For most Thanksgiving Dinner is about the turkey, but for me it's about dessert; that last dish that puts you over the edge right into that food induced coma. My dessert of choice is a rich, silky smooth sweet potato pie, not to be confused with the traditional Pumpkin Pie. I take mine on the couch in front of the TV as I fight the Itis off trying to stay awake for the NFL games. I think I'm 0 for my last 5 staying awake. Sweet Potato Pie is kind of a big deal, right there with potato salad at a barbecue. No half step-in aloud. I keep my version pretty traditional but elevate the flavor via use of brown butter and whole nutmeg and cinnamon sticks.
Recipes from the African Diaspora
Recipes that explore the foodways of the African Diaspora. This is the place for African heritage staple dishes that highlight the soul food culinary traditions and contributions of people of African descent from all over the world including homeland Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and the American South.
Culture is explored through research and use of native spices and ingredients like okra, yucca, yams, harissa, and callaloo. You will find traditional recipes specific to each region and different countries, for example Puerto Rican mofongo relleno, Brazilian Fish Stew (moqueca baiana), West African Jollof Rice, Haitian Pikliz, and Southern Shrimp and Grits.
But you will also find creative dishes that reflect my hypothesis of what black people's food would look like if all black people from around the world returned back to the Motherland and assimilated back into the culture. Recipe examples include West African jollof spice seasoned fried catfish, Southern smothered green beans with Haitian epis, or beef short ribs braised in maafe peanut sauce.
For Jamaican side dish ideas try this recipe roundup of sides that pair well with Jerk Chicken. Also checkout this Jerk Seasoning deep dive for everything Jerk!
You ain't had Instant Pot collard greens this good before. These are flavored with slow-smoked brisket, maple, vinegar and spices for a tangy, sweet, and spicy dish. The brisket takes this dish from strictly a side to a hearty main dish with brilliant leftover potlikker!
Southern Hoppin’ John gets a remix in this version made with smoked turkey, bringing a fresh twist to a classic soul food dish that hits all the right notes. Just like an old-school hip-hop track, this recipe is all about flavor, rhythm, and soul. Alternatively, you can use spicy sausage to add a different kind …
Turn up the tempo in your kitchen with our crispy, simple weeknight pan-fried jerk chicken, a symphony of bold Caribbean spices that dance on your taste buds. Quick to prepare and bursting with flavor, this dish hits all the right notes for a jazzy, vibrant dinner that grooves with every bite. Get ready to cook …
Here is a vegan Caribbean cauliflower curry you’ll be proud to serve your family and/or guests. It’s simple and easy enough to make for a weeknight meal but flavorful enough for special occasions.
Simple, versatile, and tangy is how I'd describe this collard greens slaw recipe. It's one that was made up on the spot, but inspired by two true pioneers. At a time when everyone seems to have an opinion about whether Lebron James has surpassed Michael Jordan, I thought I'd cross you up and talk about the unsung, little known pioneers and greats of Hockey. Most don't know of Willie O'ree who integrated the NHL in the 50s or of Grant Fuhr the greatest goalie in the history of the league who is also the first black player to win the Stanley Cup and enter the Hall of Fame. These were pioneers who inspired me to be comfortable going against the grain whenever. My collard greens purist will probably roll their eyes at the idea of adding feta cheese to greens; In the immortal words of Tupac, "I ain't mad atcha!"
No batter, no problem! Savor the essence of Haiti cuisine with Haitian style Fried Chicken aka Poul Fri—marinated in a zesty blend of Haitian épis, steamed for tenderness, and fried to crispy perfection. A flavorful delight, proving that you can achieve the crunch without the flour in every succulent bite. Related Fried Chicken Posts: Step …
Related Posts: Hey there, flavor nerds! Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that's going to make your taste buds groove and your senses dance – we're diving into the soulful world of Chicken and Sausage Gumbo. Picture this: a rich, velvety roux setting the stage, a symphony of Cajun spices tuning up in …
Related Curry Posts: Most people don't bother trying to make curries at home because of the perceived complexity and time-consuming issues. But then you have this coconut beef curry dish that blows those perceptions out of the water. My fellow flavorphiles gather 'round for a taste journey like no other. Picture this: tender beef chunks, …
Indulge your senses in a culinary journey that transcends borders and captivates palates – the world of Jamaican Curry Chicken! I've travelled a lot including the Caribbean and parts of Asia, so I'm very familiar with curry chicken dishes. I'm partial to Caribbean cuisine, so Jamaican curry chicken is my thing. I've had a few …
What’s up my peeps! Today, we bring you a dish that dances between the gentle embrace of a perfectly pan-fried cod and the vibrant flavors of an aromatic curry crust. Picture this: succulent flakes of cod enveloped in a golden crust, tantalizing your senses with every crispy bite. This pan-fried cod with curry crust is …
Experience the vibrant essence of Jamaican cuisine with our authentic jerk marinade. Infused with a fusion of jazz-funk vibes, this marinade boasts bold flavors of allspice, thyme, and scotch bonnet peppers, creating a symphony of taste that will transport your taste buds to the lively streets of Jamaica. related posts: Are you ready to spice …
If you’re looking for an exciting and delicious rice alternative to the same old boring side dishes, Gullah or Charleston red rice is a must-try. Originating from the coastal city of Charleston, South Carolina, this dish will tantalize your taste buds with its combination of aromas and flavors derived from generous amounts of onion, peppers, …
Related Posts: Yo yo yo, gather 'round, fam! We about to drop some flavor in your ear, straight outta the kitchen. Picture this: a hot, sizzlin' pot, infused with that Southern swag, mixin' up the vibe with okra gumbo and shrimp, a symphony of taste that'll make your taste buds do a line dance. We …
Yo, what's up world my fellow flavor-philes! I'm about to take you on a flavorful journey to the heart of New Orleans with a recipe that's as soulful as an old school hip hop beat – Gumbo Z'herbes. We're talking about a blended beat of greens, herbs, and spices coming together in a pot, creating …
Christmas always brings in new toys, and I'm happy to have this Instapot to break in and make you the beneficiary. So let's just say this will be the gift that keeps on giving. Seeing I'm late to the Instapot craze, I'm in catch-up mode and hope to be as prolific as Quincy Jones once I get the hang of it. For my first foray into things, I decided to convert an older traditional stove-top recipe for white bean stew. Plus, I had leftover ham hocks I was trying to get rid of from the pork nachos recipe for tonight's bowl games. Feel free to use this recipe to make black-eyed peas for New Year's as the peas are easily substitutable for white beans in this recipe.
Shrimp, grits, and gravy are a beautiful thing. This version which makes use of red pepper sauce to make grave and leftover smoky ramen broth to flavor the cheesy grits is next level grits making. Don't believe me, try it for yourself. Just make sure to never ever anger your spouse with a hot pot of grits nearby. Otherwise you might find yoursefl with something in common with the late great Al Green. These grits were meant to be eaten.
Welcome to my kitchen, where soul food recipes collide with fresh veggies from the garden! This week I'm focusing on one of my favorite vegetables-- okra. It's a Southern soul food staple. Consuming okra in big amounts is a must!!! From adding texture and flavor to dishes like gumbo or steaming them alongside a juicy …
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
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 …
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 …
Welcome to the vibrant flavors of Jamaica in the form of our mouthwatering Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken recipe. This classic Caribbean dish is a celebration of rich spices, tender chicken, and a tantalizing sauce that will bring joy to any table. The chicken is marinated in a medley of aromatic herbs and spices, then lovingly …
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.
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!
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 …
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. …
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 …
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
This Cuban ropa vieja recipe will be on my tailgate recipe list until 3005. Not only is it great for tailgating, but also for entertaining or weekend family meals. Juicy beef is cooked to luxurious tenderness in a well-seasoned stewed vegetables mix. The beauty of ropa vieja is its versatility. It can be eaten as …
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 …
Good mornin', good afternoon, and good evenin' to ya! This is Marwin, your flavor DJ, spinning the smoothest, tastiest tracks straight from the Caribbean. Today's hit? Callaloo Soup a vibrant bowl of island soul made with tender greens, creamy coconut milk, and a medley of bold, tropical spices. It's a dish that's as rich in …
A braised beef neck bones recipe featuring a most humble cut of meat turned into the ultimate over the top tender beef sandwich. Neck bones are a thing if you didn't know. Whether we're talking about turkey necks, pork necks, or beef neck bones in this case, it's all good! This is usually the second …
Stewed okra is an amazing concept in my opinion. It's proof that you only need a few ingredients to make a delicious dish. I've lost count, but this is another recipe installment for Food Fidelity's celebration of a non-existant Okra Month. You're likely to have all the ingredients you need on hand should you decide to make it.
This vegan collard green salad has it all - looks, texture, and most importantly flavor. This is the perfect specialty salad for your next celebration or family Sunday dinner. The salad blends different fresh vegetables and fruit and the vinaigrette helps bring out and balance the multiple flavors represented. There are lots of different ways …
A flourless but extra crispy fried chicken recipe that will make you rethink whether you need to add flour. Chicken is double-cooked and tossed in a delicious vinegar based sauce. Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure that redefines the art of fried chicken. In a world where tradition meets innovation, flourless fried chicken takes …