Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

Hummingbird Cake

I remember the first time seeing a moist three-layered cake flavored with juicy pineapples and bananas with rich cream cheese frosting elegantly displayed in a glass cake dish of my childhood home. Since then, a few slices have been enjoyed, but few people know about the ‘Other Great Southern Dessert,’ Hummingbird Cake. Red Velvet cake receives more attention. I’m hoping this little food blog can start another food trend.  Read more

Strawberry Walnut Cookies and Strawberry Coconut Granola

Dried Strawberry Cookie and Granola

On one of my best friend’s born day, I called to talk about a personal problem and those congratulatory words of “Happy Birthday” never entered the conversation. True to her friendship, she listened and wished me well. A few days later, I realized she never mentioned, hinted or questioned my forgetfulness about her special day.

She’s the friend I discuss revolving problems at three in the morning. We talk countless hours on the phone. Other than my parent’s home number, I remember her phone number. My boyfriend frequently quizzes me about his number (the last four digits occasionally perplex my memory).

The first time we met, she was this bright girl with a warm smile sitting at our cafeteria table. She was a ‘new girl’ in orchestra with my other best friends who introduced us. I was a ‘cool kid’ cheerleader who dismissed this girl with a mickey mouse fan club voice and a Jheri curl hairstyle. As we exchanged pleasantries, I made a mental note to talk with my familiar girlfriends about being careful of inviting certain people to our table. Two years later, “mickey mouse” had stolen the affection of my high school crush. Read more

Chili Spicy and Nutty Brownies

Chili Spicy and Nutty Brownies

Chocolate is what makes Valentine’s Day sweet and infinitely loved. When served with spices and nuts, it’s rich in antioxidants. Cinnamon and cardamom stimulate sexual desire. Chilies quicken the beating heart. The scent of vanilla increases sexual sensations. Nuts and seeds are rich in vitamin E, which is an important nutrient for maintaining the health of sexual organs. Read more

Salted Peanut Butter Coffee Cake

Salted Peanut Butter Coffee Cake

In 1941, Time magazine referred to George Washington Carver as the “Black Leonardo,” for his studies and work on peanuts. An early thinker of sustainable agriculture, Carver knew farmers needed a crop to provide food for their families and as a source for other products to improve their quality of life. In developing peanut butter recipes, it is only fitting that a man who works as a scientist, botanist, educator, and inventor would enjoy an early morning slice of Salted Peanut Butter Coffee Cake with their coffee. Cheers to George Washington Carver Recognition Day on January 5. Read more

Umoja: Orange Palm Sugar Cake

Orange Palm Sugar Cake

Communities come together for various reasons: a devastating event, to raise money and a call for change. My idea for KwanzaaCulinarians.com honestly started when learning about a popular food show host demonstrating a Kwanzaa cake. It’s obnoxiously funny and insulting at the same time. However, it inspired a question: Are there any Kwanzaa recipes? Kwanzaa is about supporting and celebrating the African Diaspora. Everyone of African descent has a recipe representing his or her country, culture, language, religion, community, tribe and family. And, we should celebrate and honor our diverse heritage, in a respectable tradition. Read more