There's nothing quite like a crisp and refreshing blue cheese wedge salad on a hot summer day. A wedge salad is a simple yet elegant dish that can be easily dressed up or down. The key to a good wedge salad is a crisp, fresh iceberg lettuce. For this wedge salad recipe, I like to …
Recipes from the African Diaspora
Cabbage is a leafy green vegetable that is often used in Southern and soul food cooking. It has a slightly bitter taste, so is often cooked with bacon or ham to balance out the flavor. Cabbage is also used in slaws and salads, and can be pickled for a tangy treat. So whether you're looking …
No doubt the legacy of American slavery has had a huge impact on black folks culinary history and traditions. This is acutely obvious when you consider some of the meat cuts that have been very popular in soul food cooking when it comes to meat cuts. Historically enslaved people in colonial times got the leftover …
Well, well, well, good people of flavor, I'm comin’ atcha live with a plate so soulful, it'll ta ta ya right in the taste buds! We're talkin' Country Fried Pork Steak—juicy, marinated shoulder steak, double-dredged in seasoned flour, and pan-fried to a golden, craggy crisp that crunches like a vinyl pop before the groove kicks …
Related Posts: Yo, groovy food cats and soulful taste-trippers! Get ready to take a soulful spin down the flavor lane with a recipe that's funkier than a James Brown bassline — we're talkin' about them Southern Butter Beans, straight from the heart of Big Mama's kitchen. Let the rhythm of simmerin' beans and the melody …
Crispy roasted okra is one of my new favorite veggies. Its a no-fuss, delicious side that is ready in less than 30 minutes. Down here in Texas we're lucky to still be able to get fresh okra locally. If you're fortunate enough as well this is a great side you can add that will free you up to focus on other dishes. Many people fear okra because of the slime. Don't fear the slime, as a matter of fact, follow the great Nelson Mandela's words and don't fear anything - "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." I recently discovered the musician Mimi. She is an incredibly inspiring and brave artist. Check out her song "Afraid" as an example of her talent and testimony.
Grilling season for me is all year round. I'm not much for rain, but the elements generally do not stop me from that grill life, especially during football playoffs season. Big games are scheduled this winter weekend so I'll be pretending I'm vacationing in the islands with an ice cold Red Stripe Lager and these slow-smoked jerk ribs. Make this for your gameday experience or wait til the summer if you're not inclined to deal with the weather. Enjoy
Beer is the perfect drink for summer. It's refreshing, flavorful, and goes great with all sorts of food. But sometimes, beer can be a little too heavy or filling. That's why the refreshing ginger summer shandy is the perfect beer drink for hot summer days. It's high time you had the best shandy ever, which …
If there's one thing everyone needs in their life, it's a good spaghetti dinner or pasta recipe. And this Haitian spaghetti is the perfect recipe for any busy cook and a great entry into Haitian cuisine. Over the last 10 years or so I've become more and more exposed to Haitian food. I'd say Haitian …
Related Posts Ham hocks are a staple in soul food cooking, adding rich and smoky flavors to a variety of recipes especially stewed dishes. These flavorful cuts of meat come from the pork leg, and are a versatile ingredient that can be used in soups, stews, greens, and more. What Is A Ham Hock Ham …
Sweet potatoes are a type of root vegetable that is native to South America. They were first cultivated by the Incas, and later spread to the Caribbean and Africa via the Transatlantic slave trade. Yams, which most people mistake for the more common sweet potatoes, were essential part of African culture and diet. During colonization …
If you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make side dish, look no further than this fried sweet plantains recipe aka platanos maduros fritos. It is perfect for Caribbean cuisine lovers or anyone who wants to add a bit of sweet and savory flavor to their meal. These sweet plantains are the perfect blend of sweet …
These instant pot country-style ribs come out fall-off-the-bone delicious with little effort from the cook. Cuban-inspired flavors set these off so make sure you have plenty of bread on hand to sop up the insatiable sauce. Not only do these ribs have great flavor, but they are also cooked from start to finish in no …
Related Posts It's Summertime, and that means it's time to break out the grill! One of my favorite things to make for those Summer cookouts and BBQs is pork steaks. They're easy to cook, and they always taste delicious when smothered in a tangy vinegar-based barbecue sauce. This grilled pork steaks recipe will be on …
Have you ever cooked collard greens? If not, you're missing out! They are easy to cook and they taste great too! If you know what I'm about, then this blog post won't be a surprise to you. I'll tell you how to cook collard greens in different ways so you can experience their delicious flavor …
Have you ever made delicious jerk chicken? It's so good! And it's really easy to make. But what do you serve with it? I've got some ideas for you. Check out my blog post for some banging delicious ideas. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! Jerk Chicken along with brown stew chicken is like Jamaican …
Want to experience Haitian cuisine? Then try the pickled Haitian condiment known as pikliz (pronounced - pick lees)- a delicious, sweet, and spicy Caribbean slaw made out of cabbage, carrot, onions, hot peppers plus vinegar and lime juice. I think of it more as Haitian hot sauce, cause it's not used in the context of …
Step into the vibrant world of Caribbean cuisine as we embark on a culinary voyage that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul. Puerto Rican Sancocho, a beloved, iconic and hearty stew, is far more than a dish—it's a celebration of flavors, culture, and tradition that have been simmering for generations. Related Puerto …
Alright now, flavor chasers—this ain’t your everyday chicken, nah baby, this is Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken turned all the way up, bold and bumpin’ like Mr. Vegas' “Heads High”—keep that flavor level high, no shame here. We’re talkin’ juicy chicken seared 'til golden, then simmered low and slow in a dark, rich gravy made with …
As I continue to make dishes rooted in South American cuisine, this Brazilian Collard Greens dish is one of my favorite. It's simple, quick, but has crazy amounts of flavor. Brazilians cut their greens into thin strips kinda like shredded paper. This allows for a very quick cook, ??? (15 minutes) sauted in an oil infused by smoked ham hocks, lots of garlic, and onions.
When I cook greens I don't even think about adding the greens to the pot until my stock has simmered all day and then sat another day in the fridge. Killer stock makes for extra nice potlikker and will take your collards from ashy to classy. Enjoy the greens, but don't forget to save the potlikker and use for just about everything. I drink a shot first for quality control.
If you visit an Austin, TX bbq joint odds are pretty high you'll find giant smoked beef ribs on the menu. Beefy and smoky with a hella dark and crusty bark, these gigantic bad boys are a thing of beauty and will make you da dude when you serve them up at your next barbecue. …
There is nothing like a good classic meatballs and spaghetti sauce recipe, but sometimes a change-up like instant pot meatballs is necessary. These North African inspired meatballs are delicous, moist, and easy to make thanks to the instant pot cooking. These easy instant pot meatballs are well seasoned with a dry seasoning mix and cooked …
I'm not looking to start any beefs with this jollof rice recipe as I know jollof can be pretty polarizing. I'm talking MC Shan vs. KRS 1 if you're Nigerian or Ghanaian. I'm just a brother who likes ethnic rice dishes with intense flavors. And of all the rice dishes from around the world, jollof from the motherland is by far the best. Paella, jambalaya, arroz con pollo, etc. I love them all, but they can't hold a candle to jollof. I've been in the lab working on my jollof skills and finally feel like I'm at a point where I can share. Enjoy!
Cabbage is one of my favorite comfort foods and it pairs with pretty much any other food. This cabbage stew recipe is hearty, flavorful, and straight-up fun to eat. You do a recipe search for cabbage stew and you'd be hard-pressed to find two similar recipes. That's because cabbage works with everything. When I'm hungry, …
There ain't nothing more comforting than a big pot of creamy navy beans and ham! These are slowly simmered into a rich, deeply flavored bowl of Southern comfort. This is a very simple soul food recipe. It comes down to two ingredients plus a few add ons playing a supporting role. It's proof that humble …
Cauliflower can be pretty boring, so I scoured the internet for a variety of quality vegan cauliflower recipes. There were some decent ones, but I figured I could do better. I decided to give whole cauliflower head the meat treatment and go all out with a rich, flavorful braising liquid as if I were cooking …
Experience the tantalizing flavors of seared duck breast infused with West African suya spice—a fusion of savory and aromatic sensations in every bite! Related Pan Seared Posts: I’m proud to collaborate with more than 30 Black recipe developers as we celebrate Black History Month 2022. This Virtual Potluck explores Black food through the lens of …
Checkout this dope collard greens dish that harmonizes flavors and melodies with our Smoky Southern Style Vegan Collard Greens recipe, perfectly paired with Spandau Ballet's iconic song "True." Dive into a world of soulful greens infused with smoky goodness, reminiscent of Southern comfort and heartwarming melodies. This recipe brings together vibrant collard greens, aromatic spices, …
Experience a taste of the tropics with Caribbean-style coconut chicken curry. Succulent chicken, vibrant spices, and creamy coconut meld for a luscious dish that's both exotic and comforting. Related Chicken Recipe Posts: There are a lot of coconut curry chicken recipes out there and from different parts of the world. You may have had South …
Fall-Off-the-Bone Oxtail Pepperpot: Deep, Rich, and Bold with a Silky-Smooth Heat Well now, my people, my people, pull up a seat and let the aroma take you there. We talkin’ Guyanese Pepperpot made with oxtail—a rich, slow-simmer meat gumbo that gets deep in your bones and hugs you from the inside out. This dish don’t …
Have you seen chicken wing prices lately? Oh well, I'm making crispy, kicked-up lemon pepper chicken thighs instead. These boneless skin-on chicken thighs are cooked quickly in the air fryer for a nice and quick comfort food main dish served on a busy weeknight. These lemon pepper chicken thighs are true to their name as …
This easy blackened chicken recipe is perfect for one of those busy weeknights. Elevate bland chicken breasts to big, spicy, and tender chicken in under 15 minutes and with a few staple ingredients you’re highly likely to have on hand. “Blackened chicken” is usually the answer when I’m struggling to decide on what’s for dinner. …
Caribbean-style oxtail stew: succulent meat infused with spicy warmth, balanced by sweet undertones of vegetables. Paired with Mtume's "You, Me, and He," it's a harmonious blend of soulful flavors and melodies that transport you to a Caribbean culinary paradise. Related Oxtail Posts: Step into the rhythm of the islands with my Caribbean Style Oxtail stew …
Steamed Jamaican Cabbage is simple, easy to prepare, and oh so delicious. It can be ready in under 30 minutes for a weeknight side dish that transports you on a visit to Jamaica. See Video in Recipe Card There are so many things to love about Jamaican steamed cabbage. Beyond the simplicity and ease of …
Smothered pork chops: tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. A classic comfort food favorite that satisfies the soul with every bite. Related Pork Chop Posts: Might just be the best Southern smothered pork chop recipe you'll taste ever! They have flavor at every level thanks to the tasty brine and creamy, tangy onion gravy making …
I celebrated the last day of Carnivale with this tasty and colorful Brazilian Fish Stew aka moqueca Baiana. I listened to a fair amount of samba music, but had to bring in the funk with Brazilia's own Tim Maia one of my favorite artists. Enjoy
Ropa vieja, Cuban food babeeee! It's got that soul that just don’t quit. We're talkin’ long-braised beef chuck roast or flank steak, shredded like memories and soaked in a tomato-olive groove that sings in every bite. This is your favorite flavor nerd comin’ at you with a shredded beef dish that slow cooks its way …
This creamy, delicious seafood stew boasts everything. It's got flavor, aroma, good looks, and is completely satisfying! Full disclosure - this stew is absurdly insatiable so you'll want to make more than what you think is enough. The coconut sauce brings the next level of creaminess, while the Trinidadian-based flavor base provides character and complexity. …
As part of this year’s Black History Month celebration, I’ve collaborated with several other amazing black food bloggers for our 2021 Black History Month Virtual Potluck Takeover. Not only do we celebrate and honor the culinary traditions of people across the African diaspora, but we also share some historical context behind many of the dishes. My contribution this …