The Healthy Soul Food Cookbook. - book reviews

American Visions, August-Sept, 1997 by Monica Dyer Rowe

The Healthy Soul Food Cookbook by Wilbert Jones (Citadel Press. 1997. $12.95)--As author Wilbert Jones points out, traditional soul food originated in the slave quarters of Southern plantations, where black folks had to be resourceful--and creative--in coming up with meals using the barest of ingredients. But while foods loaded with lard, cholesterol and salt may make for hearty meals, they can also lead to a host of problems, including high blood pressure, which African Americans suffer in disproportionate numbers.

In response to the clamor for healthier eating habits, food consultant and former caterer Jones has created 99 "revised" versions of traditional soul food recipes--ones without surplus fat and sugar content. His easy-to-read format includes unique recipes, such as sweet-potato chips, African-American meatballs (substituting ground turkey for ground beef), and a vegetarian black-eyed pea soulburger.

Like Carter, the author uses a variety of lower-fat substitutes in many of his dishes, such as smoked turkey for smoked pork in his pinto beans and two egg whites instead of one egg yolk in his banana pudding. Other dishes include a cholesterol-free poundcake and "unfried" chicken.

Each recipe contains a nutritional profile, including the number of calories and the amounts of cholesterol, protein and sodium. A selection of menu suggestions precedes the recipes.