CBA Record July-August 2023

Another Chicagoan, Tanya Lozano, comes from a family of activists. She uses her love for sports and fitness by running Healthy Hood Chicago, a nonprofit that provides fitness, wellness, and lifestyle guidance to those in lower-income neigh borhoods. A clever twist is that Broussard not only highlights the work they do, but then creates a recipe that they inspired. It’s a creative, and delicious, way to honor them. LeMark tells of pondering life choices while at Starbucks having a coffee and lemon cake. Broussard created Lemon Espresso Pie to “acknowledge the pivotal moment when he recognized that he needed help.” The dish Lozano inspired, Open Faced Pizza Puffs, is a healthier version of what Broussard calls a “hood snack.” Rather than being deep fried, she uses puff-pastry and fresh ingredients. Not being a much of a standard fruit pie person, I was pleased to discover that many of the recipes are for savory treats – pot pies, quiches, and tarts. I tried the Fig and Pig Quiche (because, the name), Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cherry Tart, and the Sweet Potato and Lentil Pot Pie. All three are keepers. The instructions are straightforward and manageable, and she gives variations for gluten-free and vegan crusts. The attractive photos throughout make one want to try all the recipes. My only critique is that only a few of the activists featured are Chicago based. I understand that this book is meant to be national in scope, but we have enough inspiring folks in Chicago to fill a book. In addition to checking out Broussard’s beautiful book, consider getting to know some of my favorite food-based groups working for social justice, such as Black Oaks Center, Gardeneers, We Sow We Grow, and Austin Coming Together (Austin Eats).

SUMMARY JUDGMENTS

REVIEWS, REVIEWS, REVIEWS!

Justice of the Pies: Sweet and Savory Pies, Quiches, and Tarts + Inspirational Stories from Exceptional People Clarkson Potter (2023) Reviewed by Amy Cook T he star of Netflix’s Baked Squad and daughter of noted Chicago criminal defense attorney Stephen Broussard, Maya-Camille Broussard has written a book on pies with a purpose. You will find more than 85 recipes for innovative, creative pies from her social mission bakery, Justice of the Pies, which recently announced its first storefront location at 1500 E. 87th in Chicago. Written as an homage to her dad, many headnotes contain fond remembrances and stories of him. The elder Broussard graduated from Northwestern journalism school undergrad and Northwestern law school. He died in 2009. Self-proclaimed “master of the pies,” his daughter tells the story of early Saturday mornings. He’d tie on his “Skinny People Make Bad Cooks” apron, throw on his toque (yes, he actually had one), blast his favorite jazz albums and bake a quiche. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to that? Maya-Camille Broussard started work ing in a shared kitchen in 2014 and sell ing at farmers markets. She wanted to celebrate not only her “dad’s love of pies but also reflect on his life. He was a man who grew up with food insecurity, and he was also a criminal defense attorney. So, in building the bakery, I integrated a social mission element to fight against food inse curities and give people second chances.” She walks the walk with workshops

providing elementary-aged children from lower-income communities instruction on good nutrition, developing basic cook ing skills, and encouraging creativity in the kitchen. In cultivating these life skills, she says, we are helping children become more food secure and more self-sufficient in the kitchen. Numerous other stories charm, and that’s what makes a cookbook worth buying. You can get recipes anywhere these days, although Broussard’s offer out-of-the-ordinary flavor combinations: Lavender Blueberry Pie, Coconut Curry Chicken Pot Pie, Ginger Carrot and Asparagus Quiche, and Chocolate Pear Tart, are a few that caught my eye. She attributes her keen sense of smell and taste to the fact that she has had significant hearing loss since she was a baby and has adapted by noticing flavors and aromas. Her recipes are inspired by personal experiences, travels, and meals shared with friends. And then there are those created to reflect the spirit of impact ful people. A dozen or so are profiled throughout the book. The Chicagoans featured include the heartbreaking yet ultimately redemptive story of Christopher LeMark, founder of Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health. Sur viving a traumatic childhood, his mission is to change the way therapy is viewed in the Black and Brown communities.

Amy Cook, a member of the CBA Record Editorial Board, works with food based nonprofits and small businesses. As a former cookbook literary agent, she has put in the hard work of helping test hundreds of recipes. CBA RECORD 49