The Menu: Demon Copperhead
This meal is inspired by the women who fed Demon: Mrs. Peggot, Mattie Kate, Bettina Cook (if pudding cups pulled from the school trash count), and even Mrs. McCobb. From Christmas casseroles to triangle-cut sandwiches, each dish nods to the Appalachian kitchens that offered him a little comfort when he needed it most.
Drinks
Sweet tea runs through every porch, kitchen, and church potluck in southern Appalachia. Sometimes served straight, sometimes given a little backbone with bourbon when the occasion (or hardship) calls for it. This version is brightened with lemon, find the recipe at Inquiring Chef.
Appetizer
Angus brought Demon Mattie Kate’s BLTs when they met up at a park after he’d moved out from the Winfield home. They called them “the sober man’s smack.” This version from Food.com skips the bread but still delivers plenty of flavor in every bite. To keep things tidy, finely dice the bacon, put the filling into a ziploc bag, snip the corner, and pipe it right into the cherry tomatoes.
Salad
A true Appalachian classic, this wilted lettuce salad from Cooking with Carlee feels like something Mattie Kate could have made without measuring a thing. Warm bacon drippings soften the greens just enough, with a touch of sweetness to balance it out. Start with 2 tablespoons of sugar, then taste it first. If you want it sweeter, feel free to add more sugar or a spoonful of ketchup.
Soup
Mrs. Peggot’s black-eyed pea soup is about as simple and comforting as it gets. She made it with the ham bone from the country ham her family had at Christmas, letting it simmer with black-eyed peas, onions, and carrots until everything came together. It’s the kind of soup that warms you through, and the kind of pot that stays on the stove in case someone shows up hungry. Find the recipe at Gonna Want Seconds.
Sides
For Demon and Angus, this green bean potato chip casserole was part of the Christmas meal Mattie Kate left behind. Topped with crushed potato chips for just the right crunch, it’s the kind of dish you’d spot on just about every holiday table around here. Find the recipe at Cookie and Kate.
Dessert
The McCobbs made sure to hide their oreos and other snacks from Demon, but this oreo pie from Kim’s Cravings puts them right out in the open. Sweet and simple, it’s a playful nod to the treats he was always kept from. And this time, no one has to sneak to get a bite.
As your meal comes to an end, you might still be thinking about Demon’s story. If there’s one thing to carry with you, it’s that even when the road feels rough and lonesome, there might be something good up ahead.
