Libbie and I on the set of the Real Women of Philadelphia.Photo compliments of Nathan Jones Photography!
Almost two years ago my life started a crazy journey. I left my kitchen and decided to share my love of cooking with others. But once I left my home, I was in the hands of “other people”. One of those “people” was Libbie Summers.
She is a rock star food stylist. Libbie started her culinary career as a yacht chef and then brought her eye for detail to be a food stylist for clients such as the Food Network, Kraft and Paula Deen! You might wonder what in the world is a food stylist? Libbie is the person who makes those amazing Food Network sets look perfect. Libbie stages out each recipe. Cutting, chopping and making sure you, the cook, have everything close by. Nothing left to chance and always looking fabulous. This job requires organization, attention to every tiny detail as well as making sure it looks incredible behind the camera for the camera. So pretty much she was my “Wizard” in Cooking Oz! I am forever grateful for all of the help Libbie has offered me these past 2 years. She is always there to answer even my silliest of culinary questions. So now I am thrilled to tell you about the newest chapter in her incredible life….
You might call her a pig whisperer. But now she is an author! An author of a cookbook. A chicks guide to all things Piggy!
Libbie with her favorite creature. Photo by Chia Chong.
Libbie became a lover of swine from an early age! A Missouri girl who grew up on her grandparents hog farm, her love of the hog is evident in every page. Then the recipes will blow your mind! Not just the same old ribs and bacon wrapped goodies; but recipes that will make you crave to know more! I hit upon cooking nirvana recently while reading her book, The Whole Hog Cookbook
you might think it was a main dish. But you are so wrong! It is Libbie’s Bacon Banana Cookies. She writes that this was her favorite cookie as a child and I will be forever grateful that she has shared it! In fact, I just made a plate today and they are almost gone. My son mentioned to me this morning as he was caring a fistful out the door that they are perfect as a Breakfast cookie! He said, “Mom, they are light like a muffin with bananas and bacon. Perfect breakfast food!” Well, that about sums up just how good this cookie is and I have not even told you about the rest of her book. It is filled with whimsically snarky stories, delicious uncommon recipes that are spot on and then the pictures. Well they are to die for….gorgeous, stylish and makes you want to lick the page! If you love cookbooks than I promise stop looking and pick up this gem! You will not be sorry!
Recipe Courtesy of Libbie Summers from The Whole Hog Cookbook (Rizzoli 2011) Photo by Chia Chong
Bacon Banana Cookies
Recipe from: The Whole Hog Cookbook by Libbie Summers
- 2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup in salted butter
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 bananas, mashed (about 1 1/3 cups)
- 1/2 pound bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon, and the salt.
- In a medium mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together the butter and 1 cup of sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until thy are fully incorporated. Beat in the vanilla. Add the butter mixture to the flour mixture, then stir in the mashed bananas, beating well after each addition. Fold in the bacon.
- Stir together the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the remaining cinnamon. Set aside.
- Drop the dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet 1 inch apart. Sprinkle generously with the cinnamon-sugar and bake 10-12 minutes, until slightly browned. Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Cookies will keep for 5 to 7 days.
Since Libbie is the bomb…she is giving me an autographed copy of The Whole Hog Cookbook to giveaway!
So, to be entered to win simply:
* Become a Facebook fan of The Whole Hog Cookbook
* Tell Libbie that The Fat and Sassy Mama sent you!