Country@Heart Dinner Diaries
Tasso: America’s Great Unknown Secret Ingredient
By Tim H. Martin
So, what is tasso? I believe it’s the best-kept secret ingredient in all of American food culture. Unless you’re from the Cajun Country of southern Louisiana, you’ve probably never heard of it — even my spell-checker... READ MORE
The Gumbo Paddle
By Tim H. Martin
Heirloom Tool For Rowing Rivers of Roux. I'm one of those cooks who's difficult to buy gifts for because I already have pretty much every kitchen gadget there is. While surfing Facebook last December, I saw a rustic hand-carved gumbo paddle... READ MORE
Grits ’n Greens
By Tim H. Martin
What’s more country than grits? What’s more country than greens? Put them together and you’ve got yourself the hit of the hoedown! On a steamy Southern night in 2018, I was introduced to Grits ’n Greens for the very ... READ MORE
Venison Ragù alla Bolognese
By Tim H. Martin
Where deer season meets Italian seasoning Ingredients: • 1 1/2 to 2 lbs. ground venison or ground beef • 1 lb. ground pork or ground turkey • 4 oz. pancetta or slab bacon, finely chopped • 8 oz. button mushrooms or baby... READ MORE
Alabama Red Beans & Rice
By Tim H. Martin
I've had a couple of friends from New Orleans ask me what made these "Alabama" red beans and rice. I reminded them that Louisiana isn't the only state with Cajun and Creole culture. Alabama has plenty of Cajuns, too, down in our own bayou ... READ MORE