Dinner & A Book - The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes and Stories of My Life

Join me and my guest Joe Dimaggio of the Stray Dog as we discuss "The Pat Conroy Cookbook" with stories and recipes from Beaufort, South Carolina to Rome, Paris and New Orleans - stories that reflect a well traveled author and a seasoned cook on Dinner and a Book.

The Pat Conroy Cookbook shows Conroy mastering the dishes of his beloved South as well as cuisine savored in far away places. Pat opens each chapter with a fascinating story that celebrates the writing or publishing of one of his famous books in a fascinating city with recipes and chefs to match. In New Orleans he publishes "The Prince of Tides" where he meets a young chef Emeril Lagasse--Italy and Beach Music - his dreaded raconteur father "The Great Santini." Their tales are followed by recipes from Shrimp and Grits to Creme Brule.

In 21 chapters and 100 recipes, Conroy traces his traveling life from a dysfunctional childhood in the South, to gourmet adventures in Rome, Paris and the table of Alain Ducasse. The book aches with tales of times when eating is at its most urgent: in the face of love, or death, after an all-nighter with the guys or in the company of other great eaters. From Conroy's days in the Carolina Low Country there are Crab Cakes and Peach Pie. In Italy, it's Ribollita and Saltimbocca alla Romana. A chapter entitled "Why Dying Down South Is More Fun" suggests proper fare for mourning, such as Pickled Shrimp and Grits Casserole.