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.| A Certain Aesthetic
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 impac...| A Certain Aesthetic
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 th...| A Certain Aesthetic
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 wi...| A Certain Aesthetic
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!| A Certain Aesthetic
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 wa...| A Certain Aesthetic
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.| A Certain Aesthetic
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!| A Certain Aesthetic
My favorite hobby to do every year is to set up my annual herb and vegetable garden! During this interesting time we are living in, many people have started growing their own gardens. From what I hear, it’s been a wonderful experience in more ways than they could have ever imagined! However, for garden newbies, there’s a common issue that arises. You’ve grown all of this delicious fresh food and then you realize that you don't know how to harvest it. This is especially true for harvesti...| A Certain Aesthetic
We’re back at it with another recipe in the #ACAinJapan series! Recently, I shared a blog post about the Japanese mortar and pestle called suribachi and surikogi. It’s such a beautiful and well-designed kitchen tool. I’ll be honest when I say that it would be a good idea to have one of these in your kitchen arsenal. The suribachi and surikogi serve as a vital tool in making today’s recipe, which is a Sesame Honey Miso Dip!| A Certain Aesthetic
Before moving to Japan I enjoyed perusing global Asian markets with my best friend Jessi, especially the largest one in Raleigh, North Carolina called Grand Asia Market. This market provided an in-depth spotlight of food, cooking supplies, and more from various Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and more. In my earlier visits, I remember seeing a unique bowl with ridges on the inside and it was paired with a wooden stick. I was so intrigued that I decided to go ahead and...| A Certain Aesthetic
Happy Juneteenth!!! It’s been a wild ride this month filled with incredible protests, activism, personal sacrifices, thorough discussions, courage, strength, and so much more to shed light on the important fact that black lives matter. This month the act of celebrating Juneteenth is more powerful than ever before and I’m excited to take part in it this year all the way in Japan! I’m a proud black southern woman and I grew up enjoying delicious southern sweet tea on hot summer days. I re...| A Certain Aesthetic
Let’s discuss an ingredient that when brewed becomes one of the most consumed beverages in the world, and that ingredient is black tea! This is quintessential to breakfast because it’s served alongside another popular beverage which is coffee. Black tea is served in many ways and used in daily rituals worldwide. It can be served as a simple cup with cream, sugar, and snacks for afternoon tea, steeped with spices to make a chai tea as well as brewed on the stovetop and served in a large pi...| A Certain Aesthetic
There’s something so special about butter. It’s perfect on toast, adds a richness to sauces, browns baked chicken beautifully and so much more! Butter already seems perfect as is, however when you add herbs, spices, and other types of flavorful ingredients, it transforms into something amazing called a compound butter. Since we recently learned about delicious summer herbs, today’s recipe is a Summer Herb Compound Butter with Garlic and Lemon Zest!| A Certain Aesthetic
Based on previous posts or if you already know me pretty well then you know that I have a deep love for herbs! They are my favorite plants to grow from seed when I prepare my annual patio garden. Herbs are a staple in my everyday cooking due to their aromatic and deeply flavorful accents. There’s nothing like going outside in your own garden to snip some fresh rosemary or parsley to enhance your dinner! Today I want to share with you five herbs that I love to grow and use in the summertime ...| A Certain Aesthetic
When I go to Japanese restaurants, sometimes sunomono is served with the main course and it’s one of my favorite parts of the meal! Sunomono is a Japanese cucumber salad and it’s such a refreshing side dish, especially in the hot and humid summer months…| A Certain Aesthetic
Today we begin with one of Japan’s most common vegetables that’s used on a daily basis and that is the Japanese Cucumber! It is known as “Kyuri” in Nihongo and I have to say that this has become my favorite type of cucumber! Like other cucumber varieties, the Japanese cucumber has a light and crisp taste. However, this cucumber is not bitter and it actually has a slight sweetness to it when you take a bite…| A Certain Aesthetic
It’s Memorial Day weekend which means summer is officially here! This Sweet Basil & Cardamom Lemonade is bursting with refreshing summer vibes and I know you’re going to love it. Even though we are in the throes of a pandemic, you can still live the good life by allowing this drink to take you to a faraway place in your mind or in your backyard! ;)| A Certain Aesthetic
Let’s talk about one of my favorite herbs of all time...Sweet Basil! It’s the first herb I grew on my balcony when I was in college and it started my love for gardening. When I see this beautiful herb, it makes me think of spring and summer because of its amazing smell and taste! Sweet basil is one of the most common herbs you will see in your grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and garden centers. It’s widely used in an array of culinary dishes as well as it’s used in many ways for i...| A Certain Aesthetic
The weather is beautiful right now and that means summer is quickly approaching! Even though we are the middle of a pandemic, it’s important to find ways to enjoy the coming of this new season. A great way to do that is to indulge in delicious grilled meat on a stick so these rosemary and lemon shri| A Certain Aesthetic
