The country music legend Dolly Parton and her younger sister Rachel Parton George just teamed up to write a cookbook that they are calling “Good Lookin’ Cookin.'” The book revolves around the three values that their family holds dear, and wants to share with her fans: God, music, and food!
Dolly Parton’s Cookbook: ‘God, Music, And Food’
“God, music, and food were the three big things in our family,” Parton, 78, told Allrecipes.
This cookbook is full of southern-style recipes. It’s also filled with heartwarming family stories that remind Parton, and she hopes, her readers, of home.
“I think home tastes like Mama,” Parton said. “…You always link those childhood memories with certain childhood foods that you love and the people that prepare them for you.”
“I cook more like Mama — a handful of this, a handful of that,” she continued. “Rachel is also very creative, but she wants to make sure it’s going to taste good, too — she’s not as sloppy as I am.”
Parton and George’s mother Avie Lee is frequently mentioned in their cookbook. She died in 2003, but she lives on through her recipes. The sisters agree that their favorite dish of Mama’s was macaroni and tomato juice, mixed with a little bacon grease and butter. Avie Lee made this dish whenever the kids were sick.
“That was like Mama’s medicine,” Parton recalled.
Parton Compares Cooking And Music
Parton went on to say that cooking and creating music always went hand-in-hand for her.
“It’s just being creative, like writing a song,” she explained. “Some of my best songs I came up with while cooking my best food, and vice versa. The better I write, the better I cook.”
Dishes that are featured in this cookbook, which comes out on Tuesday, include Hot Wing Dip, Family Favorite Meatloaf, Slaw of Many Colors, Light My Fire Banana Foster and Fried Chicken and Gravy.
When asked which of her songs reminds her of Hot Wing Dip, Parton didn’t hesitate to reply with “Jolene.”
“Oh, something spicy — like our Hot Wing Dip,” added George, 65.
“That woman was just hungry for my man,” Parton stated. “It’s not in the cookbook, but it’s in the song.”
Parton And George’s History
Parton and George are two of twelve siblings. Indeed, Parton is the fourth child, and George is the youngest. Though there is a thirteen year age gap between Parton and George, the sisters have always been close. George even quit school after eighth grade to follow her big sister on tour, where she would sing backup and occasionally do Parton’s makeup.
“We’ve always gotten along really good,” Parton said of herself and George. “It was a joy all the way around to work on something creative together.”
Parton and George are both big on holidays.
“I love going to Rachel’s house because I notice every little thing,” Parton said. “She puts so much time and effort into it. The tree has to be just right, the table has to be just right—all the little things have to be right.”
George sees music and entertaining at home as being similar things.
“If you’re onstage, you’re connecting with your audience,” she explained. “When I’m in the kitchen, I want to connect with the people that are at my table.”
If you’re a fan of Parton’s be sure to check out this cookbook when it hits stores on September 17!
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