The Black Family Dinner Quilt Cookbook [Paperback]

Dorothy Height (Author), The National Council of Negro Women (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 7, 1994

As a shared meal nourishes the body, so a quilt, passed from generation to generation, warms and nourishes the spirit. Both recipes and quilts preserve the culture and history of a people and their social, historic, and artistic connections to their past and their future. Celebrating both these traditions, The Black Family Dinner Quilt offers recipes based on both traditional and contemporary African-American cuisine with recipes full of down-home flavor but lower in fat, salt, and sugar. Southern Ham and Shrimp Soup, Country Chicken and Biscuits, Jamaican Pork, Creole Beans and Rice, Creamy Macaroni and Cheese, and even Bethune Sweet Potato Pie are just a few of the healthful and soul-satisfying dishes you'll find in these pages.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Muriel Stevens, Las Vegas Sun To be enjoyed by everyone who appreciates the triumph of spirit over adversity and the pleasures of the African-American table. -- Review

About the Author

The National Council of Negro Women, located in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1935 and operates in 42 states, with vital programs addressing women's special concerns. This book was developed by Brenda Rhodes Cooper, a writer who lives and cooks in Washington, D.C.; Carolyn Mazloomi, a fiber artist and founder/coordinator of the Women of Color Quilters' Network; and Laura Swann, M.S., R.D., president and CEO of Concept Tradition, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Fireside (June 7, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671796305
• ISBN-13: 978-0671796303
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #554,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner for the Council, January 1, 2001

By 

J Keistler "[e-mail]" (Lake Jackson, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Black Family Dinner Quilt Cookbook (Paperback)

I've enjoyed owning The Black Family Reunion Cookbook for many years, not only for its excellent recipes but also for the many narratives.

Once again, the Council has issued a winner. The recipes I've tried out of this new book have worked as well as their original cookbook. Actually, I didn't notice that these recipes are supposed to be 'healthier' until I began to write this review!

I've particularly enjoyed the black-eyed pea soup, the mustard greens and potato soup, and the collard greens and turkey wings. The pound cake recipe is standard, but the pear upside-down cake is terrific. The banana oatmeal cookies will be a hit for you. The chicken broccoli casserole is yummy!

I could go on, but I'll just say that every recipe I've tried has worked well. This is good home-style cooking, nothing too fancy, and the recipes are well written.

However, it's the stories and parables running through the book that make it special. I've always been a fan of Ms. Bethune, and the narratives here about her are particularly enjoyable.

This book is not only excellent, but it's also an excellent buy!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting collection, March 15, 2002

By 

Westley (Stuck in my head) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Black Family Dinner Quilt Cookbook (Paperback)

I'm not a huge fan of soul food, but really like this cookbook nevertheless. The recipes were submitted by members of the council and are terrific. Importantly, the authors made efforts to cut out much of the fat from the recipes and did a great job.

I also really enjoy the stories that are interspersed throughout the book. A number of prominent African-Americans share their memories of Dorothy Height and recount times that they shared a meal with her. One word of caution - the recipe for Hoppin' John calls for 2 pounds of brown rice...I think this is a typo and perhaps should read 2 cups. I ended up with a HUGE vat of rice with a few black eye peas. Otherwise, a very fine collection!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quilters will love it !, May 27, 2005

By 

Overtis Brantley "book loving quilter" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Black Family Dinner Quilt Cookbook (Paperback)

I bought this book because I am an avid quilter. I wanted to see what quilts had to do with cooking. The book turned out to be so many things that delight me. I enjoyed the stories about famous African Americans. The recipes are great because, with the low calorie ingredients, you can have soul food without guilt. The quilts are displayed with a bit of quilt history and a glimpse into the soul of the quilter. I reach for this book again and again.