Lifestyles: Make Juneteenth delicious
Celebrate the joy of Juneteenth this year with your family and friends by honoring traditions of the past while creating new ones for the future.
With Juneteenth only being officially recognized as a national holiday a few years ago, many are still unsure of what it truly means to celebrate Juneteenth.
Also often referred to as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, this holiday acknowledges June 19, 1865. The day that the word reached slaves in Texas that slavery had ended two years and a half years prior.
To commemorate the end of slavery every year families of African descent living in the United States gather together at picnics and outdoor gatherings to cook and share the bounties of the summer and the promises of independence. For generations Juneteenth was acknowledged as an unofficial holiday by families throughout the country and the color red was adopted to symbolize the resilience and joy of the day. After gaining in momentum and popularity with every passing year, this day now receives the reverence that it deserves.
The food cooked on Juneteenth gives a nod to African and “Soul Food” dishes with more recent additions to the menu being red velvet cake and a refreshing drink called “Jubilee Punch”.
Keeping with the theme, customarily the majority of the food served is in delicious hues of red and include items such as dishes made with fresh red berries, grilled meats with thick red barbeque sauces and red beans with rice.
Here are a few recipes to help you celebrate, remember and appreciate Juneteenth this year and for years to come.
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave/Davidson Local} Delicious and refreshing Jubilee Punch is perfect for the celebration.
Jubilee Punch-
Ingredients:
- 2 Liter Ginger Ale
- 64 Ounces of Cranberry Juice
- 64 Ounces of Pineapple Juice
- 64 Ounces of Lemonade
- 1 Liter of Strawberry Puree (Non- Alcoholic) Daiquiri Mix
- 1 Jar Maraschino Cherries
- 1 Can Pineapple Chunks with Juice
- 1 Pound of Fresh strawberries, cleaned and cut into slices
- 2 Oranges, cleaned and cut into thin segments
Mix all ingredients in a large punch bowl or container in order listed above.
- Chill before serving.
- Serve over ice being sure to ladle fruit into each glass
(Can be served as an adult cocktail with the addition of spirits)
{Image: Clarence-Vernon Hargrave/Davidson Local} Nothing is better on Juneteenth than moist, homemade red velvet cupcakes.
Red Velvet Cupcakes (Makes 2 dozen cupcakes)
Ingredients:
- 3 Large Eggs, at room temperature at least an hour
- 1 ½ Cups Buttermilk (also at room temperature)
- 2 Sticks of Melted Butter, slightly cooled
- ¼ Cup Canola Oil
- 4 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 2 ¾ Cup Cake Flour
- 4 Tablespoons Red Food Coloring
- 1 Tablespoon Vinegar
- 1 Pack of Instant Vanilla Pudding
- 3 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
- Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder.
- In another large bowl gently beat the oil, melted butter, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring,
vinegar, pudding mix and vanilla with an electric mixer.
- Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined. Do
not mix for more than 2 minutes.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled.
- Bake in the oven for about 19 to 22 minutes.
- Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness before removing them from the oven.
- Allow to cool completely for at least an hour before frosting.
- Ingredients for Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
- 1 Pound Cream Cheese, softened
- 2 Sticks Butter, softened
- 2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
- 4 Cups Confectioners Sugar
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Add the vanilla extract then slowly add the confectioners sugar cup by cup until well blended.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the frosting to solidify slightly.
- Spoon into a piping bag to frost or spread onto cooled cupcakes and allow icing to set for
at least an hour before serving.
- Store in an airtight container.
Enjoy!
