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Great Food, All Day Long: Cook Splendidly, Eat Smart: A Cookbook
“At one time, I described myself as a cook, a driver, and a writer. I no longer drive, but I do still write and I do still cook. And having reached the delicious age of eighty-one, I realize that I have been feeding other people and eating for a long time. I have been cooking nearly all my life, so I have developed some philosophies.”
Renowned and beloved author Maya Angelou returns to the kitchen—both hers and ours—with her second cookbook, filled with time-tested recipes and the intimate, autobiographical sketches of how they came to be. Inspired by Angelou’s own dramatic weight loss, the focus here is on good food, well-made and eaten in moderation. When preparing for a party, for example, Angelou says, “Remember, cooking large amounts of food does not mean that you are obligated to eat large portions.” When you create food that is full of flavor, you will find that you need less of it to feel satisfied, and you can use one dish to nourish yourself all day long.
And oh, what food you will create! Savor recipes for Mixed-Up Tamale Pie, All Day and Night Cornbread, Sweet Potatoes McMillan, Braised Lamb with White Beans, and Pytt I Panna (Swedish hash.) All the delicious dishes here can be eaten in small portions, and many times a day. More important, they can be converted into other mouth-watering incarnations. So Crown Roast of Pork becomes Pork Tacos and Pork Fried Rice, while Roasted Chicken becomes Chicken Tetrazzini and Chicken Curry. And throughout, Maya Angelou’s rich and wise voice carries the food from written word to body-and-soul-enriching experience.
Featuring gorgeous illustrations throughout and Angelou’s own tips and tricks on everything from portion control to timing a meal, Great Food, All Day Long is an essential reference for everyone who wants to eat better and smarter—and a delightful peek into the kitchen and the heart of a remarkable woman.
Renowned and beloved author Maya Angelou returns to the kitchen—both hers and ours—with her second cookbook, filled with time-tested recipes and the intimate, autobiographical sketches of how they came to be. Inspired by Angelou’s own dramatic weight loss, the focus here is on good food, well-made and eaten in moderation. When preparing for a party, for example, Angelou says, “Remember, cooking large amounts of food does not mean that you are obligated to eat large portions.” When you create food that is full of flavor, you will find that you need less of it to feel satisfied, and you can use one dish to nourish yourself all day long.
And oh, what food you will create! Savor recipes for Mixed-Up Tamale Pie, All Day and Night Cornbread, Sweet Potatoes McMillan, Braised Lamb with White Beans, and Pytt I Panna (Swedish hash.) All the delicious dishes here can be eaten in small portions, and many times a day. More important, they can be converted into other mouth-watering incarnations. So Crown Roast of Pork becomes Pork Tacos and Pork Fried Rice, while Roasted Chicken becomes Chicken Tetrazzini and Chicken Curry. And throughout, Maya Angelou’s rich and wise voice carries the food from written word to body-and-soul-enriching experience.
Featuring gorgeous illustrations throughout and Angelou’s own tips and tricks on everything from portion control to timing a meal, Great Food, All Day Long is an essential reference for everyone who wants to eat better and smarter—and a delightful peek into the kitchen and the heart of a remarkable woman.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Maya Angelou
293 books15.1k followersMaya Angelou was an American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Angelou's series of seven autobiographies focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of 17 and brought her international recognition and acclaim.
She became a poet and writer after a string of odd jobs during her young adulthood. These included fry cook, sex worker, nightclub performer, Porgy and Bess cast member, Southern Christian Leadership Conference coordinator, and correspondent in Egypt and Ghana during the decolonization of Africa. Angelou was also an actress, writer, director, and producer of plays, movies, and public television programs. In 1982, she was named the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Angelou was active in the Civil Rights Movement and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Beginning in the 1990s, she made approximately 80 appearances a year on the lecture circuit, something she continued into her eighties. In 1993, Angelou recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" (1993) at the first inauguration of Bill Clinton, making her the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since Robert Frost at the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961.
With the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou publicly discussed aspects of her personal life. She was respected as a spokesperson for Black people and women, and her works have been considered a defense of Black culture. Her works are widely used in schools and universities worldwide, although attempts have been made to ban her books from some U.S. libraries. Angelou's most celebrated works have been labeled as autobiographical fiction, but many critics consider them to be autobiographies. She made a deliberate attempt to challenge the common structure of the autobiography by critiquing, changing, and expanding the genre. Her books center on themes that include racism, identity, family, and travel.
She became a poet and writer after a string of odd jobs during her young adulthood. These included fry cook, sex worker, nightclub performer, Porgy and Bess cast member, Southern Christian Leadership Conference coordinator, and correspondent in Egypt and Ghana during the decolonization of Africa. Angelou was also an actress, writer, director, and producer of plays, movies, and public television programs. In 1982, she was named the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Angelou was active in the Civil Rights Movement and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Beginning in the 1990s, she made approximately 80 appearances a year on the lecture circuit, something she continued into her eighties. In 1993, Angelou recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" (1993) at the first inauguration of Bill Clinton, making her the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since Robert Frost at the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961.
With the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou publicly discussed aspects of her personal life. She was respected as a spokesperson for Black people and women, and her works have been considered a defense of Black culture. Her works are widely used in schools and universities worldwide, although attempts have been made to ban her books from some U.S. libraries. Angelou's most celebrated works have been labeled as autobiographical fiction, but many critics consider them to be autobiographies. She made a deliberate attempt to challenge the common structure of the autobiography by critiquing, changing, and expanding the genre. Her books center on themes that include racism, identity, family, and travel.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 12, 2017
I am a big fan of this author's work,her fiction,her essays,her poetry...her cookbook,not so much.
The book was supposed to be healthier versions of some her favourite and/or family recipes. The first thing I noticed is that a lot of the recipes included butter,cheese and cream.
Perhaps the idea was more about portion control and not the ingredients in said recipes.
I don't eat dairy so this book was of little use to me recipe wise, but it is a lovely book with a smattering of her wit and wisdom.
The book was supposed to be healthier versions of some her favourite and/or family recipes. The first thing I noticed is that a lot of the recipes included butter,cheese and cream.
Perhaps the idea was more about portion control and not the ingredients in said recipes.
I don't eat dairy so this book was of little use to me recipe wise, but it is a lovely book with a smattering of her wit and wisdom.
November 2, 2022
I could do without the focus on weight loss, but I could definitely see myself making some of these recipes. She is endlessly charming. I read this for a challenge of reading something by an author from my state.
July 10, 2021
Nice Mix
CW: fatphobia & considerable focus on weight loss
I wish I'd known going into it that Ms. Angelou included such a focus on weight loss. Smart & healthful eating is what I was going for, but not intentional weight loss.
Regardless, once I managed that expectation, I I enjoyed this book as I have all her others. She has an eclectic mix of recipes, and while I haven't tried any yet, I'm excited to. Many are close to my own favorites from growing up in North Carolina, and I look forward to trying her spin as well as new recipes I've never tried.
I appreciated the anecdotes, poetry, and entertaining advice that she included throughout the book. This is one I can see myself referencing often.
CW: fatphobia & considerable focus on weight loss
I wish I'd known going into it that Ms. Angelou included such a focus on weight loss. Smart & healthful eating is what I was going for, but not intentional weight loss.
Regardless, once I managed that expectation, I I enjoyed this book as I have all her others. She has an eclectic mix of recipes, and while I haven't tried any yet, I'm excited to. Many are close to my own favorites from growing up in North Carolina, and I look forward to trying her spin as well as new recipes I've never tried.
I appreciated the anecdotes, poetry, and entertaining advice that she included throughout the book. This is one I can see myself referencing often.
February 10, 2021
Maya Angelou serves up delicious recipes with generous helpings of advice on both cooking and life. Her goal with this book is to provide tasty meals that you can enjoy without overindulging on. For each recipe, after listing out the ingredients and step-by-step instructions on how to make the dish, Angelou includes exact portions and how to best achieve portion control. In many cases she includes how to use the meal multiple times whether using leftovers as a jumping off point to prepare other dishes or the appropriate amount of time to wait before having a second helping. She also shares which meals work well for multiple times of day (breakfast for dinner, and vice versa).
The recipes sound delicious and I've already chosen several to try in my own kitchen. Her advice on portion control and her testimony to its effectiveness in weight loss is intriguing, and worth a try. It's true that her recipes don't sound particularly lean, however I can see how they would be incredibly tasty - and the point she is driving home is that if you enjoy something, truly savoring it, you should be able to get by on less. Clearly many of the meals and ideas for meals come from Angelou's memories of good times and good friends, and the overall feel of this cookbook/memoir is homey and comforting.
The recipes sound delicious and I've already chosen several to try in my own kitchen. Her advice on portion control and her testimony to its effectiveness in weight loss is intriguing, and worth a try. It's true that her recipes don't sound particularly lean, however I can see how they would be incredibly tasty - and the point she is driving home is that if you enjoy something, truly savoring it, you should be able to get by on less. Clearly many of the meals and ideas for meals come from Angelou's memories of good times and good friends, and the overall feel of this cookbook/memoir is homey and comforting.
April 19, 2020
I enjoyed reading this cookbook even more than I expected, and I’m aMaya Angelou fan. The recipes look good and easy enough. I also liked Angelou’s narrative in between some of the recipes. I might purchase this one sometime.
September 12, 2020
I could hear Maya Angelou talking as I read the introduction to the book and each chapter. If you haven't heard her speak, you should do that before reading this book. The recipes look delicious. Her suggestions are easy to follow.
March 3, 2018
more sucked in by the author than the recipes. some classics.
March 5, 2019
There have been several recipes that have become family favorites. I enjoyed reading the text.
March 6, 2019
Photos feel like they are from the 80's. Having a hard time envisioning making this for my family...
December 12, 2020
It was a nice easy read. Understandable as she is such a great writer. The food is comfort food.
May 13, 2023
Simple and tasty recipe for curry chicken.
March 2, 2011
Not my favorite Maya Angelou and not my favorite cookbook, but I still enjoy her strong, even, comforting tone. Might try the Orange Syrup recipe, as I'm not a huge fan of maple syrup.
Favorite Quotes:
Whenever the house resists you, the kitchen can be made into your ally. Start there first, and start with soup.
If someone draws a circle and leaves you out, you draw a bigger circle and include them in it.
Favorite Quotes:
Whenever the house resists you, the kitchen can be made into your ally. Start there first, and start with soup.
If someone draws a circle and leaves you out, you draw a bigger circle and include them in it.
February 21, 2013
It's funny that I gave this four stars, because I only copied out one or two recipes. But Maya Angelou is such a luminous writer and such a formidable yet likable character, with a voice that comes through so clearly even in, it turns out, a cookbook... that I couldn't help it! Reading it was flat out pleasurable, and I recommend it even to non-cooks.
December 29, 2014
Lots of pie recipes to try in this, but the best parts are, predictably, where she writes rather than recipes. For example, Maya Angelou unabashedly loved hot dogs, and was an unrepentant carnivore to the point of writing poems about it. And that's awesome.
February 26, 2011
I adore Maya Angelou's novels and poetry but didn't find anything special that would make me wish to own this cookbook.
March 21, 2011
Corn bread and pork roast recipes sound delicious orange syrup is great idea. Adding honey to orange juice is mouthwatering idea.
April 21, 2011
Love the bits and pieces she shares about her family life.
Read
July 9, 2011The cornbread is AWESOME, baked in a loaf pan. A must try!
January 12, 2012
Not one recipe that I wanted to try!
September 27, 2012
This book filled the soul with a variety's of flavour . Brilliant book
June 5, 2014
Loved the personal stories accompanying her recipes.
May 8, 2015
Not my favorite Maya Angelou book, but the recipes are good, and I love being able to hear Maya's voice in my mind as I read this. Love her voice.
October 11, 2015
Real comfort food
This book is as warm and comforting as the lady herself! The recipes are a mix of southern and international dishes, which is just so fresh and interesting.
This book is as warm and comforting as the lady herself! The recipes are a mix of southern and international dishes, which is just so fresh and interesting.
February 5, 2016
There is more to Ms. Angelou than poetry. As with her last cookbook though, the stories were better than the recipes.
March 31, 2017
While there were a couple of recipes in this book that I bookmarked for later, I found that most of them were not my taste. Be that as it may, I love Maya Angelou - so I appreciated each interlude between recipes which were filled with her classic wit, anecdotes, and quotables.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews