I’ve wanted to do some sort of crazy, health blogger spin on the Julie and Julia concept ever since I saw the movie a number of months ago. I didn’t want to just cook my way through a cookbook though, I wanted to modify my way through one. And being gluten free, dairy free and generally health minded, I figured that wouldn’t be an issue. But what book would I choose? Well, as the title of this post suggests, I decided on a Paula Deen cookbook.
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Paula Deen is notorious on the Food Network for her outrageous, butter drenched, southern recipes and honestly, I love her to pieces. Hearing her talk and watching her cook with her children always brings a smile to my face. I can relate to her in so many ways because the way she cooks is the kind of cooking I was raised around. Deep fried, with lots of butter and a healthy dose of gravy was the way food was served when I was a kid. I am a southern girl, after all. So, in honor of that, I’m going to modify my way through Paula Deen’s The Deen Family Cookbook
What a challenge this is going to be. My wheels are already spinning and I can’t wait to get started. I hope that you will enjoy my gluten free, dairy free, healthy versions of some good ‘ole southern cooking. I’m not planning to go in any certain order, nor do I have a specific end point in mind. I’d like to post at least one modified recipe per week and think this is going to be both challenging and loads of fun. Most of all, I’d like to spread the message that gluten free, dairy free and all around healthy recipes can be tasty and fun too!
Paula Deen Challenge Recipe Index
Main Dishes
Cheesy rice and chicken casserole
Pork chops with honey and cherries
Beverages
Misc.
I can’t think of Paula Deen and not hear, “HI Y’AWWLLL!” in my head! I too though of cooking my way through a cookbook a la Julia & Julia and decided to do it through the Eat Clean Cookbook. I am not that good of a chef to be able to do all these sorts of modifications! I would be interested in seeing her baked goods as a more healthy version!
That is awesome. I can’t wait to read about it :)
I think this is a fabulous idea! Paula does have amazing recipes but I tend to shy away from them daily since they are so loaded with butter. I can’t wait to see how you do!
I look forward to seeing how this goes. :P
HOW FUN!! I love paula, love you, and love food! WIN-WIN-WIN!!!
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I think you’re in for a challenge! And a lot of fun! G’luck!
This is great! I love southern cooking and will definitely try EVERY recipe you post.
What a great idea! Definitely interested!
Awesome challenge! I love Paula Deen. I can’t wait to see how you’ll modify her recipes! :)
This is SUCH a good idea! You could get major press for this one!
Ha. That would be kind of wild.
Sounds like an awesome challenge! It’ll be fun to see how you can modify some of the recipes.
Sounds like a tough challenge, but I am sure you can do it! Can I add a small mini-challenge? Make one or two VEGAN! Now that would be uber-impressive. A vegan, gluten-free, health Paula Dean-based recipe :-)
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It may be that some of the recipes become vegan with my modifications since I am dairy free, but I am not a vegan and I think that the challenge I have already settled on is going to be a terrific, yet sizable undertaking without veganizing them purposefully. But if you decide to do something similar on your own blog, let me know!
I love this idea. I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Have fun :)
Christie, I think this is a fantastic – and definitely challenging – idea! Everything that Paula Deen makes looks amazing, but even though I love rich foods, sometimes, I feel like all that butter, might kill my stomach. :)
I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
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i was just watching julie & julia last night…this sounds amazing! what a fun challenge…definitely a CHALLENGE…but i bet you’re going to have the best time doing it!
I love the idea… it’s wonderful. I am completely looking forward to the reworked recipes!
What a fun idea!!!!
As a health-conscious southerner, I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the things you’ll come up with!!
I’m so excited for this! I also love Paula Deen! I just love her attitude about her body – she seems so comfortable with herself. She’s awesome!
I can’t wait to read these posts and these recipes! I also love watching Paula Dean on Food Network, even if I don’t really make her recipes. I’ll be interested to see the spin you put on these.
Oh my goodness, I am so excited to follow you doing this challenge! What a great idea. Paula is one of my favorites. I can’t wait to see you tackle the ooey gooey butter cake! Or whatever it’s called, haha.
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Sounds fabulous! Can’t wait! Are you going to publish nutritional info? I’d love to figure points on the recipes.
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No, I will not be publishing or even calculating nutritional information. As an intuitive eating blog, that would go against the core principles of my blog. I do hope that you will enjoy the challenge none the less.
I think this is an AWESOME challenge! I have given myself a similar challenge with a very scary vegetarian cook book that I love. I had to take a mini break from it though due to this whole deli thing, but am still hoping to finish by my scheduled end time (no pressure!) of my 32nd birthday.
I can’t wait to read about you and the Paula Deen Challenge because I ADORE her. I think she is adorable, sweet and really reminds me of my grandmother and they way I was raised too.
GOOD LUCK!!! Sweet Eating!!
WOW.
This is a SERIOUS challenge! I love it! Best of luck and I can’t wait to follow along!
I’m interested! I’ve been reading about the roots of Southern cuisine recently, and I’m starting to realize that it started off healthy and then got side tracked with butter and deep frying along the way. I’m very interested in recapturing the initial agricultural spirit of southern cooking. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
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wow this is the best idea ever!!!!! what a great challenge! cant wait to see the results!
This is so much fun. I’m a Southern girl originally, too, and love all that buttery goodness but find my body doesn’t love it as much as it used to. Can’t wait to see the results!
SUCH a fabulous idea! Good luck! I can’t wait to see all the modifications you make!!!
Oh my gosh this post made me laugh. I was just watching Paula Deen while on a stationary bike at the gym (I had no motivation today but was glad I at least made it to the gym as I sit on my behind all day behind a computer). I LOVE her but yes, her recipes are typically outrageous. She was making a recipe for shrimp and potato chowder with 1/2 stick of butter and said…you know, now isn’t the time for cutting back! ANd threw the other half in. SHe’s just so jovial. How can you not love her? This idea of yours is wonderful!
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Wow, what a great idea! (Why didn’t I think of it?) I’ve recently been diagnosed with an autoimmune illness and allergies to gluten, corn, dairy and soy so I will be very interested to follow your progress. I can’t wait to see what you come up with! :)
Great idea – look forward to your new twists on her recipes.