Some years back, half of ODB spent several weeks exploring England. After a couple of weeks in London, our first stop was Hampton Court Palace. While built by Cardinal Wolsey, it’s most known for being a favorite of Henry VIII. After a significant disgrace, Wolsey “gave” …
When I first moved to Chicago, I worked to create pathways for folks who found it extremely difficult to find work in our city. It boggles the mind to see how the deck was stacked against the most marginalized of us. My office sat within …
On the eve of our country’s Independence Day, I, like many other Americans, find myself reflecting on what we mean by the words independence, liberty, and freedom. Just two weeks ago, we were celebrating Juneteenth. Almost a century separates these two commemorative moments (and all that they represent) and we remain curious about how we hold both of these in our hearts and minds. The tensions between these two national holidays are not lost on us at Onion Dip for Breakfast.
As we cheer on the end of tyranny and the demand for liberation through our red-white-and-blue dishes, potato salad, berry-topped flag cakes, and barbecue, we will pursue that elusive liberation and expect just beauty, too.
I recently spent an afternoon with a herd of bison, up close and personal, as they grazed on the grassy plain and huddled together with their small calves. It was mind-boggling to think that they were living not far from Chicago, and some compassionate people …
Today we lovingly poured our ruby-colored red drink into champagne flutes that had been purchased with my mom nearly two decades ago. We toasted our ancestors and to love as we reveled in the spiciness of sorrel. It is celebratory.
We nibble on boiled peanuts that taste of black-eyed peas and connect us to my childhood. I vividly remember eagerly squeezing the shells to get to these slippery and soft nuts.
And of course there’s watermelon. Today they look like thick discs topped with salty crumbled feta and the tiniest basil leaves and royal purple flowers. This dish is a nod to living in Greece in the 90s and it’s ubiquitous (and delicious!) sheep’s milk cheese. Is it possible for the feast to be more wonderful because it’s set in the Black Garden? Why yes.
Happy Juneteenth! Jubilee!
We’ll always have Paris. Half of Onion Dip for Breakfast used to call the City of Lights home when she was a young, wide-eyed student soaking up every drop. This city has so much to offer from its aromatic markets, art in and out of …
We’re making more room for celebrating. There’s enough going on in the world that needs little reminding of how cruel it can be. So we’re having moments to toast to good times, blow out candles, dance here and there, and laugh. Laugh so hard that our stomachs begin to hurt. Here’s to laughter!
“Here’s to… family!” That’s how we kicked off an evening with passion fruit margaritas. Then there was a table covered by Mexican food. My parents joined us for a “seaside seafood feast” right along the Chicago River. Think ceviche, an array of seafood tacos, a whole red snapper, seafood-stuffed pineapple, and pitchers of fruity drinks. We had everything and concluded our meal with warm churros filled with flavorful caramel and a side of cinnamon ice cream. Here’s to food!
What are you celebrating?
I am not an optimist. When I tell folks that, they rarely believe me. Surely, you jest. But, but, but you’re so happy… I’ve always armored myself with a fair amount of pragmatism and pessimism, steeling myself as much as one can for the other …
