Super soul food with cousin Rosie: 100+ modern twists on comfort food classics

Mayes (I Heart Soul Food) is back with a new collection of recipes straight from her weeknight kitchen. These everyday originals are fused with classic soul food roots but are designed for the modern practical kitchen. First, she lays out pantry essentials that are utilitarian staples for creating flavors and results. Included are a bunch of tips, such as how to prep greens, that are invaluable and delivered with her trademark warmth and wisdom. Fans of Mayes's will love the wide variety of recipes that span feeding a crowd for the big game to simple weekday fare. They will also appreciate that there is very little overlap with her blog. Lovely spreads include the origin stories for her food inventions and photos that make it hard to decide what to cook first. Last, but not least, there are desserts that will make readers the hit of the bake sale circuit with their nostalgic flavors in unique presentations. VERDICT This collection of fun and flavorful recipes will be a hit with patrons. Established fans of Mayes will clamor for the new recipes, while those just discovering her cooking will appreciate her modern yet practical twists on classics.--Sarah Tansley

Mayes (I Heart Soul Food) is back with a new collection of recipes straight from her weeknight kitchen. These everyday originals are fused with classic soul food roots but are designed for the modern practical kitchen. First, she lays out pantry essentials that are utilitarian staples for creating flavors and results. Included are a bunch of tips, such as how to prep greens, that are invaluable and delivered with her trademark warmth and wisdom. Fans of Mayes's will love the wide variety of recipes that span feeding a crowd for the big game to simple weekday fare. They will also appreciate that there is very little overlap with her blog. Lovely spreads include the origin stories for her food inventions and photos that make it hard to decide what to cook first. Last, but not least, there are desserts that will make readers the hit of the bake sale circuit with their nostalgic flavors in unique presentations. VERDICT This collection of fun and flavorful recipes will be a hit with patrons. Established fans of Mayes will clamor for the new recipes, while those just discovering her cooking will appreciate her modern yet practical twists on classics.—Sarah Tansley