Cooking with Paula Deen September 2019

SEPTEMBER IN SAVANNAH is a season all its own. It’s still pretty warm and sunny, and there’s plenty of end-of-summer produce from my garden to enjoy, but I start adding touches of fall flair to my meals. One of my favorite ways to welcome autumn into my kitchen is with fresh, juicy apples. Each year, I look forward to whipping up dishes filled with this beloved fruit, and you’ll love the seasonal sweets I created, starting on page 37. And I can’t prepare for the season without enjoying other harvest goodies as well. From butterscotch and pecan to sweet potato and pear, tasty autumn flavors fill the collection of pies starting on page 51 and make a great first taste of fall. No matter the season, there’s nothing better than gathering your…

MADE IN THE SOUTH CHRISTIE COOKIE CO. Founded in 1983 as a simple storefront in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Christie Cookie Co. was created on the principle that premium ingredients and classic flavors are the only things needed to make delicious scratch-made cookies. Christie Cookie Co. has worked tirelessly at perfecting their craft while staying true to their Southern roots and is committed to using premium ingredients measured by hand, no artificial substitutes, and, of course, 100-percent real butter. The company now employs more than 100 people and produces more than 100 million cookies annually. The brand is sold in restaurants, hotels, bakeries, and nationwide in classic flavors, including Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut. The crowd-favorite is their signature Chocolate Chip Cookie made with pieces of delicious Heath toffee.…

1. Bake delicious, fruit-filled treats while wearing this cheery An Apple a Day Apron. $24.99, handstandkitchen.com 2. Polish a juicy apple or dry a just-washed dish with this colorful Apple Flour Sack Towel. $8.99, kafhome.com 3. Sip spiced ciders and teas from a Southern Hot Apple Cider 16 oz. Glass Mason Jar. $50 for set of 4, wayfair.com 4. This whimsical Le Creuset Apple Pie Dish goes from oven to table in style. $49.95, surlatable.com 5. Grow your own fruit with this DIY Apple Tree to Be Kit that contains everything you need for planting. $22, uncommongoods.com 6. Use these Pear and Apple Pinch Bowls to hold salt, pepper, herbs, or spices for cooking in the kitchen or seasoning at the table. $42, monticelloshop.org 7. This all-in-one Red Enameled Cast Iron Apple Peeler, Slicer and Corer…

The Deen family recently hosted a sponsor appreciation night for the Savannah, Georgia, chapter of CURE Childhood Cancer at Paula Deen’s Creek House restaurant. The evening included dinner and live music, and top CURE supporters received special recognition and awards. The Deen family also made a personal donation to the organization. Additionally, Jamie Deen recently emceed the fifth annual Statesboro, Georgia, chapter of CURE Sisters on a Journey Dinner that benefits Catie’s Fund, a named fund of CURE that supports research for more-effective, less-harsh treatments for children with cancer. The evening included dinner, a silent auction, and awards for top supporters. The dinner was dedicated to the memory of Morgan Frison, a young girl in the community who passed away last fall due to complications from her cancer treatment. Morgan and the…

SLOW COOKER BRUNSWICK STEW Makes 21/2 quarts 1/3 cup salted butter2 cups chopped onion1 cup chopped green bell pepper2 teaspoons minced garlic1 (16-ounce) package frozen soup vegetable medley, thawed1 teaspoon ground black pepper½ teaspoon celery salt1 pound pulled smoked pork1 pound pulled smoked chicken1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes3 cups low-sodium chicken broth1½ to 2 cups spicy barbecue sauce2 tablespoons cornstarchCornbread muffi ns, to serve 1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. 2. Transfer onion mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker; stir in vegetable medley, pepper, and celery salt. Place pork and chicken on top of vegetables. Pour tomatoes, broth, and barbecue sauce onto meat. 3. Cover and cook…

I LOVE GETTING CREATIVE WITH MY GRANDBABIES in the kitchen, especially when it comes to decorating cookies with festive frosting and sprinkles. These delicious sugar cookies are easy to make and will put you in a fun fall spirit. FALL SUGAR COOKIES Makes about 20 1 cup unsalted butter, softened1¼ cups sugar1 tablespoon vanilla extract¼ teaspoon almond extract2 large eggs3¼ cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon baking powder¼ teaspoon baking sodaPrepared frosting and sprinkles 1. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and extracts with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour…