Educators' Southern cookbook helps disaster-struck

Editor's note: The following article is provided courtesy of its author, Linda Brandt, a columnist for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

"Delta Kappa Gamma Entertains" is all about Southern hospitality. It also plans your party.

The cookbook, produced by members of the international honor society of women educators, provides party themes, menus and recipes for the food that welcomes family and friends into their own homes.

Each of the cookbook's 11 chapters represents a Southeastern state and offers ideas for six celebrations -- including holidays, birthdays, weddings, and baby showers -- Out of the Pot Soup Supper, Neighborhood Block Party, Beach/Patio Grill Party, A Night in Old Natchitoches, Mississippi Riverboat Party, Dinner on the Ground, March Madness Buffet, Carolina Cup Spring Picnic, Mozart Festival Dinner Party and Shenandoah Apple Harvest Dinner, to name a few.

Louisiana's Night in Old Natchitoches menu includes fried green tomatoes with plantation pickle dressing, Natchitoches meat pies, and Maw-Maw's dirty rice. Mint juleps, burgoo, corn pudding, turkey hot brown and bourbon chocolate torte are featured in Kentucky's Derby Day party menu.

And an easy brunch for a crowd in Tennessee includes recipes for two "overnight" casseroles: country grits and sausage casserole, and French toast with honey orange sauces, plus sweet potato muffins, cream cheese spreads and baked mixed fruit. Other states and traditional tastes included are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

Proceeds from the cookbook go to Delta Kappa Gamma International's emergency fund to help members in participating states who have been affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and other natural disasters. The original price of the book was $15 plus $5 shipping.

However, with hurricane season not far off, the Society is anxious to have funds on hand if needed and has reduced the price of the book to $10 and will ship it free of charge anywhere in the United States. Make checks payable to Delta Kappa Gamma and send them to Merle Jones, 1973 Cane Mill Road, Chipley, FL 32428.

Local chapters of the Society include Delta Kappa Chapter, Franklin County, and Delta Epsilon and Beta Beta Chapters in Gulf, Bay and Calhoun counties.

See recipe below, taken from "Delta Kappa Gamma Entertains."

Braised Onion Medley with Bourbon

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large Vidalia or other sweet onion

1 large red onion

1 large yellow onion

1 large white onion

¼ cup beef bouillon

¼ cup bourbon

Salt, pepper to taste

Cayenne powder to taste

Peel onion and slice very thin. Use a mandolin, if you have one. Brown onions quickly over high heat. Add bouillon and seasonings. Simmer for 3 minutes. Add bourbon and cook down for an additional 3 minutes.

Note: This would be good with almost any meat. It would also be good on hamburgers or sandwiches.