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Cuisine Noir
World Plantain Day Connects and Celebrates Roots of the African Diaspora
Every year on June 5th, plantain lovers across the globe come together to celebrate World Plantain Day. This annual observance is the brainchild of Dimeji Eyiowuawi, founder of the plantain-centric organization Dodo Gang. World Plantain Day is more than just a celebration of a beloved fruit – it’s a tribute to the African diaspora. For many across the African diaspora, the sight and smell of plantains cooking evoke powerful memories of home, family and shared traditions. These nifty fruits, whether fried, roasted, boiled, or mashed, have the ability to transport people back to cherished moments around the dinner table or in...
Creamy Shrimp and Grits: 7 Tips to Make the Southern Dish at Home
The secret to creamy shrimp and grits may be ingredients already in your kitchen. According to chef Jada Prince, owner of Sassy Chef’s Kitchen in the DMV area, just a few simple ingredients will go a long way in creating the dish you want. “I am a big fan of simple but great. I don’t take a lot of ingredients to make good food. Quality ingredients and let the food shine,” says Prince. “For me, it starts with grits. They have to be flavorful and creamy and have this nice body and nice mouthfeel to them.” Prince is known among clients...
Food 4 Education Named to TIME’s List of 100 Most Influential Companies
The Kenyan nonprofit Food 4 Education is creating the blueprint to accelerate sustainable school feeding programs in Africa. Named to the fourth annual TIME100 Most Influential Companies list, Food 4 Education is recognized for its vital role in ensuring Africa’s children – the global workforce of the future – have access to a hot, affordable, and nutritious school meal every day. The non-profit is on a mission to eradicate childhood hunger by mainstreaming scalable and high-quality school feeding across Africa. “In only 25 years, one in four people will be African – this seismic demographic shift underscores the urgency of expanding locally-rooted school feeding programs as a crucial...
Exploring West African Spices to Add Bold Flavors to Your Menu Lineup
West Africa encompasses a vast and diverse region, with each country’s unique culture and history influencing its cooking practices. Despite these differences, the cuisines of West Africa share a vibrant culinary tradition marked by bold West African spices and distinct flavors. With the help of spice expert Abena Foli, founder of POKS Spices, we are going to break down the West African flavor profile, highlight ingredients commonly used in the region, and showcase how you can integrate these bold flavors into your cooking. Profiling the Flavors of West African Spices The West African flavor profile is characterized by savoriness, punching heat and...
The Best Types of Plums for Cooking and Baking
While you may not usually think about picking up plums, you should know how incredible they are. Check out the best plums for cooking and baking. You probably have a favorite apple variety, but you may not know which plum cultivar you like best. Whether you eat plums frequently or you’ve yet to try one, you should know the best types of plums for cooking and baking. They may not be one of the common fruits you buy or grow, but plums are incredibly juicy and delicious, making them a perfect addition to your diet and recipe rotation. Best Plums for...
The Spice Theory Caribbean Food Spices Crafted in Jamaican Heritage
If there are memories most of us have as adults, they are those involving food and the hands that so thoughtfully prepared it. For Dr. Corrie Amos, it is her grandmother Violet who she says is someone who served her community and enjoyed giving back through food. “As long as you walked in the door, you were sure to leave with a full belly and a happy heart,” Amos says about the matriarch who passed away in 2021. Amos shares that her love of food comes from her grandmother who is also the inspiration behind her Caribbean food spices that meld...
Chemical Food Preservatives You Should Avoid at All Costs
Knowing what chemical food preservatives you should avoid at all costs helps you select the best items available that won’t harm you down the line. The food industry likes taking several shortcuts to get the most out of its items. Adding food preservatives is a common practice among some companies to extend the item’s shelf life. However, you need to know the chemical food preservatives you should avoid at all costs. Trans Fats The meatpacking industry will use trans fats to keep their goods edible for years. In no way, shape, or form should you consume meat that can last over a...
4 of the Most Nutrient-Dense Foods to Try
Eating fast-food, sugary snacks, and salty food doesn’t add much to your overall health. Here are four of the most nutrient-dense foods to try right now. Everyone loves to eat their favorite foods. Whether you’re a meat-lover or have pasta with every dish, having a balanced diet will help with portion control, cravings, and having satiating meals. So instead of digging a pizza out of the freezer, consider four of the most nutrient-dense foods to try. From there, you’ll benefit from the vitamins and minerals while eating your guilty snacks from time to time. What Makes Food Nutrient-Dense Nutrient-dense foods often come...
Uncle Nearest Expands Portfolio with Square One Organic Spirits Acquisition
The world’s top-selling Black-owned spirit company Uncle Nearest recently announced the acquisition of Square One Organic Spirits, a female-owned boutique organic spirits company founded Allison Evanow with the sole mission of creating innovative organic spirits and cocktails with an eco-conscious mindset. The new agreement comes at the mark of the 20th anniversary of Square One debuting as America’s original all-organic spirits company. “In 2020, I expressed our vision for Uncle Nearest to not just be a brand, but to become the first spirits conglomerate in America founded by a woman or person of color,” states Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO...
Cameron George Leads Ardbeg’s Smoky Whisky Revolution in America
In the world of whisky, few voices are as passionate as Cameron George when it comes to evangelizing the smoky drams of Scotland’s iconic Ardbeg distillery. As the U.S. National Brand Ambassador and Master of Smoke for the cult favorite, George is not only shaping the conversation around heavily peated single malts but also advocating for greater diversity and representation in an industry long overdue for change. George’s connection to Scotland was forged at an early age during a childhood trip to the remote Shetland Islands for a family wedding. From the rolling hills to the rugged cliffs that plunged...
Soul Food Potato Salad — One of America’s Most Controversial Side Dishes
We all know that soul food potato salad, aka Black people’s potato salad, is one of the best side dishes for any occasion. We also know that not everyone in the family can make it. This article will explore how this classic dish came to be at the top of the soul food menu list, which ingredients are mandatory, plus those we should never include. Sorry, we know each family has their recipe, and conversely, some things just aren’t up for debate. Who Made the Potato Salad? “Who made the potato salad?” It’s a common question most folks aren’t shy about asking....
How To Build A Home Bar On a Budget
Creating an at-home bar doesn’t have to be complicated nor does it mean leaving a big dent in your wallet. By opting for the basics, and honing in on the drinks you enjoy, professional bartender Adrian Lindsay reveals how to build a home bar on a budget for about $100. Having the right tools will make crafting your favorite cocktails at home a lot easier. This means investing in a bar kit that will provide the necessary tools to mix your drinks. “You can get them [a bar kit] anywhere priced from $10 on the lower end…The ones I would recommend...
8 Golf Etiquette Tips to Follow to Enjoy the Game
To fully enjoy the game of golf, every golfer, whether an amateur such as my husband Mark or a professional such as Tiger Woods, profits when the game is played with consideration and integrity. Golf etiquette is the set of rules that govern the behaviors of golfers. The United States Golf Association (USGA) Rules of Golf state, “The game of golf relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive...
Stay in Grown Folks Business: Danica Dias’ Hard Seltzer Rooted in Culture
Grown Folks, a unique hard seltzer drink, is a testament to the power of community and cultural heritage. Its founder, Danica Dias, gathered inspiration for her creation from her childhood and family. “When we were kids,” Dias reminisces, “There was a grown folks table and kids’ table. The adults were so happy and free when drinking, eating, and gathering. This cultural tradition of togetherness and freedom is the essence of Grown Folks.” The culture is present in every sip of Grown Folks. The hard seltzer is made with natural fruit juices and comes in key lime, ambrosia, and peach cobbler flavors,...
Pin Drop Rum Sets a New Course for the Spirit of The Bahamas
The history of rum is a colonial past permanently connected to slave plantations, politics and pirates. A Black entrepreneur and recording artist dreamed of setting a new course for rum with Pin Drop Rum Spirits Limited, a spirits company conceived at her kitchen table in Harbour Island. “We wanted that name to let you know that it comes from this tiny dot in The Bahamas. But also, I envision that wherever the rum is in the world, you’ll see a pin on a map. That works for me,” says co-founder Ithalia Johnson. Pin Drop Rum is now sold online in the...
Perfectly Cordial Fuels Rhonda Cammon’s Creativity in the Market
If you’re like most people, mandatory stay-at-home orders allowed you some free time to be creative, focus on new business ventures or whip up something new in the kitchen. It was also the perfect time to unleash your inner mixologist and update your home bar. During the pandemic, many people found themselves indulging in and experimenting with alcoholic beverages, new cocktail mixers and crafting some sexy libations. Whether your taste buds are searching for a new cocktail or mocktail, Rhonda Cammon’s Perfectly Cordial simple syrups are created with both drinkers and non-drinkers in mind. Perfectly Cordial creates premium cocktail and mocktail mixers...
Food Plating Ideas For Home Cooks
Chef Jay Fisher, the executive chef of Desiignbyfood, believes we all eat with our eyes before we even take a bite of our food. “If it looks beautiful, 99 percent of the time, it tastes as good as it looks,” affirms the Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based culinary talent. From flower-garnished entrees (all edible, of course) to sauces drizzled and swirled to adorn delicious desserts, Fisher is a master when it comes to the art of plating food. But creative food plating ideas aren’t just reserved for the pros. The South Florida chef believes home cooks can present wow-worthy culinary creations by simply...
McDonald’s Teases Fans For Limited Time With Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy
McDonald’s has taken its McCrispy™ sandwich to a new level, giving it a Cajun makeover with bacon. And we know how bacon makes everything better. For a limited time, McDonald’s has introduced its Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy last month, teasers its McCrispy™ fans nevertheless. The new southern-style fried chicken sandwich featuring a flavorful, juicy and crunchy chicken filet is inspired by soul food flavors of the South with a bold, creamy and spicy Cajun ranch sauce, applewood smoked bacon and crisp crinkle cut pickles, all served on a warm toasted potato roll. All this goodness is only 630 calories. The Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy is then spiced-up with a touch the OG McCrispy that...
McBride Sisters Uncork New Legacy Collection Embracing Tradition and Innovation
In the world of winemaking, where every bottle tells a story, the McBride Sisters Wine Company has carved out a unique niche. Founded by sisters Robin McBride and Andréa McBride John, their story is one of defiance against tradition, a celebration of culture and a dedication to growth and inclusivity. With their new Legacy Collection, the McBride Sisters invite wine enthusiasts to raise a glass to the past, present and future. Released in March 2024, the new collection celebrates the McBride Sisters’ unique story. Born on opposite sides of the world, McBride and John were brought together by their shared passion...
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