Cu You're Cookin' It Country: My Favorite Recipes and Memories

Reading this book,one gets the feeling that they are visiting the Lynns in their home while fixin'supper. The book is a very light hearted read and you get to see how they had to use lots of love and ingenuity feeding all the family. Things may have been tough,but so were the people;and even when the variety may have been not what we are used to today; nobody ever went hungry. As a matter of fact ,the old saying that "We didn't even know we were poor,'cause everyone else was the same". I think it was Dolly Parton who said something to the effect , "You're never poor unless you think you are poor". As time goes on, and Loretta's musical career skyrockets,we see their tastes really don't change. There are lots of recipes in the book that will bring back many fond memories of that great home cooking we enjoyed from our mothers and grandmothers;and even with all the cook books that get published;basic,simple home cooking is still the best. Growing up in the Maritimes,our food was much the same except for a few of those Southern dishes like Possum,Squirrel and Grits.Of course, we had our Cod,Deer Meat and Dulse. But when the Cornbread and Molasses appeared on the table ,the feast was about to begin. As they say in Newfoundland; "Seal flippers and onions makes a hell of a meal". Don't try to order that in Tennennsee;but then you're not likely to find Possum stew on the menu in Newfoundland. A wonderful read and we're going to cook up some of these great recipes;real soon ya'hear!

I just got the cookbook yesterday and I haven't been able to put it down. I keep reading the recipes making notes of which ones I want to make. Loretta makes some classic southern things such as Wilted Lettuce and Chocolate Gravy. There are recipes for every meal and she includes plenty of stories and pictures to go along with many of the recipes. The recipes have easy ingredients. Things that you can find in the store and many in your own kitchen. The directions are also easy to follow. Nothing that a novice cook couldn't do. I think that real Loretta fans will love this cookbook the most. I don't think that someone who heard "Coalminer's Daughter" once twenty years ago will get the full effect of this book. I love Loretta, so if you're like me, you won't go wrong with this book.

I haven't made the recipes yet but thoroughly enjoyed the stories. My grandfather & his family before him grew up much the same as they were from WV so it was nice to hear stories of someone who lived similarly. I originally bought the book hoping to get biscuits close to what my great aunt from WV makes. The recipe looks pretty close to the vague description she can give me, none of those women did much measuring and Loretta says in the beginning not to hold it against her because she never does either, she's given measurements to the best of her ability. I couldn't imagine my cupboard without this cookbook. It's not the impersonal kind like a better homes & gardens, these are tried & true, down home, quality ingredient recipes. She makes the same fresh green beans & new potatoes that my grandfather did with a hog jowl in it, my grandfather usually used a ham hock most of the time though. I know without making this one that's its great. I recommend this to anyone & everyone who likes to cook!

I haven't made any of the recipes in this book yet, but it is so enjoyable just to look through and read. I love the pictures and Loretta's stories. I highly recommend this cookbook!