Pearl’s Fried Corn
I grew up eating good old Southern food. Fried foods, decadent desserts, fattening casseroles–you know the foods that just make you lose control. When I revamped my diet many years … Continue reading
Meatless Monday’s… Say What?
Coming from someone who co-owns a catering business, Meat-me-at-the-Grill with her husband, the term “Meatless Monday” in the food blog world sounds sacrilegious. I love meat. All kinds of Meat, … Continue reading
Uhma’s Sweet Potato Pie
Modern grandmas are kinda funny to me. Many of them spend endless hours trying to come up with a clever name for the new grandchild to call them. They ask their … Continue reading
Kuumba-Inspired Roasted Sweet Potato Cake
As I begin to explore the principles of Kwanzaa as an inspiration for a recipe, I was most inspired by the principle of Kuumba. There are a few different translations, … Continue reading
The Special Occasion Macaroni and Cheese
Not a holiday goes by in my family without macaroni and cheese gracing the table. I literally do not remember life with no macaroni and cheese in it! I bet … Continue reading
Ms. Ginny is My Grandmother
My maternal grandmother, Mrs. Earcie Bodiford Ginwright, a life-long Alabamian, taught me more about African values than my African study and Swahili language classes taught me. I moved from Alabama … Continue reading
Coco Cooks Reflects on Kujichagulia… Self Determination
As a caterer, I never set out to be known, defined, or limited as a female black owned business. The other day the wife of a European dignitary who hired … Continue reading
West African Chicken by BlackHealthMatters.com
African Americans have poor health outcomes on nearly every disease index; we’re either at higher risk for developing an illness or we die from it in greater numbers. While access … Continue reading
Kujichagulia or Self-Determination: To Define Ourselves, Name Ourselves, Create for Ourselves and Speak for Ourselves
To create for ourselves is one of the most important concepts that I take away from Kwanzaa. I strongly believe that we as a people should be growing, producing and … Continue reading
Creamy Cheesy Yellow Grits with Roast Brussel Sprouts and Sausage
Thank the Native American tribes located in Southern United States for introducing early American settlers to grits, a common breakfast made from corn. Eventually, descendants of African slaves would turn … Continue reading
“Potato Mash” is to the Western World as “Foufou” is to West Africans
As a kid, I remember having to learn the meaning of things through association with other similar things. It was a fun way to learn and is actually quite an … Continue reading
Family, Friends and Haitian Rice
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. I am—well, I guess—I was the grinch. But, not in the obvious ways, and quite honestly this realization came to me as … Continue reading
Kwanzaa: Using Food and Heritage to Make Meaning
Those of us who celebrate Kwanzaa face a lot of ribbing, good natured and otherwise, often questioning the authenticity and meaning of the holiday. As they say in Nigeria, “Let … Continue reading
Ladies who Lunch, Make Kadak Chai
As I sit to write this, my mind is buzzing with thoughts from the excitement of the day. I am dying to share them with you. But I pause. Something … Continue reading
Guiding principles: Reflecting on Food, Identity and African-Diaspora Relations
Having been born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Kwanzaa is not a celebration I know much about. As I learn about the related principles and practices, I reflect on how … Continue reading
Life and Collard Greens
Life is all about community. If you were touched by something someone said or did for you and you haven’t done it yet… stop. Stop right now and let them … Continue reading
Understanding Kujichagulia: A Journey Into Self-Awareness
We face neither East nor West; we face Forward. by Kwame Nkrumah Kujichagulia (pron: koo-jee-chah-GOO-lee-ah) is the guiding principle of the second day of Kwanzaa. Defined as self-determination, it affirms … Continue reading
Black People, Obama and the Kwanzaa Dilemma
This article is republished with the author’s, Albert Phillips, permission. It was originally posted here. As we slowly ease off the uneasy stomachs caused by Thanksgiving and the overdrawn bank accounts … Continue reading
Ujamaa: Caterers for Your Next Special Event
Hiring a community focus caterer is within the principle of Ujamaa. The following are a few caterers to call for your next special event.
Umoja: Building a Community of Inspiration
Communities come together for various reasons: a devastating event, to raise money and a call for change. My idea for KwanzaaCulinarians.com honestly started when learning about a popular food show … Continue reading
Kwanzaa Culinarians 