Princess Pamela's Soul Food Cookbook: A Mouth-Watering Treasury of Afro-American Recipes

I intend to read this book from cover to cover. After reading only a few pages and quickly scanning the recipes, I have already bought a copy for my nephew, who appreciates cooking and eating authentic foods from different cultures; and am going to insist my sister-in-law purchase a copy so that the three of us can cook true soul food together. Princess Pamela's comments are so insightful; I can't wait to read all of them. She is someone with whom I would have LOVED to share a meal and several evenings.I do not think this is a cookbook for a beginning cook, as many of the recipes are written for those who know their way around a kitchen. That being said, reading her comments would probably be a good thing for everyone to read, not just cooks. Everyone!!!

I'm gonna try not to ramble, so bear with me. :)I was immediately drawn to this cookbook after reading a story about Princess Pamela. My first reaction after hearing her story was "WOW, this food must be awesome". A lot of soul food is putting the love and time into your food to put smiles on the faces (and tummies) of the people you love. That's the payoff.As I began reading I was a little disheartened when I came across a paragraph that stated the authors thought the editor of the book back in the 60s may have toned down some of the recipes to avoid it being "spicy". (if you are skinfolk you know how that made me feel)The first recipe I came across was fried chicken, my eyes lit up and the smile was immediately wiped off my face as I saw the recipe called for "Salt and pepper". That's it. Where was the umph? The taste? It simply said coat in flour seasoned with salt and pepper and fry it...... I'm sorry what? Never in my whole life have I fried chicken with simply salt and pepper. I don't know anyone who has. It doesn't even sound appetizing.Some of the recipes are simply 2 sentences on a page. Some a paragraph. Some have a modest list of ingredients, a paragraph and nothing more. I wasn't looking for a recipe with 47 ingredients, but I was looking forward to learning a new trick or two for my next meal. I saw very little if anything I'd want to try.The smothered pork chops just said hey coat these pork chops, season with salt and pepper and fry them. The collard greens called for salt and pepper, and SUGAR...... SUGAR!!!!I've seen reviews expressing gratitude for its simplicity, I get that. You don't always want to do something elaborate in the kitchen, who has time for that all the time? But..... (I'm trying hard to self censor here) from my viewpoint everything in this cookbook seems bland. Maybe it's the simplicity of the 60s... But if this is how they throw down in South Carolina... I'll politely pass. Purchase with low expectations, skinfolk. On the bright side, it's a very durable book.I rambled, I'm sorry. :)

I collect African American cookbooks and in reviewing Toni Martin's "The Jemima Code" I learned about Princess Pamela.I put on my wait-list and waited almost a year to get it. I should have bought it ASAP.This cookbook could be my holy grail to Soul Food cooking. There are recipes in it that I have wanted to try (Scrapple) but wanted an authentic cook's recipe.The book reads like a novel and then moves into her recipes. At first, I was engrossed by the introduction and the absolute beautiful poem to her mother. Then disappointed by the lack of photos and on one or two occasions, the good and clear guidence from a recipe. But as I continued to read I was amazed at the depth and range of Southern recipes. And I own a copy of Edna Lewis. But the recipes in this book are commonly known to any African-American who's had their fair share of Sunday (and holidays too! ) soul food dinners.I could almost see approching cooking thru this cookbook on the same level of a Julie/Julia cooking project.This is a legacy cookbook, IMO. Or certainly one I would give to newlyweds or a college graduate who loves to cook.This will be in my top ten cookbook collection before cooking one recipe.

I own my Mom's original signed copy of the Princess Pamela's Soul Food Cookbook. I agree with the assessments of the Lee's, the original recipes were 'watered down' by the original editor. My original copy has recipe edits based on our family's tastes & my Mom's memories of the original restaurant offerings.My best advice to anyone that chooses this book, the ingredient list is only a starting point. Explore different flavors & make each recipe your own.

The return of a classic! I have the original cookbook and I visited Princess Pamela's restaurant on several occasions. The food was very good and I was lucky enough to have Princess Pamela smile and chat with me whenever I ate there.This new book has wonderful amendments that describe the history and complex character of the Chef along with her wonderful recipes. I am a Southerner in New York City and I miss good southern cuisine and I miss Princess Pamela's kitchen. Thank you for the newly added research and for this reprint of the classic.

I love this cookbook. It has been a long time since I have read a cookbook from cover to cover. This is excellent. Recipes are straightforward and the poems are heartfelt. This is a winner.

Great Book,...I have a cookbook library and just had to have this one and I also ordered a different one as well. I am a Soul Food Cook, myself, so I relate to "good ole home cooking with soul". These recipes are some I haven't tried before, so I'm making a list for the grocery and will see just how good I'm sure they will be.Thanks,Sandy

This book has sentimental as well as current appeal for me. I cooked with from this book with a friend that had dined at Princess Paulina's on several occasions. We had fun in the cooking and delighted in the eating. I am so very glad that this has been reproduced. Thank you. My friend passed away several years ago so finding this reprint was a gift to be treasured.

I was looking for a good, southern/soul food cookbook; I didn't find one,... I found a great one!! It contains a lot of the sort of recipes I had been seeking, and then some! What I really wasn't expecting was the insight and wisdom of Princess Pamela; who should immediately upgraded to a Queen or an Empress!It's particularly good to see a cookbook embracing offal and cheap cuts, which, sadly, lots of people overlook or look down on. Their loss!!Buy this book, it's going on my top shelf!

I’m from the South and I found her recipes completely genuine...I know that there is some doctoring in some of her recipes to “update” for a more healthy lifestyle,, but the authentic, simple, home cooked southern meal and her passionate words of wisdom resonates from the page.

Heard about this book and found it on Amazon. I love the stories that accompany the recipes and have tried the fried chicken. Reading these recipes takes you back to that era and makes you feel part of a warm living family.