One of my absolute favorite southern authors, Mary Kay Andrews, treated me to a copy of her new book
The Beach House Cookbook. I was thrilled when it arrived in the mail just in time for the weekend. I have been a long time reader of MKA and this book is a fun twist on her usual perfect for the summer beach reads.
The cookbook totes itself as "easy breezy recipes with a southern accent" which is just my kind of meal prep. It is no secret that Lawyer does most of the cooking at the house and loves to use it as his down time. I enjoy cooking but not as much as he does, so usually he is in charge of meal prep and I set a pretty table and manage clean up. Oh, and I pick the recipes which is always the fun part!
Low Country Boil
Marinated Cucumbers and Onions
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Doesn't everything look just amazing?
Along with fabulous recipes and incredible photos the book is filled with stories of her life at the beach and wonderful snippets of how each recipe came to be. I love reading that she calls her son Boomerang Boy because he kept moving home and that she loves to cook with her darling grandchildren. It is what I love most about this amazing woman who is also a friend of mine. Many months I run into her shopping at Scotts and we have a moment to catch up. She is kind and funny and always remains true to her southern roots. What isn't to love about her?
Lawyer and I are hosting a best friend for the weekend so I quickly whipped up two of her recipes to welcome him around six this evening. My favorite part of entertaining is getting ready for the arrival. Somehow running to the market for a few things is so much better than a two page list of household needs.
I chose the Redneck Caviar and the Tybee Tea Cocktail. I love a good chip and dip and this one exceeded all of my expectations. Tons of flavor and the pickled okra, a favorite of mine, is such a fun addition. I left the bourbon of the the Tybee Tea so that all could enjoy since the kids love to join us on our porch evenings!
I have already filled my copy of the cookbook with yellow sticky notes for all of the recipes I am dying to try. She has separated the recipes for all occasions you can celebrate at the beach and I love thinking of Thanksgiving and Easter with the ocean breeze just outside the window. Being beach lovers I can think of nothing more exciting than taking some time to live at the beach for a year and just make recipes from this book over and over again.
Perfect idea, yes?
My darling assistant and I had to sit down on the porch and try some of the dip I just made and I can tell you it was a huge hit, thank goodness I doubled the recipe! Oh, and I added just a smidge of bourbon to my Tybee Tea ... it is Friday and I have no plans to leave the house.
You will absolutely love The Beach House Cookbook. It is the perfect addition to your hostess gift for traveling and would make the perfect birthday gift for your best friend. I highly recommend!
Not only did she send a copy for me but she sent a second for me to giveaway to one lucky reader. I can't wait to box this up and share the fabulous with one of you. Enter quickly, the giveaway ends Monday at midnight!
Have the best Friday ... and cheers from the girls at TPC!!
