If you share any of these inclinations, I’ve got a great cookbook for you: Fix Me a Plate. Fix Me a Plate is a collection of soul food recipes, both traditionally prepared and dishes with a twist.

She prepares her meals by following a decades-old cookbook given to her by her mother. Every now and then, she does allow herself the pleasure of making some soul food. “It’s very rich.

Beyond being a valuable kitchen staple, these cookbooks invite you to explore flavors that have defined communities—from the comforting soul food of the South to vibrant Caribbean fare and beyond.