5 comments about Essence Brings You Great Cooking.

1. This cook book is a must have in every African American kitchen. Every recipe I used got rave reviews



2. Jonell Nash is simply wonderful. This book is creative, attractive, practical and health-smart. Never before have I seen a cookbook offer so many different ways that soul food lovers can enjoy their favorites and cut the fat at the same time. Every southern and soul food cooking kitchen should have this book close by.



3. This is the book that made my reputation as a good cook. I had recently moved and was looking for some fun stuff to make for an impromptu summer housewarming party, so I turned to Essence. I have always loved carribbean food, so I opted for the jerk chicken, rice and peas and ratatouille. Boy were my guests impressed! Okay, so the chicken was a bit hot and a few folks were gulping down water between bites, but that jerk chicken was pretty authentic for a yankee gal. lol. Even folks who do not like okra were loving that ratatouille. That is a great vegetable dish and it went beautifully with the chicken.

   This is a good all around cookbook because the author presents recipes from different segments of the diaspora. There is of course plenty of soul food represented here, but there are also caribbean dishes and maybe even an African inspired dish or two.

   Nash, long-time food editor for Essence Magazine, does a good job in presenting straightforward recipes and techniques. There is even a section on how to set up a kitchen for all those who may be just setting up house. I especially like the fact that she has revised many classic recipes using less fat and salt. I don't eat pork, so I have no problem doing with out the salt pork, hamhocks and the like.

   Use this book and you too will be known as a good cook.




4. Most of the cookbooks I've bought just sit on my kitchen shelf. The pictures are pretty, but the recipes are too intricate and time-consuming. The Essence cookbook, in contrast, contains recipes for delicious *and* easy to prepare food. And the pictures are beautiful too! I actually use this cookbook almost every week.

   Jonell Nash also includes tips for cooking with less fat, but the food still comes out tasting wonderful. This is soul food that's good for both body and soul.

   While emphasizing African-American recipes, people of *all* races would enjoy this cookbook.




5. I bought this book when it was first published. It's so well used and bookmarked, too many of the pages have separated from the binding, so I'm looking to buy a new replacement copy. I've also bought this book as a gift to others over the years. The recipes I've used have all produced very tasy dishes.

No comments about The Blue Grass Cook Book.

No comments about A Good Soup Attracts Chairs: A First African Cookbook for American Kids.

1 comments about Kwanzaa: An African American Celebration Of Culture And Cooking.

1. Kwanzaa is rapidly approaching and as with all holidays requires detailed preparation. Contained in these pages are all the components you need for a meaningful Kwanzaa celebration with ritual and food.

   Eric Copage shares with us the origins of Kwanzaa as well as his own experiences in first celebrating the holiday. We are introduced to the seven princples of Kwanzaa and the relevance that it has for the African-American community.

   You can't have a true celebration unless good tasting food is present. At the very heart of the book are over 120 recipes for you to prepare for the Kwanzaa feast. The recipes are samples from Africans throughout the diaspora. Indulge yourself with pigeon peas and rice from the Caribbean. Avocado mousse with shrimp sauce from Brazil will tantilize your taste buds. A pot of mustard greens from "down home" (the South) in the United States will fill your belly. And let us not forget spicy matoke from Kenya. If you mouth is not watering yet for these delicious treats then something must be wrong with your taste buds.

   The above dishes are easy to make and you are provided with suggested menus for the feast. If by chance some of the unusual ingredients are not available in your local grocery store, never fear. Mail order resources are provided for you in the book. As Kwanzaa approaches enjoy the friendship, food and celebration but must of all stand firm with the principles which bind us together as a people. Enjoy! Happy Celebration.

5 comments about Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World.

1. I really,really thought this was awsome because they talk about cowboys and roping.I am not like Justin.I hate the night riders.I don't like his sisters because they were mean.So were the night riders.The Q-T ranch is cool.Justin's Grandpa is nice.Justin likes going to his Grandpa's.He likes to ride horses.One time they found a fawn in the fence!Luckly they got it out.Then they went to the festival.Justin makes a new friend.He Deos 4 actvities.He has fun.And Grandpa won the "Best Biscuits in the World"



2. I really, really like this book because it's about a boy named Justin and it seems that he can't do anything right.But luckily his grandfather comes to his rescue.He takes him to his ranch and he learns responsibility and how to cook the best biscuits in the world.



3. I liked the book cause it was exciting.I relate to Justin because I don't like to clean my room,or make my bed.This book made me hungry cause of the biscuits.My favorite parts were when they went to the festival and at Justin's house.If you like cowboys,roping,and horses you'll like this book.And it also teaches you stuff.I think this is a great book.I really enjoyed it!



4. I borrowed the book from the library, because my children like biscuits. The book surprised me with its story line. It is so beautiful about a boy becoming man of responsibility and knowing his african american history. A few times the story did not flow too well. Therefore I gave it a four star review.



5. My son read this book with his 4th grade class. I read it along and out loud with him because we are really working on reading comprehension.
   
   This is a terrific discussion-starter book for parents and children. Not only is there the sexism parts, but there is also the theme of Justin being never shown how to do things (or made fun of when he tries) to the extent that he just stopped trying.
   
   I was very surprised to see the "n-word" (it's on page 82 in mine) in a book geared toward such young children. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but I would not have known about it if I had not been reading the book with my son. They did not discuss it in school or let the parents know which is a shame, as it led to a few great discussions in our home about racism and the power of words.
   
   Overall, a great book. It was nice to see some diversity in my son's required reading and to have a completely boy-centric book where the main character is not sickeningly perfect.

No comments about Raising the Roof: A Habitat for Humanity Book.

2 comments about Ruby's Low-Fat Soul-Food Cookbook.

1. This is not a bad book... there are some good recipes.
   Unfortunately, a lot of the dishes that traditionally
   have hamhock (or other piece-o-piggy) just had turkey
   instead. I was hoping for something more clever and
   tasty than that, I guess. This is a goog cookbook if
   you are looking for non-pig dishes.



2. What a great cookbook.The recipes are easy. The ingredients are in everyone's pantry. To make it even easier, the author even gives her own recipes for the seasoning blends she uses. And it's low fat! If you like to cook, you should have this book.

3 comments about The Healthy Soul Food Cookbook: How to Cut the Fat but Keep the Flavor.

1. The book begins with an insightful glimpse into the world of traditional "soul food": its origins and components. Wilbert Jones does a wonderful job of making simple adaptations to create healthy, extremely flavorful, and virtually fat-free recipes of my time-worn favorites. I was introduced to Jones' work in the form of the Black-Eyed Pea Veggie Burger...a flavorful alternative to fast-food albeit not as fast a meal as I initially estimated. Since that introduction, I have prepared his Skillet Corn Bread, Collard Greens, and Red Bean and Rice. Absolutely, positively delicious!!! Even my picky eaters had no problems with "Mom's experiments!!" My only criticism of this cookbook is that it is too short!! I look forward to more of Jones' work in the future!



2. I have to confess that I have not read the book, but I did order the book today, along with my sister Dorothy & our cousin Teretha. Skeet, I had no idea that you had written so many books. When you came to Clarksdale years ago to research your first book, I had no idea that it would lead to several more. Wilbert Jones or "Skeet" as I know him, lived in Clarksdale, MS for quite some time and later moved up North (as we say in the South)to Chicago (I think). Anyway, Mr. Jones was my neighbor and I would love to hear from him. If there is a way that you can get this to him, I would appreciate it. By the way, this is Ms. Nancy's daughter. I can't wait to get the book.



3. This is a wonderful recipe book! My husband especially appreciates it, because I am a horrible cook. The recipes are very tasty. I learned how to make a great cole slaw, black eyed peas & chicken! Yum! I recommend this book to everyone!

   This chef makes magic with the soul food spice mix.

No comments about The Historical Cookbook of the American Negro (Cookery).

2 comments about BlackBerry Soul Celebrations: A Handbook for African-American Bridal and Baby Showers.

1. I bought this book and really loved it! I needed some help planning a bridal shower for my best friend and this was definitely a life saver. I looked at some of the other shower books and they had the same things over and over. This book was different from everything I'd seen. There were so many games that I could relate to. The pictures are great as well. They reflect African-Americans which is something I hadn't seen in all the other books I looked at. My girlfriends and I had a ball playing the games from the Hip-hop and old school section. The games in the Television and Movie section were also fun. It's about time that someone did something like this. I would highly recommend it to everyone. Thanks to this book, my guests said it was the best shower they had been to.



2. You have volunteered or have been snagged to host a bridal or baby shower and you do not know where to begin. Or, you have done this before and want to add a little spice to the same ole, same ole. BLACKBERRY SOUL CELEBRATIONS: A Handbook for African-American Bridal and Baby Showers by Kimberly K. Smith is a good place to start. Both the bridal and baby shower sections are filled with creative African-American themes that you can customize to your own liking. The author provides suggestions for budgeting, locations, invitations, games, and the list goes on. With more than 100 games, children and men can be included in the celebrations and feel a part of it. Smith brings it all together by providing plenty of online resources.
   
   BLACKBERRY SOUL CELEBRATIONS: A Handbook for African-American Bridal and Baby Showers is a small book filled with a wealth of ideas to plan the best bridal or baby shower on any budget. It is set up in a user-friendly format with easy to photocopy pages. If you utilize the ideas within, you are sure to be a winner if you are lucky enough to be tagged the hostess of any event. It is also a nice gift for the person on your list who enjoys planning and hosting. I enjoy planning and hosting events and this self-help guide will come in handy in the future.
   
   Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
   of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers