Soul Food - by Adrian Miller (Paperback)

About the Book

Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time

Book Synopsis

2014 James Beard Foundation Book Award, Reference and Scholarship
Honor Book for Nonfiction, Black Caucus of the American Library Association

In this insightful and eclectic history, Adrian Miller delves into the influences, ingredients, and innovations that make up the soul food tradition. Focusing each chapter on the culinary and social history of one dish -- such as fried chicken, chitlins, yams, greens, and "red drinks" -- Miller uncovers how it got on the soul food plate and what it means for African American culture and identity.
Miller argues that the story is more complex and surprising than commonly thought. Four centuries in the making, and fusing European, Native American, and West African cuisines, soul food -- in all its fried, pork-infused, and sugary glory -- is but one aspect of African American culinary heritage. Miller discusses how soul food has become incorporated into American culture and explores its connections to identity politics, bad health raps, and healthier alternatives. This refreshing look at one of America's most celebrated, mythologized, and maligned cuisines is enriched by spirited sidebars, photographs, and twenty-two recipes.

Review Quotes

"[A] comprehensive and entertaining history of soul food. . . . A lively and thorough account for fans of food literature and of African American history. Recipes included. Highly recommended."--Library Journal

"[A] fascinating look at the cuisine known as soul food and its close cousin, southern cuisine. . . . Photographs and recipes add to the allure of this well-researched look at the past and future of soul food."--Booklist, starred review

"A wonderful combination of sociological examination of African-American culture and identity, travelogue and cookbook. . . . It's exactly this combination of earnest curiosity and an unwillingness to take his topic too seriously that makes Soul Food such a great read. . . . I highly recommend this book!"--Nashville Scene

"An engaging, tradition-rich look at an often overlooked American cuisine-- certainly to be of interest to foodies from all walks of life."--Kirkus, starred review

"Focusing each chapter on the culinary and social history of one dish -- such as fried chicken, chitlins, yams, greens and 'red drinks'-- Miller uncovers how it got on the soul food plate and what it means for African-American culture and identity."--The Philadelphia Tribune

"Just the book to move readers from one end of the line to the other without getting bogged down. . . . Soul Food is ingenious . . . [and] speaks to the enduring mythological power of its staple dishes."--Michael Twitty, American Prospect

"Miller moves way past common notions about soul food to offer a fascinating look at the cuisine and its close cousin, southern cooking."--Booklist Top 10 Food Books of 2013

"Miller's book is a mouth-watering tome that not only titillates the palate, but feeds the brain with science, geography and history."--Denver Westword

"Most people don't know soul food the way Miller does. . . . Miller's book studies soul food mainly in terms of its quintessential ingredients or dishes. . . [and] along the way, he dishes up a few surprises."--Winston-Salem Journal

2014 James Beard Foundation Book Award, Reference and Scholarship

About the Author

Adrian Miller is a writer, attorney, and certified barbecue judge who lives in Denver, Colorado. He has served as a special assistant to President Bill Clinton, a senior policy analyst for Colorado governor Bill Ritter Jr., and a Southern Foodways Alliance board member.