Velvet beans. Slow smoke. Sunday-dinner energy in a pot. These beans require few ingredients but have amazing flavor and have become one of my favorite bean recipes. Time is the critical technique for getting that deep, rich flavor so go for longer cook time. These soul food butter beans are everything you want from a …
Recipes from the African Diaspora
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
Bright, citrus-kissed, and ice-cold—this Summer Shandy is sunshine in a glass with a reggae bassline. This summer shandy is the kind of beer cocktail that solves the heat before it even starts—crisp lager, zippy citrus, and ginger heat dancing like a slow jam at a backyard cookout. Rooted in porch-sipping culture and backyard BBQ vibes, …
Bold & Saucy Haitian Spaghetti – Smoky, Spicy, and Ready in 30 Minutes This soul food pasta dish is a Haitian classic—savory spaghetti tossed with sautéed hot dogs or sausage, bell peppers, tomato paste, and a fiery kick of scotch bonnet pepper. Cooked in around 30 minutes, the noodles soak up a rich, spicy sauce …
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 …
A serious island groove - a quick fried sweet plantains recipe with guava glaze a sweet Caribbean side dish you’ll never forget. This plantain recipe takes plátanos maduros fritos to the next level—pan-fried ripe plantains in rich coconut oil, finished with a sticky-sweet guava glaze. A plate of golden brown, caramelized plantains seasoned with dry …
Instant Pot country style pork ribs are pure comfort food, transforming a budget friendly cut into fork tender, juicy pork in about an hour. The ribs pressure cook in a flavorful Cuban inspired braising liquid of orange juice and white wine, which adds bright citrus notes, subtle acidity, and depth that balances the richness of …
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 my Juneteenth …
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 …
Crunchy, Fiery Haitian Pikliz with Tangy Citrus Bite and Bold Scotch Bonnet Heat Alright now, lend me your ears and your taste buds—we're bringin’ you some Haitian fire in a jar with this pikliz recipe that’s crunchy, funky, and full of island attitude. Think of this Haitian condiment like Nas’ “One Love”—sharp, honest, layered with …
Puerto Rican sancocho is what happens when comfort food puts on its finest linen suit and steps out with confidence. You get a comforting stew with big chunks of fall apart tender beef mingled with buttery yuca, sweet plantains, and creamy root vegetables in a broth seasoned with sofrito, garlic, and herbs. The result is …
This authentic Jamaican brown stew chicken is like Jamaican soul food, and all about deep flavor and rich, velvety texture; it's tender chicken braised low and slow until it practically melts, wrapped in a glossy, dark gravy built from caramelized browning sauce and pan-fried aromatics. The technique leans on searing the chicken first for that …
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.
These smoked beef ribs are rich, smoky, and deeply savory with bark-covered edges and buttery meat that pulls clean from the bone after hours in the smoker. This recipe blends classic low-and-slow barbecue technique with Caribbean flavor traditions, creating beef ribs that eat like Texas barbecue with serious diaspora soul. Seasoned with cassareep, the Guyanese …
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 …
Fluffy Nigerian Jollof Rice with Smoky Depth, Fiery Heat, and Rich Tomato Flavor
Cozy up with a soulful bowl of cabbage stew with smoked brisket—your next cold-weather comfort meal with bold flavor and a Southern touch. Yo yo yo, my fellow flavor peeps! This ain’t your average beef and cabbage stew—this is soul food in a pot, where smoky brisket slow-dances with tender cabbage, collard greens, and sweet …
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 …
Make your next Sunday dinner or dinner party shine with this braised whole cauliflower — a vegan showstopper centerpiece that turns humble cauliflower into pure island soul. Your favorite flavor nerd here, bringing a little Caribbean heat and a whole lotta soul to your table. This braised head of cauliflower ain’t just a side — …
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 …
Southern vegan collard greens prove you don’t need smoked meat to build deep soul food flavor. Slow-simmered greens soak up layers of smoky richness from ingredients like liquid smoke, smoked paprika, and smoked sea salt, creating tender greens with silky potlikker and just enough bite to keep things interesting. It’s a plant-based take rooted in …
This coconut curry chicken is a flavor-loaded comfort dish where tender chicken simmers in a rich coconut curry sauce layered with aromatics, warm spices, and just enough heat to keep things interesting. The sauce turns silky and deeply savory as it reduces, coating every piece of chicken while still staying bright from fresh herbs and …
Fall-Off-the-Bone Oxtail Pepperpot: Deep, Rich, and Bold with a Silky-Smooth Heat This pepperpot recipe include oxtail combined with beef chuck seasoned with cassareep and slow simmered in a cinnamon and cloves infused broth. Well now, my people, my people, pull up a seat and let the aroma take you there. We talkin’ Guyanese Pepperpot made …
Crispy skin, bright citrus, and black-pepper swagger These lemon pepper chicken thighs hit that sweet spot where weeknight speed meets front-row flavor - crispy, juicy, and loud in all the right ways. Using deboned skin-on chicken thighs in the air fryer means maximum crackle in about 25 minutes, solving the “I want fried-chicken energy without …
Bold, smoky, and packed with spice—this blackened chicken breast recipe delivers fiery flavor with a tender, juicy punch in every bite of these juicy chicken breasts. Yo, wassup flavor peeps! It's your fav flavorphile doin blackened chicken. When that chicken hits the hot skillet, spices hit the air and skin crisps to a deep, dark …
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. If you like this dish try this recipe for instant pot Jamaican oxtail stew. Step into …
Bright, tender, and full of island soul—this Jamaican steamed cabbage is comfort food with a spicy kick and pure reggae rhythm. Flavor lovers, let me tell ya—I love Jamaican steamed cabbage, and when that cabbage hits the pan with carrots, bell peppers, and a whisper of thyme, you know you’re groovin’ in the right kitchen. …
Smothered pork chops are a Southern comfort food classic featuring well seasoned pork chops seared until golden brown, then slowly braised in a rich onion gravy until fork tender. While the pork becomes incredibly juicy, the initial skillet sear creates flavorful caramelized bits and lightly crunchy edges that add depth and texture to every bite. …
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
Cuban ropa vieja transforms humble flank steak into tender ribbons of beef slowly braised in a vibrant tomato and sofrito sauce layered with garlic, cumin, oregano, and sweet peppers. Briny green olives cut through the richness, adding bursts of salty brightness that make every bite more complex. This iconic Cuban comfort food develops deep flavor …
Briny seas, slow rhythm, and a pot that moves like a late-night groove 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 …
Tired of dry, bland barbecue? This smoked jamaican jerk chicken recipe brings moisture, heat, and depth in every mouthful - no more waiting in vain for chicken that slaps Now listen here, flavor fam—these smoked jerk chicken legs ain’t the stuff of no ordinary bird. We talkin’ bold island soul kissed by fire, slow-smoked to …
If you've never had Bobotie you should add this crowd-pleaser to your holiday menu or even consider introducing it to your family as a weeknight comfort dish. Bobotie is South Africa's national dish that consists of minced or ground beef spiced with a curry-based seasoning mix and sweet fruity ingredients then topped with a creamy …
This Caribbean callaloo stew is where leafy greens meet slow-built flavor - silky, slightly earthy, and layered with coconut richness, aromatics, and just enough heat to keep things interesting. I treat callaloo like a technique, not just an ingredient; sweating aromatics low and slow, then folding in greens so they break down without losing body. …
Savor the zesty flavors of Cuban style black beans infused with aromatic sofrito and orange zest cooked in your instant pot to save time. A delightful blend of savory and citrusy notes! Indulge in the rich and vibrant flavors of Cuban cuisine with this banging recipe for black beans made with sofrito and brightened with …
These southern green beans with salt pork and smoked bacon are slow-simmered low and steady, soaking up smoky, savory flavor from seasoned broth until every bite is infused end-to-end. The beans are stewed slowly building flavor in layers and finished with a touch of acid for balance. The result is perfectly tender beans with a …
This fried brown rice might be as good as it gets. It’s quick and makes great use of flavorful soul food ingredients like black-eyed peas and collard greens for a great side or main dish recipe option. Though the greens and peas are uncommon ingredients for fried rice, they work, and work well. I often …