New Soul Cooking: Updating a Cuisine Rich in Flavor and Tradition (Melting Pot) [Hardcover]

Tanya Holland (Author), Ellen Silverman (Photographer)

Book Description

Series: Melting Pot | Publication Date: October 1, 2003

In New Soul Cooking, chef and Food Network host Tanya Holland offers an irresistible collection of updated soul food recipes. This "new" cuisine, while maintaining its ethnic roots, uses a wide range of fresh, healthy, and seasonal ingredients. From Sweet Potato Blini with Bourbon-cured Salmon and Caviar to Banana Pudding Napoleon, New Soul Cooking stretches the repertoire of African-American cuisine by combining this traditional style of cooking with global flavors and cooking techniques from the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Asia, South America, and the American Southwest. Holland recognizes that today's cook is interested in new and innovative presentation ideas. Full-color photographs and creative tips throughout the book reinforce that the color palette is as important as the flavor palate of a dish. New Soul Cooking reflects the fact that many African-Americans share the heritage of Brazil, the Caribbean, the American South, and of course Africa. The book draws upon the Diaspora of African culture using the spice trade route as a guide. Through informative headnotes and delicious recipes, Holland demonstrates how flavors of East Indian, Native American, European, and Chinese food fused with Caribbean, Cajun, and Creole dishes to create the concept of "soul food."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tanya Holland began her cooking career in 1988 as an assistant manager of several New York City restaurants. She was a line cook at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill and is currently the executive chef of Le Theater, a multi-ethnic French restaurant, in Berkeley, California. She has contributed recipes to Food & Wine, Signature, and Bride magazines. She has taught at Cambridge Culinary Institute, Massachusetts; Central Market, Texas; Ramekins, Sonoma; and Draegers, San Francisco.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 152 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori and Chang (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584792892
• ISBN-13: 978-1584792895
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #898,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional cookbook for novices and beyond!, October 3, 2005

By 

Culinary Cadet (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Soul Cooking: Updating a Cuisine Rich in Flavor and Tradition (Melting Pot) (Hardcover)

I am a novice who was given this book as a gift. I have to say, this book is perfect for beginners like me, as well as cooks that are more experienced. As someone who is intimidated by most cookbooks, I'll tell you why this book put me at ease:

Beautiful color photography! I don't know why some cookbooks either have no pictures, or bad illustrations. I like seeing what my goal is. And frankly, the pics look so tasty, it
was quite motivating.

Short list of ingredients. This was key for making me feel like the brown sugar and pineapple glazed ribs are obtainable. Let me tell you, they SO are!! And, I didn't have to search high and low for the ingredients. Whole Paycheck had everything I needed.

Anyway, this cookbook put me as ease, and the result has been several dinner parties where my friend's jaws clearly dropped below the dinner table.

Thank you, Tanya Holland, for inspiring me to cook more, and taking my flavors to an entirely new level!!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EASY-TO-FOLLOW...even I was able to produce a 5-star menu!!!, January 8, 2008

By 

L. Han - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Soul Cooking : Updating a Cuisine Rich in Flavor and Tradition (Melting Pot) (Hardcover)

This book is fantastic. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in expanding their repertoire to one of the most accessible yet distinctive and richly flavorful cuisines. The author is a highly accomplished chef and writes in a lively and engaging manner. More importantly, the recipes are easy to follow. I was able to pick it up and put together a menu for guests that was a great success. Hurray! Also, another reviewer commented about the price. I think it's well worth the value. Most cookbooks are black and white and don't have pictures for everything. This one is beautiful to look at and you will really want to execute the dishes because you can see what the finished product looks like.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Innovative and original, February 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: New Soul Cooking: Updating a Cuisine Rich in Flavor and Tradition (Melting Pot) (Hardcover)

An exciting, intelligent, fresh and innovative book, which is long overdue. The recipes are easy to follow, wholesome and flavorful. Tanya Holland is a woman with vision, style and finesse. Kudos!!