Book We Love: The Cash and Carter Family Cookbook

Written by Johnny and June’s only son, John Carter Cash, this book is full of old family photos and recipes from both the Cash and Carter clans. It documents Johnny Cash’s hard scrabble childhood in the cotton fields in Arkansas and June Carter’s upbringing in Virginia and on the road with her musical family. While the Carters traveled a lot together, their food stayed true to their home-spun southern roots, including Sausage Gravy, Fried Bologna with Eggs and Biscuits, and Pinto Beans with Ham Hocks. It also contains Johnny’s Iron-Pot Chili with a Roasted Top and an anecdote on it by their friend John Prine.

Kinda basic, but make sure you rest your steak. patience will pay off in flavor. Some butter doesn’t hurt either.

–JAMES KERWIN, CHEF, LITTLE FIB, RENAISSANCE HOTEL NASHVILLE.