Cider Beans, Wild Greens, and Dandelion Jelly by Joan E. Aller (Andrews McMeel, $27.99)
This cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes, through its lush photography and stores that document the history, people, and places in the region, it takes readers into the very heart of southern Appalachia.
When California native Joan Aller moved to the mountains of Tennessee several decades ago, she immediately set about preserving the beauty, culture, and traditions of her new domain through her photography, painting and writing. She also began collecting the best recipes representing southern Appalachia. The result is a remarkable cookbook that is as fun to read and it is to use. Filled with more than 100 recipes guaranteed to please everyone from the urban gourmet to the most rugged of country people, this collection represents this quintessentially American cuisine.
The cookbook is divided into ten chapters: Southern Appalachia; Breakfast; Appetizers; Soups and Salads; Vegetables and Beans; Breads, Muffins, Rolls, and Biscuits; Meats, Fish, and Seafood; Desserts, Cookies, Cakes, and Tea Cakes; Beverages; and Country Store. There are also sources and resources, metric conversions and equivalents. The recipes feature such crowd pleasers as Butter-Crusted Chicken, Butternut Squash Soup, Grits and Redeye Gravy, and Oven-Baked Blueberry French Toast.
Three recipes were tested from this collection, Corn Relish Salad, a southern picnic staple, delicious Apple Fritters, and Tennessee Corn Pone. All three were easy to prepare and successful.
This is a delightful cookbook that reflects one of America’s most enchanting locales.
Corn Relish Salad
Serves about 8
3 c cooked fresh corn kernels cut off the cob
½ c sugar
2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
¼ c chopped sweet onion
½ c chopped green bell pepper
½ c chopped red bell pepper
½ tsp celery seed
¼ tsp salt
¼ c vegetable oil
½ c vinegar
1 c shredded Colby cheese
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir gently. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Stir well before serving.

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