Smoked Whole Cauliflower That Steals the Show – Perfect for Sunday dinner or your next plant-based BBQ masterpiece Mmm-mmm, buckle up, my fellow flavor peeps, cause this smoked cauliflower is comin’ in hot like a soulful groove on a summer Sunday. We talking whole head, not cauliflower florets! It’s tender in the middle, crispy ‘round …
Recipes from the African Diaspora
A Bold, Herb-Heavy Flavor Bomb That Is A Great Seasoning Base For Many Types of Dishes. Well now, cool cats and flavor peeps—lean in close, ‘cause I’m about to put you on to the heartbeat of Haitian kitchens: epis. This ain’t just no blend—it’s a mood, a movement, a Miles Davis “So What” kind of …
Sorry I'm a little late with this post, but it's actually an annual Kwanzaa celebration recipe. After hosting Christmas dinner, mentally I'm content to ride with leftovers for a few days. However, with Kwanzaa, there is no rest for the weary. Therefore I go with simple, low involvement recipes such as this Piri Piri Shrimp. It's usually an appetizer on my menu, but can easily be made for a fancy weeknight main dish.
Tender, smoky, and perfectly seasoned—your new favorite Southern soul food side This Instant Pot Cajun cabbage is what happens when Southern comfort meets Louisiana swagger. Green cabbage gets pressure-cooked low and slow (fast) with smoky bacon, spicy andouille, and Cajun seasoning until it’s silky, savory, and soaking up every drop of that seasoned pot liquor. …
Easy, creamy Southern mashed potatoes with heavy cream - Soft, tangy, and butter-smooth* this is an all-family pleasing winner.* old fashioned creamy mashed potatoes are the kind of comfort food that quietly steals the whole plate - buttery, velvety potatoes whipped until smooth and seasoned deep enough to stand beside fried chicken, smothered pork chops, …
New Orleans is my favorite city in the U.S. and I love cooking and eating its foods. I'm a sucker for red beans and rice with sausage made in that creamy New Orleans style. Enjoy this recipe and a little history that traces its history back to Haiti in another post that combines delicious food and history as we continue to celebrate Black History Month.
Creamy Creole mashed potatoes take classic Southern comfort food and give it a Louisiana-style upgrade with buttery whipped potatoes smothered in a bold, smoky sausage gravy loaded with Creole seasoning and deep savory flavor. The potatoes stay light and velvety while the gravy brings rich texture, peppery heat, and that slow-cooked soul food feel that …
Comfort food at its finest in the form of chicken wings marinated in chipotle infused buttermilk and deep-fried to crispy perfection. These crispy buttermilk fried chicken wings soak low and slow in a seasoned brine, then fry up loud with a shatter you can hear across the room. Rooted in Southern fry-house tradition and built …
This black rice recipe makes for a colorful side dish that is as delicious as it looks! The sweetness of the potatoes is balanced with the savory nutty flavor of the rice and the tartness from the pomegranate seeds and all work together for an incredible mouth experience. Often when I cook I take on …
This Southern Fried Jerk Chicken is the type of dish I make during days of gluttony, such as the Super Bowl or in this case March Madness. But this post also has big application for Sunday Dinners. In addition to this delicious, dope recipe I include and critical list of tips for making extra crispy fried chicken. Enjoy
Classic Cuban one-pan dish that’s perfect for a quick, 30-minute weeknight no fuss dish. Full of savory and aromatic ingredients this dish also makes for great, easy leftover ideas. This Cuban picadillo is comfort food that knows how to tell a story. Built on aromatic Cuban sofrito, ground beef, olives, and capers, this dish balances …
With Black History Month getting a lot of attention here in the States, I continue to explore the African Diaspora and the culinary traditions of black people worldwide. This recipe for Haitian Soup Joumou took me a while to develop as far as getting it to the standards that truly honor the heritage, tradition, and spirit of the people of Haiti. I don't know that I nailed it, but I definitely appreciate the history lesson and connection it fostered. I love the flavor and the focus on local ingredients in bringing this dish to life. Don't be intimidated by the ingredient list, execution is simple and easy as long as you have time and patience, taking things step by step. Enjoy!
Tender vegan braised collard greens cooked with aromatic spices, offering a flavorful twist on a classic Southern dish. Related Collard Greens Posts: Braised vegan collard greens recipe, a quick and tasty way to get a soul food staple on the weeknight menu! It's only 5 ingredients and made with ingredients you're likely to have on …
Slow Burn, Deep Flavor: Cajun Seasoned Shredded beef with comforting gravy served over rice. Ooh baby, you feel that low, slow simmer startin’ to bubble up? That’s that Cajun rice and gravy with shredded beef heat—deep, rich, and ready to pull you all the way in. We talkin’ melt-in-your-mouth beef slow-braised for hours 'til it …
Collard greens are a weekly staple in our home. We have our traditional Sunday Dinner recipe that ain't changing. However, I do keep quite a few of what I call weeknight greens recipes. These are meant for us to explore the greatness of the humble but nutritious collard greens but within the context of our busy lives. So these are actually quick hitters. This curried collard greens recipe falls into this category. As its the norm, we explore cultures through food in an effort to become culturally aware as well deepen our empathy for others. Collard greens more than any other vegetable/food is most often the vessel for these explorations. Enjoy
Southern chicken and dumplings is pure comfort in a bowl; tender shredded chicken simmered in rich savory broth with soft, homemade herb-infused fluffy dumplings that soak up every bit of flavor. This soul food classic leans on slow-building technique, from making a deeply seasoned stock to rolling and cooking dumplings until they’re pillowy, silky, and …
Brazilian style fried chicken wings are a thing and they are damn good. Munch on these crispy, juicy wings and vibe on the sounds of Banda Black Rio for some out of site Brazilian Fusion Funk.
This month's focus is on staple recipes from South American countries. I'm a big fan of yuca fries which are the Latin American version of French fries.
Lately I've been revisiting old recipes and converting them for Instant Pot use. This version of Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken came out really well. It's a quick and easy recipe but does require as meal prep you make an even more simple doctored up BBQ Sauce which I featured in my last post.
Sometimes when things feel like they're spinning outta control or you're just off your game, it's best to jump off the treadmill and just get re-centered or grounded. That's what this comforting bowl of black eyed pea soup represents for me. It's slow cooking and sustained eating for a few days. Just what I needed.
Simple and delicious roasted eggplant recipe that is bursting with bold flavors. This dish features a crispy brown outside with a creamy sweet inside then is topped with a garlicky Cuban mojo sauce. Silky roasted eggplant meets bright, garlicky Cuban mojo in a dish that eats like comfort but dances like a block party. High-heat …
Recipe for Kerala fried chicken for unique, Indian take on Southern style fried chicken thighs. Chicken is brined in a buttermilk herb-based marinade, deep-fried and spiced with a fragrant and complex garam masala spice. For other flavorful fried chicken ideas, checkout this seasoning guide. “Make my funk the p-funk, I wants to get funked up. …
An easy doctored up bbq sauce you can use to make many a Caribbean dishes quick and easy. Store-bought jerk marinade + pineapple juice + basic store-bought bbq sauce for the win! This jerk bbq sauce can be used on anything from brown stew chicken to braised oxtails.
Summertime is fun time. Grilling all things including watermelon is a favorite past time of mine. It's hard to describe grilled watermelon, but trust me it's simple and delicious. Give this one and try and impress family and friends
Fried chickpeas are fairly comomn these days. But fried black-eyed peas are much better. The recipe is simple and takes less than 20 minutes to make. Try these out.
As you know I've designated July okra month. This is my favorite way to enjoy okra outside of a good pot of gumbo. It's quick, flavorful, and only requires a few ingredients. You'll want to keep the harissa sauce on hand and use it for other dishes as well.
Cazuela de moriscos is a Colombian Seafood Stew common in the city of Cartagena which has a strong Caribbean vibe to it. My wife and I visited multiple cities (Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena) in Colombia earlier this year. I was impressed by the appreciation for culture andh heritage as evidenced by its visual and performing street artists. Food-wise we had so many great experiences from street food to restaurants. This seafood stew recipe was inspired by a dish at had there and I plan to make others that I experienced during my visit. Stay tuned! This one tastes like I spent all day cooking it, but in reality, it was just 30 minutes.
Fun vibes with this Okra Fried Rice. It's a fusion of cultures that results in high flavor. The best part is it comes together easily for a quick weeknight dish. But it's also fancy enough to serve to guests at a weekend celebration.
Quick and easy take on an American classic recipe. I make this Cuban twist on sloppy joes. The sauce is based on a spiced ketchup that is elevated with smoky paprika and cumin. When I'm feeling nostalgic or need to get something of substance on the table fast this is a go to. This ain't your momma's sloppy joe recipe though. It's straight-up homemade with a sauce that's over the top. In keeping with this month's TR808 music production theme, Daft Punk's "Doin It Right" powered this recipe.
Bold, Sticky & Fall-Off-the-Bone: Smoked Jerk Oxtail with Deep Heat and Tender Soul Now we talkin’ smoked oxtail, baby and this one’s got that low-and-slow groove that hits like a funky bassline. Jerk seasoning is added for next level flavor. Smoked oxtails take a classic soul food cut and give it the slow-burn magic of …
Braised beef neck bones are a humble, flavor-packed cut slow-cooked low and steady until the connective tissue melts into rich, silky goodness. This recipe leans into deep browning and a well-built red wine based braising liquid, delivering fall-off-the-bone tender meat with a bold, savory gravy that clings to every bite. It’s all about patience and …
Instant Pot black-eyed peas with bacon is a soul food classic reworked for weeknight ease, where creamy peas simmer in a smoky, deeply savory broth layered with aromatics, spices, and rich pancetta bacon. Unlike traditional versions that rely on ham hocks or standard bacon, pancetta brings a cleaner pork flavor and silky richness that melts …
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.
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.
Try this West African inspired peanut sauce. It's simple, versatile, and delicious. You'd be surprised at all the different foods you can pair it with; from shrimp and chicken to vegetables like cauliflower, mushrooms, and cabbage.
Nothing like a quick and easy side dish with incredible complex flavor. This blanched spinach salad is simple, unique, and everyday! Put it on your weeknight menu in less than 10 minutes.
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.