The Cookbook Club meets once a month to share recipes from a new cookbook off our library shelves. February's pick is Black Food : Stories, Art & Recipes from Across the African Diaspora  edited by Bryant Terry  with photographs by Oriana Koren.

About the Book: "A beautiful, rich, and groundbreaking book exploring Black foodways within America and around the world, curated by food activist and author of Vegetable Kingdom Bryant Terry"--

"In this stunning and deeply heartfelt tribute to Black culinary ingenuity, Bryant Terry captures the broad and divergent voices of the African Diaspora through the prism of food. With contributions from more than 100 Black cultural luminaries from around the globe, the book moves through chapters exploring parts of the Black experience, from Homeland to Migration, Spirituality to Black Future, offering delicious recipes, moving essays, and arresting artwork. As much a joyful celebration of Black culture as a cookbook, Black Food explores the interweaving of food, experience, and community through original poetry and essays, including "Jollofing with Toni Morrison" by Sarah Ladipo Manyika, "Queer Intelligence" by Zoe Adjonyoh, "The Spiritual Ecology of Black Food" by Leah Penniman, and "Foodsteps in Motion" by Michael W. Twitty. The recipes are similarly expansive and generous, including sentimental favorites and fresh takes such as Crispy Cassava Skillet Cakes from Yewande Komolafe, Okra & Shrimp Purloo from BJ Dennis, Jerk Chicken Ramen from Suzanne Barr, Avocado and Mango Salad with Spicy Pickled Carrot and Rof Dressing from Pierre Thiam, and Sweet Potato Pie from Jenné Claiborne. Visually stunning artwork from such notables as Black Panther Party creative director Emory Douglas and artist Sarina Mantle are woven throughout, and the book includes a signature musical playlist curated by Bryant." - From the Catalog

Register for any recipe below or any recipe from the cookbook. We will email you a recipe and/or put a cookbook on hold for you. Please register so we know how much cutlery to have on hand. Please see info below from the public health department. Email mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org with any questions.

• Vegan Sweet Potato Coconut Biscuits - taken
• Avocado & Mango Salad-taken
• Crispy Cassava Skillet Cakes - taken
• The Best Potato Salad Ever - taken
• Jollof Rice with Beans
• Cornbread Muffins - taken
• Saltfish Fritters - taken
• Peach Hand Pies
• Farro & Red Bean-Stuffed Collard Greens
• Charred Okra Tamales

How it works:

1. Register for a recipe below or call 978-526-7711.
2. Make enough to share (for about 5-10 people) and bring your own serving utensils.
3. Come to the library and be prepared to eat, share, chat, and connect over food. We'll be talking about what you liked or didn't like about the cookbook, how you picked your recipe, and if you modified it at all.

Per the Public Health Department:

• This is a potluck event, the food is donated and shared, it does not come from a licensed kitchen.
• The library is not liable for allergies but all cooks are encouraged to bring an ingredient card with their food so we can be aware of allergens.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that there will be gluten free or vegetarian/vegan options as attendees will choose the dishes they will make. We will, though, have individual meetings that focus on various topics that may feature these kinds of choices.