I’m hosting two events that wrap up this month:
- For Cook the Books, I’m hosting Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd for the August/September round.
- For Movies & Munchies, I’m hosting the 2008 movie with Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, and Alicia Keyes, et al.
The deadline for both events is September 30 so I’m coming in close.
The Secret Life of Bees takes place during the harsh days of the South in the 1960s. Lily, while perhaps initially sheltered from understanding the volatile times she lived in, was not sheltered from experiencing violence and abuse and lies from her father. She soon finds herself on the run while searching for the truth about her mother. She luckily finds refuge in the home of the Boatwright sisters. There she discovers the art of beekeeping and belonging.
Honey adds the sweetness to the story and emphasizes the goodness of the Boatwright family. There are lots of shared meals in both the novel and the movie and Lily learns about what it means to have a family.
I had read the book soon after it was published and I have seen the movie multiple times. I took good notes when I reread the book for this event but, alas, I have lost them. I did find my movie viewing foodie notes though.
The Food (from the movie):
Of course, there’s lots of honey from August’s bees but there’s other food. Here’s what I spotted.
- Fried eggs, wonder bread
- Peaches
- Grits (hateful grits!)
- Angel food cake
- Coca-Cola
- Cantaloupe
- Sweet potato biscuits
- Pancakes, orange juice
- Candlestick salad (!!!!!)
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Corn bread drizzled with honey
- Hushpuppies or donut holes
I wanted to do something with honey, of course, and I originally decided to do a honey cornbread. But after some consideration for The Hubs (who wanted cookies) and a couple of internet searches, I landed on Honey-Cornbread Cookies. I adapted a Crumbl cookie copycat recipe. I’m not sure that I’ve had those cookies, but this rendition is pretty darn good. The following recipe is adapted and I used all butter (no shortening), added cinnamon, and sprinkled turbinado sugar on top. I also adapted the instructions a bit.
Honey-Cornbread Cookies
Sort of like the Crumbl cookies but better IMHO.
Ingredients
- 1 c. butter, slightly softened
- 1 c. light brown sugar
- 1/2 c. white granulated sugar
- 1/4 c. honey
- 2 eggs
- 1 t. pure vanilla
- 2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 c. cornmeal*
- 1 T. cornstarch
- 1 t. cinnamon
- 1 t. Kosher salt
- 1 t. baking powder
- turbinado sugar for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Combine butter brown sugar, and white sugar in a large bowl or stand mixer. Mix for 3-4 minutes until well combined.
- Add eggs, honey, and vanilla. Mix again until combined.
- In a smaller mixing bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Whisk together.
- Slowly add dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until just combined. Dough should be quite thick and not too sticky.
- Use a large cookie scoop (about 1/4 cup), form about 20 cookies. Place on two large cookie sheets lined with parchment paper or a silpat, separating the cookies by about 2 inches. Flatten slightly. Sprinkle with the turbinado sugar.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes. The cookies should look like they’re not quite done, and should look slightly doughy.
- Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
Yield: about 20 large cookies
*Use a coarser cornmeal for more texture. I used a finely milled cornbread for these cookies which still adds a lovely crunchy texture.
I’ve made these cookies twice and we really like them. Using all butter makes them a soft cookie.
Let’s talk about that candle stick salad though. I almost made that! B. Dylan Hollis has a hilarious recipe for this if you’re interested in this retro and risqué recipe.
I’m using this recipe for both events. I’m also linking to Foodies Reads for September.
Please consider participating with both of these groups in the upcoming months. The October Movies & Munchies film is Enchanted (hosted by Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm). The October/November Cook the Books selection is the memoir Crying in H Martby Michelle Zauner (April 2021). Simona of briciole is hosting. Look for an announcement soon at Cook the Books.
