Hi! I am Shari Sweeney and
here on A Certain Aesthetic I’m serving you elevated food, mindful experiences and the beauty of living in Okinawa, Japan!
Can you believe it?! Juneteenth is an official holiday!!! Today’s blog post has major significance because upon me pressing the publish button, it is the first day that Juneteenth is observed officially by the United States federal government as a national holiday. What a blessing in the year of our lord 2021! This year I decided to share with you a fabulous Juneteenth menu that will bring inspiration to what you plan to prepare for this year's holiday.
Welcome to the second book in the Culinary Cookbook Celebration of Black History! Today I’m sharing with you my next pick which is Creole Feast by Chef Nathaniel Burton and New Orleans civil rights activist Dr. Rudy Lombard. On the cover it’s described as “15 Master Chefs of New Orleans Reveal Their Secrets” and I must say this book is beyond phenomenal! As we all know, New Orleans is a place like no other in the United States and the world, especially when it comes to its Black impact on food and history.
I’ve been enjoying the Culinary Cookbook Celebration of Black History series so far and I hope you have too! Today’s recipe is the first where I’m selecting a foundational recipe from one of the cookbooks and turning it into something brand new. We recently learned all about The Ebony Cookbook by Freda DeKnight and the selected recipe was the Everyday Cake. This cake is truly versatile due to its lightness and strength, as its ability to pair well with various ingredients. Because of these characteristics, I knew it would be perfect to make Strawberry and Kumquat Mini Trifles!
The Ebony Cook actually began as a monthly culinary column called “A Date with a Dish” in Ebony Magazine. It was started in 1946 by their first food editor, Freda DeKnight, who made a concerted effort to bring international attention to the importance of African American dishes. A notable moment in the column’s history was when the illustrious Lena Horne was featured in Ebony Magazine’s February 1947 issue. She cooked East Indian Chicken, a Trinidadian dish, for her feature “Date with a Dish: Lena Horne’s Valentine Party.” Having a notable and glamorous figure like Lena Horne cooking a dish for this column was strategic in elevating African American cuisine on the grand culinary stage.
Yay! It’s Black History Month! I am thrilled to contribute to this celebratory time by honoring those who have placed their mark in history in the arena of the culinary arts! Many of us have had the joy and privilege to have elders and peers who are masters in their kitchens to cook for us and bring sheer delight to our palates. They have inspired us and given us the tools of the trade to be the best in our own kitchens and beyond. For that, I am eternally grateful!
Y’all...we have been through it this year! Thankfully, we are nearing the end of 2020 and we have good reason to celebrate. We used our collective power to vote and make a change for the better by electing Joe Biden as our next President and Kamala Harris as our next history-making Vice President! I wish I could have been back home to celebrate this momentous occasion when the official call was announced. Instead, I made this amazing Rosemary & Elderflower Prosecco Cocktail for us and it was perfect!
Known by its scientific name Rosmarinus officinalis, Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb that’s been used in culinary and medicinal aspects for centuries. It’s also a staple in many gardens due to its ease of cultivation and its intoxicating scent. When you walk past a rosemary bush, you know it instantly because its scent envelopes you and takes you to a place far away from the hustle and bustle of life.
We are in the full swing of summer which means we are indulging greatly in fresh foods and delicious salads! Whether you are picking fresh salad greens from your own garden or if you have a bag of spring baby lettuces, this Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Salad with Pumpkin Seeds is perfect to enjoy as a delicious summertime meal for brunch, lunch or dinner!
