Giveaway: The Whole Hog Cookbook

By: Kirsten Vala

Related To:

Bacon and Cheese Puffers

For cool new holiday recipes or a last-minute gift for the pork lover in your life, The Whole Hog Cookbook by Libbie Summers is a great find. Libbie is a recipe developer and food stylist for Paula Deen, and I was excited to chat with her about her unique new cookbook.

Libbie was inspired by her hog-farmer grandparents, especially her “sassy grandmother,” to write a book covering the whole hog, not just bacon and pork chops. “I have no recollection of them throwing anything away,” she says. But it’s also about the rich flavor and fat that runs through unexpected pig parts, like the shanks and the hocks. Of all the unusual recipes in her cookbook ( chitlins, anyone?), Libbie hopes people will try making pork cracklings – she takes a bucket of them on the road with her to book signings and they’re a sure crowd-pleaser.

Savory Mushroom and Bacon Bread Pudding

To make holiday dishes extra special, she uses homemade pork stock in savory dishes and renders her own lard to make pie crust. “It will change your life, trust me,” she says. “It will be the best pie you’ve ever made in your life – it’s so flaky and great.”

Libbie also suggests making pork-spiked appetizers for your holiday get-togethers, like Scottish quail eggs, bacon bignes or a pâté, which can be prepared days in advance. For a side dish, her pick is a savory bread pudding, like a rich dressing.

Give a few of her best bacon recipes a try this week:

We’re giving away one copy of The Whole Hog Cookbook to one lucky winner. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment telling us your favorite way to use pork.

You must include your email address in the “Email” field when submitting your comment so we can communicate back with you if you’re a winner. (But do not post your email address into the actual body of the comment.) We’re giving one copy away to one very lucky, randomly selected commenter.

You may only comment once to be considered, and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited. Only open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states, D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 years of age to win. All entries (comments) must be entered between 5:00 p.m. ET on December 19th and 5:00 p.m. ET on December 20th. Subject to full Official Rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of prize: $30.00. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a/ Cooking Channel, 75 9th Ave., New York, NY 10011.

So, tell us, what’s your favorite pork dish?

Find more holiday recipes and gift ideas on Cooking Channel.

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