Miss Ruby’s Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

A popular expression is, ” as American as apple pie.”  However, if one wants to become more specific about the African American cultural group then it might be fair to say, “as African American as sweet potato pie.”  I have quite a few African American friends who do not like the pie but truthfully most that I know love it.  My family has a multi-generational recipe that I am not allowed to give out or punishable by death by my mother.  Tough luck getting Southerners of the U.S.A to give up family secrets. 

Well, I found this recipe on the site of a fellow Examiner Talli Counsel, Presidential Master Chef.  Do not take the title lightly.  He actually has consulted for three U.S. Presidents.  This pie was served to Bill Clinton while in office. -Crystal Johnson, MCCN Editor

INGREDIENTS

• 2 medium sweet potatoes about a 1/2 pound)
•  1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
•  3/4 cup sugar (*or to taste)
•  3/4 cup half & half
•  3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon good quality vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
•  1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (*pan toasted)
•  1/4 teaspoon salt
•  1 tablespoon dark Jamaican rum
•  1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 unbaked 9-inch good quality pie shell PREPARING THE PIE

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

 Place the sweet potatoes on a shallow baking pan or pie tin, in the middle of the oven and roast until very tender, about 1 1/4 hours. Cool to room temperature. With a soup spoon, scoop out the sweet potatoes into a bowl and dispose of the skins. Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or fork until smooth. Melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in the sugar. Add the melted butter to the sweet potatoes with the half and half milk and the eggs, and beat with a whisk until smooth. Whisk in the remaining ingredients (the filling will be very liquid). Pour the filling into a docked (fork holes in the pie crust) pie shell. Depending on your oven, and where you live, the middle rack may be a better alternative to place the pie for baking.

Learn more about Talli Counsel at: http://www.examiner.com/x-3156-LA-Sustainable-Chef-Examiner?showbio

Happy Holidays: Kick Off it With “Seasons of Love”

Sure, the classic broadway song Seasons of Love is not your traditional holiday song but the story of Rent takes place during Christmas time and the cast filled with cultural diversity which we love to celebrate at MCCN.  However, aside from culture which is down played in the story in a wonderful way, a recurring theme in Rent is the problem of homelessness.  The holiday season tends to make it easier to supply food to those in need.  Many organizations have can food drives or need help in soup kitchens.  Make this a season of love. 

Check back here for updates of where you can help in your area.

Toronto Will Your Fave Ethnic Restaurants Be Open X-mas Eve/Day?

Take a break from holiday hassles and enjoy lunch or dinner at some of the finest restaurants serving international and ethnic cuisine in Toronto. The following quality establishments are open at various times during the Christmas season.

Chinese Restaurants: Asian Legend; 416-977-3909; 418 Dundas St W, between Spadina and Yonge Streets Northern Chinese cuisine in an elegant dining room. Christmas Eve December 24 – open for lunch and dinner Christmas Day December 25 – open for lunch and dinner Cha Liu Dim Sum Shop; 416-485-1725; 2352 Yonge Street, 1 block north of Eglinton Delicious Dim Sum served in casual décor. Christmas Eve December 24 – open for lunch and dinner Christmas Day December 25 – open for lunch only

 French Restaurants: Auberge de Pommier; 416-222-2220 Gallic gastronomy presented in a romantic French country cottage. Christmas Eve December 24 – open for lunch only Christmas Day December 25 – closed Celestin; 416-544-9035; 623 Mount Pleasant, 3 blocks south of Eglinton. Traditional French cuisine in an elegant bistro setting. Christmas Eve December 24 – open for dinner Christmas Day December 25 – closed

Greek Restaurants:

Pan on the Danforth; 416-466-8158; 516 Danforth Avenue; 3 blocks west of Pape Ave.
Mediterranean menu with classic Greek additions offered in a warm, modern setting.
Christmas Eve December 24 – open for lunch only
Christmas Day December 25 – closed

Ouzeri; 416-778-0500; 500A Danforth Avenue; 3 1/2 blocks west of Pape Ave.
Authentic Greek cuisine served in a colourful Mediterranean atmosphere.
Christmas Eve December 24 – undecided at time of posting
Christmas Day December 25 – closed

For More Info on Indian, Korean and Thai  Restaurants open during the holidays visit: http://www.examiner.com/x-29478-Toronto-Ethnic-Restaurants-Examiner~y2009m11d26-Some-of-Torontos-best-ethnic-and-international-restaurants-are-open-over-the-Christmas-season

Article by Heather Zorzini- Toronto Ethnic Restaurant Examiner

Today at www.Multiculturalcooking.net (11/27)

Today at http://multiculturalcooking.net :

• Restaurant Reviews for Portland( German and Vietnamese Restaurants) and Chicago(Mexican Restaurant)
• Fine Dining in Morocco and the star-studded opening of the Mazagan resort
• Spotlight Recipes Section: Princess and the Frog Cook book
• Food History: What do they eat in Antartica
• Food History/Europe: The history of mulled wine

Chilaquiles: Classic Mexican Breakfast

 Join Todd Coleman, Saveur magazine’s food editor, as he makes this south-of-the-border breakfast classic.

Dinner and Movie: The Princess and the Frog

The Dinner:  The story of The Princess and the Frog takes you to New Orleans where beignets, Po’Boys and Jambalaya are local faves. 

The Movie: The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog hit s theaters nationwide on December 11th.  It is a long-awaited return to classic animation  and Disney’s first African-American animated princess.  The story centers around Tiana, a working class woman from New Orleans with hopes of opening her own restaurant.  The Disney films drives home the point of having a good work ethic. 

Tiana is voiced by Tony award winner Anika Noni Rose, more widely recognized as one of the Dreamgirls from the movie Dreamgirls.  Who is the dashing Prince turned frog?  Brazilian actor Bruno Campos (Nip/Tuck, Jesse) plays Prince Naveen of Maldonia.  The prince consumes the fruits of life without knowing what it is to labor for it until he meets Tiana.  Other celebrities voicing characters in the film include Oprah Winfrey and Terrence Howard.

Among the highlights of the film is the music and the characters.  There are catchy tunes sprinkled throughout the film.   The characters resonate to a point in which you know they will become a common to everyone as Pinocchio or Simba.  When a dialogue is written well and acted superbly it amounts to a winning combination.

Also this film is a treat to foodies because it not only showcases New Orleans food;moreover, it drives the point of how preparing food can be a loving act.

Visit the http://Multiculturalcooking.net at the Spotlight recipe section to learn about the Princess Tiana Cookbook:

http://www.multiculturalcooking.net/en2/news/spotlight-recipes

Give Thanks. Be Generous. Generosity Water

Generosity Water recently built a well in Mai Gundi, Ethiopia–a village desperate for clean water. Check out http://GenerosityWater.com for more stories of how communities are being transformed by clean water.

See the Public Service Announcement with Chyler Leigh of Grey Anatomy at the Multi Cultural Cooking Network: http://www.multiculturalcooking.net/en2/index.php?option=com_jomtube&view=video&id=22

Ninja Assassin Rick Yune Tells MCCN What He Likes to Slice Into

 

 

Strikingly good looking DC Native Rick Yune is one of  stars of Ninja Assassins.  Recently while on the red carpet at the USA Today Hollywood Hero Awards, the actor shared with MCCN about his favorite food.  He loves a good slice of pumpkin pie and food from Roscoes Chicken and Waffles is his other indulgence. 

Read the Dinner and a Movie Review for Ninja Assassins at the Multi Cultural Cooking Network: http://www.multiculturalcooking.net/en2/restaurants/dinner-and-a-movie

Restaurants open in Harlem for Thanksgiving

Whether you can’t cook or don’t want to cook if you are looking for a place to eat in Harlem on Thanksgiving.  The following restaurants will be open.

Melba’s

300 West 114th Street

212-284-7777

On the menu: Grilled Jerk Shrimp, Spinach & Cheese Empanadas, Po’Boy Sandwiches, BBQ Turkey Meatloaf

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Amy Ruth’s

113 West 116th Street

212-280-8779

On the Menu: Prefix Meal for Thanksgiving, in additon to the regular authentic southern cuisine menu items

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Billie’s Black

271 West 119th Street

212-280-2248

On the Menu: Upscale Gourmet Soul food

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 Gospel Uptown

2110 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

212. 280. 2110

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The River Room

Riverbank State Park  @145th Street

212-491-1500

*call to confirm that reservations are available.

{Originally published 11/21/2006}

For more info about Harlem visit uptown flavor at: http://uptownflavor.com/

Donny Osmond Has the Best Milkshake: DWTS Winner

On Tuesday, November 24th Donny Osmond known for being American as Apple Pie showed the world his “Milkshake” in the words of Khalis to win the “Dancing With the Stars” competition.  Back in October Osmond and dance partner Kym Johnson prepared milkshakes at the trendy West Hollywood spot.  Read the story:

Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson from “Dancing With The Stars” visit Millions of Milkshakes in West Hollywood to create their own custom shakes. “Donny’s Decadence” incorporates his all time favorite ingredients vanilla ice cream, chocolate chips, almonds, and caramel sauce topped off with a Kit Kat bar. Kym Johnson’s “Java Jive” includes a little caffeine kick to keep her jive grooving. It combines vanilla ice cream, coffee, and a crushed Kit Kat bar. Their joint milkshake, “The Tango Fruit Twist”, includes vanilla ice cream, strawberries, peaches, raspberries,and mandarin oranges.

See More photos of Donnie and dance partner at http://www.kosherfoodinformation.com/photo/1860766/?k=j83s12y12h94s27k02