This Southern thing is a whole lot more complicated than I imagined. My natural instincts in the kitchen don’t translate very well in the South. Feeling in over my head, I realize that I need a bigger plan than the one I originally created. Southern appears to be a simple cuisine, when in fact I suspect that it is far from this. There have been so many influences on the shaping of all that is Southern. Influences from all over the world; I have a lot to learn.

This rusty cook needs a notebook, armed with a good pot of Southern coffee and the fortitude to do a little research before charging ahead in the kitchen. I also woke up this morning feeling like I need a mentor. A Southern cook who has the time and patience to teach me along with sharing a few good stories would be perfect. Being a good listener, an outstanding dish washer and you don’t need to tell me what to do, because I see what needs to be done cleaner-upper. Perhaps I can find my way into a Southern kitchen.

Having the ability to grasp a big chunk of this new way is the most I can expect starting this late in life. I need help, and frankly I am not sure that I want to do this one alone. What this Yankee needs is a Nancy; a woman who will teach me how to cook Southern in lieu of my washing the clothes by hand. My learning has always been by touch and feel, this is how it comes naturally for me. A process that for me is far easier than staring at a cookbook trying to memorize the instructions. When trying a new recipe, I have to reread it 3 or 4 times. Show me though, and I pick it up right away.

In meantime while I wait for a possible mentor, my calling and other important things, I move ahead in the kitchen. The main ingredient of this soup is Cope’s dried sweet corn, an ingredient I did not have on hand. I wanted the soup anyway and improvised. It turned out good but I do believe this soup made with the Cope’s dried corn would run circles around the batch I made. I placed my mail order for the Cope’s today and will certainly try this again as soon as it arrives.

I also did not have wild mushrooms,still unable to locate them. By the time my Cope’s corn arrives in the mail, I am determined to have found my source for the wild mushrooms. In-spite of the changes and make do required to make this soup it still was unbelievable.

You will notice that a shrimp and wild mushroom mixture is made placing in a shallow soup bowl, then pouring the cream of corn soup around it. Then a dollop of creme fraiche is added with fresh chopped chives. The original version is entirely pureed, my make shift version has pieces of corn in it.

Cream of Cope’s Corn Soup with Shrimp & Wild Mushrooms is getting a new name in my house. It is now being called The Soup that earned a big compliment during the 2008 Masters Tournament. I know that is a terribly long name for a soup; especially one that does not offer a description of the food ingredients. But this cook got such an emotion filled compliment that I believe my new name is appropriate under the circumstances.

I almost thought I saw the husband giving careful consideration as to whether he should leap from the chair to tell me how good it was. But, no he stayed put. Not because the soup didn’t deserve the chair raising. I do believe that Tiger Woods was about to putt or do whatever guys do when they are holding a golf club, this prevented the leap. Close call on that one. A huge this is absolutely wonderful- wow this is good that I did receive in the middle of the tournament versus waiting till a commericial was appreciated by me. Yes, the Master’s Tournament was pretty good this year as it was celebrated with a winner on the course and a winner in the kitchen.

Speaking of golf, this brings me to the first and only time I played on a golf course with the husband, or anyone else for that matter. He gets an A+ for patience and he is a good teacher to boot. I want to make sure I get this information correct as I don’t like saying I’m sorry, anymore than is required of me.

Anyway, we were on the course and mind you I was using a borrowed kiddy club from the pro-shop as no woman’s clubs were to be had. We started at the first Tee and the husband gave me a dirty beat-up golf ball. I was crushed, as this must have meant he did not think I had a chance in getting the golf ball over the body of water that was before me. Especially since the woman’s starting point was on the other side of the water.

Well with my ball in hand, and my kiddie club the husband instructed me to give a swing. I looked at him with the expression, yeah right. He said, I will give you $100 if you get the ball to the other side. Well, the first hit brought my ball about 10 feet in front of me. I was given a second chance, took a swing and the ball made it to the other side. Must have been my deluxe kiddie club and good luck on this shot. He was shocked. I was shocked. I am not a jumper, but I jumped with excitement.

Moving right along to the take our second shot, I gave it a go again. Well I whacked that ball and was at the edge of the green with 2 shots for a distance of 340. If you play golf you are well aware this is good for a woman. This is excellent for a woman who has never played and super-excellent for a woman who has never played and is using a kiddie club. If you don’t play golf, well let’s just say I should have bet $1000 on this one. The husband flipped, never saw him so excited before.

I am sure you are wondering how the day ended. Unfortuneatly, the chance at golf stardom was too much for me and it took me about 15 shots to get the ball into the hole that was right in front of me. Golf went downhill from there. 18 holes later; well let’s just say neither one of us could count that high. They went over my head, into the woods and I almost clipped the husband a few times. But that’s okay, I will never forget my first two shots.

This cook had the top score in the kitchen Sunday. This soup requires patience and a little time to make, but you will be glad you made it. you can find the recipe at Gourmet Magazine, January issue. The Cope’s corn can be mail ordered.