I really like black beans. I like to include them along with red kidney beans in my chili recipe and I also ask for them any time I order a chicken burrito bowl at a quick-service Mexican restaurant. I’ve even put a few spoonfuls of black beans on my homemade chicken tacos a couple of times. However, I have not been able to convince my husband to join me in enjoying any of the above-mentioned meals. Why? Because my husband doesn’t like black beans–or any other type of bean–and he’ll always find a meal alternative that protects him from having to consume them. It’s not that my hubby is a…
-
-
15-Minute Belizean Fish Sere Bowl
I always treasure conversations about food with friends from other countries. I find it exciting to learn why certain meats, produce, spices and cooking methods are used in various countries. It’s also fascinating to hear about the similarities and differences between identical foods that are raised or grown in different countries. For example, it’s been years since I chatted with a dear family friend from Belize about the produce grown in her homeland. But, I still remember how passionate she was when describing how much better bananas taste in the little Caribbean country that she once called home than they taste here in the United States. In fact, by the…
-
15-Minute Portuguese Caldo Verde Soup
I once read that caldo verde soup is commonly served during celebrations that are held in Portugal. So, this delicious soup might be served at birthday parties, weddings or other types of important gatherings in Europe’s oldest country. However, there are often so many things vying for a parent’s time and attention that simply finding a way to prepare a tasty and healthy meal for one’s family is reason enough to celebrate! If you’ve been following along since I started sharing my cultural foods recipe hacks last fall, you’ve probably noticed that I try to keep the number of ingredients–and the amount of time–needed for my recipes at a minimum.…
-
15-Minute West African Peanut and Chicken Stew
In the past, my exposure to specific dishes that originated in African countries was limited, for the most part, to stories my husband shared about meals he ate during his trips to Nigeria and Uganda or to comments made by a family friend about food she enjoyed when she visited South Africa. However, since setting out on a mission to make preparing cultural foods easier for busy families through recipe hacks, I’ve discovered countless dishes that are native to the world’s second-largest continent, home of some of my ancestors. And, I plan on featuring simplified versions of many of them on my blog from time to time. One recipe that…
-
15-Minute Jamaican Cabbage With Chicken
I wouldn’t say that I went on a lot of trips when I was growing up but, since my mom worked in the airline industry back then, I did take some special ones. For example, my parents took me on a four-day trip to Jamaica when I was only six years old. I don’t remember a lot about our mini-vacation. But, two things stick out in my mind about our time away from home: it was exciting to be able to tell my classmates and teacher why I would be missing a few days of school and the food that I ate while we were there was delicious! Over the…
