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
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
Pinwheel Steaks & Gravy
By Tim H. Martin
Based on recipe courtesy of Deb Boyer of Dakota Outfitters. Ingredients: • 6-10 tenderized beef or venison steaks — *In some places, they’re called cube steaks, but this doesn’t mean to cut into cubes! The pounded or ... 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
Creole Chicken & Okra
By Tim H. Martin
Sometimes I buy a cookbook just for one or two recipes. When I heard about "Cooking Up a Storm," I knew there would be dozens of recipes I'd like, which proved to be true. After Hurricane Katrina, there was risk of losing much of the old Lo... READ MORE