9 Best Must-Have Cookbooks by Black Authors
I want to wish you a Happy Black History Month! For me, though, and I know I’m not alone, Black History month is every month. I was Black yesterday. I’m Black today. I’ll be Black tomorrow. I will always be Black. Each and every day I love my Blackness and welcome every opportunity, February or not, to celebrate the varied facets of beauty and creativity other African-Americans offer this tapestry called life. What better way to start than with yummy, nutritious food that feeds more than the temporal body. Any one of these cookbooks would make a great gift- any time of the year! I absolutely LOVE cooking and collecting cookbooks, even if I don’t use them.
Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking (On Amazon) (On
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What a great name! This cookbook celebrates the history of African-American cuisine. With striking photography, this contains recipes for all skill levels. I heard that KFC’s secret 11 herbs and spices are in this cookbook.
In Pursuit of Flavor: The Beloved Classic Cookbook from the Acclaimed Author of the Taste of Country Cooking (On Amazon)
I once made the most delicious greens from Miss Edna’s recipe. I mimicked everything that I had seen my Grandma Mary do to prep her collards. Then, I stopped short of adding any meat. Instead, I went the vegetarian route, adding aromatics. Let me tell you, those greens did not disappoint. And I don’t think this cookbook will either. Edna Lewis, the Dame of Southern cooking, delivers flavor in every dish.
From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dog’s Kitchen (On Amazon)
While this cookbook may not be the perfect fit for a serious cook, most of the readers seemed to have fun with it. So, if you’re looking for a cookbook with a fun twist, this might be ideal. It’s a #1 Bestseller in the Soul Food, Cooking, Wine category. Recipes range from Baked Mac and Cheese to Fried Bologna Sandwiches. Snoop also includes a suggested playlist to bump while you’re cooking. Great gift for foodies who love Snoop Dogg’s music. This one might even inspire some guys to get in the kitchen and whip up something tasty.
I Heart Soul Food: 100 Southern Comfort Food Favorites (On Amazon)