Edna Lewis, sometimes referred to as the ‘Grand Dame of Southern Cooking’ was as inspiring in everyday life as she was in the kitchen.  I have heard her described in so many wonderful ways; from a true culinary ambassador, to the caretaker of Southern cuisine.   Born in Virginia in 1916, Ms. Lewis eventually lived in Washington D.C. as well as New York City for quite a while.  She also lived in Charleston and eventually Decatur, Georgia where she eventually passed away at the age of 89.  A cooking teacher and chef until 1992, Ms. Lewis, seemed to always be in pursuit of flavor.

One of her later cookbooks, aptly named the same thing, is one of my favorites for truly seasonal and southern recipe ideas.  Her recipe for Fresh Peach Cobbler from In Pursuit of Flavor (Knopf, 1988) is my favorite cobbler recipe, not only for its simplicity, but its utter decadence.  The only ingredients are peaches, sugar, butter, and a delicious butter crust.  The smell of the butter and peaches baking in the hot oven is truly remarkable; it brings me back to watching my Grandmother Muriel making her peach cobbler in her Louisville, Mississippi kitchen when I was a child.  Memories, and the tastes that go with them, ahhhh….pure joy.

To me, Ms. Lewis’ food writing is the cream of the crop.  Her detailed descriptions of textures, flavors and the visual appeal of all things food are written with true finesse.  She is inspiring to me in many ways; a woman who truly embraced her passion for food and who willingly taught others to do just that as well.  I invite you, if you haven’t already, to read through one, if not all of her amazing cookbooks.  You too will quickly understand why her recipes and her presence in the kitchen, are so revered by many.

(To view Edna Lewis’ recipe for Fresh Peach Cobbler, click on the following link: http://www.ezrapoundcake.com/archives/3677)

Tagged: Edna Lewis, peach cobbler, peaches, southern cooking, southern food writing