Chef Darian’s Curry Chicken

If you have never had curry chicken, here is some advice straight from my heart, TRY IT!  Chef Darian makes some of the best curry chicken I have ever tasted.  It truly took me back to my childhood.  His story behind his love for food is moving.  It makes you think, what is it that drives us to do what we do? Where does your drive to do what you love come from?  Think about that, over a nice big bowl of curry chicken, I promise you won’t regret it. And don’t worry – he’s included his Jamaican Rice & Peas recipe too!!
Chef Darian & Mercedes Wilson : Photo Credit Natasha Hill

 

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Chow Mein – Trinidad Style

I love how Junette keeps her family traditions.  Her mother passed away in 2007 but still lives on through her daughter’s cooking.  This dish that Junette made for us all to experience took me to a place that I have never been – TRINIDAD!  You MUST try this dish, you won’t regret it!

Junette & Mercedes

 

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Junette & Her Mother

 

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Chow Mein-Trinidad Style
Chow Mein-Trinidad Style

 

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Mama’s Red Rice

Most of us have that dish that reminds us of granny.  Craig happens to have a delicious one!  When I watched him make this dish my jaw dropped because of how super simple it was to make.  I couldn’t stop eating it(you saw the video, it’s true!).  His granny did me a huge favor by teaching him how to cook because now I get to try this recipe in my home and enjoy it!  I hope you do as well.  Traditions like these are ones that bring goof family memories for years to come.  A big shout out to granny and Craig!!!  Thank you both!

 

Craig Pridgen & Mercedes Wilson – Photo Credit: John Discuillo

 

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Mama’s Red Rice
Mama’s Red Rice

 

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Spinach Florentine

Spinach Florentine
I keep hearing from my friends, “But Mercedes, I am not a good cook”.  Please stop telling yourself that when you have simple and delicious dishes like this that exist!  This dish is a show stopper and you can entertain with this on a budget!  Check out this spinach Florentine recipe that my friends from Niagara Produce were so gracious to share with us!  Make this in no time so that you can spend time with the folks you love!

 

Antonious with Niagara County Produce – Photo Credit: Natasha Hill

 

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Suzanne’s Charcuterie Board

Growing up we called these cheese and fruit dishes.  It wasn’t until 2020 that I learned the official name of a charcuterie board. The creativity it takes to put one of these together is just amazing to me.  It brought out a fun side of me that I want to share with my children. Everything about this board looked so difficult until Suzanne from A Board Above broke it down for me.  Now a salami river is in my near future, lol. The next time you have time, go the grocery store, grab some of the things that your friends and family love, gather round and make one of these. This is a great way to bond with a twist!

I have included what WE used for this Charcuterie Board in the recipe cards below, but remember, you can use what YOU prefer so don’t be afraid to GET CREATIVE!!

Suzanne Cross of A Board Above with Mercedes Wilson Photo Credit: Natasha Hill

 

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Charcuterie Board
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Freddie J’s Ribs

One thing that I learned from my time with Freddy J. is – “DON’T WASTE IT”!  Life is too short. Eat great food, but don’t spend a whole day cooking it. He learned this from seeing his grandmother cook in Africa and while she treated her food like art, it took all day for them to eat.  I remember my grandmother being in the kitchen all day as well.  These ribs took him seconds to season and 1.5 hours on the grill!  When I tell you the meat was falling off of the bone……you can’t beat that.
On more tip that Freddy J gave me, that I 100% agree with, always try your meat before you add any type of sauce, you just might surprise yourself and enjoy it!  Plus, it’s a compliment to the chef!  Enjoy!
Freddy J & Mercedes Wilson
Photo Credit: Natasha Hill

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MamaLampa’s Fried Rice

How many of us let our white rice sit in our fridge for days and then just throw it away? I know that I am guilty of it. Well, not anymore my friends! Emily Lampa shows us her mothers famous fried rice that was passed down to her – one that she will no doubt pass down to her own daughters. This rice is so good that I had two bowls of it and have made it for my family since learning how to make it from Emily! I hope you make it with your family. It is super simply and absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!!

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Melanie’s “Get Better Soup”

When you go through breast cancer it opens your eyes to a whole new community of warriors that you didn’t even know existed.  That is exactly what happened with Melanie and I.  I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2011 and Melanie was diagnosed in 2014.  She will forever be my friend with a bond we can’t explain.  Melanie is my spicy friend, we both tell it like it is and I appreciate her for that.  Her laugh is genuine and so is her personality. If you don’t have a friend like Melanie in your life…..FIND ONE!

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Get Better Soup
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Adobo – The Penetrante Family recipe

I remember having Mrs. Penetrante in high school for Phys. Ed.  I remember her being frustrated with me on a regular basis – because I talked A LOT! So you can understand how surprised I was when my teenagers came home and told me their Phys. Ed teacher’s name was Mrs. Penetrante!  I was in shock.  I immediately looked her up and contacted her.  We have definitely had some laughs since then.  Her family is rich in tradition, so it was a no brainer to ask her to join me in my kitchen to cook one of her family’s favorite dishes.  I hope you enjoy it as well.

Photo Courtesy of: Mrs. Penetrante

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The Penetrante Family Recipe

 

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Stephen’s Snickerdoodle Cookies

Snickerdoodles Stephen and Mercedes
I can’t believe that I have missed out on what is the snickerdoodle cookie all of my life.  I have never had one!  I grew up loving the chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and sugar cookies, but never the snickerdoodle.  What makes me love this cookie even more is the story behind why my friend Stephen makes them as good as he does!
We all have a story. We all have something to share that can help someone else, no matter how big or small you think it is.  Stephen’s story hit me in the heart because it shows that even in the midst of hard times, something delicious can be a conversation piece for so many youth and can make a big difference. Enjoy this recipe!!!!

 

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Chef Stephen – Snickerdoodles
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