AUTHOR TO BEGIN WEEKLY FOOD COLUMN

Angie Holtzhouser of Lilbourn loves to cook. Combine that love of cooking with Southern hospitality and family tradition, and you'll discover "Drop Dumplin's and Pan-Fried Memories Along the Mississippi."

That's the name of Holtzhouser's best-selling cookbook that weaves together Southern and Irish anecdotes and recipes. It has sold thousands of copies and is going into its third and largest printing to date -- 10,000 copies.

Holtzhouser is putting her cooking and storytelling talents to new use -- as a weekly food columnist for the Southeast Missourian newspaper. She plans to share Southern stories and recipes with readers each Wednesday in the Missourian's Food and Garden section. She hopes to interact with readers as well.

A native of rural Tennessee, she has spent most of her adult life near the Mississippi River. The column -- titled "Along the Mississippi" -- will reflect those fundamental ties.

In addition to tried-and-true family favorites, Holtzhouser's book features recipes from popular restaurants in the region. These featured dishes give a flavor of life along the Mississippi, said Holtzhouser.

She was honored to learn last fall that three of her "Drop Dumplin's" recipes will be included in a new cookbook to be published by the Southern Culture Center at the University of Mississippi at Oxford. They include Marian's Unusual Green Tomato Pie, Crispy Southern Fried Chicken and Tennessee Lemonade.

Since publication of her book in 1997, she has kept busy the past two years with book signings, cooking shows and radio and television appearances. Holtzhouser was featured at the Southeast Missourian's booth at the Southern Living Cooking show in April.

Her cookbook is available at local bookstores. In addition, it can be purchased through the mail at: Drop Dumplin's, P.O. Box 10, Lilbourn, Mo. 63862. The price is $19.56, including tax and shipping.