Customer Reviews

LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was taught how to cook by numerous relatives(from Georgia, Virginia and New Jersey) and I have had people to tell me that I could throw down with some cooking; but after trying some of Patti's recipes, people were telling me that I need to be a professional caterer! I own tons of recipe books, but this one lives up to Ms. Labelles' reputation as an excellent cook. I cooked for 18 people this christmas; not only did every one on her recipes I tried score a hit: (String beans a labelle, good and cheap pot roast, peach cobbler, over the rainbow macaroni and cheese); Patti enhanced my cooking, just by suggesting everyday ingredients rather than buying some outrageously exotic spices and seasonings. One word of caution, use only some of these recipes for special occasions, cause if you eat this on the regular, you will be on this website looking for a Tae-Bo tape afterwards (cause I'm looking for one now). Here's to REAL SOUL FOOD! THANKS PATTI! :)

I bought this book off of Amazon, never having seen it in the stores. What a pleasant surprise! I'd expected another book of soul-food, Southern cooking (which is what I was looking for). Ms. LaBelle's book has plenty of down-home-type recipies familiar to those of us in the South, such as her pot roast and her Southern fried chicken, but also has recipes that reflect a wider, more modern cooking trend, such as Caribbean fish steaks and shrimp fried rice. Her Macaroni and Cheese recipe is to die for!

Unlike so many other 'celebrity' cookbooks, the recipes here are well-written and easy to follow. I've cooked a couple of dozen recipes here, and all have worked as published.

This cookbook can be a terrific introduction to Southern cooking as well as an illustrated biography of its author. I've been a fan of LaBelle for many years and was delighted to read her autobiographical segments. This book is a great blend of cookbook and memoirs, and can be enjoyable even if only for reading!

I bought the book because I'm a fan of Patti LaBelle's music and her life stories (from her autobiography. Now, I'm a fan of her food!

For an Irish-American woman in Michigan like me to be able to make Macaroni and Cheese and Smothered Chicken alone was worth ten times the price of this book. My Italian husband who grew up in New York eating out-of-this-world soul food from neighborhood restaurants and cooks was amazed. He was asking for thirds!

I can't wait to try out more recipes. Be warned, many of these recipes are traditional soul-food recipes, i.e., high in fat/cholesterol/calories. You can, however, use substitute ingredients to lower the sin quotient. You only live once, so as long as you don't eat like this everyday, try the recipes in their original form - you'll love the food!!

Ms. Patti! Ms. Patti! Ms. Patti! I love your recipe book! The potato salad was outstanding at Thanksgiving and the crab cakes were awesome at Christmas! Even my two teenage sons have tried your recipes. I really enjoyed your stories too. I am sending the book as gifts from now on! It is Geechie-Geechie Ya-Ya GREAT! Thanks again Patti.

I'm a great cook but I learned by using cookbooks. I collect cookbooks that assemble classic and easy recipes for dishes like macaroni & cheese, potato salad, greens, etc. I collect cookbooks to pass on to generations to come. Patti's cookbook is definitely in that collection.

I had never made potato salad before Patti. My fiance LOVED it and he doesn't eat his MOTHER'S potato salad! Thank you Patti.

My daughter gave me this book last christmas because she knows that I love Patti and my family loves my cookin. This Thanksgiving I decided to try Patti's Over the Rainbow Macaroni & Cheese and it was SLAMMIN! Everyone loved it. Thanks... Patti!

I finally broke down and got this book, after repeatedly hearing everybody talk about how great the recipies were. THEY DIDN'T LIE!! In commemoration of Black History Month, I decided to throw a Sunday dinner, inviting my mom, grandmother and other family members over. I can cook, but never cooked a Soul Food Dinner. Needless to say, the invitees were skeptical, but supportive. I made the Over the Rainbow Mac & Cheese, Screamin' Mean Greens, Sumptous & Simple Fried Chicken, and for dessert, Norma's Black Bottom Sweet Potato Pie. EVERYTHING TURNED OUT GREAT!! My Grandmother & Mama were so proud. The only thing left was one chicken wing, and that was because everyone was too full and too ashamed to take it!!! I am now going to order Patti's "Lite" cooking book, because if I continue to cook and eat like this, I ain't gonna make it!! This is the only cook book I ever bought that works!! I recommend this book to everyone!!

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS I HAVE EVER PURCHASED. IT HAS SOMETHING IN IT FOR EVERYONE. I HAVE PURCHASED AT LEAST 12 OF THESE BOOKS FOR OTHER PEOPLE AFTER THEY READ MINE. PATTI REALLY KNOWS HER WAY AROUND THE KITCHEN. I CAN NOT GET ENOUGH OF HER RUM CAKE OR MEATLOAF, THEY ARE GREAT RECIPES. EVERY SERIOUS COOK WHO LOVES GOOD FOOD SHOULD BUY THIS BOOK!

I've always admired Patti's music, now I can enjoy the same meals she serves to her hungry celebrity friends. I thought I could make a mean pot of greens, but I had to surrender to Patti's Screamin' Mean Greens. I've tried 5 recipes from the book and none have let me down yet. Keep on burnin' girlfriend!

I ordered this book after hearing about how great it was, especially the macaroni and cheese from a co-worker. I was delighted when I found the recipes to be easy to follow and used many ingredients that I already had in my cupboard. I have never been much of a cook and have recently been trying new and different meals. This book was perfect!

The green bean recipe is simple, yet absolutely delicious. Loved the fried corn too! The macaroni and cheese was to die for! Absolutely awesome!!! I'll be cooking salmon next week and can't wait. My biggest challenge will be the Wicked Peach Cobbler, but I know it will also be a winner. I have thoroughly enjoyed this cookbook and highly, highly recommend it. You won't be sorry. Even if you're a pro, you may find some of these simple recipes exciting to eat. Bon apetit!