An American Icon's Poetry of Food
It should come as no surprise that one of the most influential
voices of contemporary literature brings poise, intention and
palpable joy to her kitchen. Dr. Maya Angelou, the 82-year-old
renaissance woman known for her dramatic prose, activism and
passion for the arts, history, education and civil rights, has
had a lifelong love affair with all things culinary.
“I’m a serious cook,” she said. “I love to plan the food. I
enjoy the cooking of it. And I will plan the whole meal while
I’m in my bathtub.”
Self-Commitment
Angelou's food fervor met challenges when a medical exam
revealed serious risks for hypertension and diabetes. She had to
lose weight. Her first attempt at healthy eating involved
replacing decadent ingredients with low-calorie alternatives.
“But I was starving!” she said. “So I decided to cook the way I
always cook, just not eat as much. I gave myself my word that I
would not have seconds. It’s the most wonderful thing, you know,
when you give yourself your word in private -- secretly. You
feel like a ninny if you go back on it because you’ve been there
all the while.”
She prepared and ate every recipe in her latest cookbook, “Great
Food, All Day Long: Cook Splendidly, Eat Smart,” and relished
every bite. Meanwhile, her weight-related health concerns
diminished.
Simply paging through her cookbook is enough to push your
salivary glands into overdrive. Recipes such as chicken
tetrazzini, barbecued spare ribs, pumpkin soup and “all day and
all night” cornbread are interwoven with heart-warming stories
and personal insight. In her typical way, Angelou draws you into
not only her kitchen, but her life.
Full Article - Click Here
