Rice

“A jampacked volume. . . . [Twitty] has a gift for presenting the historical in a manner that is both accessible and personal.”—New York Times

“The new cookbook from James Beard Award-winning writer Michael W. Twitty is a thin volume full of depth.”—USA Today

“Rice, which contains fifty-one recipes featuring and supporting the grain—including jollof rice, curried rice salad, and Carolina pilau—focuses Twitty’s critical acumen on an ingredient so versatile it has the power to become the main course, a side dish, or dessert. Written in praise of the globally important and endlessly adaptable food, Twitty traces rice’s journey from Africa through the Caribbean and into the American South.”—Garden and Gun

“Joyously illustrates why rice is a staple of diets worldwide and is central to the chefs and practices of the American South and the African diaspora.”—Philadelphia Inquirer

“Before embarking on the recipes, Twitty offers a history of how rice became a staple in the American South, especially after the arrival of enslaved people. . . . Another excellent addition to the Savor the South cookbook series that will appeal to fans of Southern cooking, and anyone looking for new takes on a common ingredient.”—Library Journal

“Links the proliferation of rice across the South to its African origins. Recognizing the ubiquity of rice in Asia, Latin America, and other parts of the world, Twitty doesn’t claim Africans invented rice; instead, he presents a forgotten and often ignored history of African influence in how rice is cultivated, prepared, and served throughout the South and the world.”—Bittman Project

“Sure to delight all Southern and world cuisine foodies, Michael W. Twitty’s Rice is an invaluable addition to the Savor the South series.”—Foreword Reviews

“In Rice, culinary historian Michael W. Twitty, who knows so much about Gullah culture, shares the story of the ascent of rice cookery, which has been around for centuries. His unique offerings of Gullah rice recipes, dishes that continue to grace many tables today, reflect the motherland of Sierra Leone and other West African countries.”—Sallie Ann Robinson, author of Gullah Home Cooking the Daufuskie Way and Sallie Ann Robinson’s Kitchen

“A terrific guide to rice’s journey from Africa to the American South and its place in our culinary culture today. Michael W. Twitty’s skills as a culinary historian and historical interpreter shine throughout the book. His vivid writing evokes rice’s flavor and texture, along with touching recollections of his familial relationships to this important food.”—Cynthia Graubart, author of Slow Cooker: Double Dinners for Two and Chicken: A Savor the South Cookbook

“This is Michael W. Twitty’s love letter to rice in the form of a cookbook. Twitty takes readers around the globe examining this humble but precious ingredient in a voice both intimate and authoritative. A perfect guide to selecting, preparing, and cooking rice—will make a fine addition to any cook’s kitchen.”—Bridgette A. Lacy, author of Sunday Dinner: A Savor the South Cookbook