To some, this wonderful woman may need no introduction. However, in case you aren’t familiar, I would love for y’all to meet my beautiful Cousin Johnnie. She is absolutely one of the kindest, and most loving women I know- and a pretty darn good cook too, if I must say so myself! You see, my Cousin Johnnie is practically like a sister to me. I remember growing up with her in my younger years in Georgia, running around and just having a good ol’ time like two young girls should. In fact, I remember teaching Johnnie how to shave her legs for the first time!

Well, now she’s teaching me a thing or two in the kitchen! You may already know about her bakery, Gabriel’s, up in Marietta, Georgia, but now I am just tickled to tell you about Johnnie’s new cookbook, Second Helpings. Oh, y’all! It’s such a beautiful cookbook, and I’m swelling with pride just thinking about all of the fabulous- and down right delicious- recipes my cousin is sharing. Why, I just heard through the grapevine the other day that the book is already on its second printing from publishers Thomas Nelson on account of so many copies being sold during its pre-release! Now that’s good cooking!

I tell y’all what: the title, Second Helpings, says it all. Each of the recipes in Johnnie’s new cookbook will not go unnoticed by your family and friends. They’ll keep comin’ back for second (and third and forth!) helpings until their plates are squeaky clean, and your dishes are empty. The pages of the book are absolutely breathtaking; they almost read just like a novel. My dear friend, and trusted Culinary Producer, Libbie Summers and exquisite photographer Ron Manville have truly created works of delicious art, and captured them in Johnnie’s cookbook.

Don’t take my word for it though, because I could just keep going on and on for decades about Johnnie’s newest labor of love. Why don’t y’all try a few of her recipes for yourselves? I’m honored to be able to offer a few of them on my website, like her famous Red Velvet Whoopee Pies. And of course, her Tempura Fried Okra is just simply to die for! And true to our upbringing, Johnnie uses loads of Southern love in all of her cookin’. Oh, I do hope you’ll run out and try Second Helpings and let yourselves fall in love with it just as I have; I just know that this cookbook will be a permanent fixture in your recipe files.

More of Cousin Johnnie’s fabulous recipes for you to try!
Red Velvet Whoopee Pies
Tempura Fried Okra
Caramel Apple Cheescake
White Sangria with Peaches
Pumpkin Rum Pie