Just a Few Miles South: Timeless Recipes from Our Favorite Places

I have frequented the Ouita Michel restaurants for years and have NEVER been disappointed. When I saw she was coming out with this book, I logged in and pre-ordered my copy. Everything I read about it being a book to read as much for the stories as the recipes, seemed true - before I made something. I’m a traditional, from scratch, cook, so I pretty much expected the recipes to be almost but not quite the same as the counterparts served to customers. I mean, who actually gives away their secret sauce?The first recipe I tried was the White Bread. I’ve purchased this bread from Midway Bakery and eaten Wallace Station sandwiches for 18 years, and I also bake bread regularly for my family, so I wanted to give the book a real test. Honestly, I was impressed with the proportions, but the method was not typical. Usually when I see something like that, I’ll just use my personal experience as a guide but I was testing.I was wrong. It.Was.PerfectI’ve made that one multiple times - always P.E.R.F.E.C.T.As has been every recipe I’ve tried. Everything from the Sassy (Bourbon) Sorghum Dressing to the pimento cheese (actually that one is so close to my own family recipe, it was almost like cheating). Making turkey burgers with the addition of the “Better Burger Blend” elicited requests for seconds from the college students home for the weekend.We’ve been using the BBQ rub this summer to smoke various meats and it’s as good on whole chicken as brisket or pork. Last night I made the Bourbon BBQ Sauce. Rave Reviews.Soups, meats, breads, salads, sides, desserts- all of them - at least all that I’ve tried - are true home style replications.This book needs to be in every kitchen. Keep it handy. Make some sauces and dressings to have on hand, then weeknight dinners can taste like the weekend.Maybe I should start at the beginning and eat/cook my way through to the end… hmmmBut just because I can make it, I’m still going to order my favorites when I am in the neighborhood.

I was just living in Lexington for a few years for work and loved Honeywood. One of my favorite restaurants. Excellent cocktails too. I half bought the book for posterity but my favorite burger, the Hoecake Burger, which was ‘wheat free’ in the restaurant is not in the cookbook - easy swap. So good.

print wasn't large enough for my father to read. Recipes were a bit complicated

Good stuff.