Oh Gussie!

von Kimberly Schlapman

Oh Gussie, am I thrilled to share my first cookbook! I love cooking for folks about as much as I love to sing. Nothing warms my heart as much as being with family and friends around a table sharing a meal. In my book, getting the whole gang in the kitchen together to cook is about as much fun as you can have.

I grew up in the Appalachian foothills of north Georgia, where summers were filled with fresh peaches and sweet corn, fall was apple-harvest time, winter brought collard greens, and early peas signaled spring had arrived. My loving grandmothers and mother made thoughtful use of the bounty and taught me a lot about love and life as they passed down family recipes. I'm so happy to share family recipes for Maw Maw's Biscuits, Gram's Sheet Cake, and New Bride's Vegetable Beef Soup with y'all.

I make my home in Nashville now, and spending time in the kitchen with my daughter is one of my greatest joys. We'll whip up Blueberry Cornbread Cupcakes, Crazy Daisy's Squares packed with butterscotch and pecans, or a big pitcher of orange Dreamsicle Punch, getting tickled the whole time. When cooking for the family, Chicken and Herb White Pizza, Three-Alarm Enchiladas, and Pork Tenderloin with Slow-Cooked Applesauce makes everybody happy and full.

Celebrating with my bandmates from Little Big Town is always a good ol' time! Whether I'm cooking up Pineapple Casserole to take on the tour bus, baking a Chocolate Cherry Cola Cake for a birthday, or fueling late-night recording sessions with honey-and-vanilla-drizzled Fruit and Cheese Kebabs, we spend a good deal of time tapping our toes and licking our lips.

We Southerners love our sweets and treats, and speedy Lazy Woman's Strawberry Pie, Fresh Glazed Apple Cake, and fluffy meringue-topped Grandmother's Coconut Pudding are sure to fit the bill!

In these pages I've gathered heirloom family recipes, updates on Southern classics, and some quick dinners for modern families on the go. Let's sit a spell and enjoy a good visit in the kitchen!