06-02-2012, 07:27 PM
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger stood on the balcony of Ashton Villa in Galveston, Texas, and read a special order from President Abraham Lincoln:
The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer. The freedmen are advised to remain at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts, and they will not be supported in idleness, either there or elsewhere.
Instantly, June 19, or Juneteenth for short, became a day of celebration and family reunions in Texas.
President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. It seems hard to believe that it took two-and-a-half years for the news to reach Texas. An old folktale explains that President Lincoln sent the news from Washington by a Union soldier who rode all the way on a slow-moving mule. According to some historians, many slave owners in Texas were aware of the Emancipation Proclamation but refused to tell their slaves about it.
Juneteenth was celebrated in Texas until the late 1960s and early 1970s. The civil rights movement seemed to overshadow the holiday. But in the late 1970s, Juneteenth became a popular holiday again, and the tradition began to spread beyond the borders of Texas.
Source: Ideas for Entertaining from the African-American Kitchen, 1997 by Angela Shelf-Medearis.
SWEET POTATO BISCUITS
These biscuits can be eaten with a little
reduced-fat margarine or fruit spreads.
Nonstick cooking spray
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp reduced-fat margarine
1 cup mashed sweet potato
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
1 cup skim milk
1 egg white
Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
Using an electric mixer, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and margarine. Then, slowly mix in the sweet potatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, and milk. Stir in the egg white.
On a lightly floured board, roll the dough out to 1/2-inch thickness. Using a biscuit cutter, cut the dough into 2-inch circles and place them on the baking sheet. Bake about 25 minutes or until they are firm in the center. Makes about 14 Biscuits.
Per Biscuit: 100 Cal; <1 g Total Fat; 20 g Carb; 00 mg Cholesterol; 290 mg Sodium; 3 g Protein. Exchanges: 1 Starch.
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
A few dashes of Louisiana Hot Sauce can be used instead of lemon juice to give these fried green tomatoes a spicier flavor.
6 large green tomatoes (about 3 pounds)
2 Tbsp lemon juice (or a few dashes of hot sauce)
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
nonstick cooking spray
Slice each tomato into 1/2-inch thick slices. Sprinkle the lemon juice or ht sauce on the tomatoes. Mix the cornmeal and black pepper in a plastic bag. Put tomato slices into the bag and shake well.
Coat a cast-iron skillet or nonstick sauté pan with nonstick cooking spray. Fry the tomatoes, over medium-high heat, until they are light brown on each side. Makes 4 Servings.
Per Serving: 105 Cal; 2 g Total Fat; 22 g Carb; 00 mg Cholesterol; 22 mg Sodium; 3 g Protein. Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Veg.
CLASSIC POTATO SALAD
A bowl of potato salad is traditionally on the menu for special
summer meals. This recipe can be prepared in larger
quantities by doubling or tripling the ingredients.
3 cups white potatoes, peeled, cooked and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1/4 cup sliced scallions (green onions)
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
1-1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients, mixing well. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, to allow flavors to develop, before serving. Makes 4 Servings.
Per Serving: 180 Cal; <1 g Total Fat; 43 g Carb; 00 mg Cholesterol; 199 mg Sodium; 4 g Protein. Exchanges: 3 Starch.
More great healthy versions of soul food:
http://www.cinnamonhearts.com/junteenth.htm