Customer Reviews

Soul Food: Recipes and Reflections from African-American Churches

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sister White, I love useing this cook book and I'm not crazy about cooking. I tried the Gulf Coast Gumbo and the Perfect Steamed Rice the day I borrowed this book from the libary, girl I orderd the book the same day. WONDERFUL!

Can't go wrong. And I love the stories and the pictures. This is a wonderful gift for any body that loves to cook. And even for someone who doesn't but loves to eat.

I love this book. It is very warm, and contains recipes for delectable treats from African-American churches throughout the country. Each recipe is prefaced by a short introduction describing the recipe and contributor. It reminds me somewhat of _Spoonbread and Strawberry Wine_ (another book I love and highly recommend). This is a wonderful introduction to wonderful people and their best recipes. I can't imagine not loving this book.

I am a cooking fanatic and a cookbook lover. This is a wonderful book just to flip through - the stories are amazing - and the recipes will exceed anyone's expectations!! My favorites so far are the Macaroni and Cheese and the Mean Greens. (They are my favorites because those are the only two that I have tried!) I made the Macaroni and Cheese last Thanksgiving and being one of the last dishes to the table I was surprised to see it as being one of the first to go!! My family asked why I didn't make more! And the Mean Greens have given me a name. (The only thing that I hate is that people keepe requesting them!) I left this cookbook over a friends house by accident and because I know I will have a fight on my hands tryig to get it back so, I just ordered another one so that he can have it! I also ordered Brown Sugar, the dessert version of the same cookbook. I can't wait!!!

What put this book up on the competition in my opinion, is the consistent and real world cooking advice that is embedded in the recipes. There are no lies in this book. I leaned on it very heavily this past Thanksgiving and my family raved about the food.

This is a really practical book full of easily followed recipes, anecdotes and pictures. Those of us raised in the church know about the important role of those manning the pots. Not just anyone got to serve on the kitchen committee. No indeed. Only those accomplished cooks who knew how to "put their foot in it," were allowed to toil most church kitchens. I am glad to see that this author has drawn on the wisdom of these faithful chefs and was able to get them to share their recipes.

I love to cook whenever we have big family gathering because we're all so busy now and spread out all over the East Coast. We don't always have the time to prepare these types of meals for ourselves on a regular basis, but for special occasions, this is one of my favorite books. I especially like the wheat bread recipe. One day when I'm feeling bold, I will move on the dinner rolls and angel biscuits.

I enjoyed looking at the black and white pictures showing the cooks working and the parishoners enjoying the food. There is a lot of history in this book. You might just want to order two copies -- one for the kitchen and another for the coffee table.

I collect Aferican-American cookbooks. My perfect book is a good mix of authentic recipes and backroung info to add to heritage of the recipe. While I like the format and actual page layout of other African-American cookbooks better, this book has some solid recipes. Where this book excels over others is that there is a story behind nearly every recipe and there is lots of variety in the recipes. The recipes are easy to follow and do remind you of church anniversary dinners!

It would be impossible to single out one recipe in this book and say it's the best. They are all the best and they work well together. I must say, I never thought molasses would be a staple in my cupboard but it is. If you bought this book just for the neat meatloaf recipe, it would be worth it. These are tried and true recipes of the past, each one with its own unique story.

A cookbook will be judged primarily on its recipes and this one really delivers the goods. Unlike so many books that chase prevailing food trends and offer gimmicky recipes with needlessly lengthy ingredients lists, this one presents plenty of time-tested classics that are economical and simple to prepare. A cookbook that you'll really *use*, rather than just put on your coffee table. The affectionate background material included by the author is a charming bonus.

This is a great cookbook. It brings back many memories of great and talented family cooks. I gave away six copies as Christmas presents to family members. We are not Southerners, but we are foodies and we do remember church socials and events fondly here in New Jersey. The baked rice, Texas Chili rice and the squash casserole have become big hits in my own household. Kudos to Ms. White and her friends.

This book has some of the most amazing soul food recipes I have ever found in one collection. I am a life-long Southerner and no stranger to soul food, but Joyce White makes it easy, putting all these great recipes into one volume. I highly recommend this book.