July 8th, 2026

In Search of Soul Food

“Soul food is just what the name implies. It is soulfully cooked food or richly flavored food, good for your ever-loving soul.”

Sheila Ferguson (American Singer & Songwriter; October 8th, 1947)

“In 1900, a Kentucky mountain woman walked fifty miles to seek a place for her granddaughter at Berea College high school. ‘Hit’s a lot worse to be soul-hungry than to be body-hungry.’ she explained.”

“…a legacy clearly steeped in tradition; a way of life that has been handed down from generation to generation.”

Sheila Ferguson (American Singer & Songwriter; October 8th, 1947)

“And while the expression ‘soul food’ is usually used to describe traditional African-American cooking, this emotionally evocative cuisine is color-blind. Real soul food only knows the borders of the heart. Soul food is universal culinary memories, stories, and recipes.”

“When preparing soul food, we can’t cook by the book but rather by instinct, by using our senses.”

“You taste, rather than measure, the seasoning you treasure; and you use your eyes, not a clock to judge when that cherry pie has bubbled sweet and nice. These skills are hard to teach quickly. They must be felt… and come straight from the heart and soul.”

Sheila Ferguson (American Singer & Songwriter; October 8th, 1947)

“This summer, collect soulful recipes, or have someone you love but don’t see very often cook for you. Better still, try taking a personal cooking lesson. You might think you know to make jam cake with caramel icing, but do you?”

“Cooking is the center of our home…as the sous chef, I am so proud to be a part of my husband’s creations. Pure ART!“

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–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 248 to 249 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.