Cookin' it with Kix Cookbook Review

With this newly released cookbook, Cookin' it with Kix: The Art of Celebrating and the Fun of Outdoor Cooking, Kix Brooks is sharing a collection of favorite recipes, some inspired, but many tried and true, hand-me-down heritage recipes from his own family.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this cookbook as well as the promotional giveaway books free, as a member of the "Cookin it with Kix" blogger team. 

As the highest selling duo in country music history, with more than 23, #1 hits, 75 major industry awards, and over 30 million in record sales, if you know country music, you know Brooks & Dunn. I mean who doesn't go back home from wherever you currently are when listenin' to Red Dirt Road?

What you may not know is that in 2015, Kix Brooks had a successful Cooking Channel show called Steak Out with Kix Brooks - where he says he picked up the secrets to a rockin' steak from guest chefs. You also may not know that he is a founding partner and co-owner of Nashville's Arrington Vineyards. You may not know that he moved to Nashville from New Orleans, where he once played at Tipitina's and the Old Absinthe House on Bourbon. But you will learn these things and much more from his new book.

Taught the kind of cooking southern men pass on to their boys by his Dad and his grandfather, D-Daddy, food and fellowship is as much a part of Kix Brooks' life as is music. No surprise there, considering his roots run deep in what is considered Sportsman Paradise, aka Louisiana, where hunting and fishing often rule the supper menu.

Now with this newly released cookbook, Cookin'it with Kix The Art of Celebrating and the Fun of Outdoor Cooking, Kix Brooks is sharing a collection of favorites, some inspired, but many tried and true, hand-me-down heritage recipes from his family. Don't be fooled by the name and thinkin' this is strictly a book that'll put you standing over a grill. It's not.

It is a cookbook that is mixed with that for sure, and a little woods open fire cooking too, but also recipes that are rooted in Cajun, Creole, Tex-Mex, Gulf Coast and Southern cooking, and yes even a little northern influence thanks to his wife and the love of his life, Barbara. A Bostonian who relocated to Maine, where Kix and Barbara met and fell in love, Kix has also included some of her favorite recipes, including her Veggie Stuffing, Garden Cake and Amazing Coconut Cake.

Contents range from the usual shrimp boils and fish fry gatherings, to those post-hunt, hole-in-the-ground, cooking with fire recipes, to classic holiday meals and recipes for other celebrations. Scattered throughout are "Kix Tips" offering up suggestions for substitutes, add-ins, meal accompaniments and simple kitchen helpers. Here's a little run-down of what you can expect.

Chapter 1: "Where I Come From"

You'll get a little history about Kix Brooks and his Louisiana roots and background and where the inspiration for this cookbook came from. You'll learn about his venture into raising Beefmaster cattle and how he came to be a partner in Arrington Vineyards and he'll introduce you to his co-writer Donna Britt.

Chapter 2: "Cook Out!"

This chapter covers favorite recipes for fish fries, grilling out and other big gatherings.

Grilled and Smothered Strip Steak

You'll find recipes for things like D-Daddy's Fried Fish, Classic Fries and Hushpuppies, Barbecue Shrimp, Corn Grit Waffles, Aunt Grace's Crawfish Etouffee, Jambalaya, Oyster Slurpers, Shrimp Po'boys, Grilled and Smothered Strip Steak, Reverse Seared Cowboy Cut Tomahawk Rib Eye and Honky Tonk Tequila Steak.

Chapter 3: "Cooking in the Woods"

This chapter is about fishing and hunting - and eatin' what you catch!

Camp Grilled Wings

Included here are Veggie Packets, Salmon-in-the-Fire, Redfish on the Half Shell, Wild Turkey Tenders, Duck Gumbo, Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, Squirrel (or chicken if you'd rather) Stew, Cast Iron Steak and Eggs, Elk Chili, Camp Grilled Wings, Venison Jerky and Salami.

Chapter 4: "Celebrate! with Food"
This chapter covers spreads for occasions from holiday meals, to simple get-togethers.

Taco Time Beans

New Year's Day Red Beans and Rice, Beans and Greens, Springtime Feast of Classic Shrimp Boil, Sauteed Shrimp, Taco Bar Carnitas, Tacos and Taco Time Pinto Beans, Guacamole, Salsa, Nachos, Ultimate Tailgater Ribs, Smoked Sausage, Smashed Tater Salad, Grilled Peaches, Roasted Corn and Beverages, to Thanksgiving Spatchcocked Turkey, Veggie Stuffing, Asparagus Mold, Creamed Onions and Molly's Pumpkin Pie.

Chapter 5: "Easy on the Sides"

This chapter covers Kix's favorite and easy to make side dishes.

Lemony Tomato Jam

Aunt Katty's Cheese Wafers, Sweet Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Deviled Eggs, Tabbouleh Salad, Oven "Fried" Fries, Angel Biscuits, Jalapeno Corn Muffins, Pimento Cheese - Two Ways, Tomato Jalapeno Garlic Schmear, Lemony Tomato Jam, Tipsy Fig Preserves, Honey Butter with Orange Zest and Molasses Apple Butter.

Chapter 6 - "A Little Kick"

The goodies that help to make it all even better - rubs, sauces and condiments.

Kickin' It Hot Sauce

KB's Shreveport Shake Seasoning, Kickin' It Hot Sauce, Make Your Own Fish Dip (Tartar Sauce), Straight up Barbecue Sauce, Creole Barbecue Spice and Steak Sauces.

Chapter 7 - Sweets and Indulgences

Pretty much speaks for itself now doesn't it?

Chocolate Praline Pecan Pie

Fired-Up Bananas Foster, Banana Puddin', Beignets, Homemade Peach Ice Cream, Bourbon Caramel Sauce, Summer Strawberry Shortcakes, Mrs. Chase's Brownies, Heavenly Hash Cake, Garden Cake (Eggless Devil's Food Cake), Bourbon-Soaked Celebration Cake, King Cake, Oatmeal Cookies, Lemon Squares and Chocolate Praline Pecan Pie. 

Chapter 8 - Libations, Cocktails and Beverages

Cheers!

Bourbon Slushies

Scotch on the Rocks, Manhattan, Moscow Mule, Blood-Orange Madras, Grapefruit-Basil Sangarita, Bourbon Slushies, Holiday Milk Punch, Derby Day Mint Julep, Cafe Brulot, Southern Tea, Frothy Lemonade and Fiery Apple Cider.

If all that didn't make you hungry, you better check your pulse!

Seriously, this is a fun book and an impressive cookbook that I know you'll enjoy adding to your own collection as well as gifting. If you're a Kix Brooks fan you'll especially enjoy the personal history and memories he shares with us about growing up in Louisiana. One caveat. Although each chapter is indexed at the beginning, finding things by category or ingredient may be a bit of a challenge since the book lacks a comprehensive back-of-the-book summary index. It's not that big of a deal though, so as you see something you want to make, or when you make something you love, I suggest using some of these handy, dandy tools to mark your page.

Life is short y'all... Celebrate!

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED

And the winners are....

Malcolm - Mac Hassell (Biscuit Hound) Southeastern, NC

and

Josh Tyson!

Congratulations y'all. Be sure to shoot me an email at mary@deepsouthdish.com with your mailing info before Friday, October 7th, 2016 at noon CST to claim your book and I'll get it right out to you!

Thanks for participating everybody! To order a copy of Kix Brooks' cookbook, click here and pick one up for yourself or a gift!

Now here's the really fun part. Not only are we offering a giveaway of this awesome cookbook, but Kix Brooks has sent along two autographed copies of his cookbook for me to giveaway to two lucky readers - yay y'all!!

To enter, scroll to the bottom of this post below and leave a comment on this post (It may take a moment for your comment to post, so please comment only once!). Use your Google account, or select "Anonymous" or "URL/Name" to enter your comment anonymously, but if you post anonymously, please leave a first name and last initial or some way to identify yourself so I know who you are!

This giveaway closes on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, at noon CST. Two winners will be selected at random from the comments and will be announced within 1 to 3 days on the site at this same post.

Once the announcement is posted, winners will have 48 hours to respond via email to mary@deepsouthdish.com to claim their book and provide shipping info. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only please.

Thanks for reading and good luck!

Disclosure: I received a free copy of Cookin' it with Kix and two additional books to offer as a giveaway from W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson.

Don't want to wait? Hop over to Amazon and purchase your copy today!

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