BLACK HISTORY MONTH – Maya Angelou

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“I dedicate this book to every wannabe cook who will dare critcism by getting into the kitchen and stirring up some groceries.”

Maya Angelou

Hi there,

I would like to finish off the month of February by acknowledging all the riches that African American women have brought to the world. And, one of my personal favorites is Maya Angelou. Maya wrote memoirs, poetry and cookbooks. There is nothing that I like more than to read a cookbook filled with personal reminisences. And, Maya doesn’t disappoint. The recipe and story I have chosen to share with you are from Maya’s years as an activitist. Maya tells the story of her friend, Jessica Mitford. Jessica, who was better known as Decca, was a British aristocrat who left Britain to become an activist in the U.S.

Apparently, Decca wasn’t much of a cook. But one evening ended up with an uncooked chicken that was gifted to her after she comitted a series of well meaning mistakes. The title of the recipe immediately drew me in and the first direction in the recipe made it the clincher for this post.

Decca’s Chicken, Drunkard Style

First, drink 1 glass of wine.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH – Maya Angelou

Recipe by Decca Mitford
Course: DinnerCuisine: French?Difficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Cooking time

1

hour 

Ingredients

  • 1 whole 1 chicken (about 3 pounds) cut into pieces

  • 1 stalk 1 celery, chopped

  • 1 1 carrot, peeled and chopped

  • 2 cloves 2 garlic, minced

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 water

  • 2 teaspoons 2 salt

  • 1/2 bottle 1/2 chardonay

  • pepper ground to taste

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  • Wash chicken. Put all ingredients into a large, heavy pot, and place in the oven.
  • Bake for 2 hours.

Notes

  • If you want thick gravy, remove chicken and vegetables from pot. Add 3 tablespoons of cornstarch and 3/4 cup water to hot broth. Put back int oven until thickened to desired consistency.

I would like to dedicate this post to Peggy Kulmie, whose friendship I treasure.

31 responses to “BLACK HISTORY MONTH – Maya Angelou”

  1. Darlene – British Columbia, Canada – Writer of children's stories, short stories and travel articles. https://twitter.com/#!/supermegawoman http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=201634059868404&id=631897250&ref=notif&notif_t=like#!/pages/Darlene-Foster-Writer/362236842733
    Darlene says:

    I love May Angelou too. I haven’t seen any of her cookbooks but must check them out. This recipe looks easy and tasty.

  2. A nice finishing touch for Black History Month. Not sure about the recipe, and I’d probably add a few steps (and ingredients) but I like the first part! 😂

    BTW, Dr. Angelou lived here in Winston-Salem for the last 30 or so years of her life! She was quite a fixture around town and taught at Wake Forest University.

  3. I adore Maya Angelou 🙂 Her friend Rebecca’s drunken chicken recipe sounds really wonderful.

  4. johnrieber – I love great food, interesting books, fascinating travel, outrageous movies, and bacon, especially when it sits on top of a great cheeseburger! I work in entertainment – and I have been lucky enough to interview some really talented Artists – that guides my posts: interesting and provocative movies, music, social media and of course, food, since I believe strongly in the maxim, "everyone eats!"
    johnrieber says:

    A terrific post!

  5. V.M.Sang – UK – I was born and educated in the north west of England. I trained as a teacher in Manchester and taught in Salford, Lancashire, Hampshire and Croydon. I write fantasy novels currently. I also make cards, knit, crochet, tat, do cross stitch and paint. I enjoy walking on the Downs, cycling and kayaking. I do not enjoy housework, but like cooking.
    V.M.Sang says:

    I didn’t know she had written cookery books as well as everything else. A wonderful woman.
    And the recipe sounds terrific.

  6. sue clancy – I create visual stories: fine art and artist books – in the genres of "animals in art" and "books in art". I tell my stories on walls, in books and even on "nontraditional" surfaces like coffee mugs. My fine art is represented by Caplan Art Designs www.caplanartdesigns.com, the Aurora Gallery www.auroragalleryonline.com and by Joseph Gierek Fine Art www.gierek.com – Thank you for letting me tell you a story!
    sue clancy says:

    Beautiful post!!! I love Dr. Angelou too!!! Thank you for sharing!!

      • sue clancy – I create visual stories: fine art and artist books – in the genres of "animals in art" and "books in art". I tell my stories on walls, in books and even on "nontraditional" surfaces like coffee mugs. My fine art is represented by Caplan Art Designs www.caplanartdesigns.com, the Aurora Gallery www.auroragalleryonline.com and by Joseph Gierek Fine Art www.gierek.com – Thank you for letting me tell you a story!
        sue clancy says:

        She certainly was!!

  7. 💜 As a Black Man I Have Avid Admiration for Maya Angelou (note the first five letters of Her Angelic Surname) so this doesn’t surprise me; ‘isms’ are not easy to deal with but along with other female “activists” such as Emily Bronte, Jane Austen, JK Rowland et al She has successfully confronted Sexism and Racism

    nisi mortuus nec neque nolite vicit 🤭🤫🤐

    http://www.ericberne.com

    …💛💚💙…

    • …the way to a Mans Heart ❤️ 💙 💜 💖 💗 💘 ❤️ of whatever skin colour is through his stomach; so, Ladies 🚺 Discuss with Your Significant Other Their Dietary Preferences but, even better, teach them to cook…

      • 💜 YOU!!! ARE Most Welcome SupaSoulSis 🙏🏿 🤗 ☺️ 😊 🙌 😀 🙏🏿 and Thank you for your kind words; a worthy additional “name” is Emily Pankhurst that escaped me when I originally commented

        nisi mortuus nec neque nolite vicit 🤭🤫🤐

        …💛💚💙…

  8. Retirement Reflections – Vancouver Island, BC – Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.
    Retirement Reflections says:

    Hi, Bernadette – Like so many others, I have also been a longtime fan of Maya Angelou, but I didn’t know about her cookbooks. Thank you for sharing this. I am off to borrow this one from our library right now. And thank you for linking up with WOYP! <3

  9. Love it! I didn’t know about Maya Angelou’s cookbooks but do love a book full of personal stories.

  10. the Painted Apron – Life is all about creativity for me, as long as I'm creating something I am happy! I hope I will inspire your daily life and give you ideas for your own wonderful creations!
    Jenna says:

    Well this recipe is certainly easy!!!

  11. I love Maya Angelou too! And I love that first step for this recipe and I think is applicable in all recipes 😉😋🍷

  12. D. Wallace Peach – 30 Miles beyond the edge of civilization, Oregon – I'm an adventurer in writing, peering under rocks in my garden for secret magic. I can't stop writing. My stories want to explode from my head. They demand my attention and surge from my fingertips faster than I can put them to paper. I love what I do.
    D. Wallace Peach says:

    Ooh. That looks good and so simple to make, Bernadette. I like starting off the recipe with a glass of wine too. 😀 A lovely post, my friend.

    • That was the best part of the pandemic. Youcould cook with a glass (or two) of wine and not worry because you couldn’t go out anyway😂

      • D. Wallace Peach – 30 Miles beyond the edge of civilization, Oregon – I'm an adventurer in writing, peering under rocks in my garden for secret magic. I can't stop writing. My stories want to explode from my head. They demand my attention and surge from my fingertips faster than I can put them to paper. I love what I do.
        D. Wallace Peach says:

        Lol

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