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Virginia

Named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, the Virgin Queen, Virginia was the longest settled of the original Thirteen Colonies. In 1607, more than a dozen years before the pilgrims arrived in southern Massachusetts, a fledgling community, known as Jamestown, was established in Virginia. The early going was hard, and the colony was nearly abandoned, but the early Virginians learned to adapt and assimilate native foods into their diet. Corn became a critical food, both in the form of cornbread and grits for the settlers and as fodder for their hogs. Native Americans taught early Virginians to smoke meats. Today, Virginia remains renowned for smoked Smithfield country hams. Other Virginia favorites include such Southern classics as biscuits, grits, and red-eye gravy, and plump Virginia peanuts. The oyster is Virginia’s official state shellfish; the brook trout, its official state fish. And Virginia’s wine industry, Thomas Jefferson would be thrilled to know, has finally caught fire. Virginia’s nickname, the Old Dominion, refers back obscurely to the 17th century, when the colony stood faithful as one of the king’s loyal dominions during the English Civil War.

Featured Cook Raven Wolf Cooking Level: Expert Home Town: Piscataway, New Jersey, USA Living In: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA

About me: When I was growing up my great aunts showed me the world of home cooking. The house always smelled so wonderful, and the foods they taught me to prepare were traditional meals from where they grew up as well as recipes passed down to them. As I grew older I started to teach myself more about cooking, I enjoy trying new recipes that my family will enjoy. I’m a published author and a first time mom to a beautiful girl that was born in October of 2005. I really enjoy cooking for my husband and daughter. When my daughter gets older I want to pass the family recipes down to her and teach her everything know about cooking. To me cooking is a magical thing that is done with love for family and friends. My Profile | Reviews | Photos | Recipes | Menus Favorite Food Lists Create your own Cook's Profile | MORE Cooks »