Edna Lewis Recipes to Add to Your Repertoire

“There’s no contesting Edna Lewis’s astronomical contributions in the food world and pioneering in the farm-to-table stratosphere,” writes staffer Inés Anguiano. So after seeing that Knopf publishing house had reissued Lewis’s The Taste of Country Cooking, 50 years after its debut, Inés knew she had to spend time with the title. “Of course, I was instantly reminded how special this book is.” Still trailblazing, still resourceful, still joyful.

Often referred to as the grand dame of Southern cooking, Lewis championed the genre. As a chef, teacher, and storyteller, all of her work emphasized seasonality and sustainability in a period of 1970s convenience. With three other cookbooks under her belt, The Edna Lewis Cookbook, In Pursuit of Flavor, and The Gift of Southern Cooking, Lewis is remembered through these collections of impactful recipes interwoven with rich stories, notably from a community of formerly enslaved people. Just like The Taste of Country Cooking, they’ve all been reissued a number of times, leaving a lasting impression.

Lucky for us, our archive is studded with Lewis’s recipes. To kick off picnic season, make this Lentil and Scallion Salad dressed in a tangy mustard vinaigrette. The flavors intensify as it sits, so make it in advance, then tote it off to the park. If you’re anything like us and need to cap off every meal with a sweet, try these Buttermilk Cookies from Gourmet. One reader reports, “My mom said it’s the best cookie she’s ever had.” Read on to explore Lewis’s spectacular recipes.