Real Men Cook: Rites, Rituals, and Recipes for Living

Everyone says they're against racial stereotyping, but few actually do something about it. Moyo, co-founder of Real Men Cook for Charity, is in the latter category. In 1989, he started the Real Men cookout, a Father's Day charity event designed to celebrate black men as positive role models. Sixteen years later, Real Men Cook brings together more than 30,000 men from all across the nation. And now Moyo has concentrated all this positive energy into a cookbook. But this volume is more than just a collection of recipes: it's also a compendium of inspirational stories, poems and essays written by dozens of caring, family-oriented black men. In this regard, Moyo has created a vibrant collage of African-American culture and shown how so much of its love, energy and creativity is centered around the kitchen. The recipes, however, are another matter. There's plenty of hearty and flavorful food in the book: Howard's International Turkey Chili is a standout; and James's Fried Chicken, which uses peanut oil, is a fun twist on an old favorite. But many recipes depend upon canned goods or store-bought sauces, which may turn off purists, and although some lighter dishes are included, the emphasis is decidedly not low-fat. Ultimately, though, Moyo's project is not about fussiness or complexity. It's about getting more men to the stove or the grill and about showing them how cooking nurtures self-respect, strengthens family bonds and creates continuity between generations. Who can argue with that?