Casserole (like stuffed eggs and pimiento cheese, it's a standard at Delta Funerals – because we've been deprived of fat, salt, and sugar too long - think bacon drippings in the ingredients!) to Cheese Grits to Beef Tenderloin (or the alternative Pork Tenderloin), ham, and chicken, tons of Southern dishes make their way to the table. Don't forget the Homemade Vegetable Soup – a favorite comfort food served with corn bread. Or the Liketa Died Potatoes – a true Southern favorite (made with corn flakes, hash browns, cheddar cheese soup and sour cream). And, naturally, the funeral meal wouldn't be complete without Mary Mills Chocolate Sheet Cake.
Summary
A girlfriend gifted me with this cookbook several years ago when I was living in the South, and just reading the chapters will have you laughing uproariously. And the recipes themselves are deliciously delightful. The perfect cookbook for a true Southern send-off!
Being Dead is No Excuse Cookbook is available here on Amazon
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*Review of the cookbook Being Dead is No Excuse, written by Wednesday Elf
This sounds delightful!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a delightful cookbook, Mary Beth, in addition to having some really tasty Southern recipes.
DeleteWell, I must say, that is the a funny title which is clearly just the beginning of the fun! It is true that in the south, being dead is no excuse for anything, plus we have the most fabulous recipes. They really are "to die for" :) I look forward to reading the cookbook even if I am already familiar with the recipes.
ReplyDeleteI know you will enjoy reading this cookbook as much for the Southern humor as for the tasty recipes, Sylvestermouse. :) And I know many recipes will be familiar to you.
DeleteThis cookbook sounds absolutely hilarious, well worth reading even if you don’t plan to make the recipes! Thanks so much for the laughter.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the funniest cookbook ever, Margaret. :)
DeleteOh that is funny! What a way to lighten the load of those going through trying times; a bit of laughter, or just a book to give to someone who appreciates all kinds of humor - lol, I can imagine how funny the recipe pages are!
ReplyDeleteMost definitely a cookbook well worth reading just for the humor, even if you don't 'cook Southern', Barbara. :)
DeleteOh this sounds like a really interesting cookbook and at stressful times a little bit of humor can help you get through just about anything. I think this would be so interesting and enjoyable in a crazy kind of way. Thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteThis cookbook should be in the humor section of bookstores, Olivia. A fun read even if you are not cooking for a Wake! The humor alone is a riot.
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