Country@Heart Dinner Diaries
Alabama Red Beans & Rice
By Tim H. Martin
I've had a couple of friends from New Orleans ask me what made these "Alabama" red beans and rice. I reminded them that Louisiana isn't the only state with Cajun and Creole culture. Alabama has plenty of Cajuns, too, down in our own bayou ... READ MORE
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
Old South Tomato Pie
By Tim H. Martin
Recipe Courtesy of Walters’ Gas & Grill • Society Hill, Alabama. I was beginning to think tomato pie was extinct. The dish seems to have vanished from the Deep South like cotton mills, moonshine stills and Ivory-Billed Woodpe... 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
Stacy’s Sweetheart of Story
By Tim H. Martin
Stacy Harris loves chocolate. So much so that a box of chocolate covered Alaskan berries helped solidify her choice for a future husband. Stacy's then-boyfriend, Scott, bought a box of her favorite treats at the beginning of his caribou hun... READ MORE