Rating: 
Summary: THIS IS THE BOOK TO BUY!
Review: I was taught how to cook by numerous relatives(from Georgia, Virginia and New Jersey) and I have had people to tell me that I could throw down with some cooking; but after trying some of Patti's recipes, people were telling me that I need to be a professional caterer! I own tons of recipe books, but this one lives up to Ms. Labelles' reputation as an excellent cook. I cooked for 18 people this christmas; not only did every one on her recipes I tried score a hit: (String beans a labelle, good and cheap pot roast, peach cobbler, over the rainbow macaroni and cheese); Patti enhanced my cooking, just by suggesting everyday ingredients rather than buying some outrageously exotic spices and seasonings. One word of caution, use only some of these recipes for special occasions, cause if you eat this on the regular, you will be on this website looking for a Tae-Bo tape afterwards (cause I'm looking for one now). Here's to REAL SOUL FOOD! THANKS PATTI! :)
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Summary: My absolute favorite cookbook EVER! Thank you, Ms. Patti!
Review: I have been cooking for years, not out of obligation, but because I get this incredible feeling from creating meals- it is my art. This is why I feel so connected (not in a "Single White Female" way!)to Patti LaBelle. Cooking is her art, it's her expression of love and devotion to her family and friends. I totally understood her fierce protection over her famous potato salad recipe- once you give it to someone, it no longer belongs to you. So, I understand what a loving sacrafice she has made by giving us this collection of incredible recipes. I particularly recommend her "Over the Rainbow" mac and cheese, her "Don't Block the Blessings" dressing (stuffing, for you "Stove Top" lot), her "Make You Wanna Holler" Maryland crab cakes, and her Aunt Mary's Philadelphia Butter cake. The stories behind the recipes is worth having even if you never cooked a single thing. Even if you are hopeless in the kitchen, if you follow these recipes to the letter, you'll even impress your mother-in-law!!
Rating:
Summary: THANK YOU MISS PATTI !!!
Review: I finally broke down and got this book, after repeatedly hearing everybody talk about how great the recipies were. THEY DIDN'T LIE!! In commemoration of Black History Month, I decided to throw a Sunday dinner, inviting my mom, grandmother and other family members over. I can cook, but never cooked a Soul Food Dinner. Needless to say, the invitees were skeptical, but supportive. I made the Over the Rainbow Mac & Cheese, Screamin' Mean Greens, Sumptous & Simple Fried Chicken, and for dessert, Norma's Black Bottom Sweet Potato Pie. EVERYTHING TURNED OUT GREAT!! My Grandmother & Mama were so proud. The only thing left was one chicken wing, and that was because everyone was too full and too ashamed to take it!!! I am now going to order Patti's "Lite" cooking book, because if I continue to cook and eat like this, I ain't gonna make it!! This is the only cook book I ever bought that works!! I recommend this book to everyone!!
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Summary: Great Recipes and Stories from a Great Diva!!
Review: I bought the book because I'm a fan of Patti LaBelle's music and her life stories (from her autobiography. Now, I'm a fan of her food! For an Irish-American woman in Michigan like me to be able to make Macaroni and Cheese and Smothered Chicken alone was worth ten times the price of this book. My Italian husband who grew up in New York eating out-of-this-world soul food from neighborhood restaurants and cooks was amazed. He was asking for thirds! I can't wait to try out more recipes. Be warned, many of these recipes are traditional soul-food recipes, i.e., high in fat/cholesterol/calories. You can, however, use substitute ingredients to lower the sin quotient. You only live once, so as long as you don't eat like this everyday, try the recipes in their original form - you'll love the food!!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite singer is my favorite cook!
Review: Miss Patti's recipes are delicious. I've always heard stories about how she throws down with a hotplate in her hotel rooms and how cooking is such a joy for her, so I was so happy when this book was released. It's where I go first for easy to follow recipes for good food. This is a good mix of Sunday and everyday recipes.
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Summary: I'm cooking now!!!
Review: This cookbook has turned me into a real cook. My skill were really limited prior to buying the book (ask my husband and kids). The recipes are really good and Patti Labelle includes a lot of cooking information that is helpful to the novice cook. I now feel confident inviting people over for dinner and making meals that are a little different from the ordinary. Some of the recipes I have had to make a few times before I got them just right, but the reviews by my family and friends have always been good. I would recommend Patti Labelle's Lite Cuisine cookbook for everyday cooking because the recipes are more healthy and simple than LaBelle Cuisine. However, for special occations, potlucking for the holidays, etc., this cookbook will make people think you know your way around the kitchen. It will also give you the confidence to create your own recipes once you know the basics of how to do certain things. I've learned about seasonings and other things that really bring flavor to food. I started with the mac & Cheese, moved on to the smothered chicken, and shrimp creole, and haven't stopped cooking since.
Rating:
Summary: Already tattered and torn, a sign of a truly good cookbook.
Review: As the southern daughter of the one southern woman that doesn't cook, I always felt challenged in the area of true southern soul food cooking. I picked this cookbook up after seeing Patti LaBelle on Oprah making some of the foods that I remembered my aunts and grandmother cooking in my childhood. The recipes are surprisingly very easy and with a family of 6 (including teenaged boys) I appreciated the more than generous portions the author cooks with. Interspersed with each recipe is an anecdote from Ms. LaBelle's life, either on or offstage, you get the true feeling of how she loves her family and shows that through her cooking. This is comfort food at it's very best. The cookbook is battered and dusty with flour, which to me is a sign of greatness in a cookbook-one that you turn to again and again.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Not much to say except that I don't regret purchasing this book. Even though every recipe is not great, overall the majority are either okay or really great. I do a lot of cooking and this book helps with my life and helps make my family a lot happier.
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Summary: Great Cookbook for the Non-Cooks and Pros!
Review: I ordered this book after hearing about how great it was, especially the macaroni and cheese from a co-worker. I was delighted when I found the recipes to be easy to follow and used many ingredients that I already had in my cupboard. I have never been much of a cook and have recently been trying new and different meals. This book was perfect! The green bean recipe is simple, yet absolutely delicious. Loved the fried corn too! The macaroni and cheese was to die for! Absolutely awesome!!! I'll be cooking salmon next week and can't wait. My biggest challenge will be the Wicked Peach Cobbler, but I know it will also be a winner. I have thoroughly enjoyed this cookbook and highly, highly recommend it. You won't be sorry. Even if you're a pro, you may find some of these simple recipes exciting to eat. Bon apetit!
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: What can I say but, this woman can cook. I bought this book and used about 6 of the recipes for my first Christmas in which I cooked for my in laws and they were blown away. My mom bought it, my best friend, and my pastor's wife hijacked it. This book is great!!
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