Heartlandia

Book excerpt: “Portland's beloved [eatery] unveils the secrets to their fried chicken, pimento cheese and other comforting dishes in a book geared toward the home cook” (Eater.com). Husband-and-wife team Adam and Jackie Sappington opened their acclaimed Portland restaurant, The Country Cat Dinner House & Bar, in 2007. Adam, Executive Chef and a self-taught expert in whole animal butchery, and Jackie, the Executive Pastry Chef, are passionate about sharing soulful, heartwarming comfort food with their patrons. And now they’re sharing their recipes and secrets with home cooks around the world. Some of the mouthwatering dishes include their legendary Skillet-Fried Chicken, Autumn Squash Soup with Apple Cider and Brown Butter, Red Wine-Braised Beef with Wild Mushroom Steak Sauce, and Crispy Fried Oysters with Smoky Bacon and Green Apple Ragout. Sweet dishes include Challah French Toast with Maker’s Mark Custard and Clabber Cream, Butterscotch Pudding, and Bourbon Peach Crumble Pie. Additional chapters are devoted to drinks, pickles and preserves. Sumptuous photography throughout capture the mouthwatering amazing food as well as the spirit of the restaurant and the heartland.