Love!

It is such a powerful and wonderful emotion. And here I am, not a cook by any means. But you know what? I absolutely love this book!

From the moment I picked it up, it has captivated my attention and held me spellbound.

The words within its pages seem to dance and come alive, painting vivid pictures in my mind.

Even though I may not have the skills in the kitchen, this book makes me feel as if I can create culinary masterpieces.

It inspires me to try new things and explore the world of food.

With each turn of the page, I am filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation.

This book is truly a gem, and I am so glad to have discovered it.

It has become a source of joy and inspiration in my life, and I know it will continue to be for a long time to come.

Love for this book has truly taken hold of my heart, and I couldn't be happier.

I didn't think I would enjoy a book about cooking.

At first, I was reluctant to pick it up. I thought it would be boring and filled with complex recipes that I would never attempt.

However, I decided to give it a chance and I'm so glad I did.

This book was as gratifying as a five course meal.

It was filled with beautiful pictures, interesting stories, and easy-to-follow recipes.

I found myself getting lost in the pages, imagining myself in the kitchen, creating delicious dishes.

Not only did I learn a lot about cooking, but I also discovered a new passion.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone, whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen.

You won't be disappointed.

Her insights and stories are truly remarkable.

They have the power to make us reflect deeply on our own lives and experiences.

Through her words, we are able to gain a new perspective and perhaps even find direction in our otherwise迷茫的 paths.

Her stories are like guiding lights, shining a path forward and helping us to make sense of the world around us.

Whether it's a personal anecdote or a universal truth, her words have the ability to touch our hearts and minds.

We are left with a sense of inspiration and a desire to take action, to make a change, or to simply be a better person.

Her insights and stories are not only reflective but also directional, leading us towards a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

I was an avid reader during my childhood and youth. I would bring piles of books on weekend camping trips. #Justsaying. However, until I went to college, I mainly read from lists of "classics". Then, some modern (by modern, I mean contemporary) American writers and poets entered my awareness through syllabi, regular newspaper reading, and the internet. Still, I had never read one of Maya Angelou's books until a couple of weeks ago. This was despite my interest in her history and stories being reignited when she passed away this past spring. Given my focus here on the blog, it's logical that the first Angelou title I would pick up was her first cookbook, Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes.

This cookbook combines 28 vignettes (which could also be called short stories or flashes of memory) centered around a particular recipe or meal menu, often connected to a friend or family member who made an impression on Angelou at some point in her life. The cookbook progresses from her younger years growing up in her grandmother's store to learning to cook Creole cuisine out of necessity to recollections from later years and mentoring relationships. It's a story of a life, food, and how it helps people interact and connect with each other, as well as how cooking and hospitality can be used to understand the human condition.

The prose sections are undoubtedly the best part of this cookbook. Angelou offers a variety of experiences and stories: some are poignant, some are funny, others are tragic, courageous, homey, and inspiring. The selection is excellent and spans the entire emotional spectrum, much of the twentieth century, and geography that varies from the American South to Europe to California and back. It's a window into Angelou's extraordinary life and experience as an African-American woman, artist, and academic. She lived, and she wrote beautifully about it.

The food doesn't sound half-bad either (see: understatement, definition of). There's a mix here of southern comfort food, Cajun, traditional American classics, and French fare. It's a combination born of a lifetime of moving, settling in new places, and adapting to a changing world and new friends. The recipes themselves focus on main courses and sides suitable for lunch or dinner, and a few desserts. It's not very vegetarian-friendly or health-conscious, although there is one section at the end dedicated to vegetarian recipes.

I tried two recipes: Crackling Corn Bread (Maya's grandmother's recipe, which she claimed was better than other people's Sunday cake), and Pickled Peaches. The peaches were a success! They were different from anything I've ever made before, in a good way. They would be perfect served with (regular) cornbread, chicken, and green beans. The Crackling Corn Bread, on the other hand, was a flop. I think this may have been due to my source of cracklings (chicharrones) more than the recipe itself. It did smell amazing while it was baking! But here, have the recipe that worked:

Pickled Peaches

INGREDIENTS

6 medium nearly ripe peaches, peeled and pitted
3/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks

DIRECTIONS

Put peaches in a large pot, add sugar, salt, vinegar, juice, cloves, and cinnamon sticks, and cover with water. Boil for 30 minutes. Take off the stove and let cool. Put in the refrigerator in its own liquid. Discard the cinnamon and cloves. Serve cold.

One downside (if you want to call it that) of the cookbook is that the recipes have few "fine" directions. For example, the amount of water necessary for the recipe isn't listed in the ingredients section. There aren't any warnings like "do not overstir," no mention of how many minutes to mix, or how fine to chop the ingredients. The recipes are clearly meant to be more of a guide than precise chemistry. If you're the kind of cook who interprets things loosely and puts their own spin on recipes, this method will suit you perfectly.

Hallelujah! is a treasure of a book, whether you try the recipes or not. It's worth owning for Angelou's stories alone, though the food sounds mouth-watering as well.

Recommended for: anyone who likes good food and a well-told story, and especially anyone interested in food culture and the American South.

What an extraordinary life she led!

Her journey was filled with countless remarkable experiences and achievements. From a young age, she showed an insatiable curiosity and a drive to explore the unknown. She pursued her dreams with unwavering determination, facing numerous obstacles along the way but never giving up.

She traveled to far-flung corners of the world, immersing herself in different cultures and learning from every encounter. Her adventures not only broadened her horizons but also shaped her into the remarkable person she became.

She made significant contributions in her chosen field, inspiring others with her innovative ideas and hard work. Her life serves as an inspiration to all,证明 that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.

Her story will be remembered for generations to come, a testament to the power of an extraordinary life.

I really got extremely lucky when I discovered this precious cookbook at a church rummage sale for just a quarter!

I recently made the Meat Pies using shredded chicken, and the result was simply amazing. The biscuit dough in the pies, which is also provided in the book, is incredibly versatile. In fact, I found myself using the leftover dough to make oven biscuits, and they turned out delicious.

Her fried chicken recipe was the perfect addition to a wonderful meal. Soaking the chicken in lemon juice, as the recipe instructs, had a remarkable effect. It completely impressed my husband!

Maya includes a short story for the background of each dish, and for me, it made me even more careful and meticulous in the preparation process. I truly wanted the dishes to be exactly as her stories had described. These are recipes that come from the heart and have the power to soothe the soul!

Overall, this cookbook has been a great find, and I can't wait to try more of the recipes and create many more delicious meals.

This was the first library book that I downloaded to my Kindle.

For the most part, I absolutely loved her stories!

Angelou has led an incredibly interesting and colorful life, and she writes with the elegance and grace of a poet, which indeed she is.

I was particularly captivated by her recounting of the tale when she was 17 and managed to secure a job in a Cajun restaurant despite not knowing how to cook. However, she told her new boss a rather different story.

Mr. Ford, an older gentleman who worked for her mother, became her mentor. He patiently told her which vegetables to throw into every dish and emphasized not to forget the cracked red pepper.

Following each story, there are a number of mouth-watering recipes. It's clear that she is quite the gourmet!

This book is truly a very enjoyable read that offers a fascinating glimpse into Angelou's life and her culinary adventures.

It combines engaging storytelling with delicious recipes, making it a unique and wonderful literary experience.

I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining and inspiring read.

This book was not even close to what I initially thought it would be.

Maya Angelou is an incredibly fascinating and one of the most widely talented individuals I have ever heard or read about.

This book is narrated by her, and within its pages, she vividly shares her experiences of learning to cook. She also details who she has cooked for and the people with whom she has dined.

Once again, it becomes evident that she is a very inspiring lady.

Surprisingly, I even managed to learn a few useful cooking tips from the book.

Overall, it was an unexpected and enjoyable read that offered a unique perspective into the life of a remarkable woman.

It was truly an enjoyable experience to listen to her narrate these stories in the audiobook. The way she told them was so engaging and full of life that it made me feel as if I was right there with her in the kitchen. Even though I'm not a cook myself, I found her stories to be both entertaining and informative. She shared her experiences, tips, and tricks in such a way that it made me want to give cooking a try. The audiobook was a great way to relax and unwind while also learning something new. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys listening to stories or is interested in cooking.

Maya Angelou's voice is like a warm embrace, gently guiding us through the pages as she tells stories about food.

It's truly a magical experience to read her words and imagine the flavors and aromas she describes.

I find myself torn between two stories in particular.

The story about MJ, the doctor, and the tamales is filled with such charm and heart.

The way she describes the tamales, you can almost taste the spicy filling and the soft masa.

And then there's the story about the pot roast.

The rich, savory aroma of the roast cooking in the oven fills the air as you read.

It makes your mouth water and your stomach growl.

I just can't decide which story I liked more.

Both are so beautifully written and full of life.

Maya Angelou has a way of making food come alive on the page, and it's a joy to read her stories.

Each recipe in this remarkable book is accompanied by a truly fascinating story about the life of the author.

These stories add an extra layer of depth and charm to the already enticing recipes.

It's as if you not only get to learn how to create delicious dishes but also get a peek into the author's world and experiences.

I cannot stress enough how highly I recommend the audio version of this book.

Listening to the recipes being read aloud, along with the engaging stories, makes for a truly immersive and enjoyable experience.

Whether you're cooking in the kitchen or simply relaxing and want to be inspired, the audio version is the perfect choice.

It allows you to fully appreciate the book in a whole new way and makes the process of learning and creating in the kitchen even more fun and engaging.

So, don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to explore the world of recipes and stories with the audio version of this amazing book.

I pick this book up every so often just because I love this woman so much.

She is one of my personal heroes and I truly adore her. Her story is so inspiring and has had a profound impact on my life.

I often find myself reflecting on her experiences and the lessons I can learn from them.

As I hold this book in my hands, I feel a sense of connection to her.

It's as if she is right there with me, sharing her wisdom and strength.

And you know what? I think tomorrow night I'm making her fried meat pies.

I can't wait to taste the deliciousness and imagine her enjoying them too.

Maybe while I'm cooking, I'll be thinking about her and all the wonderful things she has done.

It's going to be a special night, filled with memories and a whole lot of love for this amazing woman.