To Southerners, recipes are very sacred things. Precious as any antique sideboard or inherited engagement ring, they are heirlooms themselves; memories made on our palates and in our hearts, all while sitting around cozy kitchen tables or on quilts stretched out over sun-warmed lawns. When we get together and talk about food, our grandmothers and mothers are elevated to mythical deities. "When my grandmother fried chicken, she never..." "When my mother makes cheese straws, she always..." "My grandmother's banana pudding was the best, because she added..." and so on and so forth. Their "famous" recipes are our best food memories--ones we relive each time we stir their recipes together for our families and friends. And while there's nothing better than a bite of these handed-down recipes, their classic, iconic flavors are fun to play with in the kitchen. In Southern Classics: Five Ways, you'll find traditional versions of your very favorite Southern recipes--but turn the page, and you'll find some delicious surprises! Yes, there's Classic Banana Pudding--but there's also Banana Pudding Bars, Banana Pudding Cake, and so much more. If you love Southern flavors and enjoy a good twist, this is the book for you. Packed with recipes for your favorite desserts, suppers, sides, and snacks, this collection of recipes is one you'll cherish--not only for the memories it conjures up, but for the new ones it will encourage you to make in the kitchen.