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.
Main Dishes
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.
Delicious salmon steaks made in 15 minutes tops with maximum flavor in the form of a green onion vinaigrette.
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.
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.
One of the best things about summer is the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables. And living in hot Texas you're always looking for ways to stay cool, get refreshed, etc. Cooking wise I'm trying to avoid turning on my stove as much as possible. This chilled soup "Gazpacho" addresses all these things. It's the soup equivalent of a nice cool summer breeze. The fact that it's a chilled peach soup that's spiced up and topped with charred kernels of corn just makes this next-level gazpacho. Don't worry, all you need is a blender and a few ingredients.
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.
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 …
This tuna salad has gone from my weekday comfort salad to a quick light dinner meal. It's tangy, aromatic, and delicious featuring ingredients you likely have on hand making for easy meal prep. This recipe is a twist on a tuna salad sandwich my uncle used to make. He would drink Schlitz Malt Liquor Beer and …
Everyone knows that a good bowl of chowder is the perfect comfort food on a cold day. But have you ever tried Peruvian shrimp chowder? This creamy and spicy shrimp chupe is sure to warm you up from the inside out! Plus, it's easy to make and doesn't require any special ingredients. So what are …
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.
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.
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?
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.
Light, vibrant, and full of groove — these sautéed zoodles are your go-to weeknight or brunch side when you want flavor that dances but won’t weigh you down. We're coming at ya with a green groove for the soul — sautéed zoodles that hit light but land heavy in the flavor department. These spiralized zucchini …
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
A big green salad just in time for Thanksgiving side dish plans. It's a unique salad featuring an unlikely mix of ingredients that work magic together. Collard greens, baby lima beans, smashed cucumbers, and lemongrass-coconut pickled celery make for soul food meets Asian cuisine mash-up. Requires little cooking to free you up to focus on other things. The recipe is powered by a soulful hip hop track "Greeny Green" from Atlanta's finest Goodie Mob featuring Ceelo Green.
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 …
This vegan posole verde is a soulful twist on the Mexican classic, built around tender hominy, silky cabbage, and poblano peppers simmered in a vibrant green broth. Sauteing the poblanos deepens their earthy sweetness while cabbage adds a satisfying, almost silky texture that soaks up every herbaceous spoonful. Bright, smoky, and deeply comforting, it's a …
A vibrant, and refreshing main dish option that can be added to your 30 minute meals arsenal. Quinoa is easy to cook and requires little effort to impart flavor. Given this, it's a staple in our house as a busy weeknight go-to. Plus it offers so many other beneficial qualities that I recommend you get …
This comforting skillet cabbage recipe is a great weeknight meal. It's delicious and perfect for all types of customization. I know how much you guys love quick and easy meals, so today I am sharing my grandma's quick and easy beef cabbage stir. Add this to your collection of 30-minute meals. There are only a …
Mexican Seafood Stew Recipe Mexican Seafood Stew: Spicy, Brothy Comfort with Fresh seafood mixture and Smoky Guajillo Depth Alright now, lean in close, flavor lovers, ‘cause we're bringin’ you a coastal groove that simmers with soul — Mexican seafood stew, aka caldo de marisco, baby! This ain’t no rush job; we talkin’ kinda slow-simmered layers …
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 …
Sticky-Sweet Braised Smoked Ham Hocks with Tender Pull-Apart Meat and Deep Molasses-Whiskey Glaze Yo, listen up! This one’s for the slow rollers and deep soul searchers. We're bringing’ you braised smoked ham hocks that preach comfort and flavor like William Becton’s “Be Encouraged” on a rainy Sunday. Sear the hocks first for extra depth and …
Like revenge, gazpacho is a dish, best served chilled. This easy gazpacho recipe featuring fresh, delicious heirloom tomatoes provides the perfect refreshing break into a hot summer. Farmer's market fresh cucumbers, peppers, and herbs add further vibrancy to this colorful dish. I get excited about making this easy gazpacho. With heirloom tomatoes you have a stunning …
Tender, herbaceous, and perfectly sauced—your new favorite vegan spaghetti squash recipe with soul Silky strands of roasted spaghetti squash catch a lush basil pesto that sings green, bright, and nutty, turning a humble squash into a weeknight showstopper. This dish borrows Mediterranean technique, grounds itself in soulful comfort, and solves the “I want something light …
The beauty of tacos is you can make them with any ingredient including oxtails. These braised beef oxtail tacos are da bomb! Slow-cooked in a smoky, complex and mildly spicy sauce made from dried Mexican chilis. For other leftover beef based tacos try these fried beef tacos which make use of leftover neck bones. I …
Fire up the grill and bring that island flavor to your table with these Puerto Rican grilled pork chops—juicy, smoky, and tender. These Puerto Rican pork chops are brined in sour orange juice, garlic, and spices before hitting the grill, giving you tender, juicy pork chops with a crisp char on the outside. The cooking …
Rich Vegan Israeli Couscous with Tender Greens and a Bright, Lemony Finish Alright now, if you’re movin’ down the flavor line and lookin’ for creamy comfort with a groove, we got just the thing—vegan creamy Israeli couscous that sings smooth like Raphael Saadiq’s “Movin’ Down the Line.” This ain’t your everyday grain game—we’re talkin’ pearl …