Hi again -- when was the last time you traveled in the southern US? I have traveled there just a handful of times. Each time though, I have come home with a new favorite treat. I ate all the BBQ and fried foods you could imagine, but it's the sweets of the south that stuck with me. Southern food is on my mind because a couple of my favorites, chocolate GooGoos and Southern Pecan Pralines, are presently headed my way. Not because I ordered them online. My mother- and father-in-law are road tripping their way across the south. They're due to return to Maine, next Saturday. Not soon enough. We have a standardized in-law relationship, the love/hate variety. But when you're coming to my house with GooGoos and pralines, you get nothing but love. 

What is it about the southern US that makes the food so much fun? The fryolater, in a large part, does have a lot to do with it. Here's a little poem to reinforce that idea. Submitted by my father-in-law from the road, somewhere in GA, I believe.

All things fried are wonderful
All creatures great and small
All things cleaned and dipped
The fryer makes them fine.

Then there's the history of the south. The many cultures and regions and varieties of veggies and meats -- the fryer makes them all taste good. In truth, it's the creativity and adaptation of the southern people that really makes the difference.

I grew up in Warren, Ohio -- the capital of the Western Reserve. A pretty little place with some good food. Not far from the south, I suppose. Just one state away. So it makes sense that some of my family summer vacations were in the southern states. As I mentioned above, I ate a lot of BBQ and fried food. But I really don't recall what we ate beyond that, other than the GooGoos and Pralines. I do remember a few gems -- one was called the Hot Brown. It's roasted turkey on toast, topped with a cheesy, mustardy, peppery sauce. A Hot Brown with sides of mashed potatoes and cole slaw. That was living.

I have such fond memories of an amazing Peanut Soup. This delicacy felt and tasted like melted peanut butter in a bowl. It was always served with fresh baked bread for dipping (kind of a deconstructed peanut butter sandwich). At the time I lived for peanut butter sandwiches. I suppose I still do. I know my kids do.

The flavors of the south are very special. It's kind of sad that I have so few favorites. I wonder if there is anywhere in Maine to get good southern cooking? Maybe I'll tune into Paula Dean's show on the Food Network for some good ideas. I'll be watching as I live in the moment with my chocolate GooGoos and Southern Pecan Pralines.

Cheers,ya'll.