Daisy King, Tennessee's "First Lady of Southern Cooking", is a prolific author whose cookbooks have combined sales of more than 1.5 million copies. Miss Daisy has been an advocate of the culture and cuisine of the South in her writings, restaurants, and media appearances. She has appeared on NBC's “Today Show,” CBS's “This Morning,” NPTV's “Word on Words” and other network affiliates throughout the United States. She has been a cooking guest on Channel 5’s "Talk of the Town," a CBS affiliate in Nashville, Tennessee since the show's beginning, in 1983.

Firepit Friday was very lucky to be able to spend some time with Miss Daisy and gain some insight on her cooking, her restaurants and many many cookbooks!

EASY FRIED CHICKEN

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 3-pound broiler-fryer, cut up
oil for frying

Assemble all ingredients and utensils. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and pepper. Pour buttermilk into a deep bowl; dip each piece of chicken in buttermilk and dredge in flour mixture, covering well.

In a large iron skillet pour about 1 inch of oil and heat until hot. Place chicken in hot oil and brown on both sides. Reduce temperature and cook chicken, covered for 15 to 20 minutes. Uncover and cook an additional 5 minutes. Yield 4-6 servings.

FIVE FLAVOR POUND CAKE WITH GLAZE

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
3 cups sugar
5 eggs, well beaten
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup whole milk
1 tsp each: coconut, butter, lemon, rum and vanilla extracts

Assemble all ingredients and utensils. In a large bowl, cream butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs. Combine flour and baking powder.  Add to cream mixture alternately with milk.  Stir in flavorings. Spoon batter into a greased 10-inch tube pan.  Bake in a 325-degree oven for 1 1/2 hours or until cake tests done.  Add glaze or cool in pan about 10 minutes before turning out.

GLAZE

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tsp each: coconut, butter, lemon, rum, and vanilla extracts

In a saucepan, combine all ingredients and gently bring to a boil.  Pour over cake in pan.  Let cake sit in pan until cool.  Yield 14-16 slices.

For more great food and recipes from Miss Daisy, visit her at her Grassland Market location in Nashville or on the web at www.daisykingsbooks.com