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.
Cooking Method
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.
These roasted sweet potatoes are a lab recipe gone well. I was literally toying around with Thanksgiving sweet potatoes recipes and stumbled into this one. It's easy, quick, no fuss and damn good. Don't feel like you have to wait til the holidays though. Its perfect on plain old weeknights and weekends too.
Delicious salmon steaks made in 15 minutes tops with maximum flavor in the form of a green onion vinaigrette.
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 …
I've always been a big fan of a good sandwich - Reuben, bahn mi, old school Dagwood you name it, but this grilled blt may be the ONE. Bacon is everything, but on the grill and with charred romaine lettuce and heirloom tomatoes. Oooh weeee, it's something to behold! Give it a try.
Favorite to eat root vegetables is roasted. Roasting can turn any humble root vegetables into greatness. Baby turnips make the perfect foil for this technique. You get concentrated flavor and tenderness delived in 30 minutes. It's the glaze that actually puts the dish over the top. It's time to stop running from those root vegetables your grandparents tried to get you to eat. Actually these aren't your grand dad's turnips. They're way more flavorful.
Quick, simple, yet gourmet is this charred baby eggplant. Charring vegetables is a go-to move for getting quick, no fuss sides on the table that look and taste phenomenal. Try this dish with the frequently used harissa sauce.
Weeknight grilling sometimes is the best grilling. This flank steak is a quick cook, but the flavor and tenderness are off the charts. The key is the marinade which blends both Asian and Caribbean flavors which also helps to tenderize. Marinate a day ahead then grill in less than 15 minutes.
Put these smoked lamb chops on the menu for your next dinner party of date with that special someone. Slow-smoking an entire rack of lamb nets better flavor than simply grilling. This one is easy - marinate, rub, and smoke. That's it!
Low and slow is the tempo for these smoked pork belly burnt ends. I made homemade bacon and had leftover pork belly, so decided to use pork belly instead of traditional beef brisket to make the burnt ends. Fair warning - these bad boys are addictive and melt like butter in your mouth. Enjoy
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. …
Football season is almost upon us. I'm in grilling two-a-days to get ready for tailgating season. These brined pork chops may be on the menu for the first game! Brining meat prior to cooking, all but guarantees a juicy, moist and flavorful finished dish.
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.
Grilled wedges are one of my favorite and easiest ways to enjoy sweet potatoes. The best thing about this recipe though is the perfect sweet heat chili lime sauce pairing. Just a few a few ingredients that net a lot of flavor. They go fast so make enough!
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 …
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 …
Flank steak salads are fun for me. They are simple yet extremely tasty and satisfying. The fun comes from what you add to the salad. I had lemongrass pickled celery I was dying to find a pairing for. Also had some leftover cherry tomatoes I had smoked on the grill. Both made the salad memorable. I highly recommend both the toppings if you have time for them. They're great for the salad but just as great on their own or in other dishes.
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.
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.
Kicking off what is essentially "Harissa Month" with these game day worthy spicy chicken wings. These are fiery and hella tasty.
NCAA College Basketball's Sweet Sixteen is set! As the countdown to the Final Four continues, add these sticky wings to your gameday appetizer menu. These are made with an Asian-Jerk fusion sauce that takes them over the top.
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.
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.
February kicks off Black History Month, and I'm excited to be participating in a Virtual Potlock with 27 other food bloggers. My contribution is this Nashville Hot Shrimp Sandwich which is a mashup of Japanese and Southern cultures. Look closely and you'll notice an actual plump shrimp cutlet instead of fried chicken thigh. The fried shrimp is then dipped in a spicy chili oil for additional flavor. And oh yeah, there is a history lesson in this post. Did you know as early as the 1500s Japanese had an African Samurai?
I'm having way too much fun with my new InstaPot. I'm still learning, but have been to churn out some good recipes, mostly traditional classics that I've converted for pressure cooking. This Southern classic black-eyed peas recipe is made vegan, so I had to do a little extra to replicate the smoke from what would have been smoked meat. I think I figured it out. I went deep into the classic rock vault for some inspiration. Enjoy.
Set the mood for a slow Sunday supper with these sous vide 72-hour braised beef short ribs — rich, smoky, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Perfect for when you want to impress without stress. These short ribs are the kind of dish that whispers luxury and roars comfort. We’re talkin’ short ribs that’ve been cold smoked, slow-danced …
I've probably had plank smoked fish 121 times and in all the years of perfecting my plank game, I never strayed from fish until recently. I guess you can say I was ready for a change. In the process I learned that what works for salmon and trout, also works for portobello mushrooms. Even better you can stuff them with things like couscous and simple, flavorful vegetables for easy, filling meatless Monday night. Or if you aren't ready for that much change, have your meat protein and make the stuffed portobellos as a side accompaniment.
Celery Root is definitely not the prettiest vegetable at the market, but what it lacks in good looks it more than compensates with inner beauty, dynamite taste and ease of prep/cooking. If you're not familiar with celery root or celeriac as it's known, it's beyond worthy of your consideration. This celery root steak recipe is a great introduction. We enjoy it in our house as one of our many meatless nights. It also presents well enough to be on your holiday menu. Don't worry it's tastes nothing like celery, is easier to handle than it looks, and is low calorie and low carb.
I've been listening to Anderson Paak's latest album, "Oxnard" which by design has something for any mood, vibe, tone, etc. you prefer. It's a wonderful album, my favorite of 2018, and each time I listen it moves up my list of best things I've heard. Cauliflower is having it's day and has been a long time favorite for me, but It's always bothered me that most recipes didn't put cauliflower front and center. Instead it's typically the vessel to feature sauces and other meal enhancers. Most don't think to roast an entire head of cauliflower, but I've been putting in work to perfect cooking such a wonderful vegetable. Enjoy this cooking tutorial along with the accompanying recipes. Find one that fits you or be inspired to create you own "Yes Lawd!"
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.
Had the chance to team up with Parmigiano Reggiano brand cheese for this cheesy whole roasted cauliflower recipe. I like this dish personally because, besides being easy to make, it's versatile as both a side dish and meatless main entree. With the focus being on real Italian cheese, I thought it appropriate to call on Aretha Franklin's version of "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing." Enjoy
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.
Turn your dinner table into a soulful feast with this whole roasted black bass—crispy skin, tender flesh, and a bright salsa that sings.This sea bass recipe is simple yet stunning: a perfectly seasoned fish roasted until the skin crisps up and the flesh stays tender and juicy. High-heat oven roasting locks in moisture and delivers …
Smoky, spicy, and full of island flair—your new favorite vegan centerpiece This roasted whole cauliflower takes the humble head of cauliflower and turns it into a showstopper with bold jerk seasoning and slow, even roasting. The marinade penetrates every floret, delivering heat, citrus, and aromatic depth that makes it perfect for a vegan main or …
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 …