The mere mention of soul food brings thoughts of greasy fare and clogged arteries. Bryant Terry offers recipes that leave out heavy salt and refine...
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Mar 01, 2010
Ethical
rated it: 
I was really excited to get this book from the library. Vegan food is a definite interest of mine, and seeing what someone else worked out to 'veganize' soul food sounded tasty.
The book does have recipes, some of which are good, but it was overshadowed by the story. Every recipe has a recommended song and movie. The author was striving so hard for a level of cool that I just don't have. I'm interested in food. Nothing else, but good food. All the rest of the stories, recommended mus More...
The book does have recipes, some of which are good, but it was overshadowed by the story. Every recipe has a recommended song and movie. The author was striving so hard for a level of cool that I just don't have. I'm interested in food. Nothing else, but good food. All the rest of the stories, recommended mus More...
May 03, 2009
Breeze
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VSK isn't just a 'cookbook'. In his preface, Terry lets the reader know that it's about reclaiming the healthy roots of African American soul food. It's reminding brown and black folk, kind of what we already know in terms of 'eating better' and 'eating from the land'; reminding us that this philosophy of healthy good eating isn't "new"; that it existed before the big shift in the USA to highly processed foods that have infiltrated and become an 'every day' staple in many communities o
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Apr 09, 2009
Jensownzoo
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This is one of those cookbooks where every single recipe makes you drool. The author focuses on using the freshest, in-season ingredients and less on calorie counts and fat content, but being vegan soul food, in general the recipes are super-healthy. Also, as an interesting twist in a cookbook, the author provides you with a song playlist and movie suggestion with almost every recipe to extend your experience of "soul" beyond just the palate.
A selection of recipes:
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A selection of recipes:
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May 09, 2009
Krysta
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Don't be turned off by vegan cookbooks just because you don't follow a strict vegan diet! If you enjoy cooking with and eating fresh, simple, healthy things, check this book out. I particularly like this one because it emphasizes ingredients that are naturally vegan rather than cram the thing full of pseudo-meats.
I realize not everyone reads cookbooks for fun (as I do), but this one actually has enough supplemental content in it to keep you entertained while you read the actual reci More...
I realize not everyone reads cookbooks for fun (as I do), but this one actually has enough supplemental content in it to keep you entertained while you read the actual reci More...
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Jun 25, 2009
TBML
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A great addition to your vegan cookbook shelf! Bryant Terry has created mouthwatering recipes that are almost entirely created from whole food ingredients readily available in most grocery stores/farmers markets. I would deduct a star because a portion of the recipes are rather involved both time-wise and pots-and-pans-wise (although the pay-off seems delicious). The sections on beverages and condiments offer a wealth of new recipes that are just right for the blistering summertime heat.
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Aug 30, 2011
Deb
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I just pulled this book out again and realized how much I like it. A great resource for vegan cooking and especially healthier soul cooking where every recipe sounds delicious. I have made a couple of drinks from the book in the past--like his Sin-Ger Thirst Quencher (a gingery hibiscus drink. This time I made the Crispy Okra Strips with Lime-Thyme Vinaigrette and served it with the Creamy Celeriac Sauce. Although I will never love okra, the flavors were all delicious.
Here's a link to More...
Here's a link to More...
Jul 31, 2011
Chavonne
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What an interesting concept--one can enjoy soul food without meat! There are such things as greens without ham hocks or turkey legs! My mind is still spinning with the interesting recipes in this book. This book is a collection of vegan recipes of the 'Afro-Diaspora'. I can't wait to try some of these out (I have a vegan soul food dinner in mind already!). I'm not a huge fan of the amount of sugar or white flour that's in his recipes (or liquor, since we're not drinkers), but I can't wait to try
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Apr 17, 2009
Wade
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This is the first cookbook I read cover-to-cover. I've made several of the recipes already, and to great reviews!
The music (and art and book) suggestions also enhance the fun of making the recipes (and I was secretly gratified that my taste matches Mr. Terry's on a good number of songs).
The book itself is a bit small on the protein section, but it makes up for that with vegetables and inspiration. I'm inspired to make my own vegetable stock, and to figure out of canning is realistic. More...
The music (and art and book) suggestions also enhance the fun of making the recipes (and I was secretly gratified that my taste matches Mr. Terry's on a good number of songs).
The book itself is a bit small on the protein section, but it makes up for that with vegetables and inspiration. I'm inspired to make my own vegetable stock, and to figure out of canning is realistic. More...
Jul 21, 2010
Interesting cookbook. Many recipes call for some hard-to-find ingredients, and the more filling fare requires a lot of work. These are not 'throw something quick together' dishes for the family, but are probably intended for people who love to entertain and are experienced cooks. I want to try some of the beverages, and then I'll come back and rate those. Felt like too many drink recipes to me, but again I'm thinking this was for people who throw a lot of parties.
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Feb 19, 2010
Lisa
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This is a wonderfully done vegan cookbook, and I love that it’s for vegan soul food. I’ve eaten very little soul food because most of it is very heavily animal meat based, and even when I was an omnivore I usually wasn’t a heavy meat eater. (There is a local vegan soul food restaurant but I haven’t gotten to it yet; it’s across the bay and I don’t get to that area often.)
This book is so creative, and very enjoyable to read. The book starts with a “thankful” blessing song, music incl More...
This book is so creative, and very enjoyable to read. The book starts with a “thankful” blessing song, music incl More...
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Feb 04, 2011
Celeste
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I have made at least a dozen of these recipes and enjoyed every one. I also had the honor of meeting Bryant Terry when he spoke at Westminster last month. His position is: 1. Start with the visceral (growing, cooking, and eating food) 2. Move to the cerebral (comprehending / pondering our choice and their relation to the lives we live) 3. End with the political (collective action to bring about collective changes). Really one of my absolute favorites.
May 27, 2011
Shawna
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I guess I'm just not into soul food. None of the recipes in this book sounded interesting so I didn't make any and took the book back to the library.
Nothing about the book made me feel passionate about anything in it. Knowing Terry used to be vegan and has since changed his eating habits bothered me, but it's his life and I wish him luck, but that information tainted everything for me, but it's nice that he was honest about the change in his lifestyle instead of trying to come off More...
Nothing about the book made me feel passionate about anything in it. Knowing Terry used to be vegan and has since changed his eating habits bothered me, but it's his life and I wish him luck, but that information tainted everything for me, but it's nice that he was honest about the change in his lifestyle instead of trying to come off More...
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Apr 07, 2011
Christina
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I like this genre of cooking so it was exciting to make a lot of the recipes out of the book. I do think he added way too many extra steps to each recipe. Maybe it's a male thing - but you actually don't need to use every pot and pan to make a meal!
Bryant Terry is a really nice guy and I do like what he's advocating (i.e., more community gardens). I picked up the cookbook because he gave talk to librarians at the library.
Bryant Terry is a really nice guy and I do like what he's advocating (i.e., more community gardens). I picked up the cookbook because he gave talk to librarians at the library.
Jul 15, 2009
Veganpike
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Okay, well so far I have to admit that I haven't made any of the recipes, but hopefully by tonight that will have changed...
But I just love the author's writing style, and each recipe has a soundtrack- overall, a ton of love has gone into this book and I am enjoying just reading all the little anecdotes and ideas that go along with the recipes.
He's rad, the book is rad, and I highly recommend it to everyone!
But I just love the author's writing style, and each recipe has a soundtrack- overall, a ton of love has gone into this book and I am enjoying just reading all the little anecdotes and ideas that go along with the recipes.
He's rad, the book is rad, and I highly recommend it to everyone!
Nov 22, 2010
Ryan
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More than a cookbook, this is also a mission to get people--especially African American communities--to eat healthier and closer to home; it's a gustatory autobiographical glimpse at his life and family; it is also filled with book, musical, film, and art recommendations. I liked to just read it and I can't wait to try some of these. Making the Green Gratin in a couple days!
Jul 17, 2009
Marie
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Do not let the word "vegan" in the title scare you off; if you love to cook, this is THE kickass cookbook for the summer of 2009, no matter what you call your eating style. Have no fear, you won't find recipes for faux-baby back ribs or any of the other scary pseudomeats the title might bring to mind. Vegan Soul Kitchen is new vegan in the style of Veganomicon: adventurous, healthful recipes that do not make apologies for "missing" meat.
Jan 30, 2012
Nancy
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Grabbed this one from the library on a whim. Didn't think I'd see anything of interest in it, but I'd say about half of it looks like good eats, which is a lot for a cook book. Haven't made anything from it yet, but I think I may have to buy a copy.
Only downside - there's only about 5 pictures in the whole thing. A cookbook should be full of pictures!
Only downside - there's only about 5 pictures in the whole thing. A cookbook should be full of pictures!
Mar 19, 2011
Ellen
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I <3 Bryant Terry's cooking--he is brilliant and definitely not afraid of flavor. And, being Southern myself, I find great joy in his vegan takes on what I think of as comfort food. Everything in Vegan Soul Kitchen has a brightness and vitality to it that can get lost in all the salt, fat, and breading inherent in non-vegan soul food.
Aug 19, 2010
Lynecia
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I read this from cover to cover like it was a novel. I checked this out from the library because I have been interesting in checking it out for some time, and didn't know whether I should invest the money--but I sure will be purchasing a copy! I'm embarking on a change in the way I eat and this book will definitely be a great resource!
Mar 08, 2010
Julie
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A fun take on vegan food, but as with most vegan cookbooks, this had way too many drink recipes. Aren't most drinks vegan? I kinda think that's just cheating. Also, it was good at giving a baseline idea of what to do with certain ingredients, but I did think most of the recipes needed tweaking to make them a little bit better.
Sep 05, 2011
Jayme
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I can't say I really ate much soul food previous to this book so I can't compare these recipes to their more traditional ones, but I have enjoyed them so far.
Bryant's book covers everything starting with drinks all the way through the meal to desserts. I love that the first section is actually his own six personal favourite recipes. I plan on trying all of them! Some of the recipes I can't wait to try are 'Citrus Collards with Raisins Redux', 'Lavender Lemonade', and 'Fried Green To More...
Bryant's book covers everything starting with drinks all the way through the meal to desserts. I love that the first section is actually his own six personal favourite recipes. I plan on trying all of them! Some of the recipes I can't wait to try are 'Citrus Collards with Raisins Redux', 'Lavender Lemonade', and 'Fried Green To More...
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Apr 11, 2010
Rachel
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I really enjoyed reading this cookbook. I tend to find that a lot of vegetarian/vegan recipes don't sound like something delicious that I would want to eat, but this cookbook makes everything sound fabulous. I can't wait to try some of these recipes! I love that he includes music and/or movies and books with each recipe. I've marked so many recipes in here, I'm thinking about maybe buying the cookbook myself.
May 03, 2009
Megan
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Yuuummmmm...Watermelon Smoothies and Johnny Cakes and Fudge Pops...OH MY! So many good recipes, so little time to make them.
I like that Vegan Soul Kitchen doesn't have a lot of recipes that are supposed to have meat but calls for tofu instead. These recipes use a lot of whole foods and vegetables.
I like that Vegan Soul Kitchen doesn't have a lot of recipes that are supposed to have meat but calls for tofu instead. These recipes use a lot of whole foods and vegetables.
Feb 22, 2012
Starlight
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LOVE this cookbook. Recipes that include sound tracks, movie clips, delicious ingredients and delightful presentation. A great approach to soul food and vegan recipes - I full on loved this cookbook and its semi autobiographical manner of writing.
After making a few of the recipes, I have realized that I prefer to take a heavy hand with modifications to some of these recipes. For example, the Spicy Mafe Tempeh needed quite a bit of additional fixing up to get it to the authentic Seneg More...
After making a few of the recipes, I have realized that I prefer to take a heavy hand with modifications to some of these recipes. For example, the Spicy Mafe Tempeh needed quite a bit of additional fixing up to get it to the authentic Seneg More...
May 17, 2009
Cherie
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B Some interesting recipes; I'm usually not a huge fan of soul kitchen (it's often heavy and spicy) but this book has a fresh take on soul food. Some yummy recipes (and Terry's pretty yummy himself!). I like the format - you really feel like you are understanding how he cooks and who he is.
May 16, 2011
Kate E.A.
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I LOVE this cookbook. The recipes are just like ones I remember growing up, source ingredients that are easy to come by, and are easy to follow. Everything I have cooked out of this I have loved, plain and simple. It is a staple cookbook in my kitchen and one of my true favourites.
Oct 05, 2010
Leigh
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I am loving this cookbook. So far, I've made several of the recipes and each one has been a hit. You don't have to be a vegan to enjoy these updated twists on Southern and soul food classics. It's like making Grandma's recipes with your cool cousin. Favorites so far: Shredded Beets and Apple Salad and Not-So Dirty Rice.
Sep 15, 2011
Lisa
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The first thing I noticed - and really liked! - about this book is that it uses whole foods, unlike the ubiquitous tofutti-earth-balance-soy-yoghurt type vegan cookbook. I have only tried one recipe so far - the Maple-Almond Granola - and it is delicious!! Highly recommend :)
Nov 03, 2011
Melinda
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One of my favorite cookbooks. I believe that the recipes would be great for any lover of food, plus the stories and art, music, and film recommendations are a wonderful addition. I make his collard greens recipe (the one with orange juice and raisins) all the time!
Jun 13, 2010
Alec
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Everything I've made or adapted from this book was delicious and completely satisfying. Excellent tempeh recipes. This would probably be my default vegan cookbook if I didn't bake so much (and if it didn't belong to an old housemate who moved out and took it along).
