When Meiko Drew of Meiko and the Dish and Aaron Hutcherson of The Hungry Hutch asked me to participate in her virtual potluck to celebrate Black History Month, I thought it was endearing to participate. I chose to write about a dessert. However, fancy sweets aren’t quite right right now. My thoughts are enraged with politics via podcasts, television news shows and office conversations. Needless to say, “Let’em eat cake…,” isn’t coming from this food blog.
An Orange Chocolate Smoothie will do. It’s not fancy. Most of the ingredients are found in a normal pantry. If cacao beans are difficult to find or too expensive, use basic cocoa powder. And, this isn’t the recipe to use an heirloom variety of an orange, which are currently plentiful at this time of year.
Normally each #SmoothieNumbers recipe takes a blitz of a second to read. But, these aren’t normal times. We are living thru an historic moment, in which decisions and actions affect the quality of lives for future generations. But, instead of thinking of the future, we’re strategically thinking about how to act ahead of current events.
When he won last November, I made a joke about moving to another country. My thoughts were weighing expatriate options. My Jewish boss — a hippie from the 60s or 70s — steely looked into my eyes and said, “Fight.”
And, in that moment, I remembered my Black history lesson. My thoughts were filled with revolutionaries who led slave rebellions, Abolitionists who influenced women’s suffrage movements, and Civil Right’s activistism. They fought for our freedom, because they had no choice. My quality of life is based on their strength. Sure I could flee to a far away land, but I’m an American. The descendant of survivors.
Spare the jokes, memes or videos about running away from today’s political chaos. There isn’t another country in the world who would accept millions (or thousands) of American refugees. Instead, let Black History month inspire us to continue our ancestors’ fight for equality and justice.
Ingredients
- 1 navel orange
- 1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp. coconut sugar or honey**
- 1 slightly ripe banana, sliced
- About 1/2 cup ice (I used about 4-2” ice cubes)
- 1 cup unsweetened chocolate nut- or cow-based milk, more or less as needed to puree the smoothie in a blender
Directions
- Grate the zest from the orange to place in the blender. Cut away and discard the pith. Place orange segments in the blender.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender.
- Blitz all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
Notes
*Adjust amount according to sweetness of smoothie.
Black History Month Virtual Potluck
My Life Runs On Food is one of 28 Black food bloggers from around the globe came together to share a few their favorite recipes for virtual potluck celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth. From African to Creole, Caribbean to… there’s a recipe for everybody to enjoy. Check out the list below to try their amazing recipe.
Meiko and the Dish | Crispy Fried Chicken with Pepper Jelly Molasses
Whisk It Real Gud | Trinidad Oxtail Pelau
Raised on Ramen | Caramelized Plantain Tacos with Pecan-Honey Butter
Dash of Jazz | Aunt Georgia’s Peach Cobbler
Foodie In New York | Twice Baked Yams
The Seasoning Bottle | Jamaican Sorrel/Senegalese Bissap
Chef Kenneth | Smothered Okra with Shrimp
Savory Spicerack | Po’ Boys with Cajun Tempura Shrimp
Chocolate For Basil | Groundnut Stew (Peanut Stew)
Simply LaKita | Banana Pudding
My Forking Life | Callaloo and Saltfish
Kaluhi’s Kitchen | Ukwaju (Tamarind) Marinated Spicy Chicken Thighs
Sweet Savant | Coffee-Rubbed Lamb Ribs
Salty Sweet Life | Southern Greens Shakshuka
Eat.Drink.Frolic. | Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
I Heart Recipes | Southern Fried Cabbage
Jehan Can Cook | Mango Turmeric Smoothie
Margarita’s On The Rocks | Lemon Pepper Fish Tacos with Collard Green Slaw
A Soulful Twist | Slow-Cooker Gumbo (Gluten Free)
The Kitchenista Diaries | Coconut Milk Braised Collard Greens
Butter Be Ready | Skillet Cornbread
D.M.R. Fine Foods | Curry Chicken Pot Pie
The Inner Gourmet | Lamb Fried Rice
Marisa Moore Nutrition | Hoppin’ John Patties with Warm Tomato Salsa