LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About 
asked by librarian on November 11, 2006 4:07 PM
"From the time I was a little girl, I knew there were two things in this world I wanted to do: sing and cook." So says singer-diva Patti LaBelle, whose first cookbook, LaBelle Cuisine, confirms her passion for good food and her skill at producing it. A truly devoted cook (she travels with pans and hot-sauce stashes), LaBelle offers more than 100 recipes in the great Southern soul-food tradition--homey dishes such as Say-My-Name Smothered Chicken and Aunt Hattie's Scrumptious Sweet Potato Bread. LaBelle fans and those seeking simple yet savory fare for everyday and casual entertaining will relish the book.
In chapters including "Sensational Salads," "Soups and Sandwiches," "Perfect Poultry," and "To-Die-For Desserts and Bread," LaBelle weaves easy-to-do recipes with warm food reminiscences. Whether describing a backstage barbecue resulting in a building-wide fire alert, her undying love of canned sardines, or the soulful Sunday dinners of her youth, LaBelle's voice is, as ever, memorably her own. The recipes, many of which include tips called Patti's Pointers, represent not only a personal culinary heritage, but also a kind of cooking in danger of dissolution. LaBelle's Over-the-Rainbow Macaroni and Cheese, among other recipes, should remind readers that that heritage is alive, well, and in very good hands. --Arthur Boehm
Reviews
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this is one the best cook books that i have found the recipes are very easy to follow and very understandable i recommend this to any one who loves to cook
reviewed by crick on November 16, 2006 12:10 AM
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I will keep this short and sweet as it seems my reviews tend to get lengthy. This book is a must if you and your famly, kids, significant other etc love "soulfood." I went from not knowing how to cook cereal to every holiday or function someone calls me to make Mrs Patti LaBelle famous Macaroni & Cheese. I kid you not everythng I've made came out delicious! I probably had one "trial & error" event but that is inevitable when cooking. So to the reviewer who complained about that must know nothing about cooking. Again fantastic cook everyone love love ove my food!!!
reviewed by bestseller on November 24, 2006 4:10 PM
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I always enjoy trying new recipes. After hearing all the craze about Patti's book (plus I am a Patti fan) I decided to give it a try. I must say I am very disappointed with the way I have to alter the recipes. I have tried several of her recipes (greens, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, black bottom sweet potato pies etc...) and I ALWAYS have to alter something. ESPECIALLY the cooking times and temperature. I realize that ovens are different. However, the cooking times are too far off. I would recommend the cookbook for a guideline but make sure you have your pen ready to make notes for the adjustments so the NEXT time you make it you will have a good recipe. I would also advise cutting the cooking times. For example one recipe called for 90 minutes and it was finished in 60!
reviewed by casurf on November 28, 2006 6:51 PM