When I first started this delicious lineup, my intention was to write about 10 outstanding cookbooks, but I just kept going and added one more. There are even more great cookbooks by Black and Indigenous female authors out there, and I look forward to checking them out soon.
I’ll admit that I’m a little envious because I’ve always wanted to work on a similar project that’s historical, engaging and culinary in scope, but my time will come soon.
In the meantime, I’m excited to celebrate these following books certain to make fabulous holiday gifts for your loved ones or for yourself.
Eat Plants, B*tch: 91 Vegan Recipes that will Blow Your Meat-Loving Mind (2022), Pinky Cole. $28.99.
Aisha “Pinky” Cole made a name for herself when she launched the provocatively named Slutty Vegan plant-based burger restaurant brand in Atlanta in 2018. She’s made a fortune off this brand, plus earlier this year, she was added to Time magazine’s 100 Next list, recognizing individuals with an outsized influence on American culture. Eat Plants, B*tch serves as the continuation of her domination of plant-based comfort foods with offerings like Avocado “Bacon” Pastry Bites, Black-Eyed Pea Stew and Maple-Roasted Vegetables.
Corn Dance: Inspired First American Cuisine (2023), Loretta Barrett Oden. $34.95.
This book is brimming with authentic Potawatomi stories and recipes from indigenous chef Loretta Barrett Oden. Many of these dishes have been served at her now shuttered Santa Fe, New Mexico-based Corn Dance Café, which helped catapult her into the limelight. So much is unknown about Native cuisine, so Corn Dance serves as a great primer anyone can follow. What’s making my mouth water?! The thought of whipping up Coffee Can Bread, Indian Lemonade and Sweet Potato Griddle Cakes.
Everyday Grand: Soulful Recipes for Celebrating Life’s Big and Small Moments (2023), Jocelyn Delk Adams. $34.50.
Where should we start? There’s the Georgia Peach Salad with Candied Pecans and Cornbread Croutons. Also, crispy Hot Sauce Chipotle-Fried Chicken caught my eye. Oh, boy. And how about gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies? You cannot go wrong with Jocelyn Delk Adams’ second recipe book, which is the savorier sister to her debut tome, Grand Baby Cakes (2015). As its title implies, Everyday Grand is designed to use for just about every occasion. Now, you cannot say no to that.
For the Culture: Phenomenal Black Women and Femmes in Food (2023), Klancy Miller. $40.
I doubt anything has ever been written like this before: an anthology of Black women food authors and journalists. This undertaking was spearheaded by noted chef and writer Klancy Miller, who is also behind For the Culture magazine. In it, she’s commissioned stories—and recipes—by the likes of Ayesha Curry, Toni Tipton-Martin, Mashama Bailey, Carla Hall, Nicole Taylor and Dr. Jessica B. Harris.
In Bibi’s Kitchen: The Recipes and Stories of Grandmothers from the Eight African Countries that Touch the Indian Ocean (2020), Hawa Hassan. $35.
The James Beard Award winner showcases heartfelt stories and recipes from bibis, or grandmothers, from eight African countries: South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia and Eritrea. There are beautiful photos throughout the book that go beyond the dishes; you’ll also get to enjoy a taste of culture in images from each country. Eritrean flatbreads called Kicha; Shiro, or ground chickpea stew; and Digaag Qumbe, or chicken stew with coconut and yogurt, are just a few of the highlights you’ll discover. It’s written by Somali chef Hawa Hassan and food writer Julia Turshen.
Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs and Juice: Cocktails from Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks (2023), Toni Tipton-Martin. $30.
Released just in time for holiday celebrations, Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs and Juice is a unique guide into the history of Black mixology excellence. Toni Tipton-Martin serves up 70 rediscovered or modernized cocktail recipes certain to turn up any dinner party. There is even a section for zero-proof potions. Some of my faves include Berry-Spiced Tea, Orange-Cherry Drop, Gin and Juice 3.0 and a Bitter Chocolate Bourbon Cocktail.
Justice of the Pies: Sweet and Savory Pies, Quiches, and Tarts + Inspirational Stories from Exceptional People (2022), Maya-Camille Broussard. $30.
If you’re a regular follower of mine, you’ll know that I’ve extensively covered Maya-Camille Broussard’s exceptional culinary career. When she first told me she was working on this cookbook, I could not be happier for her. I’ve gifted Justice of the Pies so many times I cannot remember and everyone has loved it. There’s so much to devour here, from Broussard’s unique takes on sweet and savory pastries to the touching stories behind some significant people giving back to their communities. A few of my favorite recipes include: Salted Caramel Peach Pie, Brandied Banana Butterscotch Pie, Deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts + Cherry Tart. If you’re in Chicago, you can also pick up the book from her boutique pastry shop.
My Every Day Lagos: Nigerian Cooking at Home and in the Diaspora (2023), Yewande Komolafe. $35.
An acclaimed writer, recipe developer and food stylist explores the cuisine of her homeland in this engaging and gorgeous book about Lagos, Nigeria. In it, Yewande Komolafe offers the backstories and recipes of dishes like Jollof Rice, Puff Puff and Groundnut Stew, but also lesser known eats such as òjòjò (water yam fritters), koko (cooked porridge formed like dumplings) and èwà àsèpò (one pot meal of beans and starchy vegetables). What I really enjoy about her story is how she expertly weaves in her experiences as an immigrant in the United States and how that’s helped her appreciate her native heritage, culture and food even more. For newbies, there’s a neat Yoruba glossary at the front of the book that explains many traditional ingredients such as bàbá dúdú (coconut milk caramels), àmàlà (fermented yam powder) and òrógbó (bitter kola). Komolafe does a great job simplifying this centuries-old cuisine.
Seed to Plate, Soil to Sky: Modern Plant-Based Recipes Using Native American Ingredients (2023), Lois Ellen Frank. $28.69.
Lois Ellen Frank spent decades documenting the foodways of Native American communities of the Southwest, so it came as no surprise when she penned Foods of the Southwest Indian Nations (2002), her first book that won the James Beard Award. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Native American chef is also a noted culinary anthropologist, historian and photographer. Seed to Plate, Soil to Sky celebrates eight essential plants Native Americans introduced to the rest of the world: corn, beans, squash, chile, tomato, potato, vanilla and cacao. More than 100 recipes have been modernized and are featured, including Red Chile Potato Casserole, Three Sisters Rolled Enchiladas, Navajo Kneel Down Bread and Zucchini Bread with Chipotle and Chocolate.
Still We Rise: A Love Letter to the Southern Biscuit with Over 70 Sweet and Savory Recipes (2023), Erika Council. $26.
This is undoubtably my favorite book title of the year!
Still We Rise showcases 70 tantalizing recipes of the delicious biscuit, courtesy of Erika Council, founder and head baker of Bomb Biscuit Company in Atlanta. And like every book on my list, this new project also digs into the culture and history of its rich subject matter. Council is the granddaughter of iconic soul food chef Mildred “Mama Dip” Council, a teacher and activist who cooked and baked to support the civil rights movement, so a revolutionary spirit is in her blood. Recipes include mouthwatering selections like Duck Fat Biscuits, Red Curry Basil Biscuits, Cinnamon Sugar and Pecan Biscuits and Afternoon Tea Biscuits with Honey Bourbon Butter. There are even biscuit sandwiches: Fried Green Tomato, Lemon Pepper Chicken, Fried Catfish and Sweet Potato Benne Seed.
Sunday Best: Cooking Up the Weekend Spirit Every Day (2022), Adrienne Cheatham. $35.
“Top Chef” finalist. James Beard Award finalist. And a Southern girl at heart. Chef Adrienne Cheatham puts her foot in this book, which includes 100 recipes of hearty, homestyle shareable dishes she’s enjoyed throughout the years. Of course, she injects her culinary training and personal preferences in each offering. For example, a classic roasted chicken gets incredibly deep flavor from a house-made marinade of stout and soy sauce. For larger gatherings, Cheatham included a section for family-style feasts. I especially love her takes on Mississippi Pot Roast and Slow-Roasted Harissa Short Ribs. Also between these sheets: Brioche-Crusted Salmon, Charred Okra with Roasted Tomatoes and Cheerwine-Braised Oxtails. OH MY.
This week’s soundtrack.
I Left My Heart in Ladera (2023), Terrace Martin and Alex Isley. This awesome EP contains nine tracks, including an updated version of Sade’s classic 1988 hit, “Paradise.” As a lifelong Sade fan, I give everyone sideeye who attempts to remake any of her songs, but I’ll give this talented duo a pass. Alex Isley’s effortlessly beautiful voice does her family’s legacy proud. Also notable: Jazz genius Robert Glasper appears on the title track, “I Left My Heart in Ladera.” Genius indeed.
Memories (2018), Ady Suleiman. I discovered Ady Suleiman one lazy afternoon at Soho House Chicago last spring. I heard “Not Giving Up” over the speakers and immediately Shazammed it. It’s a heartfelt song about mental illness and his voice is crying out for help, yet it’s letting you know that he is here to stay. It’s smoky and sensual and reminds me of a modern Harry Belafonte. The artist, Half-British, half-Tanzanian, also brings his African culture into the mix; you can hear it in songs like “Need Somebody To Love” and “Longing for Your Love.”
Voice Notes (2023), Yazmin Lacey. Speaking of distinct voices, Yazmin Lacey boasts one of most memorable Neo soul voices since Erykah Badu and Macy Gray. It’s delicate and laid back, yet jazzy and commanding over bouncy beats, reminiscent of greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday in their prime. Some tracks to check out from this British songwriter-singer: “Bad Company,” “Late Night People” and “Legacy.”
We The People Who are Darker Than Blue (2023), Billy Valentine. It’s nice to see this soul legend continuing to crank out the hits. We saw him perform for the first time in Chicago’s Millennium Park last summer. Well into his 70s, he was a breath of fresh air and I immediately downloaded his latest album. It’s best described as energetic jazz, blues and old soul. Major cuts are the title track, “We The People Who are Darker Than Blue,” plus “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” and and his head-bopping version of the gospel classic “Wade in the Water.”
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Thank you for the great gift ideas!