Commemorating Black History Month

The Story Behind Soul Food…

I personally love “Soul Food.” It was the first type of cuisine I learned how to prepare. A great deal of what I learned came from my grandmother who was a share cropper in Durham NC. Being a sharecropper, not only did grandma know how to grow and raise southern food and animals, but she knew how to prepare it. Soul Food originated down south USA during times of slavery. The food derived from scraps which the masters would allow the slaves to keep for their families. Have you ever heard of the saying… “When life gives you lemons…make lemonade.” Well this saying was put into practice by the enslaved African peoples of the United States. Wonderful comfort meals such as chicken and dumplings began to develop. The scrap vegetables were favored and cooked down by using a piece of meat most likely from the pig, and many things that were viewed upon as taboo were made into food.
Now of days, Soul Food is no longer only made with scraps. It consists of an array of different hearty fresh foods and prime meats such as Baked Mac and Cheese, Sweet Potatoes, Collard Greens, Fried or Baked Chicken, Smothered Pork Chops, Ham, Corn Bread and much more! Most Soul Food involves three basic seasonings which are sugar, salt, and pepper (however other seasonings can be used). Other flavorings aside from seasonings are usually induced by meat. Two primary meats used in Soul Food are Chicken and Pork. When seafood is requested, a fried fish is usually preferred. Porgies, Whiting, and Catfish are the most popular types of fish used. Soul Food is prominent in the houses of most African Americans however; Soul Food is not restricted only to those of African descent. It has crossed color barriers by becoming popular amongst all peoples in America. Perhaps the most well known Soul Food restaurant which is frequented by tourists from all over is “Silvia’s” located in Manhattan NYC. “Silvia’s” has been around for years. Silvia herself is a wonderful person whom is a family friend of my Grandfathers. Furthermore, when you travel down south USA, you will not find a difference in the way the southerners eat based off of race, instead, Soul Food is a shared culture in the south. It is usually referred to as “Southern Cuisine” and found on the tables of most southerners in spite of their heritage. Due to my extensive Soul Food background, recipes such as the “Country Fried Fish” and the “String Beans” are contained in my book IS THERE A CHEF IN THE HOUSE. Also for a free Soul Food “Sweet Potato” recipe of mine http://www.athomecookinginstitute.com/free-recipe.html.

Collard Greens on the Show "Chopped"

Ok. So… I was watching one of my favorite TV shows "Chopped." The secret ingredient was collard greens. No one really knew what they were! LOL it was very interesting to see chefs who have been formally trained not know what this was. I expect for everyday people to not know anything about "collards" but it is unacceptable for chefs not to know. I did however feel bad for the chefs because collard greens take forever to cook down properly, and on chopped you only have 30 min to make something edible
For those who do not know... Collard greens are a very thick leafy vegetable that is used as a staple when cooking “soul food” (usually only substituted by string beans or cabbage). They are usually cooked down in a pot with a meat such as a smoked ham hock or a turkey neck for flavoring. “Soul food” is a food which originated down south USA during slavery. The history behind it is as follows: after the slaves harvested the fields the masters would leave them the scraps to cook with. In turn the slaves made something out of nothing which influences the way people eat today. Today all soul food is not made with scraps, but it includes dishes like home made Mac and cheese, collard greens, fried chicken, grits, smothered pork chops, an array of ribs, okra, among many other things. Soul food is most commonly identified today with the African American Peoples of America. Personally, I love soul food. It is one of the first cuisines I learned how to make being that I was raised up on it! It is very hearty and savory. Anyone can make it if they try and are taught by someone who knows what they are doing. Almost everything in soul food from the side dishes to the main entree consists of comfort food. It truly is food for the soul! Chopped get it together! :)