Now that the busy, busy season is over ( but we are still busy with visitors during this glorious September season!) we have a bit of time on our hands to have some fun. Hallie, one of our favorite Tybee friends put together this little dinner party last weekend . Here is her invitation:
“I’m writing to invite you over to my home on Saturday evening for the first of many Deen Family Dinners (minus the Deen’s). This time we will split the responsibility and have everyone bring something — the only pre-requisite is that it has to be a Deen Family recipe (i.e. a recipe from any one of their cookbooks or their websites). This can be any Deen Family recipe from Paula to Jamie, Bobby to Bubba. I will provide the main course — which will be something from the boys new cookbook Take It Easy (which is a fantastic cookbook ….you must stop by Seaside Sisters and buy you one). Hallie” 
We all loved the idea and I jumped on this big time. I so enjoy cooking especially with a theme attached. We starting the evening out with Cucumber Martini’s and Candied Bacon …. yes- an appetizer only our Paula could put together. The recipe is from the Deen Family Cookbook-you basically lay bacon on a cookie sheet, pour bourbon on top and then sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake until crisp… People couldn’t stop with just one piece! This is right up there with Paula’s Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding we make for the annual holiday party!
Here’s the items I made an amazing appetizer- shrimp dip , then a savory Blue Cheese Cornbread Bread Pudding ( btw– did any of ever use the word savory to describe food before we all started watching the Food Network? I know I didn’t!) For desert I made the big thick Carrot Cake with pecans and coconut from Corrie Hiers ( Paula’s niece) complete with Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting! On top of the cake, I had soaked dried apricots in bourbon and then placed on top fo the cake to look like little carrots and then fresh mint on top to look just like miniature carrots.All of my recipes I prepared came from the Deen Family Cook book which you can see on http://www.pauladeen.com/ 
As you can see from the pictures, even Paula showed up for the party. True- she was a little stiff and didn’t move from the one spot – guarding the buffet table, but she didn’t stop smiling! We knew she was having lots of fun. As did all of us!
