As a child, I loved every single Sunday! Sunday was the day I went to church with my family. We'd worship together by singing hymns from the hymnal, reciting scripture from memory, and lift up everyone even strangers up in prayer. We did church that way, every single Sunday. And although church brought me a lot of joy, it wasn't what filled me with excitement. The excitement came from knowing that when I left church, I would have Sunday dinner at my grandma’s house. Leaving church, we'd jump in the car with our frizzy dresses big hair bow and white patent leather shoes and tell our cousins, “We are going straight there no stops!”
My granny’s house was at the end corner of Maple Street and pulling up to that corner lot placed an unexplainable joy in my heart would instantly send a beam straight to my face! I could hardly keep my seatbelt strapped in. Walking into her house, the smell of church rice, macaroni pie, greens, fried chicken, sweet potato bread, and corn bread would slap you in the face! The way the scents would marry together and creep into your nose then go straight to your heart made you instantly feel connected to her and all the love she put into each dish. Aside from the food, literally everyone was there, there were no strangers. If you were in the area, you could get a plate! A full plate of goodness, love, kindness and acceptance. We would eat, talk loudly, play cards, watch television, play outside and then start packing left-overs for lunch the next day.
She cooked like that until she couldn’t, and it never looked like work for her. I've never seen her with a recipe card or a measuring cup. She really looked like was measuring, pouring, and mixing from her heart and I could tell she enjoyed it.
This is just my story, but there are many Black Americans who have stories just like this or similar. So when I think of black history, I don't just think about the trailblazers that made headlines or that ones in hard cover book. I think about the ones like my grandmas, Ruthie and Jessie, that have laid a foundation of love that we are all building upon until this day. The bonds that were created when we shared meals together and the joy it gave you when you knew going to grandma's house meant a piece of cake or cornbread and a conversation. With each plate of food, you felt the ancestors filling you up with a special kind of love. A love that couldn't be explained. A love bonded by tradition. Food is our love language, and we take it personally.
I wanted share some of the love with you all by introducing you to some more traditional African American foods. Some of the ones you may or may not have had the pleasure of experiencing. Have you heard of Red Rice or Hot Water Cornbread?
Red Rice:
Originating from the southeastern coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina, Charleston Red Rice Savannah Red Rice, or simply Red Rice is a traditional dish that I personally have enjoyed for years! This dish transitioned to the United States via slaves in the West Coast of Africa. Although slaves were the ones that harvested the rice, they were often only given the bottom of the barrel of the harvested rice. We call it rice grain or rice grits, because that what it was, small bit of rice. But with what they had; a meal was made.
Red rice is beautiful combination of rice or rice grain, crushed tomatoes, bits of pork (bacon or sausage) some onion, peppers, seasoning, and love. This dish is usually on our table during holidays, and no one can get enough of it. The next time you are in Charleston or Savannah, and you see “Red Rice” on the menu, try it! You will not be disappointed.
Hot Water Cornbread:
Hot water cornbread was created from finely ground cornmeal, salt, and hot water. It was the perfect addition to meals that could be “sopped” up with bread. It is slightly different from traditional cornbread, but just as southern. It was the best alternative to sliced bread because it was cheaper. It was sugar less, unless you added a little honey or syrup, it’s crispy around the edges and soft in the middle and golden brown on the top and the absolute the best tasting bread ever!! Take my word for it or try it for yourself.
