Black History Year

I did not get through my ambitious syllabus in February, so I guess 2025 is going to have to be Black History Year… I’m not mad about it.

One thing I did do: cook using recipes by Black recipe developers.

First up: Bryant Terry. He specializes in vegan food, which I enjoy, and the cookbook I used is one I already own (bookshop.org link): The Inspired Vegan. It’s a cookbook for entertaining, with recipes for whole meals, including drinks, books, and playlists. He handles tofu really well; I could eat buckets of the tofu from his tofu saag.

A couple of weeks ago, I made congee and tofu with peanuts and chili oil. I did not mix my rices, so I didn’t follow the recipe exactly, but it was still delicious… so delicious that I had leftovers for breakfast the next day.

This one will be in the rotation. It’s really good.

As I type this, I’m making Terry’s masala chai, which I have also been enjoying for the last few weeks. I’ve done some research online, and his technique isn’t entirely traditional, but it’s very tasty (and it makes the house smell so good while it’s in the works).

Since these recipes are for entertaining, I halve them so we don’t end up eating (or drinking) dishes (drinks) for weeks. What I should do is make the whole tofu recipe, and halve the meal it comes with, because the tofu is just that good.

Next up: Jerrelle Guy’s sweet potato tart with chocolate hazelnut crust, from (bookshop.org link) Black Girl Baking. Look, I know I said I was going to do something new to me… but I can’t convey to you how delicious this tart is, and I really wanted to eat some of it (confession: I’m having a slice right now).

It’s really pretty, right? It has some citrus zest and juice in it, which gives the sweet potato filling a nice, bright flavor. I think this is going to replace the pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving (or at least be an addition).

The tart has eggs in it, but it doesn’t have any dairy, so it’s safe for fabulous and talented husband to eat (the whipped cream is also non-dairy).

So yes, it’s true that I did not do all of the reading I wanted to do, but it’s only March; there’s plenty of time left in Black History Year.