New Southern Cookbooks Fall 2012

Southern Living Home Cooking Basics: A Complete Illustrated Guide to Southern Cooking ($19) compiles a host of classic Southern recipes and cookery techniques, but it's worth purchasing for its extensive guide to ingredients, equipment, and prep methods — all illustrated with photographs — alone. A few highlights include panzanella made with buttermilk-fried okra in lieu of bread, a yogurt-based chilled cucumber soup, and grilled pimiento cheese sandwiches.