Jessie James Decker releases family cookbook blending Southern, Sicilian, Cajun roots

Country singer Jessie James Decker has released "The Secret Sauce: A Family Cookbook Seasoned with Love," a collection of recipes co-written with her mother, Karen Parker, and sister, Sydney Rae Bass. The book draws on the family's Southern, Sicilian, and Cajun heritage to present dishes passed down through generations.

The cookbook covers a range of occasions, from weeknight meals and game-day dishes to holiday recipes and desserts. For Decker, the project is a way to preserve the traditions that have shaped her upbringing and current household. She told Fox News Digital that her Catholic faith remains central to her family life, a value she credits to her mother. "Faith has always been a big part of my life and our lives," Decker said. She noted that her mother taught the family to turn to prayer during both difficult and joyful seasons.

"You just have to trust in Him, because His plan is so much greater than you could ever imagine," Decker said.

Those values extend to daily routines at home with her husband, former NFL wide receiver Eric Decker, and their four children. The family prioritizes sitting down together for dinner with electronics removed, a practice Decker described as essential for maintaining connection. "It's not even that hard to get rid of the electronics when it's time for dinner because we want to talk to each other," she said. Decker often goes around the table asking each child a question, sometimes a silly one, to encourage conversation. "Those memories and moments with my family around the dinner table are just my favorite," she said.

Cooking serves as a primary way Decker connects with her children, whom she describes as receiving her "love languages" through prepared meals. "I just get such pride, such joy from making food to nourish their bodies and fill their tummies," she said. The children have developed specific preferences from their mother's kitchen. Daughter Vivi loves seafood gumbo, while sons Eric and Forrest enjoy pasta dishes. Her youngest, Denver, is also a fan of gumbo. Eric Decker favors chicken pot pie, while steak, salads, and balsamic green beans are also common on the family table.

The family's football background influences their game-day traditions. Decker typically prepares chili, barbecue meatballs, and dips for these occasions, occasionally adding wings. "Every game day we definitely get after it," she said.

Decker stated that "The Secret Sauce" is ultimately about the emotional connection behind the food rather than the ingredients alone. "The secret sauce is just the love and joy that you put into cooking," she said. "Once you put that heart and soul and you serve it up, everyone feels it."