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
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
Buckmasters Big Red Chili
By Tim H. Martin
Winner of 2010 Buckmasters Cook-off has layers of sausage, beef, spices and one not-so-secret ingredient. Ingredients: • 2 lbs. ground pork sausage (I use 1 lb. Jimmy Dean Sage & 1 lb. Jimmy Dean Hot) • 1 1/2 lbs. beef stew m... READ MORE
Elk Hunt Chicken Cordon Bleu
By Tim H. Martin
Recipe courtesy of Rob and Sandy Kingsland. Note: One cordon bleu often feeds two people. Ingredients (per chicken cordon bleu): • 1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast • 1/4 pound shaved ham (hickory smoked is recommended) &... READ MORE