lyssrose's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
So many good recipes, and the historical notes and written explanations provide a wealth of information.
nxg3ofb654jrfz0h7rpsmmws's review against another edition
4.0
This tries to hit the sweet spot between being a cookbook and a cultural thinkpiece, and I don't think it hits that spot perfectly.
I came looking for an in-depth cookbook about the changes and adaptations made to African American recipes throughout the years, and I didn't find that reflected through the recipes in this book - the author generally sets out to explain the history of a dish and then ends with one recipe.
To compare and contrast the different traditional vs. modern versions, it seems to me that the reader would have to put in the exact same effort as the author again, which is very disappointing to me.
I came looking for an in-depth cookbook about the changes and adaptations made to African American recipes throughout the years, and I didn't find that reflected through the recipes in this book - the author generally sets out to explain the history of a dish and then ends with one recipe.
To compare and contrast the different traditional vs. modern versions, it seems to me that the reader would have to put in the exact same effort as the author again, which is very disappointing to me.
constancemn's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic history and commentary... and amazing photography and recipes. Love the historical recipes inset beside the modern versions. This and Tipton-Martin's previous volume on black culinary history are now on my must-buy list.
lizziematata's review against another edition
5.0
Best photos in a cookbook by far! I was craving more pictures just as I was craving literally every single recipe! I haven't tried any of these recipes yet, but I had to give it 5 stars already because it's so clear that a lot of love and research went into this cookbook.
dray's review against another edition
5.0
Quite a treasure of a cookbook. One of the best original and authentic recipe collections from the south I have come across. Lots of great items for everyone. Has a great narrative voice as well.
debz57a52's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this cookbook as part of my local library's cookbook book club, and I'm so glad I did! The amount of research and writing that was put into this book - both the historical information shared for sections and individual recipes, and the comparison and testing of multiple recipes for the same thing, arriving at a hybrid to include in the book - is jaw-dropping. I have never seen a cookbook for which the care for each individual recipe is so obvious.
I've only tried about five of the recipes so far, but I've read through the entire thing, and I have about a dozen more to try this week and weekend, with more to do before our meeting at the end of the month. I never expected to have a "historical cookbook," particularly one that does not reflect my own race and ethnic identity, but this is awesome cooking, and an excellent way to learn more about a group of chef who have been overlooked for centuries. If the recipes I try in the future are as easy and tasty as the ones I've made so far (benne wafers, sweet potato biscuits with ham, hot water cornbread, layered salad, quick cinnamon rolls), I will be returning this cookbook to the library and purchasing my own. I'm honestly looking forward to it!
I've only tried about five of the recipes so far, but I've read through the entire thing, and I have about a dozen more to try this week and weekend, with more to do before our meeting at the end of the month. I never expected to have a "historical cookbook," particularly one that does not reflect my own race and ethnic identity, but this is awesome cooking, and an excellent way to learn more about a group of chef who have been overlooked for centuries. If the recipes I try in the future are as easy and tasty as the ones I've made so far (benne wafers, sweet potato biscuits with ham, hot water cornbread, layered salad, quick cinnamon rolls), I will be returning this cookbook to the library and purchasing my own. I'm honestly looking forward to it!