By: Heidi Herald
Welcome back to What’s Cooking @ HEPL! I am Heidi Herald, a Public Services Librarian at Hamilton East Public Library, and I review one of the library’s cookbooks quarterly. This month, I am reviewing Fix Me A Plate: Traditional and New School Soul Food Recipes from Scotty Scott of Cook Drank Eat. Check him out at www.cookdrankeat.com or on many different social media platforms @cookdrankeat.
I was lucky to get to interview Scotty Scott, a former lawyer turned chef, cookbook author, and successful social media influencer. In our interview, Scott talks about his career, cooking, and his new cookbook. In the cooking video at the end of the blog, I prepare the Pimento Cheese Hush Puppies from his cookbook.
The cookbook is written in a very casual, friendly tone which makes you feel like you are in the kitchen with the author. Scott tells stories from his childhood, as well as stories about the recipes that show the emotional connection many of us have with the food we eat. Some of the recipes, including the Gullah Red Rice pictured, come from Scott’s historical culinary research. This is a flavorful and filling recipe with a great flavor combination.
In Fix Me a Plate, Scott talks about how, in the South, catfish and grits is a wonderful breakfast dish. In the Midwest, I believe people would rarely eat fish for breakfast, but after making this recipe, I definitely see the appeal. The fried catfish pairs so nicely with the homemade cheesy grits made with white cheddar, butter, cream, and spices.
Pictured is Stewed Okra and Tomatoes, prepared with freshly grown tomatoes. I have okra growing, so I hope I will be able to prepare with fresh okra as well!
Lastly, I had to make the World’s Best Sweet Potato Pie. The secret ingredient is key lime juice. This recipe makes two pies, and the pie is addictive. I am inclined to believe it just might be the world’s best!
Finally, in the video below, I make Pimento Cheese Hush Puppies from Scott’s cookbook. They were absolutely decadent! The pimento cheese melts inside the deep fried hush puppies and is simply gooey and delicious.
Check out my interview with Scotty Scott here, where Chef Scott talks about his cookbook and his own career path:
I hope you will borrow Fix Me A Plate by Scotty Scott from our library collections! It is available in print and e-book format from the Hamilton East Public Library.
Happy Eating!
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Credit goes to Danielle Acton, HEPL’s Adult Engagement Coordinator, for producing the videos and for her help and advice.