Well, I think I gained 10 lbs just reading all the amazing entries in my fall contest. In exchange for the chance to win an autographed copy of Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking Bible, I asked you to tell me your favorite comfort food. Boy did I get a ton of feedback! In fact, with nearly 350 entries, this was my most popular contest ever. And the entries were so varied. Hands down the most votes overall came in for mac & cheese and there were also plenty of votes for other old standbys like meatloaf with mashed potatoes, fried chicken, and chili. But there were also nods to soups and stews, cakes and brownies, cheesy grits and country fried steak. I heard several cries for “anything chocolate” and “anything pumpkin.” Popcorn and venison each also got a mention. Who knew?
I loved hearing from those of you who wrote in about old family recipes, like Alison, who told me about how her family all knew it was a special night when her Mo-Mo got out the big stock pot and her rolling pin to whip up her famous chicken and dumplings. Terri wrote in about how her grown children still beg her to make “Mawmaw’s Mac and Cheese,” Julie told me about “porcupine meatballs” (a new one on me). I think I need to try Jill’s grouper chowder even though my husband does not run a charter fishing business like hers does. It made my heart glad (and arteries clog) to hear about regional delicacies like Pennsylvania Dutch potato filling, Cajun gumbo, and Eastern Carolina oyster stew.
A special thanks to those of you who actually sent me your recipes too! Like Shirley who sent me her mother’s recipe for stuffed peppers and Sandra for the delish sounding recipe for smoked sausage and white bean soup. When I polish those off I’m gonna try Corinne’s squash soup. There were many more that I will need to print out and keep on file. Oh, boy, does Mr. MKA have some treats in store for him this fall.
Without further ado, the winner is Jessica Dixon from Petoskey, MI who told me all about her grandmother’s cinnamon rolls whose “smells wrapped around us like a warm blanket.” Well, pass ‘em over here! Congrats, Jessica! Miss Paula will send your book out to you in a jiffy. Thanks to all who entered. And thanks, as always, for your support and enthusiasm. Y’all are the best. Love, MKA