Cooking with Paula Deen May/June 2019

“I’m thrilled to announce the birth of my sweet new grandbabies, Bobby and Claudia’s beautiful triplets, Olivia, Amelia, and Linton Deen. My family means the world to me, and we are abundantly blessed by these adorable additions. It has been a joy to see my youngest son and my daughter-in-law become parents, and I can’t wait to spoil my precious grandbabies!”—Paula SUMMERTIME IS HERE IN SAVANNAH, and I’m giddy with excitement. I love this time of year when my kitchen and garden are filled with fresh produce, my grandbabies are out of school and ready to come to Guinny’s, and potlucks and parties fill up my calendar. This sunny season just wouldn’t be the same without get-togethers with my loved ones. From a good old-fashioned fish fry (page 45) to a casual…

MADE IN THE SOUTH ADAMS APPLE MERCANTILE Theresa Adams, owner of Adams Apple Mercantile in Columbia, South Carolina, recalls being 5 years old at her aunt’s farm and becoming fascinated by her family making apple butter in a copper kettle. Her love affair with the spread only grew throughout her childhood and into college when she started experimenting with her own homemade butter. After two decades of trial and error and fatefully marrying an Adams, Theresa started her business in 2014 and began selling her locally famous apple butter along with fruity jams, chowchow, and salad dressing. The brand is sold in stores all over the country in flavors including Adams Apple Butter, Pie Jam, Spicy Blackberry Pepper Jam, Strawberry Vanilla Jam, and several seasonal variations. For more information or to purchase,…

1. Dad will love branding his initial onto steaks, coasters, and more with this customizable Letter Circle Steak Branding Iron. $36, tbonebrands.com 2. Taking inspiration from Paula's husband, Michael, who is a boat captain, these Clay Sailboat Luminaries make charming additions to any home. $39 for set of 3, atwestend.com 3. This colorful Chelsea Pie Plate goes from the oven to the table in style and will become Mom’s new favorite baking dish. $44, relishdecor.com 4. Your home will smell like a Southern summer garden in bloom with this Hey Darlin’ Candle. $22, jacksonrosecandles.com 5. Instantly turn your store-bought dips and salsas into party-ready starters with these stylish Dip Bowls. $14.25 each, dipadidoda.com 6. Show your heritage for all to see with these customizable State Cloth Cocktail and Dinner Napkins. $26–$36 for set of 4,…

This past holiday season, Paula and her family adopted several families through the Salvation Army of Savannah, Georgia, to help them provide gifts for their children. Each family sends a wish list of presents along with clothing sizes, and the Deens purchase the gifts and wrap them. Paula’s generous partners also participate by donating new items for parents such as small kitchen appliances, cookware sets, and bath and body care items. The week prior to Christmas, the Deens distributed the wrapped gifts to the parents so they could be given to the children from Santa. Paula and her family have participated in this holiday initiative for several years in a row. The Bag Lady Foundation, named after Paula’s first business, provides hope, inspiration, and support to women and families during their…

FRIED DILL PICKLES Makes 6 servings ¼ cup mayonnaise3 tablespoons chopped green onion1 tablespoon horseradish¼ teaspoon Cajun seasoning1 (24-ounce) jar kosher dill pickle slices½ cup hot sauce½ cup whole buttermilk1 teaspoon garlic powder1½ cups self-rising flour¼ cup self-rising white cornmeal1 teaspoon kosher salt½ teaspoon ground black pepper 1. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, green onion, horseradish, and Cajun seasoning until combined; cover and refrigerate. 2. Drain juice from pickle jar, leaving pickles in jar. To jar, add hot sauce, buttermilk, and garlic powder; seal jar, and shake well. Let stand for 30 minutes. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, salt, and pepper until well combined. Dredge pickle slices in flour mixture, and spray with cooking spray. Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet; let stand for 15 minutes. 4. If preheating is…

MY GRANDBABIES LOVE MAKING S’MORES this time of year. There’s something nostalgic about eating the ooey-gooey marshmallow and chocolate treats. But this yummy recipe skips sticky, messy fingers and the hassle of building a fire without sacrificing the classic flavor we all know and love. S’MORES COBBLER Makes 8 to 10 servings 2½ cups whole milk1 (5.9-ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix9 graham cracker sheets20 (0.45-ounce) milk chocolate bars,* broken into pieces1 (15.25-ounce) box chocolate fudge cake mix*½ cup unsalted butter, thinly sliced1 (16-ounce) package large marshmallowsGarnish: graham cracker pieces 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together milk and pudding mix until mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Pour pudding into prepared dish. Layer graham crackers on pudding. Scatter about half of…