Continue celebrating Black History Month by supporting Black cookbook authors! The time is always right to experiment with different recipes in the kitchen. These cookbooks are jam-packed with authentic, mouth-watering dishes and drinks that will add an entirely new dimension to the meals you enjoy with friends and family.
The Joy of the Feast by Chef Lisa Brooks
Cooking is a sacred part of our culture and traditions – and this wonderful book reminds us of that. The Joy of the Feast is a must-have cookbook written by renown chef, Lisa Brooks. It shares a journey through Black Southern food and accompanies its delicious recipes with compelling storytelling.
With food comes nostalgia, and this book prides itself on preserving the basics of Southern cooking and the fond memories that accompany meals together. Throughout the book, Lisa Brooks shares recipes from her wonderful life journey along with stories about big Sunday dinners, crab feasts, church cookbooks, and more. It flaunts over 100 recipes that are brilliantly paired with vibrant photographs. It’s the perfect cookbook for those who believe in preserving the past, and also those who never had the opportunity to learn the sacred art of cooking. Its recipes are as nostalgic as they are delicious, and the book is simply a must-have companion for your kitchen this year.
Mama’s Cookbook: Liberian Inspired Cuisine by Christiana Ballayan
In this enticing cookbook, Christiana Ballayan takes you on a culinary adventure through the flavors of Africa. Its 27 recipes are inspired by Liberian cuisine. From the comforting spices of Jollof Rice to the savory flavors of Potato Greens, you’ll be enamored by this book’s diverse collection of recipes.
Ballayan’s recipes are as tasty as they are accessible. They are beautifully illustrated and accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions that make it simple for even novice cooks to bring the authentic flavors of Africa to their kitchens. Regardless of your background or expertise, Mama’s Cookbook is the perfect guide to explore and experience the vibrant and delicious flavors of West African cooking.
Melange: The Story, The Recipes, The Faith by Joe Brown
In 1995, Chef Joe Brown opened the famous Melange Café in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He later opened a second location in the neighboring town, Haddonfield, in 2007. For years, Melange was a staple in the community, known for its crab cakes, jambalaya, bread pudding, and its Creole-style cuisine with an Italian flare. This wonderful cookbook shares Melange’s many recipes so you can bring its flavors into your own kitchen.
The book is filled with 75 recipes including iconic dishes like oxtail or short rib stew, Chef Joe’s shrimp and grits, lemon cream cheese pound cake, pecan pie, and so much more. Brown prides himself on using food as a tool to bring happiness and joy to others – and he certainly delivers. He has been cooking for over 43 years and in addition to running the popular Melange Café, his recipes have been featured in Cooking Light, Culinary Trends, Christian Science Monitor, Ebony, Black Enterprise, and Health Quest. With this popular cookbook, you gain access to his recipes, stories, and the faith that kept him going for so many years.
Celebrations: Recipes for Life’s Sweetest Moments by Natelege Efuru Bryant
This is more than a cookbook. It’s a guide to help you host an unforgettable celebration. You’ll learn how to plan a guest list, shop, prep, and set the scene to entertain and make memories that last a lifetime.
The recipes include finger foods that are to-die-for, exquisite dinner recipes, sides, desserts, and more. There is something for every celebration, occasion, and holiday that you can imagine – and Natelege Efuru Bryant does a marvelous job making it easy to understand the preparation process. Coupled with the recipes are beautiful photographs that are both striking an enticing. Whether you want to prepare sweet and spicy chicken wings, jerk grilled chicken, or a tasteful fruit tart, there’s something here for you.
This cookbook is incredibly unique and multidimensional – serving as a hosting guide and reference book. With the author’s advice, you’ll be perfectly equipped to host an unforgettable celebration with friends and family filled with delicious food. If you love to host, regardless of the occasion, there is no better book to have.
Shake & Enjoy More by Marlea Z. Wilson
You don’t need to go out to bars to enjoy delicious and creative cocktails! With Shake & Enjoy More, you can learn how to make quality drinks with ease so you can entertain and host like a professional.
This delightful book is filled with 127 recipes, tips, and tricks to help you stir, mix, and create tasty drinks to enjoy with friends and family. There’s nothing quite like a good cocktail – and this book equips you with everything you need (besides ingredients) to tap into your inner mixologist. You can learn more about the book and Marlea Z. Wilson by visiting her website. She is a fixture in the Detroit community’s mixology scene – as she made a name for herself as one of the region’s most trusted cocktail mixers.
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