Bryant Terry is an intellectual, food justice activist, writer, cutie pie and now author of the newly published book, Vegan Soul Kitchen. I've been following Bryant's career since I bought his first book Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen. He co-authored that with Frances Moore Lappe's daughter, Anna. That book I like a lot.
But Vegan Soul Kitchen I love!
I'm a sucker for chatty cookbooks with new fresh ideas. Though Terry has been formally trained, his recipes are accessible and easily reproduced. His take on Soul Food is definitely not heavy, greasy or fried. He's worked at teasing out the most flavor with a premium on freshness. Examples are: succotash transformed into Succotash Soup with Garlicky Cornbread Croutons, and okra enjoyed as Crispy Okra Strips with Lime-Thyme Vinaigrette.
Along with life reflections, kitchen tips and tehchniques, the chatty part includes a suggested sound track for each of the 150 recipes to inspire and illuminate your labors. Three suggestions are offered up for Black-Eyed Pea Fritters with Hot Pepper Sauce: 1. a soundtrack - I.T.T., Pt. 2 by Fela Kuti, 2. a work of art - Three Wise Men Greeting Entry into Lagos by Kehinde Wiley, and 3. a book - How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney.
We saw Bryant present himself today @ the Museum of the African Diaspora (MOAD). He's an urban hipster with loads of style.
See him if you can. Buy a copy or two of his book, and move out of the ordinary! His website is www.Bryant-Terry.com.
By the way: Kimora and Tyra say: "Go vegan - why not?"
