How did we live without you?

By Libbie Summers, Food Editor

Who knew Trisha Yearwood was even from Georgia? I guess I always had in my head that she was from Oklahoma or Tennessee. One of those “country singin’” states. But, last Friday, in the middle of winter, in walks an out of season Georgia peach to Paula’s house…(with an entourage from those “country singin’” states).

Trisha was a guest on Paula’s Best Dishes. I didn’t really get what all the fuss was about. The production company was way more “New York” than usual. And, you would have thought that royalty was coming the way Brandon did up Paula’s master bath as Trisha’s greenroom. Yes, she has an AMAZING voice. Yes, she is stunningly beautiful…but can she really cook?

Fast forward 4 hours through hair and makeup, lunch, walk throughs, cooking jalapeno hushpuppies, resetting jalapeno hushpuppies, cooking catfish, resetting catfish, cooking stewed collards, resetting stewed collards and cooking chocolate cobbler (that by the way was to die for) I can tell you this…GET TRISHA YEARWOOD A TIARA! She is royalty! My girl can cook up a storm with the ease of a kitchen staff of 12. She and Paula hit it off like they were long lost cousins and had so much fun cooking and visiting together. They were a joy to watch and I can’t wait for you all to view the episode in a few months.

When I overheard Trisha say she and her crew were going to The Lady and Son’s restaurant for dinner before they got back on the plane - all this while she was helping clean up Paula’s kitchen counter with Martha and I, AND taking pictures with the crew - I couldn’t help but hum to myself, “How DID we live without her?”

Buy a country record and eat something homemade,
Libbie

Paula wants to know what you are thinking about this and all our articles on pauladeen.com. Just leave a comment at the end of any article or recipe.

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Reader Comments:

Paula, I love your recipes. What I'm not too crazy about is your every other word being "yowl"...not "Ya'all". It drives me up the wall......also....do you ever have any recipes that aren't full of those nasty, disgusting, onions?????? If you do, I'd love to see them.

By Alice Lindsley on December 15, 2010

I am not surprised that Paula and Trisha acted as if they were long lost cousins. I lived in St. Marys Georgia for 20 years but I am originally from Texas. I managed a restaurant there and every time someone came in and I found out they were from Texas you would have thought WE were long lost cousins, even though Texas is a huge state it was the feeling of family. I can’t wait to see this episode because they both seem so down to earth. Love ya, Paula and wish I had known about your struggles and survival way back then. It would have given me more hope that I would make it but I left it up to God and I am here to witness it….love from DJ

By D"Juana Caillier on February 17, 2010

i bought trisha’s cookbook several month’s ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. i tried her mother’s recipe for roast beef cooked in the oven. it was amazing. i had my doubts when i read it but i went exactly by the recipe and i have cooked it over and over. i enjoyed the article and all i can say is “girl, where have you been.” lol

By margie pope on February 17, 2010

Really enjoyed this story and look forward to the airing. Tricia is a special lady and can that girl sing.

By Frank Brown on February 17, 2010

Awesome—can’t wait to see this ep. Paula should have more country singers on the show—Kellie Pickler and Paula would be hilarious together! xoxo

By Robin S. on February 17, 2010

Oh yes, Tricia is married to his royal Garthness. I didn’t know she could cook either. I will have to pick up a cookbook.

By Paula Taylor on February 17, 2010

I love Trisha and lets face it I have her everything her “Garthman” has ever done and been to his concert at the Columbus Clippers Stadium and was the first in line. Trisha is like in a version of ones sister. Warm and loving, just like our Paula Dean. Loved it, and love being able to catch you on my Facebook and surf in and out of everything you and your crew and family do Paula. And yes I’m in love with Bobbie, ahh if I were not 49, and was skinny and sexy oh, ok enough of that your all fab. Tina Mae Aldridge in Marion, OHio

By TinaMae on February 17, 2010

Can’t wait to see the show with Trisha. I heard she has a pretty good cookbook out, but my favorite cookbooks are the ones from Paula. I love the “Christmas with Paula Deen”. I tried a lot of recipes from that one and my family loved them all. Thanks Paula for being a true down to earth girl.

By Vicki Warren on February 17, 2010

I feel like Paula and I are good friends and we don’t even know one another. I’m from Albany, GA, actually Leesburg,GA, and my father was a plantation manager , so I grew up around all the luxaries of plantation life. Two story mansions, maids and butlers, horses, cattle and rolling fields of peanuts, corn and grains. Hugh oak trees that were covered with moss and kennels filled with hunting dogs for the owners and their guests during hunting season. Woods that were filled with turkey, wild hogs, dove, quail and deer. My mother prepared food exactly the same way as Paula and I’m trying to carry on that tradition. When Paula speaks of Peggy Pritchett’s Dance Studio, well my oldest daughter took dancing from the famous ‘Miss Peggy”. Our lives are so much the same, with the exception of our location and the fact that Paula has become bigger than life and I’m so proud that she is a part of some of the same history that I enjoyed growing up in the SOUTH.It makes me love watching her even more. Keep up the good work Paula!!!

By Nancy Underwood Cooper on February 17, 2010

Trisha is married to Garth Brooks ,Yes he is a Singer also. The Best… She is a great cook looking at her cook book.

By Georgia Sage on February 17, 2010

I really enjoyed the article Miss Paula and I think you’re royalty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By christi brown on February 17, 2010

I have loved Paula since I first saw her on Food Network. I still love her. The family is so down to earth & wonderful. No matter what she is doing or cooking. It is always a pleasure to see her with Michael. The two of them are fabulous.
My family loves the Gooey Butter Cakes, no matter what flavor I make! Thanks Paula, you are truly an inspiration!

By Carroll Swager on February 17, 2010

Sounds like it will be a great show. I got Tricia’s cookbook when it came out, partly because of the title, and partly because of who she is. I am familiar with her music and I think she’s married to a singer, too. I was surprised by the recipes, and the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am curious to read it.

As far as the articles on the site, I really enjoy reading them. The food section is unlike anything else I’ve seen on other similar sites. The fact that the content changes so frequently is wonderful. This is the type of content I was expecting from the “Get Cookin” site.

Keep up the good work!

By Lt. Sanders on February 15, 2010

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How did we live without you?