South Carolina has been home to good, old-fashioned barbeque for quite a long time. Hundreds of restaurants, stands and food trucks sell tons of the southern staple every day. But the history of Palmetto State barbeque goes deeper than many might believe--it predates the rest of America. Native Americans barbequed pork on makeshift grills as far back as the 1500s after the Spanish introduced the pig into the Americas. Since the early 1920s, South Carolinians have been perfecting the craft and producing some of the best-tastin' 'que in the country. Join author and president of the South Carolina Barbeque Association Lake E. High Jr. as he traces the delectable history from its pre-colonial roots to a thriving modern-day tradition that fuels an endless debate over where to find the best plate.

For the millions of home cooks who swear by the ease and convenience of the slow cooker, this book provides a new array of healthy, delicious recipes. And for the millions of vegetarians looking for simple, hearty fare, this book introduces them to the magic of slow cooking. The book proves that slow cookers can be used for much more than just tough, inexpensive cuts of meat. They are perfect for vegetarian and healthy cooking because slow cooking is a foolproof way to make beans, grains, root vegetables, in preparations such as Spicy White Bean and Sweet potato Stew with Collards, Balsamic-Glazed Carrots and Parsnips, and Boston Brown Bread. Stuffed vegetables such as Bell Peppers Stuffed with Couscous and Lentils, are moist and tender, with none of the oven's dryness. Even desserts such as Chocolate Fancy Fondue and Brandy-Laced Pear Brown Betty, are sensational.