Author: Support BFF

Source Attribution Original Cookbook Name: The Black Family Reunion CookbookPublished By: The National Council of Negro Women, Inc.Year of Publication: 1991Page Number: 38Author / Contributor: Not individually listed Creole Chicken Gumbo represents one of the most beloved dishes in the African American and Louisiana Creole culinary traditions. This gumbo reflects the deep blending of African, French, Spanish, and Indigenous influences that define Creole cooking. In many Black families, gumbo is more than a meal—it’s a communal event. Served at Sunday dinners, holidays, and reunions, gumbo unites people across generations, each cook adding their own touch. The recipe featured here showcases…

Source Attribution Original Cookbook Name: The Black Family Reunion CookbookPublished By: The National Council of Negro Women, Inc.Year of Publication: 1991Page Number: 63Author / Contributor: Listed under “Heritage Recipe” (specific contributor not named) Heritage & Cultural Context Navy Beans & Pig Tails is a deeply rooted comfort dish that embodies the ingenuity and resilience of African American cooking traditions. Originating from times when resourcefulness was essential, cooks transformed humble ingredients—beans, salt pork, and pig tails—into nourishing, flavorful meals. The slow simmering process yields tender meat and creamy beans infused with smoky richness, often served with cornbread or rice. Dishes like…

Source Attribution Original Cookbook Name: The Black Family Reunion CookbookPublished By: The National Council of Negro Women, Inc.Year of Publication: 1991Page Number: 26Author / Contributor: Listed under “Heritage Recipe” (specific contributor not named) “Soul Bread” is a deeply rooted traditional recipe celebrated within African American family and church gatherings. This dense, molasses-rich bread draws on Southern and African culinary influences, blending cornmeal and sweet potato—two staples of Black food heritage. The use of long, slow baking and steaming preserves moisture and flavor, evoking the communal warmth of home kitchens during family reunions and Sunday dinners. Recipes like this one reflect…

Source Attribution Original Cookbook Name: The Black Family Reunion CookbookPublished By: The National Council of Negro Women, Inc.Year of Publication: 1991Page Number: 55Author / Contributor: Listed under “Heritage Recipe” (specific contributor not named) Okra and Tomatoes is a cornerstone dish of Southern and African American home cooking — a symbol of resilience, flavor, and cultural memory. Both ingredients carry deep roots in African food traditions: okra (known as gumbo in many West African languages) was brought to the Americas through the transatlantic slave trade, while tomatoes were cultivated by Indigenous peoples and embraced in the South. Together, they form a…

Cheesy, Flavor-Packed, and Wrapped with Love The Chopped Cheese Wrap takes New York’s iconic bodega sandwich and flips it into a handheld masterpiece. Imagine the rich flavor of sizzling ground beef, caramelized onions, and sweet peppers—all smothered in a melty mix of Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, and Mozzarella—wrapped up tight with lettuce and tangy homemade Big Mac sauce. This wrap delivers everything you crave in one bite: juicy, cheesy, creamy, and crunchy. It’s comfort food with attitude—quick to make, endlessly satisfying, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or late-night cravings. Ingredients For the Filling For the Wrap Homemade Big Mac Sauce…

Soft, Caramelized, and Packed with Fall Flavor These Apple Fritter Cookies taste like your favorite bakery-style fritters baked into soft, chewy cookies. Fresh red apples are diced, cooked down with brown sugar and butter until caramelized, then folded into a buttery cookie batter that melts in your mouth. Drizzled with a sweet vanilla glaze, each cookie captures the cozy aroma of cinnamon apples and brown sugar—perfect for chilly mornings, fall gatherings, or any time you want a comforting homemade treat that feels like a hug. Ingredients For the Caramelized Apples For the Cookie Batter For the Glaze Step-by-Step Instructions 1.…

Effervescent, Fruity, and Smoothly Bold This isn’t your average mimosa. We’re taking the classic mimosa and turning it up with tart cranberry, juicy pineapple, and a smooth shot of Patrón tequila for that grown, polished finish. The bubbles from Andre keep it light and celebratory; the fruit brings color and flavor; tequila adds just enough depth to make this sippable and unforgettable. Perfect for brunch spreads, game-day pre-funk, or any night that calls for something festive, this remix stays easy, fast, and photo-ready. Garnish with a bright orange slice for the citrus aroma and that “I did that” presentation. Ingredients…

Source Attribution Original Cookbook Name: Big Mama’s Old Black PotPublished By: Stoke Gabriel Enterprises, Inc.Year of Publication: 1989Page Number: 40Category: VegetablesAuthor / Contributor: Ethel Rayson Dixon Heritage & Cultural Context Cabbage Rolls represent a beautiful intersection of culinary traditions that found a home in African American Southern cooking. While cabbage rolls have roots in Eastern European cuisine (known as golabki, holubsti, or sarma), they were embraced and adapted in Black American kitchens, particularly in communities where diverse cultural foodways blended. The use of ham hocks in this recipe—a cornerstone ingredient in soul food cooking—transforms this dish into something distinctly Southern…

Source Attribution Original Cookbook Name: Big Mama’s Old Black PotPublished By: Stoke Gabriel Enterprises, Inc.Year of Publication: 1989Page Number: 86Category: SaladsAuthor / Contributor: Ethel Rayson Dixon Poor Man’s Caviar, a smoky eggplant spread also known as “eggplant caviar” or “baba ghanoush” in other culinary traditions, represents the beautiful adaptability of African American cooking—taking ingredients that were accessible and affordable and elevating them through technique and seasoning into something special enough to bear a name that evokes luxury. The playful title “Poor Man’s Caviar” speaks to the humor and dignity with which cooks transformed humble ingredients into dishes worthy of celebration.…

Source Attribution Original Cookbook Name: Big Mama’s Old Black PotPublished By: Stoke Gabriel Enterprises, Inc.Year of Publication: 1989Page Number: 85Category: SaladsAuthor / Contributor: Ethel Rayson Dixon Pickled Slaw, also known as “chow-chow” or “relish slaw” in some Southern regions, represents the vital tradition of preservation that sustained families through seasons when fresh vegetables were scarce. This tangy, spiced slaw bridges the gap between fresh salad and preserved condiment—a versatile side dish that could brighten a winter table or complement summer barbecue. In African American culinary history, pickling and preserving were essential skills passed from generation to generation, particularly among families…