Deep Dish (36 page)

Cream butter and cream cheese together, then beat in powdered sugar. Add vanilla, and thin frosting out with milk as needed.

Brush lemon juice on cut surface of peach halves.

In bowl, combine melted butter, syrup, and ginger. Gently toss peach halves in the mixture to coat evenly.

Grill over medium-high heat until slightly charred—one to two minutes. Turn.

Can be served over ice cream, or topped with real whipped cream and caramel sauce.

This recipe is designed to serve 6 to 8 people, but Tate and Gina mostly fix it for a big crowd, so multiply ingredients proportionately if that’s what you want to do too. Because Tate hunts birds, he might also throw in some quail or dove breasts, or some venison. Perfect for a crisp fall day or a chilly football Sunday.

Place chicken, celery, and onions in large pot. Add enough water to cover well. Add salt and pepper, then cover and simmer until the meat falls off the bones. Remove the chicken pieces and let cool. Add vegetables and cooked pork to broth in pot and cook for approxi
mately 2 hours or until tender, stirring frequently because the tomatoes may burn.

Remove the chicken from the bones and add it to the stew, along with barbecue sauce, and more chicken broth if necessary to make a soupier consistency. Serve with corn bread and tangy coleslaw.

As always, I’m indebted to dozens of people who helped this particular
Dish
become a reality. Martha Giddens Nesbit and Brandon Branch enabled me to watch the fabulous Paula Deen in action. Thanks again, Paula! John “Crawfish” Crawford of the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography gave me priceless information on the wild edibles of coastal barrier islands. The Scribblers of Raleigh, Margaret Maron, Sarah Shaber, and Brenda Witchger gave essential advice, brainstorming sessions, and support when I needed it most. Pat and Patti Callahan Henry opened their beautiful home on Daufuskie Island for research and retreat, and Ron and Leuveda Garner and Diane Kaufman of Mermaid Cottages gave me cozy nests on Tybee.

I’m the luckiest writer on earth to have Carolyn Marino of HarperCollins and Stuart Krichevsky of SKLA in my corner. Their unwavering support and tough love always pulls me through the roughest patches and darkest days.

And for my family, Tom, Andy, Katie, and Mark, no words are enough to express my thanks and love.

Jacket Illustration by Helen Chapman