Country@Heart Dinner Diaries
Tasso: America’s Great Unknown Secret Ingredient
By Tim H. Martin
So, what is tasso? I believe it’s the best-kept secret ingredient in all of American food culture. Unless you’re from the Cajun Country of southern Louisiana, you’ve probably never heard of it — even my spell-checker... READ MORE
The Gumbo Paddle
By Tim H. Martin
Heirloom Tool For Rowing Rivers of Roux. I'm one of those cooks who's difficult to buy gifts for because I already have pretty much every kitchen gadget there is. While surfing Facebook last December, I saw a rustic hand-carved gumbo paddle... READ MORE
Cajun-Style Venison Backstraps
By Tim H. Martin
Cajun-Style Venison Backstraps Recipe Ingredients:• 1 whole venison backstrap, Liquid Cajun injector seasoning, 1/2 bell pepper (finely chopped), 1/2 Vidalia or sweet onion (finely chopped), 1 cup mushrooms (sliced), Cajun rub or seaso... READ MORE
Cajun-fried Largemouth Bass
By Tim H. Martin
Catch and Release, Into Hot Grease! Ingredients and Directions: In a lidded container, combine 1/4 cup hot sauce with 1 cup buttermilk. Soak up to a dozen hand-sized bass fillets in the liquid for a minimum of two hours, preferably overnigh... READ MORE
Fire Grits!
By Tim H. Martin
Just the right amount of heat in this devilishly creamy dish Ingredients: • 1 cup quick grits • 2 cups half-and-half • 2 cups chicken stock • 2 (10 oz.) cans original RO*TEL diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained &bu... READ MORE