The term “soul food” evokes certain ideas and fuzzy feelings. It’s southern food, it’s comfort food—it’s unhealthy food. But Carla Hall’s Soul Food (Harper Wave, $29.99) focuses on the healthier side of this favorite culinary genre, proving that it can be veggie heavy and nutrient rich while still reminding you of Mama. With 145 recipes, TV chef Carla Hall's newest kitchen collection takes users back to her Nashville roots and throws in a dash of Africa and a pinch of the Caribbean. The American south sings in this fresh and modern take on traditional soul food and hosts an array of side dishes, spice mixtures, drinks, desserts, and finger-lickin' carbs and proteins. How does Brown Sugar Baked Chicken sound? Good? OK—what about Nutmeg Eggnog Buttermilk Pie? Too much? Of course not. With contributions by recipe-developer Genevieve Ko, this is one cook book that won't end up in your donate-to-Goodwill pile.