Virginia Willis, author of the award-nominated, Bon Appétit, Y’All, in which she gives Southern recipes a French touch, has authored a stellar new book, Basic to Brilliant, Y’All. A Georgia native, she lives in Atlanta, but spent many years honing her cooking skills in France. In her latest collection, she offers 150 mouthwatering and innovative Southern recipes, all with a clever twist. Each recipe is presented two ways– as a soul-satisfying basic accompanied by a technique, garnish, or additional step that will transform (with just a little extra effort!) the dish into a show-stopper. What a practical idea for today’s cooks—the basic dishes are ideal for family weeknight meals while the embellished ones are perfect for company menus. In addition to the scrumptious fare (I’m already a fan of her Deviled Chicken Thighs and her Low Country Risotto), you’ll love this author’s narrative style. A true Southerner, Virginia knows how to tell a story when it comes to food. You’ll want to rush into the kitchen and start cooking even before you put the book down!

Basic to Brilliant, Y’All
by Virginia Willis
Ten Speed Press
$35