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Colonel Beauregard Cracker's: Southern Recipes of 1865: Recipes and Tall Tales of the Civil War
Ever heard of a steak so good it ended a battle? Legend has it Colonel Beauregard Cracker’s chicken-fried steak prompted 200 of General Sherman's Union soldiers to surrender just for a taste of the Colonel's home cooking!
Colonel Beauregard Cracker’s Southern Recipes of 1865 by Daniel Golio is a humorous blend of culinary history and tall tales that follows the legendary Colonel Beauregard Cracker as he navigates the chaotic transition from the Civil War to the Reconstruction Era.
After transforming his family estate, Magnolia Grove, into a bustling restaurant, the Colonel takes his kitchen on the road to Philadelphia, spinning audacious yarns along the way, such as the "Pennsylvania Gold Ambush of 1863." He claims he liberated a Union fortune so his "Georgia boys" could rebuild Magnolia Grove. Naturally, no Colonel Beauregard classic is complete without his favorite the time he whipped up his legendary chicken-fried steak and gravy, prompting 200 of General William T. Sherman’s Union soldiers to surrender just for a taste of the Colonel’s cooking.
The narrative takes a turn for the mysterious "The Peach Cobbler Murders," where the Colonel must use his military wits and culinary expertise to investigate a series of poisonings targeting Union soldiers in the occupied South.
Beyond the storytelling, the book after all is a cookbook that provides a deep dive into the roots of Southern cuisine. The book features over 40 authentic 19th-century "receipts"—such as Pan-Fried Buttermilk Squirrel and Rabbit Hash—while offering vital historical context.
It honors the resourcefulness of enslaved African Americans highlighting how their resourcefulness introduced methods like deep-fat frying, slow-stewing, and the use of "pot liquor"—the nutrient-rich liquid left after boiling greens—to stretch limited resources. Hercules Posey, an enslaved man at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, served as chief cook for years. James Hemings—Sally Hemings' brother and Thomas Jefferson’s half-brother-in-law—became the first American chef trained in France. Hemings introduced "macaroni pie," the direct ancestor of the southern staple dish Macaroni and Cheese.
Colonel Beauregard Cracker’s Southern Recipes of 1865 is a flavorful journey through history that proves survival often depended more on what was simmering in the pot than what happened on the battlefield.
Pan-fried squirrel, hidden Union gold, poisoned Peach Cobbler and the secret history of Mac & Cheese.Experience the Civil War era through the eyes (and stomach) of the legendary Colonel Beauregard Cracker. 40+ authentic 1860's receipts and tall tales that’ll leave you hungry for history. - "Y'all buy this book now, you hear?" - Colonel Beauregard Cracker
The book includes over 40 authentic 1865 recipes from the civil war era BiscuitsPan-Fried SquirrelHearty Rabbit HashTraditional Macaroni and CheeseClassic "Pot Liquor" Collard GreensHoppin John & Field PeasSmothered Pork ChopsChicken Fried Steak and GravyStewed TomatoesPeach CobblerTurnip Mash and many more including colorized Civil War photos and never before seen photos of Colonel Beauregard Cracker.
Colonel Beauregard Cracker’s Southern Recipes of 1865 by Daniel Golio is a humorous blend of culinary history and tall tales that follows the legendary Colonel Beauregard Cracker as he navigates the chaotic transition from the Civil War to the Reconstruction Era.
After transforming his family estate, Magnolia Grove, into a bustling restaurant, the Colonel takes his kitchen on the road to Philadelphia, spinning audacious yarns along the way, such as the "Pennsylvania Gold Ambush of 1863." He claims he liberated a Union fortune so his "Georgia boys" could rebuild Magnolia Grove. Naturally, no Colonel Beauregard classic is complete without his favorite the time he whipped up his legendary chicken-fried steak and gravy, prompting 200 of General William T. Sherman’s Union soldiers to surrender just for a taste of the Colonel’s cooking.
The narrative takes a turn for the mysterious "The Peach Cobbler Murders," where the Colonel must use his military wits and culinary expertise to investigate a series of poisonings targeting Union soldiers in the occupied South.
Beyond the storytelling, the book after all is a cookbook that provides a deep dive into the roots of Southern cuisine. The book features over 40 authentic 19th-century "receipts"—such as Pan-Fried Buttermilk Squirrel and Rabbit Hash—while offering vital historical context.
It honors the resourcefulness of enslaved African Americans highlighting how their resourcefulness introduced methods like deep-fat frying, slow-stewing, and the use of "pot liquor"—the nutrient-rich liquid left after boiling greens—to stretch limited resources. Hercules Posey, an enslaved man at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, served as chief cook for years. James Hemings—Sally Hemings' brother and Thomas Jefferson’s half-brother-in-law—became the first American chef trained in France. Hemings introduced "macaroni pie," the direct ancestor of the southern staple dish Macaroni and Cheese.
Colonel Beauregard Cracker’s Southern Recipes of 1865 is a flavorful journey through history that proves survival often depended more on what was simmering in the pot than what happened on the battlefield.
Pan-fried squirrel, hidden Union gold, poisoned Peach Cobbler and the secret history of Mac & Cheese.Experience the Civil War era through the eyes (and stomach) of the legendary Colonel Beauregard Cracker. 40+ authentic 1860's receipts and tall tales that’ll leave you hungry for history. - "Y'all buy this book now, you hear?" - Colonel Beauregard Cracker
The book includes over 40 authentic 1865 recipes from the civil war era BiscuitsPan-Fried SquirrelHearty Rabbit HashTraditional Macaroni and CheeseClassic "Pot Liquor" Collard GreensHoppin John & Field PeasSmothered Pork ChopsChicken Fried Steak and GravyStewed TomatoesPeach CobblerTurnip Mash and many more including colorized Civil War photos and never before seen photos of Colonel Beauregard Cracker.
- GenresCookbooks
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2026
About the author
Daniel Golio
18 books54 followersDaniel Golio was born in East Harlem, on Pleasant Avenue in New York City. An author, teacher and restaurant consultant. Mr. Golio started his culinary career as a Sous Chef in Italian restaurants in New York City and then went on to serve as the Director of Food and Beverage for such concerns as the Biltmore, Roosevelt and Milford Plaza hotels in New York City; as well as the Food and Beverage Director for JFK International airport.
As owner of Manhattan Parties, an upscale event and catering company, Dan has planned events for the television show Entertainment Tonight, and such companies as the Ford Modeling Agency, Cover Girl Makeup, Petrossian Caviar NYC, the Bank of Italy, WBLS Radio in New York and countless television commercials and music videos.
Mr. Golio holds certificates in Wine Appreciation from both the French and German Councils and for over twenty-five years has taught wine appreciation classes for the New School of Social Research and the Art Institute of NYC. He holds a degree in Culinary Arts from New York technical College, a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business from the State University of New York
Although semi-retired, Dan has taken to writing books about food and wine and crime novels set in New York City.
As owner of Manhattan Parties, an upscale event and catering company, Dan has planned events for the television show Entertainment Tonight, and such companies as the Ford Modeling Agency, Cover Girl Makeup, Petrossian Caviar NYC, the Bank of Italy, WBLS Radio in New York and countless television commercials and music videos.
Mr. Golio holds certificates in Wine Appreciation from both the French and German Councils and for over twenty-five years has taught wine appreciation classes for the New School of Social Research and the Art Institute of NYC. He holds a degree in Culinary Arts from New York technical College, a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business from the State University of New York
Although semi-retired, Dan has taken to writing books about food and wine and crime novels set in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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June 10, 2026AI is used for this book and been on a giveaway events for at least 3 rounds since mid May 2026.
June 18, 2026
Not a book review so much as a gripe. I won this Kindle book in the giveaways, but when I tried to open the book on my Kindle it gave me an error message saying item not compatible with this device.
I have a Kindle Colorsoft so it's one of the newer Kindles. It doesn't need an update. I checked to see if it would open in my Kindle app on my iPhone and it would. I don't actually use that app because it's too small So, Daniel Golio, please fix this issue.
I have a Kindle Colorsoft so it's one of the newer Kindles. It doesn't need an update. I checked to see if it would open in my Kindle app on my iPhone and it would. I don't actually use that app because it's too small So, Daniel Golio, please fix this issue.
June 24, 2026
Colonel Beauregard Crackers Southern Recipes 1865
First I thank. Goodreads for this book. I don't think I have enjoyed a cookbook/tall tails so much as I have this. The added tale of the civil war really gave the recipes more meaning. My mouth was watering with a desire to make many meals. I highly recommend this book. The illustrations are a bonus. Thank you again Goodreads, I'm looking forward to making some yummy meals.
First I thank. Goodreads for this book. I don't think I have enjoyed a cookbook/tall tails so much as I have this. The added tale of the civil war really gave the recipes more meaning. My mouth was watering with a desire to make many meals. I highly recommend this book. The illustrations are a bonus. Thank you again Goodreads, I'm looking forward to making some yummy meals.
June 18, 2026
I don't know quite what to say about this cookbook/fictional story. The recipes sound great, aside from the opossum stew, but the use of AI is distracting. The fictional character of Colonel Beauregard could have been interesting, but the whitewashing of slavery and the Civil War ruined it for me.
June 17, 2026
Can’t wait to use the recipes. Especially the peach cobbler.
July 14, 2026
A very entertaining and informative cookbook. I have tried two recipes so far, and they work well and the steps are easy to follow.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews