Title:	Southern Smoke: Barbecue, Traditions, and Treasured Recipes Reimagined for Today
	Author:	Matthew Register
	Published:	May 7, 2019, Harvard Common Press
	No. of Pages:	208
	Cover Price:	$25.00 Hardcover

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Anyone who loves southern food will love Matthew Register’s cookbook, Southern Smoke: Barbecue, Traditions, and Treasured Recipes Reimagined for Today. Not only does the book include a great primer on smoking and southern barbeque, but it also features great recipes for southern classics, as well as spice rubs, barbecue sauces, and side dishes.

The recipe for Hoppin’ John is one of the best; the ingredients and quantities make for a delicious side or main dish, and following the recipe to the letter will insure perfect seasoning and flavor. Hoppin’ John is generally a New Year’s dish, but Register’s version is so good, it ought to be served year round. It goes well with Fried Skillet Cornbread. Register’s version of Country Captain is also very good, and can be adapted to the Instant Pot to make it faster. Other recipes in the queue include James Island Shrimp Pie, Memphis Dry Rub Ribs, and Fried Catfish with Dill Pickle Aioli. The desserts are also mouthwatering: Peanut Pie, Chocolate Chess Pie with Pecans, and Chocolate Fudge and Sea Salt Pie to name a few.

The cookbook is divided into southern regions and features recipes from each region. Register has taken the best recipes and made it so anyone can successfully prepare authentic barbecue along with great side dishes. The recipes are concise and easy to follow; anyone – beginning cooks to experienced cooks – can make the dishes picture perfect. This cookbook also features excellent photographs of most of the dishes in the book, as well as photographs for step-by-step set up of a smoker/barbecue outdoors, which are very helpful.

Anyone who wants to cook traditional southern will want to pick up a copy of this excellent cookbook. Highly recommended.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.