Watermelon & red birds A cookbook for Juneteenth and black celebrations

Review by Booklist Review

As Juneteenth is becoming more recognized and celebrated on a national level, so to is its food. A writer, food editor, and exhibit advisor for the Museum of Food and Drink, Taylor (The Up South Cookbook, 2015; The Last O.G. Cookbook, 2019) here introduces readers to the history, food, and culture of Juneteenth celebrations. She fills readers in on the items they'll need, from gadgets (such as cedar wood planks for grilling fish), pantry items (peanut oil for frying), and many BIPOC-owned brands and products (Uncle Nitty's Herbs and Spices). Recipes are generally one page, with short and sweet instructions: fermented ginger beer, beer battered fried shrimp, peppercorn rib eye steak, and strawberry sumac cake. Taylor takes things a step further with menu planning, spice blends, and sauces, too. This book, a wealth of knowledge and history, is its own reason for celebration.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

In this marvelous work, culinary writer Taylor (The Up South Cookbook) celebrates Black freedom with "good food" and stories "meant to spark a quench for a deeper dive into Black cultural history." In a recipe for plum and super greens pesto salad, she writes movingly about retreating to the kitchen after a stillbirth, an experience that disproportionately affects Black women. Another chapter pays homage to the progress of her ancestors with dishes that celebrate "small triumphs," including a sour cream and chive corn bread that puts a "comforting and sophisticated" spin on the classic version she grew up eating. Elsewhere, an insightful discussion of the significance of red drinks (the "official beverage" of Juneteenth) is followed by a "homemade 'Kool-Aid' " made with freeze-dried strawberries. A chapter on barbecue includes brined pork chops, and ribs with spicy harissa, plus a dissection of "the most revered African American cookout" side dish, potato salad. To complement the vibrant writing, there's an array of dishes that pop with color, among them a salad speckled with yellow mustard green flowers, and brilliantly hued snow cones made with purple sweet potatoes. Soulful stories meet rich flavors in this excellent culinary map of "where we've been where we're going." (May)

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Review by Library Journal Review

In 2021, Juneteenth became a U.S. federal holiday, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, so this guide to celebratory Juneteenth food and drink is a timely and welcome addition to collections. Mixing classic and historical Juneteenth recipes, and others that are completely of today, James Beard-nominated food writer Taylor (The Up South Cookbook) delivers the culinary essence of the African American celebration of freedom. Recipes are festive and vivid, in chapters devoted to "red drink," festival favorites, barbecue (Rodeo Turkey Legs; beef ribs with fermented harissa), and snow cones, ice pops, and ice cream. Each chapter includes an essay that illuminates the traditions and history of Juneteenth, and the photographs (of delectable food and people enjoying it) are alluring. The book's other resources include lists of pantry items, kitchen tools, and BIPOC-owned food purveyors. VERDICT Taylor delivers a comprehensive, celebratory, and informative Juneteenth cookbook that will make readers dream of summer.--Sarah Tansley

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Spice Blends, Hot Sauces & Pickled Things SPICE BLENDS, HOT SAUCES & PICKLED THINGS Some of the most common questions I receive from novice and experienced cooks alike are about adding flavor with seasoning blends, dashes of sauces, and spoonfuls of vinegary vegetables. I answer the spice-and-sauce question in two parts: I make my own blends, but my cabinets and counter are filled with small-batch specialty products like single-origin nutmeg from Diaspora Co., mambo sauce from Capital City, and smoked yellow peach jam from Trade Street Jam Co. Of course, in families that are the most serious about their culinary traditions, spice blends and hot sauce recipes often get passed down. I wasn't fortunate enough to inherit such wealth. But I do love the idea that in addition to these premade options, I can create my own seasonings to help give my food a uniquely consistent flavor. These recipes might well be the most valuable things my young son will inherit from me. I use a spice grinder to make my peppercorn rub. Before I grind or smash seeds, nuts, or whole spices for blends, I toast them. In a small skillet, I heat ingredients like whole fennel seeds over medium-low heat for 3 minutes, or until fragrant. Be sure not to burn the spices, and let them cool down before grinding and mixing with other ground spices. For the other salts and rubs and the fry mix, combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl with a small wooden spoon; mix well until everything is evenly distributed. Be sure to label your mixes with the date you made them, because while they won't spoil, they will lose their potency over time. The sauces require a heavy saucepan with a lid. Once made, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge; I've noted the shelf life in each recipe. I've paired sauces like the rhubarb BBQ sauce with meatless baked beans , but they also work well with pork ribs , and the green garlic chimichurri is perfect for more than lamb chops --try it with rib eye , too. I encourage mixing and matching sauces for your celebration dishes and everyday meals. Throughout the cookbook, I'll direct you to use these staples. Buy store-bought mixes, spice blends, or hot sauces if you're in a crunch. But you should try to make your own, complete with your personal variations, too. Let the circle be unbroken for the next generation. Excerpted from Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole A. Taylor All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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