A smoked cherry tomatoes salad may sound a bit unorthodox, but take a leap of faith and trust me on this one. The tomatoes work well as a stand-alone salad, vegetable poppers, or as an ingredient in another recipe.
5 Ingredients or Less
It's almost okra season, but I couldn't wait. This is my version of "fried okra aka "Southern Popcorn." I switch it up to longer okra halves so they're more like fries. And for a super crispy texture, I subbed rice flour for wheat flour. It's not only crunchier but has a light, clean finish about it. Don't worry there is absolutely no slime!
The last of the recipes featuring harissa sauce, I think. I'm tempted to make another batch and create more recipes to pair it with. Keeping the simple + elegant vibe these glazed harissa carrots will put a smile on your face. No fuss, but high flavor.
My first grilling recipe of the spring is this Cedar Plank Salmon. However, the black tea (Lapsang) rub is a special one and elevates a really simple dish. It's a 20-minute recipe that tastes like hours of work.
Charred Asparagus may just be the perfect side. Less than 5 ingredients, Less than 10 minutes total cook time including prep, and backed by an ever so versatile and killer harissa sauce. Don't worry the sauce is not too spicy, as the honey and lemon juice tames the heat from the chili paste.
Kicking off what is essentially "Harissa Month" with these game day worthy spicy chicken wings. These are fiery and hella tasty.
These grilled prawns are as quick and gourmet you can get in about 5 minutes. We serve them as weeknight appetizers, but they're snazzy and unique enough to pull-off at a fancy party. Make the sauce ahead of time and be sure to make enough to use for a few other recipes.
Quick Tapas Dish Fast! Shishito or Padron peppers are my go-to eat while cooking dish or tide me over appetizer or fancy party finger food.
Fried bologna sandwiches were a staple of my childhood, and I'm sure for many it still is. I refer to it as a "hood classic" as every kid from the hood has a story and a recipe version for bologna sandwiches. Though a humble sandwich made with basic ingredients, it along with other humble dishes have played a significant role in Black History as a means of survival, show of resourcefulness, and example of innovation. My grandparents told me stories of The Negro Motorist Green Book which was essentially a guide for black road trippers to find safe havens in the form of restaurants, gas stations, and hotels given the hatred and related dangers they faced in Jim Crow South. Shoebox lunches were also the norm, and bologna sandwiches were prominent in these pack lunches which were brought along for those stretches on the road where you were not likely to find a restaurant that served "coloreds." Enjoy the sandwich and learn a lil black history in this post.
One of the things that impressed me most about the Civil Rights Movement and continues to be a source of inspiration for me is the fact that there were so many every day people who contributed. It wasn't just about Dr. King, Julian Bond, and John Lewis, but also the unsung like Georgia Gilmore who went from cafeteria cook to unemployed as the result of the bus boycott to home-cook and entrepreneur who fed and financed the movement. I'm happy to tell her story in this month's post as well as offer up in the immortal words of Outkast's Big Boi - "some fish and grits and all that pimp shit!" Enjoy
For a nice change-up to sweet potato Thanksgiving recipes try this simple, low prep hasselback sweet potatoes dish. This doesn't have to be a special occasion dish, as it easily works for a weeknight side. I've been experimenting more with ghee (claried butter) lately in some of my dishes. Ghee is a great cooking oil that I jokingly refer to as super butter since its both lactose and casein free, has a high smoke point (aka you can cook it at high heat levels without it browning/burning), and is rich and complex in flavor. Celebrate the life of the great Roy Hargrove with me by cooking to my favorite track "Strasbourg/St. Denis" which is my favorite song by his quintet.
Belgian Fries - the perfect side, period! Pillow soft, moist and deliciously crispy with a golden brown color and enhanced flavor from duck fat. Full disclosure these fries are highly addictive. Before figuring out a recipe, I've on more than one occasion brainstormed ways of getting to Brussels, hence the song choice - Kari Faux's "Law of Attraction." Enjoy, and after you've tried them, feel free to give me a shout and let me know your thoughts.
Fluffy Coconut Ginger Rice with a Creamy Kick and Fiery Fresh Zing Yo!, food lovers and flavor chasers, this one right here is a groove—coconut ginger rice that hits like a warm bassline wrapped in sunshine. We're talkin’ jasmine rice simmered slow and silky in coconut milk, with fresh ginger sliding through like a smooth …
Related Scallop Recipes: Today, we gather to celebrate the marriage of delicate, buttery pan-seared scallops and the bold awakening of a robust coffee vinaigrette. In this divine union of land and sea, a harmonious blend of textures, aromas, and tastes awaits, promising an unforgettable soulful experience that will leave you yearning for more. Many people …
Velvety Vibes: Learn How to Cook Green Lentils with Soul, Spice & Texture That Sings Well now, welcome to the groove kitchen, baby—where flavor speaks in deep tones and texture hums in harmony. Today we’re slow-simmerin’ a pot of Smokey Green Lentils, the kind that stick to your ribs and slide across your tongue. These …
Sheet pan roasted vegetables - a no fuss, no mess way to cook delicious sides while multi-tasking or devoting time to your main dish. The beans and potatoes are well seasoned and roasted directly in a sheet pan. Take out two birds with one stone with this easy dish! MOOD MUSIC What main dish goes …
Heirloom tomato galette made with puff pastry is an easy, savory dessert recipe for non-bakers or just anyone looking for convenience. Charming, effortless and screaming Summer dessert, this galette is a winner! MOOD MUSIC During my last farmer's market visit, the selection of fresh, vibrant heirloom tomatoes got me pretty damn excited. Admittedly, I lose …
For those who want to enjoy Summer's best fruit beyond a cold slice or fruity drink, this is a great alternative. With the appearance of Ahi Tuna, the texture and mouthfeel of a medium rare ribeye, this finished roasted watermelon steak is a great fancy appetizer and main ingredient for a summer salad. Summertime doesn't …
Are some of your favorite recipes the most minimalist? This whole roasted cauliflower recipe fits the bill and is probably the best simple recipe you'll ever have. The cauliflower is seasoned extremely well both inside and out. In most cauliflower recipes, cauliflower plays a supporting role. For this one, it's actually the star in a …
The perfect summer salad; refreshingly light with grilled calamari, ripe cherry tomatoes, and sweet watermelon that can be pulled off in a few minutes with minimal work. I'm a little late posting this as I had every intention to have this on the blog several days before the 4th of July. But hey, for my …
Delicious 10 minute take on a soul food staple featuring no slime okra and tomatoes prepared with one of the most simple cooking methods to allow the okra's natural flavor to shine augmented with lime and fresh mint. We eat okra in so many different ways in my house. But I understand not everyone is …
Crispy smashed sweet potato recipe featuring crispy, rich exterior with a sweet soft, and moist tender center for a perfect way to enjoy one of my favorite vegetables. MOOD MUSIC Duck fat and sweet potatoes are a perfect pairing. I buy duck fat from my local farmers' market from time to time, and then promptly …
Simple and easy raw shaved fennel salad with basic vinaigrette, radishes, fresh herbs and Parmesan. Do you ever find yourself wanting a simple side or salad to complement your main dish? If so this shaved fennel salad is your dish. You can devote all your time and effort to your main dish while having a …
In this flavor-packed post, we explore the vibrant world of zhoug sauce paired with the energizing beats of Rage Against The Machine's song "Bulls on Parade." Zhoug sauce, with its zesty blend of cilantro, jalapenos, and spices, dances on your taste buds, creating a symphony of bold flavors. The song's fiery intensity mirrors the sauce's …
These roasted radishes are a simple, no fuss weeknight or special occasion side dish. This Sous Vide Vegetables recipe requires few ingredients and frees you up to work on your other offerings. You basically set the temperature of the water bath and forget about it. MOOD MUSIC I challenge my kids to be open and …
These simple smoked carrots represent a dish that is so simple to make yet has off the charts flavor. I feel guilty for even including a recipe. Who woulda thought that carrots would make the best smoked vegetables. Net net after about an hour and a half on the grill, these simple dapper orange beauties …
Homemade mango ice cream featuring fresh mangos and roasted red peppers for a tasty sweet and savory dessert combo. Mangos and roasted red peppers in an ice cream recipe? I know, who woulda thunk it? But it actually works. Don't believe me, try it! Its only 5 ingredients and requires very little time and effort …
Alright flavor seekers, lean in—'cause these Mexican candied sweet potatoes, aka Camote enmielado, bring that slow-cooked, deep-soul sweetness that hits like a righteous bassline. Simmered low and steady in piloncillo syrup with cinnamon and clove for about an hour, these tender gems soak up every drop of bold, spiced flavor—no shortcuts, no tricks, just real …
Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar - Without a doubt one of the best roasted Brussels sprouts recipes you'll make; a simple, highly flavorful way to enjoy them! The sprouts are both savory and sweet, highly aromatic, and provides a unique mouth experience for the holidays or easy weeknight side. I never had brussels sprouts as …
Creamy, delicious avocado ice cream paired with a tart and tasty pomegranate sauce for an unforgettable dessert. Lifted by the citrusy lime and balanced with fresh basil the savory avocado is transformed into sweet creamy deliciousness. MOOD MUSIC There is no limit to the amount of effort I'll put into securing damn good ice cream. …
These fiery Peruvian chicken kebabs (anticuchos) are an easy way to transform a simple, cheap cut of meat into something spectacular. Chunks of chicken, marinated in a hot and fruity yellow pepper sauce and quickly grilled on wooden skewers for a game day pleasing appetizer or quick, easy mid-week dinner entree with the family ready …
It's grilling season so I decided to update a family favorite hit - smoked cabbage wedges with an equally delicious pear-lime sauce.
For your next meatless meal try this sweet potato salad recipe or hockey pucks as my son calls the rounds. Cut them round, square, lengthwise or simply nice and fat. These oven-roasted steaks are enhanced by your choice of toppings. You can be as creative or plain as you want but this recipe strives for …
If you ever want to make a recipe "Southern" just fry it or smoke it. I doubled down in my Southernness for this smoked and fried eggplant recipe. The slow smoking of the eggplant infuses it deeply with smokey magic while leaving flesh moist. And because of the long cooking time in the smoker, the …
This Mexican Beer Cocktail aka Da Moopbrown is damn good! Hey if Arnold Palmer can have his own drink, why can't I? Make it and thank me later. Fair warning if you don't like beer, this isn't for you, otherwise drink up, responsibly that is. Admittedly, I was slow to the idea of a beer …
Toasted bread, check. Melted cheese, check. Add sausage and you have the makings of this absolutely delicious grilled cheese sandwich with andouille sausage. Take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level with the addition of smoky andouille sausage! This twist on the classic comfort food combines the gooey goodness of melted cheese with the …
This is not your average bowl of eggplant stew. It's delicious, made with just a few ingredients, and seasoned with a South African Braai spice rub. The spice rub is made homemade and adds amazing flavor to a very simple dish that you will enjoy No Doubt! FOR THE MOOD Eggplant Ingredients For the eggplant …
I know it's fall but we still enjoy a fancy cucumber melon soda! A refreshing and tasty beverage for a hot day or an enjoyable mocktail. MOOD MUSIC SODA INGREDIENTS SODA INSTRUCTIONS Remove seeds from both melon and cucumbers. Chop the fruit roughly and add to a blender along with basil and blend until smooth. …
Tailgate with this grilled Corn on the Cob recipe, featuring simply seasoned fresh corn topped with a vegan crema. MOOD MUSIC One of my favorite tailgating songs is "Eye of the Tiger" from the Rocky IV soundtrack, partly because my fondest college football memories are from my days as a player were our intense workout …
Potatoes scream comfort to me! Quick Roasted Mini Potatoes with chili lime sauce that give them that big EXTRA something good! The chili lime sauce is simple, but packs a complimentary punch. The lime juice brightens the potatoes and helps bring out that roasted flavor. MOOD MUSIC WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE ROASTED POTATOES For …