For July’s “Menu of the Month” dinner I continued working my way through “Jubilee” by Toni Tipton-Martin and made the most delicious, comforting and easy-for-entertaining meal for my younger brother, his girlfriend and my little sister too!

We started with a special cocktail this month which was extra fun. “Jubilee” has an entire section of exciting cocktails and other beverages including something called “Calypso Coffee” which I’m dying to make once the weather here in Michigan starts to cool off (my absolute FAVORITE time of year!). In the meantime, we made many (many) champagne cocktails which included grapefruit juice, grenadine, a dash of bitters and a cherry- very festive.

The menu included Caribbean Roast Pork, Red Rice, Maque Choux (or fried corn with green peppers) and Buttermilk Biscuits!
For dessert I made a super old-fashioned pound cake with strawberries and whipped cream. Something about this cake was absolutely insane. It was soft and moist and rich in the middle, but the outside, especially the top, had this crispy, crackling, sugary crust- a large portion of which I picked off the bottom and ate before turning it out onto my cake plate. It was so. good. This meal was really just what everyone needs right now- comforting.

I was so long in writing this post! Truthfully, I’ve spent most of this summer worrying. I worry about the state of our country. I worry about COVID and trying to make sure I do my part to help end the spread and keep my loved ones and community safe (wear a mask!), but mostly, I’ve worried about going back to school. We are only just beginning to hear what that may entail. It’s so difficult to plan for my students when there are so many answers that we simply don’t have.

In the meantime, I’ve continued to try to do something good- share some positivity and happiness in the best way I know how when I can’t be in the classroom. I’ve cooked for the people I love. I just had my parents over for dinner last night for “August” and it was just like every recipe I’ve tried from “Jubilee”- comforting, calming and good for the soul. I’ll share that menu soon- but until then, enjoy what is left of summer 2020, and continue to be hopeful and keep faith that this time next year, the world may be happier and healthier than it is right now. At the very least, pick out some recipes you’re dying to try in case we are still in quarantine (there are QUITE a few here 😉 )!