The Black Family Reunion Cookbook: Recipes and Food Memories [Paperback]

National Council of Negro Women (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 1993

The Black Family Reunion Celebrations, organized by The National Council of Negro Women and held in seven cities across America every summer, celebrate and preserve the values, traditions, and strengths of the African-American family. Inspired by these festivals, The Black Family Reunion Cookbook contains more than 250 recipes from home kitchens across America, seasoned with warm memories and "homemade love."

Including personal reminiscences from celebrities such as Natalie Cole, Wilma Rudolph, Patti LaBelle, and Spetman College President Johnetta Cole, this unique collection reflects the local, national, and international heritage of the Black community. It offers dishes for every occasion and every taste, from African-inspired Mustard Greens with Peanut Sauce to down-home Family Famous Chicken and Dumplings, from a traditional gumbo to sophisticated Sweet Potato Smoked Turkey Bisque, and, in honor of the council's founder, Mary McLeod Bethune, her own recipe for her celebrated Sweet Potato Pie.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Dionne Warwick Strong families and good cooking often go hand-in-hand. This book is a celebration of both.

Jonell Nash Food Editor Essence This book answers many questions, from the simple -- what to cook for dinner tonight -- to the profound -- why our food legacy is to be treasured.

The Houston Post Not only do you get terrific recipes, you partake in history, culture, and tradition.

Bill Cosby The NCNW...speaks to the wealth and diversity of African-American cooking...After reading this book, you'll see why it's so hard to leave home.

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 Libby Clark, Food Editor of The Los Angeles Sentinel; Janet Cheatham Bell, President and owner of Sabayt Publications in Chicago, Illinois; and Jessica B. Harris, a professor at Queens College, New York, and the author of several cookbooks.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; 1st Fireside ed edition (May 7, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671796291
• ISBN-13: 978-0671796297
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent low-cost recipes that don't take forever!!, April 21, 2003

By 

Katherine E. Lazarski (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Black Family Reunion Cookbook: Recipes and Food Memories (Paperback)

I've owned this book for over five years, and it is best cookbook I own. Recipes are well-tested, don't cost very much to make, use readily available ingredients, and many are simple enough to make for weeknight suppers. I recommend the chicken gumbo, the Carter Hill barbeque ribs, the eggplant casserole, the yam pork chop skillet, the Jamaican bannana cake, and the honey crunch pecan pie. I recommend this cookbook as a gift for college students because the recipes are easy and delicious.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Mix, September 6, 2002

By 

J. A. Carroll "juanthomcar" (Franklin Park, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Black Family Reunion Cookbook: Recipes and Food Memories (Paperback)

I keep this book in my kitchen. I do so because I often use it for the biscuit recipe and also when I'm making out my food shopping list and I need ideas on what to cook. I also read this book while I'm in my kitchen "watching a pan". The stories in this book are most entertaining and help the time fly by. It's not the best soul food cookbook I've ever owned (that would be Patti Labelle's cookbook), but it is certainly in the top five. Especially for the new soul food cook, this book is a good investment.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delicious recipes that are easy to follow, July 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Black Family Reunion Cookbook: Recipes and Food Memories (Paperback)

my wife cooks using this cook book often. The banana pudding, the jumbalaya, and all sorts of barbecue dishes. I recommend it to all of you soul food lovers out there.