Corn Dance: Inspired First American Cuisine

by Loretta Barrett Oden, Beth Dooley (Contributor)

Growing up in Shawnee, Oklahoma, among a host of grandmothers and aunties, Loretta Barrett Oden learned the lessons and lore of Potawatomi cooking, along with those of her father’s family, whose ancestors arrived on the Mayflower. This rich cultural blend came to bear in the iconic restaurant she opened in Santa Fe, the Corn Dance Café, where many of the dishes in this book had their debut, setting Loretta on her path to fame as one of the most influential Native chefs in the nation, a leader in the new Indigenous food movement, and, with her Emmy Award–winning PBS series, Seasoned with A Native Cook’s Journey , a cross-cultural ambassador for First American cuisine.

Corn Inspired First American Cuisine tells the story of Loretta’s journey and of the dishes she created along the way. Alongside recipes that combine the flavors of her Oklahoma upbringing and Indigenous heritage with the Southwest flair of her Santa Fe restaurant, Loretta offers entertaining and edifying observations about ingredients and cooking culture. What kind of quail might turn up in your vicinity, for instance; what to do with piñon nuts, sumac, or nopales (cactus paddles); when to add a bundle of pine needles or a small branch of cedar to your these and many practical words of wisdom about using the fruits of the forest, stream, or plain, accompany Loretta’s insights on everything from the dubious provenance of fry bread to the Potawatomi legend behind the Three Sisters—corn, beans, and squash, the namesake ingredients of Three Sisters and Friends Salad, served at Corn Dance Café and now at Thirty Nine Restaurant at First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, where Oden is the Chef Consultant.

Amply illustrated and adapted to bring the taste of Native tradition into the home kitchen, Corn Dance invites readers to join Loretta Oden on her inspiring journey into the Indigenous heritage, and the exhilarating culinary future, of North America.
 

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Nonfiction, Native American, Cooking, Indigenous

264 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good cookbook that I can sit and read through. The author's stories of her life and history woven throughout. This one was great!

[ShopAroundTheCorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful and vibrant cookbooks I've ever read. I got it from the library and I already plan to buy it when I can! I'm distantly Potawatomi and didn't grow up learning about this part of my background, so I felt really connected to the recipes in this book - reading it feels like a warm hug upon meeting a wonderful relative you've only heard about.

[Danni0309 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted this beautiful cookbook from my cousin. She is no dummy! She knows I love cookbooks that include stories and educational information along with beautiful pictures. This one did not disappoint. She also knows that I will invite her over and cook some of the recipes. I can’t wait to make many of the recipes in this book.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Presents native American foods in recipes that are healthy, delicious and contemporary.

It is also a reminder that many native American foods are already on our tables: tomatoes, corn, and chocolate, to name a few.

Highly recommended.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems like many of these recipes have been shared before in various places, since she had a PBS show etc, but the stories to read are really good food.

[Clivemichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection, inspired ideas.

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and interesting collection of American indigenous and indigenous-inspired recipes

[Samuel Longoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

not what I thought it would be, but a good book for people wanting to eat Native American inspired dishes, some ingredients might be difficult to get.

[Cheryl]

Beautiful book with lots of doable recipes. Interesting notes. Nothing for me, unfortunately. But see for yourself if your library has it!

November 2025