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Good Lookin' Cookin': A Year of Meals - A Lifetime of Family, Friends, and Food
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • You’re invited to pull up a chair to a year of meals, friends, and fun with the Partons, as Dolly and her sister (and favorite cook) Rachel share beloved, crowd-pleasing recipes and family stories.
“Hey, good lookin’—what ya got cookin’?”
This is what Dolly Parton sings to her sister Rachel Parton George whenever she walks into her kitchen. It’s what you do when a love for good music and good food runs in the family.
In Good Lookin’ Cookin’ Dolly and Rachel share tips for hosting events all year long, including twelve multi-course menus of cherished recipes for New Year’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more. You’ll learn how much butter or whipped cream goes into a “Dolly Dollop,” what condiment is almost always on the table at Parton family meals, and what special dish Rachel makes at Dolly’s request every year for her birthday. Recipes include American classics such as Country Ham and Biscuits, Barbecue Spare Ribs, Family Favorite Meatloaf, Slaw of Many Colors, Watermelon Fruit Salad, Mac and Cheese, and Strawberry Shortcake.
Filled with more than 80 delicious dishes as well as photographs of Dolly and Rachel cooking and hosting all year long, Good Lookin’ Cookin’ is a treasured cookbook that will make you feel like part of the Parton family. With their trademark warmth and sisterly love, Dolly and Rachel remind you that cooking doesn’t need to be serious—it should be fun! And always good lookin’!
“Hey, good lookin’—what ya got cookin’?”
This is what Dolly Parton sings to her sister Rachel Parton George whenever she walks into her kitchen. It’s what you do when a love for good music and good food runs in the family.
In Good Lookin’ Cookin’ Dolly and Rachel share tips for hosting events all year long, including twelve multi-course menus of cherished recipes for New Year’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more. You’ll learn how much butter or whipped cream goes into a “Dolly Dollop,” what condiment is almost always on the table at Parton family meals, and what special dish Rachel makes at Dolly’s request every year for her birthday. Recipes include American classics such as Country Ham and Biscuits, Barbecue Spare Ribs, Family Favorite Meatloaf, Slaw of Many Colors, Watermelon Fruit Salad, Mac and Cheese, and Strawberry Shortcake.
Filled with more than 80 delicious dishes as well as photographs of Dolly and Rachel cooking and hosting all year long, Good Lookin’ Cookin’ is a treasured cookbook that will make you feel like part of the Parton family. With their trademark warmth and sisterly love, Dolly and Rachel remind you that cooking doesn’t need to be serious—it should be fun! And always good lookin’!
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2024
290 people are currently reading
12722 people want to read
About the author
Dolly Parton
130 books1,793 followersDolly Rebecca Parton is a Grammy Award-winning country music singer/songwriter, author, actress and philanthropist. To date, she remains one of the most successful country artists, with 25 number-one singles (a record for a female performer) and 42 top-10 country albums (more than anyone else).
She is known for her distinctive mountain soprano, sometimes bawdy humor, flamboyant dress sense, and her voluptuous figure.
She is known for her distinctive mountain soprano, sometimes bawdy humor, flamboyant dress sense, and her voluptuous figure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
October 21, 2024
This was a quick read because it is simply a cookbook with lots of good-looking pictures of food, and Dolly. And, her sister Rachel. Yes, it is another book from superstar entertainer and entrepreneur, Dolly, this time with her sister, Rachel in which they share more than 80 recipes that can be cooked throughout the year. Laid out as “A Year in Meals,” they include dishes that are especially seasonal and festive. And, easy to make and appreciate.
This beautifully photographed cookbook is appealing in so many ways. First, the easy to make recipes, and seeing Dolly doing what she loves – sharing with us. To look at the pictures displaying the food will make one salivate, hoping the easy directions will make it taste as good as the picture. But they also tell us why the book is important to them; and, provide helpful hints.
As we plan our Thanksgiving meal this year, it was nice to have this cookbook display all the dishes possible for one’s dinner table. We can’t help but look forward to what is to come, recognizing the ease in which the directions guide those interested in duplicating the possibilities presented here, into our own wonderful meal.
We also can’t help but feel a sense of connection, as we read the notes shared about the authors traditions and lives. Their sharing of their own cherished memories, makes it possible for readers to enjoy the food recipes that are presented to us to “try.”
This book is: Entertaining. Well-written. Beautifully presented. Fun. Yummy! 😋
So, let’s sing along with Dolly, “Hey, good lookin – what ya got cookin’?” and, try some of these recipes, too.
This beautifully photographed cookbook is appealing in so many ways. First, the easy to make recipes, and seeing Dolly doing what she loves – sharing with us. To look at the pictures displaying the food will make one salivate, hoping the easy directions will make it taste as good as the picture. But they also tell us why the book is important to them; and, provide helpful hints.
As we plan our Thanksgiving meal this year, it was nice to have this cookbook display all the dishes possible for one’s dinner table. We can’t help but look forward to what is to come, recognizing the ease in which the directions guide those interested in duplicating the possibilities presented here, into our own wonderful meal.
We also can’t help but feel a sense of connection, as we read the notes shared about the authors traditions and lives. Their sharing of their own cherished memories, makes it possible for readers to enjoy the food recipes that are presented to us to “try.”
This book is: Entertaining. Well-written. Beautifully presented. Fun. Yummy! 😋
So, let’s sing along with Dolly, “Hey, good lookin – what ya got cookin’?” and, try some of these recipes, too.
October 11, 2024
Like others have already said, a lot of these recipes aren't original or something you haven't seen before, but me (a non-American), I don't really mind.
There's some recipes that I definitely will be trying, I'm the most excited about Cast-Iron Cornbread Sticks, believe it or not. I'm a biiiig lover of all things cornbread, which we always eat salty here, by the way, and I literally never thought to do it like this.
So, here you have appetisers, side dishes, main dishes, desserts and a few drinks here and there. They're split up by the months of the year and pretty on theme with the holidays (Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day etc). I feel like Father's Day specifically is so accurate, my dad would've definitely loved those if he was still alive.
Now, my gripe with this is that some recipes are extremely simple (like a 2 ingredient cocktail or a bucket of beer where you just put beer in a bucket). Or for example 3 different kinds of mashed potatoes taking up space that could've been used for something else. Something similar was done with salads, but I'll give that one a pass.
I listened to both the audiobook, and followed along with the ebook. If you actually want the recipes, you're gonna have to get the ebook or physical because they announce them and talk about them in the audio, but you don't get to hear the actual recipe. There should be an accompanying PDF though, but since my audio copy was from Libby I didn't get that.
What the audio has that the ebook doesn't, is a sort of kitchen interview, and the co-author (Maurice Miner) cooking up some recipes with Rachel live. That was fun, I'd probably go back to that someday and try to cook along with them.
And generally, they talk more about the recipes over audio than they do in the ebook. There's jokes too, and some family lore, so if you can get or borrow both versions I think they're worth it.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm considering making Corn Fritters for breakfast byeee.
There's some recipes that I definitely will be trying, I'm the most excited about Cast-Iron Cornbread Sticks, believe it or not. I'm a biiiig lover of all things cornbread, which we always eat salty here, by the way, and I literally never thought to do it like this.
So, here you have appetisers, side dishes, main dishes, desserts and a few drinks here and there. They're split up by the months of the year and pretty on theme with the holidays (Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day etc). I feel like Father's Day specifically is so accurate, my dad would've definitely loved those if he was still alive.
Now, my gripe with this is that some recipes are extremely simple (like a 2 ingredient cocktail or a bucket of beer where you just put beer in a bucket). Or for example 3 different kinds of mashed potatoes taking up space that could've been used for something else. Something similar was done with salads, but I'll give that one a pass.
I listened to both the audiobook, and followed along with the ebook. If you actually want the recipes, you're gonna have to get the ebook or physical because they announce them and talk about them in the audio, but you don't get to hear the actual recipe. There should be an accompanying PDF though, but since my audio copy was from Libby I didn't get that.
What the audio has that the ebook doesn't, is a sort of kitchen interview, and the co-author (Maurice Miner) cooking up some recipes with Rachel live. That was fun, I'd probably go back to that someday and try to cook along with them.
And generally, they talk more about the recipes over audio than they do in the ebook. There's jokes too, and some family lore, so if you can get or borrow both versions I think they're worth it.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm considering making Corn Fritters for breakfast byeee.
September 18, 2024
I love all things Dolly so I immediately purchased this cook book but was disappointed as I flipped though. Are there some good recipes? Yeah, for sure. I mean, that goes to say by looking at the pictures but I haven’t officially made anything yet. But, then there were some that just seemed like fillers. Like the 2 ingredient mimosa we all know the recipe for. Or the 2 ingredient green beer, one ingredient being food dye. I’m sure you can guess the second ingredient. The generic baked potato with no pizazz or personal touch. 2 different versions of corn bread. 3 versions of mashed potatoes. The beer bucket 💀
Overall, not a terrible purchase but a little let down from the queen.
Overall, not a terrible purchase but a little let down from the queen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2024
I love Dolly with all my heart and soul, but the beer bucket recipe sent me into orbit.
May 1, 2025
☀︎2, I didn’t work 9-5 for THIS, stars☀︎
I love Dolly Parton. I love her voice, music, movies, hair, nails, and even boobs. She is an icon. A legend. A bonafide southern queen. At a minimum she’s the queen of MY heart.
With that out of the way, I’m just going to be upfront…I’m super disappointed in this book. I didn’t look at it before ordering and honestly, where are the recipes? The first 10% is an absurdly long intro section. The chapters hold recipes according to months, but I think most recipes just got put places. The majority of the recipes are incredibly basic; as in your family more-than-likely has their own variation. Examples include: mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, cornbread, dressed/deviled eggs, banana pudding, pumpkin pie. The list could very well go on. If you’re from/have family in the southern United States I guarantee you have most of these recipes somewhere. Call your aunt, call your mamaw, you can even call that second cousin everyone talks badly about. While this is beautiful, you’re essentially purchasing a coffee table book.
I love Dolly Parton. I love her voice, music, movies, hair, nails, and even boobs. She is an icon. A legend. A bonafide southern queen. At a minimum she’s the queen of MY heart.
With that out of the way, I’m just going to be upfront…I’m super disappointed in this book. I didn’t look at it before ordering and honestly, where are the recipes? The first 10% is an absurdly long intro section. The chapters hold recipes according to months, but I think most recipes just got put places. The majority of the recipes are incredibly basic; as in your family more-than-likely has their own variation. Examples include: mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, cornbread, dressed/deviled eggs, banana pudding, pumpkin pie. The list could very well go on. If you’re from/have family in the southern United States I guarantee you have most of these recipes somewhere. Call your aunt, call your mamaw, you can even call that second cousin everyone talks badly about. While this is beautiful, you’re essentially purchasing a coffee table book.
March 17, 2025
I love Dolly Parton. She is a national treasure. I love her feisty sister Stella. I love her sister and cookbook co-author Rachel Parton George. But this cookbook, I don’t love.
I feel incredibly guilty not to adore Good Lookin’ Cookin’. It advocates seasonal cooking! It’s OG Southern recipes! It’s Dolly Parton, for heavens’ sake! But the recipes are the kind you can find in every Methodist Women’s cookbooks south of the Mason-Dixon line. I bought this cookbook (admittedly, on sale) and don’t regret it, but I cannot lie. You can do better.
I feel incredibly guilty not to adore Good Lookin’ Cookin’. It advocates seasonal cooking! It’s OG Southern recipes! It’s Dolly Parton, for heavens’ sake! But the recipes are the kind you can find in every Methodist Women’s cookbooks south of the Mason-Dixon line. I bought this cookbook (admittedly, on sale) and don’t regret it, but I cannot lie. You can do better.
September 14, 2024
Sorry, ladies, you did not invent some of these recipes... The recipes lacked originality and substance. I love Dolly, but not this cookbook.
November 6, 2024
I love me some Dolly. She could write her grocery list, and I'd read it. I loved getting to know her sister and the love they have for each!
As a yankee wife of southern man, I have eaten and made many of the recipes in this book. (Yes, we love our bacon grease!) My mother in law patiently indoctrinated me in the ways of southern cooking, but I'd rather eat at her table. Yes, we do eat black-eyed peas and something green on New years Day for luck. I'm partial to spinach, but collards are good, too. The peas are wishes for pennies, and the greens are for dollar bills, so I eat extra greens! And no, my family doesn't put a half dollar in the peas, but I'm gonna ask about it next year. (I prefer sweet cornbread, but they just shake their heads at me. Still a Yankee lol)
As a yankee wife of southern man, I have eaten and made many of the recipes in this book. (Yes, we love our bacon grease!) My mother in law patiently indoctrinated me in the ways of southern cooking, but I'd rather eat at her table. Yes, we do eat black-eyed peas and something green on New years Day for luck. I'm partial to spinach, but collards are good, too. The peas are wishes for pennies, and the greens are for dollar bills, so I eat extra greens! And no, my family doesn't put a half dollar in the peas, but I'm gonna ask about it next year. (I prefer sweet cornbread, but they just shake their heads at me. Still a Yankee lol)
November 18, 2025
I enjoyed this cookbook. The audio was great too! Both Dolly and Rachel narrate and talk about the recipes. I enjoyed the layout of this cookbook as well.
October 11, 2024
A very American cookbook with a family recipes with musical friends and family using cups
October 24, 2025
Good Lookin’ Cookin’ by Dolly Parton and her sister Rachel Parton George is a warm and inviting collection that blends recipes, memories, and family traditions from the Parton household. The book isn’t just about cooking—it’s about connection, storytelling, and the comforting power of food to bring people together. Throughout its pages, readers will find a mix of Southern classics and homey dishes accompanied by anecdotes that celebrate the sisters’ upbringing in East Tennessee and the values that shaped their lives. One particularly charming tradition shared is that of their father placing a silver coin in a pot of black-eyed peas each New Year’s Day for good luck—an emblem of the simple joys and rituals that anchor family life.
Whether one enjoys or doesn’t enjoy this book, as with any other, depends on one’s mindset. If a reader opens it expecting an entirely original recipe collection straight from Dolly and Rachel’s own kitchens, they may find themselves disappointed—and, in doing so, may miss the heart of the book altogether. Good Lookin’ Cookin’ isn’t striving for culinary innovation; rather, it’s a heartfelt expression of the sisters’ love of food, family, and the togetherness that good meals inspire. Critics who focus solely on the lack of originality overlook the deeper intent: to celebrate heritage and shared experience through the language of food.
For those seeking the full experience, it’s worth pairing the print or e-book edition with the audiobook. The audio version—featuring Dolly and Rachel themselves—adds a distinct layer of warmth, as if one were sitting at their kitchen table, listening to their laughter and stories. The conversational tone brings the recipes and reminiscences to life, while the printed version complements this with photographs and layout that make the collection visually inviting.
Personally, I found the audio format delightful and engaging; it felt like being welcomed into their kitchens for a chat over a pot of soup. Accessing the supplemental recipes was not an issue for me, though it might have been even more accessible if the sisters had read the recipes aloud for those who rely solely on the audio experience. Still, it remains a charming and well-crafted collection—one that even a reluctant audiobook listener like myself can’t resist when it’s narrated by Dolly Parton herself.
For a different perspective, read fellow Goodreads reviewer and talented writer Karen's thoughts:
[https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Whether one enjoys or doesn’t enjoy this book, as with any other, depends on one’s mindset. If a reader opens it expecting an entirely original recipe collection straight from Dolly and Rachel’s own kitchens, they may find themselves disappointed—and, in doing so, may miss the heart of the book altogether. Good Lookin’ Cookin’ isn’t striving for culinary innovation; rather, it’s a heartfelt expression of the sisters’ love of food, family, and the togetherness that good meals inspire. Critics who focus solely on the lack of originality overlook the deeper intent: to celebrate heritage and shared experience through the language of food.
For those seeking the full experience, it’s worth pairing the print or e-book edition with the audiobook. The audio version—featuring Dolly and Rachel themselves—adds a distinct layer of warmth, as if one were sitting at their kitchen table, listening to their laughter and stories. The conversational tone brings the recipes and reminiscences to life, while the printed version complements this with photographs and layout that make the collection visually inviting.
Personally, I found the audio format delightful and engaging; it felt like being welcomed into their kitchens for a chat over a pot of soup. Accessing the supplemental recipes was not an issue for me, though it might have been even more accessible if the sisters had read the recipes aloud for those who rely solely on the audio experience. Still, it remains a charming and well-crafted collection—one that even a reluctant audiobook listener like myself can’t resist when it’s narrated by Dolly Parton herself.
For a different perspective, read fellow Goodreads reviewer and talented writer Karen's thoughts:
[https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
February 1, 2025
I’ve gotta be honest, Dolly could put out a math textbook and I’d love it. But this is such an adorable cook book! I picked it up assuming it would be a few cute photos and some recipes. The photos are so fun, I love their stories, and I was surprised at how many of these recipes I could easily tailor for my specific dietary needs.
It’s separated into months with recipes that fall into those categories. There aren’t heavy pages of text only recipes with no photos, everything looks delicious and is beautifully presented. The ingredients are given as an easy to read list as opposed to the new (distressing) way I’ve noticed cook books heading by writing the ingredients in paragraph form.
All in all, I love it- who couldn’t use a little more Dolly?!
It’s separated into months with recipes that fall into those categories. There aren’t heavy pages of text only recipes with no photos, everything looks delicious and is beautifully presented. The ingredients are given as an easy to read list as opposed to the new (distressing) way I’ve noticed cook books heading by writing the ingredients in paragraph form.
All in all, I love it- who couldn’t use a little more Dolly?!
February 24, 2025
Cute, I do love Dolly! But, some wasted recipes. --- 3 or 4 mashed potato recipes with one ingredient change. How to make an everyday mimosa and green beer. There are a half-dozen common knowledge, two ingredient "recipes." Would have been better if those recipes came with a fun Dolly Parton twist, add another surprise ingredient, and a gimmicky name. .... However, I definitely tagged a handful of dishes I'm going to make. And reading stories from Dolly and her sister was enjoyable!
January 4, 2025
Great for fans of Dolly Parton and less experienced cooks looking for southern-leaning, familiar comfort foods. Presented as 12 menus by month, recipes are well-written and easy to follow. The book is nicely designed with tasteful pictures of the dishes and fun photos of Dolly and her sister Rachel.
March 10, 2025
Cozy, personable, and accessible. I’m such a Dolly fan.
December 4, 2024
Lovely book with nice family info and great pictures. Most of the recipes are pretty basic but it was nice to look through.
January 21, 2025
If you want to buy this book because of the recipes, I recommend you don’t. Dolly and Rachel didn't create most of them, and there are recipes in there that are really just a waste of paper. For example, there's a recipe on page 122 where you're supposed to buy an 8-liter bucket, buy a bunch of beers at the store, and arrange them with ice. What kind of "recipe" is that? 😀 Another example is on page 56 where there is a recipe for "Green Beer". The steps are as follows, you buy any beer and paint it green with food color. And there's stupid stuff like that.
The book is both aesthetically pleasing and nicely categorized by month. The photos are nice and professional but some of the dishes could have better and more detailed instructions . A lot of times with desserts you'll just find some cake mix in the procedure which I guess in America you normally buy as a ready-made item but here in Europe we are a proud people to be able to make it ourselves.
The book is both aesthetically pleasing and nicely categorized by month. The photos are nice and professional but some of the dishes could have better and more detailed instructions . A lot of times with desserts you'll just find some cake mix in the procedure which I guess in America you normally buy as a ready-made item but here in Europe we are a proud people to be able to make it ourselves.
September 19, 2024
A fun look at basic American recipes many for holidays from Dolly Parton and her sister Rachel Parton George. Highlights include stuffed mushrooms, dressed eggs, oven-roasted asparagus, slaw of many colors, and broiled potato wedges.
September 27, 2024
Cute but feels like a cash grab. There’s some Parton family lore, but it lacks substance. Beautiful pictures and theme <3
October 31, 2024
This is a delightful book full of mouth-watering recipes, beautiful pictures, and helpful tips from Dolly and Rachel. More than 80 recipes are included, and they are broken up into special holidays! I look forward to trying a lot of the recipes! I love Dolly, and it's wonderful of her to share her family recipes and special moments!
December 31, 2024
Yup, I'm rating a cookbook! I guess there's always a first time for everything. But, I'm rating this because my mom and I went through this cookbook, and we had a great time talking about each recipe - how we'd change this and that to make it healthier and vegetarian/vegan appropriate. Loved that memory with my mom, and I want to thank Dolly for that.
April 29, 2025
This was so cute and kind of hilarious, actually. I received it in a gift basket and then regifted it to a friend who would think it was totally a blast. The best part is that she had us over for dinner featuring recipes from the book. We contributed a couple as well. And the results? Actually quite good! Generally this is kind of heavy southern fare though and probably not something you'd eat on the regular.
February 7, 2025
This is a sweet and beautiful book. There’s something for cooks of all abilities - from baked potatoes, or a “beer bucket,” to coconut cake and prime rib. Might be a nice wedding shower gift. You can’t go wrong with Misses Dolly and sister Rachel.
March 22, 2025
So campy and fun.
August 12, 2025
The recipes are just so disappointing. The first recipe is “chicken feed” which is canned chicken with processed kraft cheese spread, on English muffins. Garden salad with miracle madness dressing sounds intriguing, but apparently the miracle here refers to miracle whip. Quite a few of the recipes use miracle whip or mayonnaise. Carrots and peas - carrots, peas, and butter cooked together in a sauce pan.
There are 3 recipes for mashed potatoes. 2 recipes for cornbread. 1 jello recipe that requires a brain mold. LOL
In case you don’t know how to prepare a beer bucket, all you need is ice, beer, and a bucket. And if you want green beer, just add green food coloring. Seriously?!
The cakes are not good lookin, they all look super dry.
My grandma used to save bacon grease in a jar and cook with it as needed, and apparently Dolly wants us to continue that as a few recipes call for bacon grease.
The saddest cookbook I’ve ever read.
There are 3 recipes for mashed potatoes. 2 recipes for cornbread. 1 jello recipe that requires a brain mold. LOL
In case you don’t know how to prepare a beer bucket, all you need is ice, beer, and a bucket. And if you want green beer, just add green food coloring. Seriously?!
The cakes are not good lookin, they all look super dry.
My grandma used to save bacon grease in a jar and cook with it as needed, and apparently Dolly wants us to continue that as a few recipes call for bacon grease.
The saddest cookbook I’ve ever read.
January 18, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Like a lot have said, a lot of these recipes aren't original, but I don't really mind. It was lovely to browse through and the pictures where visually pleasing which is always something I love in a cookbook!
Like a lot have said, a lot of these recipes aren't original, but I don't really mind. It was lovely to browse through and the pictures where visually pleasing which is always something I love in a cookbook!
February 27, 2025
Love Dolly, but a "Year of Meals" was recipes for 12 hosting meal-plans for the primary holiday of each month. Recipes were definitely novice-level, but know you're reading this out of love for Dolly (which is so justifiable) and not for a diverse collection of recipes. Variety extends from cooking BBQ Chicken, Southern Biscuits (which is the recipe I was excited for and still am going to try), to a 'beer bucket' which is assorted beers in a bucket for Fathers Day.
December 20, 2024
I bought this book for a friend, but I love to read cookbooks, so of course I read it before I wrapped it! Here are the things I loved.
Although it's written by a professional writer, I felt like the two women's voices were clear and came through beautifully. I also like it that the writer is clearly credited and there is a bio for him (the two cooks aren't pretending they didn't have help with the writing, which is refreshing, and the writing is excellent!).
I grew up in the South, and these recipes are unapologetically true to the cooking I grew up with, using salted butter, lard, whole milk dairy products, and occasionally some highly-processed ingredients. The vocabulary is also unapologetically authentic; if you're cooking outside, that's "cooking out,” not barbequing, because barbeque is a noun in the South. I’ve lived in Michigan for 2+ decades now, so it's been a long time since I've heard (or read) "cooking out" or "dressed eggs" (because you don't want to glorify the devil with delicious egg appetizers).
I like Dolly Parton’s music and love the movie 9 to 5, but I’m not a super fan, yet I still enjoyed the glimpses into the home lives and relationship of Rachel and Dolly.
I especially enjoyed how the book is organized into a menu for each month of the year. I love to cook, cook every night of the week, love to have friends over for dinner on the weekend, and I seriously love to write a dinner party menu. So I really appreciate seeing menus from other cooks. I wish my favorite recipe writers (like Melissa Clark) would do this in their books!
Now, all this said, there is an important reason you should take my five star review here with a large grain of sea salt--I have not actually cooked from this book. Yet. I will try to persuade my friend that we should co-cook these menus for a year! But to my well-seasoned eye, the recipes look great and a lot of fun. Caloric? Hells yes, but these are menus for special meals, not a suggestion for how you should cook and eat every day.
Finally, just a note that the book is beautifully illustrated with totally over the top photos that are silly, fun, and also feel quite true to Dolly’s and Rachel’s personal brands.
Although it's written by a professional writer, I felt like the two women's voices were clear and came through beautifully. I also like it that the writer is clearly credited and there is a bio for him (the two cooks aren't pretending they didn't have help with the writing, which is refreshing, and the writing is excellent!).
I grew up in the South, and these recipes are unapologetically true to the cooking I grew up with, using salted butter, lard, whole milk dairy products, and occasionally some highly-processed ingredients. The vocabulary is also unapologetically authentic; if you're cooking outside, that's "cooking out,” not barbequing, because barbeque is a noun in the South. I’ve lived in Michigan for 2+ decades now, so it's been a long time since I've heard (or read) "cooking out" or "dressed eggs" (because you don't want to glorify the devil with delicious egg appetizers).
I like Dolly Parton’s music and love the movie 9 to 5, but I’m not a super fan, yet I still enjoyed the glimpses into the home lives and relationship of Rachel and Dolly.
I especially enjoyed how the book is organized into a menu for each month of the year. I love to cook, cook every night of the week, love to have friends over for dinner on the weekend, and I seriously love to write a dinner party menu. So I really appreciate seeing menus from other cooks. I wish my favorite recipe writers (like Melissa Clark) would do this in their books!
Now, all this said, there is an important reason you should take my five star review here with a large grain of sea salt--I have not actually cooked from this book. Yet. I will try to persuade my friend that we should co-cook these menus for a year! But to my well-seasoned eye, the recipes look great and a lot of fun. Caloric? Hells yes, but these are menus for special meals, not a suggestion for how you should cook and eat every day.
Finally, just a note that the book is beautifully illustrated with totally over the top photos that are silly, fun, and also feel quite true to Dolly’s and Rachel’s personal brands.
February 18, 2025
Without a doubt, this is a great book to own if you are a rock solid crazy about Dolly Parton fan. Written in tandem with Dolly's sister Rachel, the recipes offered are very old-fashioned Southern cooking with (I refuse to count how many) offerings of fried chicken, cole slaw, strawberry short cake....how many of these do you need in one book? I don't want to but feel compelled with all of the photography in the book, there has been some serious plastic surgery going on in that family, to the point the faces don't even look human anymore, but rather some AI mock-up. The clothing choices seem odd, as well, but they are marketing an image, and I understand that. I did find the pictures distracting because of those issues, and how many shots needed to be taken near that outdoor grill kitchen arrangement? Rachel's place by the lake?
The book is broken up by months, focusing on a major holiday in each one. January is Happy New Year with black-eyed peas and collard greens, for example. March is St. Patrick's Day and green beer. Yes, a recipe for green beer. Take one can or bottle of beer. Pour it into a glass. Add green food dye. Easy as shuckin' corn. Speaking of corn, lots of cornbread recipes, salads with sweet Miracle Whip type dressings, and did I mention the boxed cake for St. Patrick's Day with green food dye and cream cheese frosting with green sugar sprinkles. Seriously, the recipes look like they could have been yanked out of a Betty Crocker (or church ladies) cookbook circa 1957.
Not even the contemporary South is still locked into this kind of culinary time warp, and I find it hard to believe Dolly Parton would even eat this food, given her petite figure and how she has kept weight off over the years. That takes discipline. I'd like to see what she really eats. As I said, fans only.
The book is broken up by months, focusing on a major holiday in each one. January is Happy New Year with black-eyed peas and collard greens, for example. March is St. Patrick's Day and green beer. Yes, a recipe for green beer. Take one can or bottle of beer. Pour it into a glass. Add green food dye. Easy as shuckin' corn. Speaking of corn, lots of cornbread recipes, salads with sweet Miracle Whip type dressings, and did I mention the boxed cake for St. Patrick's Day with green food dye and cream cheese frosting with green sugar sprinkles. Seriously, the recipes look like they could have been yanked out of a Betty Crocker (or church ladies) cookbook circa 1957.
Not even the contemporary South is still locked into this kind of culinary time warp, and I find it hard to believe Dolly Parton would even eat this food, given her petite figure and how she has kept weight off over the years. That takes discipline. I'd like to see what she really eats. As I said, fans only.
September 22, 2024
While I've never been a particular fan of Parton (appreciate her career, story and charitable work, etc. just never felt passionately about her one way or the other), I do appreciate seeing more in recent years. Whether it's giving books to school children or helping fund research for the COVID vaccine or talking about her hit 'Jolene' with new versions and artists giving their own spins on the song, etc. I didn't mind picking up this book.
I had no idea she had a sister (again, just never knew much about her), so I was curious to see what this family collaboration had in mind. It is a cookbook so you've got your recipes. They are not particularly unique or creative (heck, for all we know they also don't actually eat these dishes, etc.) but there are comments from each of the sisters on the dishes, so you also get a little insight on them (so I assume they did make/eat them at one point).
That's pretty much all there is to it. I would say a major downside is that there is really only one picture or two per recipe so it is not really for beginners (on the flip side, no need to compare yourself to the Parton sisters either). If you really want to learn how to cook this is not that type of cookbook, but it is a fun text.
Overall, this is probably more for the hardcore fan/completionist/cookbook collector-type of reader. At the most cynical it is really about making money off of the Dolly Parton name but ultimately I had fun reading through the recipes and commentary. I don't think I'll be making any of these recipes myself, but for a fan or maybe even a fun project (eat like Dolly for a year sort of thing), this could be an enjoyable pickup.
Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.
I had no idea she had a sister (again, just never knew much about her), so I was curious to see what this family collaboration had in mind. It is a cookbook so you've got your recipes. They are not particularly unique or creative (heck, for all we know they also don't actually eat these dishes, etc.) but there are comments from each of the sisters on the dishes, so you also get a little insight on them (so I assume they did make/eat them at one point).
That's pretty much all there is to it. I would say a major downside is that there is really only one picture or two per recipe so it is not really for beginners (on the flip side, no need to compare yourself to the Parton sisters either). If you really want to learn how to cook this is not that type of cookbook, but it is a fun text.
Overall, this is probably more for the hardcore fan/completionist/cookbook collector-type of reader. At the most cynical it is really about making money off of the Dolly Parton name but ultimately I had fun reading through the recipes and commentary. I don't think I'll be making any of these recipes myself, but for a fan or maybe even a fun project (eat like Dolly for a year sort of thing), this could be an enjoyable pickup.
Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.
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