This family-focused cookbook builds on Southern roots and beyond, forging a flavorful path for the next generation with a delicious medley of global influences.
By Elizabeth Bonner Czapski
Photography by Caroline Egan Dahlberg
For Ayesha Curry, food has always been a way of life—from a culinary-themed birthday party at 13 to a cooking show inspired by the meals she prepares today for her two young daughters and basketball player husband, Stephen Curry. Backed by an eclectic family heritage and the delight she finds in keeping her loved ones well fed, Ayesha set out to share 100 of her favorite recipes with other families in The Seasoned Life.
“Cooking has always been something I’m passionate about,” Ayesha says. “And now it’s evolved into not only cooking for my family and friends, but being able to share my love for cooking with the world. To me, cooking is an expression of your love on a plate.”
Born in Canada, raised in North Carolina—where she and her husband met as teenagers at their church youth group—and currently bringing up her children in California, Ayesha draws recipe inspiration from her background. Her family ties include Jamaican, Chinese, Polish, and African-American roots. “These are recipes that are reminders of my youth and my culinary growth through the years,” she explains. “Dinnertime was always extremely diverse. My Grilled Spiced Chicken and Asparagus with Parsley Mint Sauce and Mama Alexander’s Brown Sugar Chicken are my favorites—and definitely household favorites.”
In addition to heirloom family fare, Ayesha incorporates many of her own innovative twists. The author says her recent experiences in California have influenced her inclination toward fresh, local ingredients, while her time in the South introduced her to some of the best comfort foods. Her Ham and Cheese Waffles are a play on traditional chicken and waffles; her Sweet and Savory Shrimp and Grits put a unique spin on the regional favorite; and The Best Mac and Cheese elevates the classic casserole with pancetta and breadcrumbs.
From breakfast to dessert, the book is filled with dishes for every occasion, organized into creative chapters like “Cooking with the Littles” and “Game Day or Snack Time.” Recipes such as One-Hour Bread, Quick Jam, Mom’s Leftover Chicken Soup, and Stephen’s Five-Ingredient Pasta appeal to families busy with the hustle and bustle of early-fall activities, but also to those looking to make time for a quality meal.
Ayesha includes helpful tips, pairing ideas, and serving suggestions throughout, as well as a Kitchen Notebook with a list of “need to have” and “nice to have” items. Readers will also be intrigued by the chapter of concoctions for natural food-based scrubs, rubs, and oils. Family memories and traditions are woven in with recipes, along with pictures from the Currys’ lives and even Q&As with the girls and Stephen.
The author says her recipes are all about love. Her desire for the book is to help bring families together in the same way that cooking has always kept her family close. “With the book, I hope families will cook more together, and sit around the dinner table as they enjoy their [food]—that people use it as a vessel to make a wonderful meal,” she says.
“Creating a cookbook was not only a dream of mine, but also a legacy for my daughters. I hope my book becomes a household staple that can be passed down through generations.”
Published by Little, Brown and Company, The Seasoned Life is available at booksellers nationwide. Experience more of Ayesha’s cooking with her new meal-kit delivery service, Homemade, and get boxes filled with her favorite ingredients and recipes delivered to your door—furthering her passion for helping families gather around the dinner table.
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