Synopses & Reviews
Everyone who knew Norma Jean McQueen Haydel knew that sheand#8217;s a supreme cook and that she was the steward of the McQueen family recipes. But she didnand#8217;t measure when she cooked. Or write things down.
Norma Jeanand#8217;s brother Horace got to worrying about this. He cooked, too, but his repertoire wasnand#8217;t as vast as Norma Jeanand#8217;s. So he began bothering her about writing down how she made her many dishes.
and#147;I didnand#8217;t want Norma Jeanand#8217;s recipes, or our Mamaand#8217;s recipes, to be lost. We have kids coming. And other folks love to eat at my sisterand#8217;s table, too.and#8221;
So the two got busy recording their treasured family recipes from the South. This collection of more than 250 dishes includes their best ones. and#147;This is food you will absolutely enjoy,and#8221; said Horace. and#147;Traditional, full of marvelous flavor, and#145;enhancedand#8217; old-timeys.and#8221;
Norma Jean and Horace put together the full line-up: crawfish bisque, poblano cream soup, wilted spinach salad, smothered pork ribs, zesty broasted chicken, baked catfish, cajun rice jambalaya, stuffed cornbread, five-flavor pound cake, margarita pie, and on and on.
About the Author
Norma Jean McQueen Haydel began cooking at an early age and, after a few years, could create a meal that rivaled her motherand#8217;s. Norma Jean and her husband, Joe, raised three boys. Then she pursued a career in banking and retired as a vice-president. Norma Jean and Joe lived in Natchez, Mississippi.
Horace McQueen tended fruit trees and vegetable and herb gardens for many years. He loved collecting and cooking Southern recipes from family friends. As a publisher's representative for nearly forty years, he sold many, many cookbooks and dreamed of creating this bookand#151;one that could be read and used. Horace and his wife Carleen lived in Houston, Texas.