“Soul food is just what the name implies. It is soulfully cooked food . . . good for your ever-loving soul . . . the shur-‘nuf kinda down-home cookin’ that I grew up on,” writes Sheila Ferguson. Abundant in flavor and variety—ranging from classics such as barbecued spare ribs, fried chicken, cornbread, and collard greens to less well known but equally sumptuous recipes such as sweet potato biscuits, grits soufflé, and wild fox grape wine—soul food is a truly American cuisine, originated in the deep South by slaves and later shaped and expanded by the rich diversity of African-American culture.
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44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By Niel Rishoi
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
You might call this a "complete" book on authentic soul food cooking. Sheila Ferguson outlines the history and origins of soul food, and the importance it placed in the Southern home. She gives intriguing historical details, as well as mildly entertaining anecdotes of her family, and their traditions. Best of all, Ferguson has a wonderful sense of humor, and the delightful exaggerations of expressions are charmingly all in good fun. The recipes themselves are explained with breezy enthusiasm, and are carefully outlined, so that the novice on soul food cooking is led in all the right directions. Everything I've made has proved outstanding; the buttermilk biscuits recipe is the best ever - they were high, light and fluffy. And by the way: unlike many other Southern type cookbooks, which disappointingly advocate using only chemically altered, bland shortening in recipes, Ferguson freely uses lard, bacon fat and butter. It's unbelievable how much better, and lighter textured biscuits and pie crusts are with lard. The BBQ sauce is the best I've ever had, flavorful, rich and satisfying. It was good to know about how to cook greens, and Ferguson certainly espouses their value highly. When it comes to fried chicken one won't find a better guide than here: nothing is left to chance, and the cook won't go wrong following these pointed instructions. In short, this book "sold me" and then some, on soul food - highly recommended.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have many cookbooks and this is one of my new favorites! My step-mom bought the last store copy as a Christmas present for my sister. After flipping through its pages, my step-mother and I decided we each MUST have this book...I ended up getting it for Christmas from someone else and now I'm buying it for my step-mom. With that being said, the best Red Beans and Rice recipe that I ever made, came from this book! The only way to make cornbread is by baking it in a cast iron skillet and although I have a great recipe of my own, Ms. Ferguson's recipe is superb!
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
a white friend cooked up some great soul food. How'd you do this I demanded. she showed me the book. ALL my childhood favorites were in there, everyone I could think of to look up. I bought the book within the week.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Treasure-filled and Beloved
I hesitated in writing this review because I did not want to offend anyone but couldn't think if any other way to express my appreciation for this cookbook other than being... Read more
Published 4 months ago by littlesimone
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best soul food recipe book
If you're going to buy only one soul food cookbook, this is the one to get. Fabulous traditional recipes from various regions of the south. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sylvie C.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best soul cooking
I bought this book sometime ago when soul food cookbooks were so hard to find. I use this cookbook all the time. The macaroni and cheese is awesome. Read more
Published 17 months ago by S. Moncrieffe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Other than one advice--- Excellent
I love this book! I've almost gone through this whole book and me and my family love the turn out on almost every meal. Read more
Published on February 23, 2011 by Emily
5.0 out of 5 stars
Now Confused on Whether to Buy
I was about to purchase this book and decided to read the reviews first. The majority of the reviews rave about how great the book is but there are some critical reviews that I... Read more
Published on February 17, 2011 by Paula Johnson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed
Was not impressed with the recipes or the stories as they reflected more of a "Northern" slant than a truly Southern one. Read more
Published on January 30, 2011 by Sarah F. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
sheila ferguson soul food classic cusine from the south
This book is one of the best soul food cook books for old time cooking. I have tried several recipes out of this cook book an they came out excellent. Read more
Published on November 24, 2010 by cookie
5.0 out of 5 stars
mmmm mmmmn!
Good food in here! Nice family history inclusion. Recipes are easy to follow. Mmmmmm mmmmmmn!
Published on August 14, 2010 by Milkweed
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
This is an excellent book for any person interested in Southern/Soul food syle cuisine. The book contains numerous recipes, both originals and classics of the South. Read more
Published on May 7, 2010 by M. Nugent
5.0 out of 5 stars
Only cookbook you'll ever need
Along with Joy of Cooking, this is only cookbook I ever use. The recipes for baked macaroni, collard greens, hoppin' john and brownies are just the best. Read more
Published on March 6, 2010 by larkie
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