Country music icon Dolly Parton passed away at age 80, leaving behind a rich legacy including her cherished Southern culinary traditions. She once told Food Network about growing up in Tennessee as one of 12 children, sharing how the kitchen was central to her life. “We were born cooking,” Parton said, reminiscing about being in the kitchen with her family. She often credited her cooking skills to her mother and other relatives.
Dolly’s Cooking philosophy
Parton humorously shared with Food Network her penchant for using butter generously. “If I were giving you tips,” she said, “I’d probably get a notice from the health department.” Parton believed in using ingredients like bacon grease to enhance flavors, aligning with her Southern roots. Though she didn’t claim to be a gourmet cook, she had confidence in her skills, stating to Wired in 2020, “My food is not pretty, but it’s good.”
Signature Dishes
Parton published “Dolly’s Dixie Fixin’s” in 2006 and “Good Lookin’ Cookin'” in 2024 with her sister Rachel Parton George. These cookbooks reflect her Southern culinary heritage. She also endorsed several food products, including cake mixes and frozen meals. Her dishes often showcased her Southern roots.
Dolly Parton often spoke about her love of Southern cooking and credited her family with teaching her in the kitchen.
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings held a special place in Parton’s heart. In “Dollywood Presents: Tennessee Mountain Home Cooking,” published in 1989, she included a recipe for this Southern classic. Parton said it reminded her of her mother, as she mentioned in an interview with Country Living. She described her process as taking “all day” to prepare homemade chicken and dumplings.
Biscuits and Gravy
In a 2023 interview with Eater, Parton shared her fondness for biscuits and gravy as a breakfast staple. She said, “I love it all,” and often enjoyed it with sausage. For her, biscuits were not complete without toppings like apple butter or jelly.
Banana Pudding
Though Parton considered herself more of a cook than a baker, she adored banana pudding. While speaking on ABC’s “Good Morning America” in 2022, Parton highlighted banana pudding as one of her favorites. In “Dolly’s Dixie Fixin’s,” she shared a recipe inspired by her mother’s method, including vanilla wafers and sliced bananas.
Potatoes
Parton had a known weakness for potatoes, as she told Wired. She fondly remembered Sunday fried chicken served with potato salad from her childhood. Her preferred potato dish to bring to barbecues was a mayonnaise-based potato salad.
Roast Pork
Parton enjoyed roast pork, particularly “the fatty part,” as she revealed in a 1992 interview with The New York Times. She enjoyed serving roast pork with green beans, turnip greens, and fried okra to guests.
Chess Pie
Chess pie was Parton’s favorite pie, as she mentioned to USA Today in 2019. For birthdays, she preferred pie over cake, emphasizing her love for this Southern classic.