Anyone who loves to read, loves to cook, and loves to learn will want to pick up an excellent book, Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine, by Jessica B. Harris. This fascinating book is extremely well written and is one that most readers will want to curl up in a corner to read. The book brings out how countries across the world have contributed to what is now called American Food. Foodies usually love to not only cook and eat, but love to read about food; this excellent book makes it possible.

While the chapters are fun to read, the recipes are mouthwatering. There is something here for everyone, and the recipes reflect the nuances o many places around the world. The recipes are written in the traditional manner with the ingredients listed first, followed by step-by-step instructions that make them easy to follow by everyone, both with beginning and advanced cooking skills. Every time I peruse this book, my queue of what to make right away grows.

Cookbooks should have beautiful photographs of the finished dishes, and this cookbook delivers. The dishes are mouthwatering and it shows in the photos.

All told, Harris has done her research and has given us an excellent book that belongs on every good cookbook shelf. There are dozens of recipes that are easy to make, as well as dozens that are a bit more complicated, but worth it. This beautiful cookbook is highly recommended.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I was unfamiliar with Jessica Harris and her work as a culinary historian but I was delighted by this handsome cookbook/history. Harris defines three threads to American cooking - Native American, European, and African American - and highlights each, as well as the diversity in each strand. I was particularly intrigued by the Native American thread, as it is diverse, delicious, and often underrepresented. I would have like to have seen more Pacific Northwest tribal fare but perhaps it is quite similar to the New England tribes? Recipes are varied and usually all something the home cook can make - this is cultural food, after all - and Harris is willing to use store bought and convenient ingredients to make recipes accessible. She is also happy to discuss sweet food at length, which sometimes gets short shrift. At least a dozen recipes I will make here. Great book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed for an earl in exchange for an unbiased review.

A fantastic collection of mouth watering recipes spanning centuries, crossing cultures, and even heartwarming stories. This beautiful cookbook reminds us how truly connected we are as humans; by the food we eat and by the recipes we pass down.