Sweet Home Cafe Cookbook: A Celebration of African American Cooking

A celebration of African American cooking with 109 recipes from the National Museum of African American History and Culture's Sweet Home Café. A James Beard Foundation Book Award nominee for best American cookbook; a Food & Wine best cookbook; a Booklist top 10 food book; an Essence, and more.

Since the 2016 opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, its Sweet Home Café has become a destination in its own right. Showcasing African American contributions to American cuisine, the café offers favorite dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, adding modern flavors and contemporary twists on classics. Now both readers and home cooks can partake of the café's bounty: drawing upon traditions of family and fellowship strengthened by shared meals, Sweet Home Café Cookbook celebrates African American cooking through recipes served by the café itself and dishes inspired by foods from African American culture.

With 109 recipes, the sumptuous Sweet Home Café Cookbook takes readers on a deliciously unique journey. Presented here are the salads, sides, soups, snacks, sauces, main dishes, breads, and sweets that emerged in America as African, Caribbean, and European influences blended together. Featured recipes include Pea Tendril Salad, Fried Green Tomatoes, Hoppin' John, Sénégalaise Peanut Soup, Maryland Crab Cakes, Jamaican Grilled Jerk Chicken, Shrimp & Grits, Fried Chicken and Waffles, Pan Roasted Rainbow Trout, Hickory Smoked Pork Shoulder, Chow Chow, Banana Pudding, Chocolate Chess Pie, and many others. More than a collection of inviting recipes, this book illustrates the pivotal--and often overlooked--role that African Americans have played in creating and re-creating American foodways. Offering a deliciously new perspective on African American food and culinary culture, Sweet Home Café Cookbook is an absolute must-have.

Author: Nat'l Mus Afr Am Hist Culture
Publisher: Smithsonian Books
Published: 10/23/2018
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.40lbs
Size: 10.20h x 8.70w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9781588346407


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 06/04/2018
Library Journal 07/01/2018 pg. 89
Booklist 09/01/2018 pg. 22

About the Author
Among the many treasures at the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE, which opened in September 2016, is its Sweet Home Café. Developed in thoughtful collaboration with Restaurant Associates, which focuses on creating extraordinary dining experiences in cultural institutions, the café showcases the rich culture and history of the African American people with traditional, authentic offerings as well as up-to-date dishes. JESSICA B. HARRIS is an award-winning culinary historian, author, and journalist and served as advisor to the museum as it developed the café. She is the author of twelve cookbooks, including High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America. Supervising Chef ALBERT LUKAS crafted the innovative and highly acclaimed café menu, which ties together food history, heritage ingredient sourcing, and modern tastes. Executive Chef JEROME GRANT oversees the café and develops inventive special meals for holiday and seasonal celebrations.