Julia Reed's South: Spirited Entertaining and High-Style Fun All Year Long

I was SO excited to get this book, and the recipes looked good. So I tried three of them for a dinner party. And, yuck. I am an experienced cook and was actually embarrassed to serve these. The boneless ribeye recipe has a cook time, which is WAY too long. I spent nearly $300 on an 8-pound rib-eye roast at the local high-end butcher and ended up with a well done, nearly inedible main course. The deconstructed street corn was about as dull and flavorless a way to use fresh sweet corn as I have ever found. The slow-roasted tomatoes were also bleh.

Julia Reed used her natural instincts for southern elegance and hospitality in creating this wonderful book. Southern stories, recipes, and decorating themes are beautifully illustrated in colorful photos. A real treasure of a book which will be appreciated by anyone who enjoys the foods of the deep south.

I enjoyed this book so much and was able to relate to many of the stories inside of it, and happy to find out that several of the books she makes reference to in it, are already part of my Library at home. The book is gorgeous and an excellent resource for my Culinary Library!!! :-) Have met this author several times and love her writing and the subjects she writes about!!!

Love this book and it came in great shape. I would have felt better about the purchase if not for the fact that I paid just under $19 from a third party seller and the book came with a $2.99 price tag from Goodwill. :(

Even though I am from New Orleans, Reed's book provided me with good fun, beautiful party ideas, and wonderful recipes. For me, it's perfect nostalgia. The recipes are easy, easy and delish.

Have already used several ideas - thanks for the playlist, Julia! Had some fabulous local fried chicken and French champagne for my anniversary with that playlist in the backround... as decribed in the book - delicious and so fun! I've made the Curry Dip - with roasted green beans, roasted asparagus and roasted okra and it was a BIG hit. Also did the Crabmeat Norfolk and served with those crazy Old Bay saltines...and used that crust less toast for pan fried fresh red snapper sandwiches - this is a great book! Her enthusiasm for life and fun - it's a great read too.

Julia Reed is the ultimate entertainer! Lots of great decorating ideas and recipes

The book is a take-off on Lee Bailey's many cookbooks on entertaining Southern style (books that I own and have re-read for years). I can only say that I wish I had had the foresight to write such a follow-up.

This is a beautiful and elegant cookbook in every way. The recipes are all tested over time by a true gourmet with the commom sense to follow her Mother's advice: "Just make food that tastes good!"The quality of the photography is stylish like the interiors and table settings.There are recipes for many occasions. I am a fan of Julia Reeds many humorous cookbooks. This is her best.

Bought this beautiful book based on a blog review. I adore the entertaining style of Julia Reed