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HippieSrirachaGirl

I eat, I taste, You seek, You follow

Caribbean Flavors

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LA Black Restaurant Week

An event highlighting various ethnic cuisines in Southern California that included over 60 Black Owned Restaurants. This event was presented by Socal Gas and supported by Sysco, Dine Black Los Angeles, 93.5 KDay-FM Hip Hop Back in the Day and Power 106 FM. The event occurred from August 7-16, 2020 but this does not mean that you cannot continue to support Black Owned Restaurants throughout the rest of the year!

Small Businesses during this time of Covid-19 need support from the community. This is your time to explore various ethnic cuisines of Southern California: Soul food, American, Plant-based Soul food, Bakery Dessert Shops, Vegetarian, Caribbean, Ethiopian, Mexican Soul Food, Barbecue, Southern, Creole & Cajun, Cafe Coffee Shop, Halal, Northern Region African, Seafood, Eastern Region African and Juice Smoothie Bars.

Below are two of the restaurants that I had the chance to check out: Sky’s Gourmet Tacos and Sweet Blessings Eclectic Soul Food.

Sky’s Gourmet Tacos is Mexican food with a splash of Soul. Barbara Burrell is the founder of this 1992 establishment with creating fresh seafood meals located at three locations. Sky’s Gourmet Tacos offers breakfast, gourmet salads, burgers, nachos, tortas and vegan alternatives. first location: 5408 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles 90019. The second location: Marina Del Ray, Sky’s Gourmet Marketplace that offers high quality grab-n-go meals that also includes their signature famous gourmet tacos, groceries, Deli counter and even delivers to the boat slips! The third location: 358 W. 38th Street.

Below are one of the Famous Gourmet Shrimp Tacos, which comes with lettuce, coleslaw, tomato, cilantro, pico de gallo & Sky’s Sassy Sauce. The Gourmet Shrimp tacos were delicious, the shrimps were tender and the Sky’s Sassy Sauce was a flavorful addition to the taco. It will get messy but packed with taste!

Sky’s Gourmet Tacos: Black Owned Restaurant
Location: 5408 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles, Ca 90019
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl
Sky’s Gourmet Shrimp Tacos
Ordered with just lettuce, cilantro & Sky’s Sassy Sauce
“Mexican with a Splash of Soul”
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl

Sweet Blessings Eclectic Soul Food has been opened since last fall of 2019. The owner of this establishment is Katina Cyler along with her husband. They have traveled from Florida to kickstart this Soul food restaurant. During LA’s Black Restaurant week, I had the opportunity to meet Katina and she was warm in spirit and has a major passion for cooking authentic Southern food as well a showing casing local artists on the walls of her restaurant.

On August 16, 2020, Sweet Blessings hosted their very first art event, “A Night for the Culture” a partnership between ArtLoud LA + the restaurant. Held from 8pm-11pm with a $15 entry. Reserve your ticket on eventbrite.com This art event bridges a connection between talented black artists and the essence of tasty Southern food.

After having the Cluck and Surf Plate, I was beyond satisfied from the mildly sweet cornbread to the smoky greens and the Mac n’ cheese. Once I bit into the chicken thigh, the outer skin was extra crispy and not salty. To be honest, I could not wait another day to finish my Cluck and Surf Plate. The catfish was cooked to perfection and again not too salty. Will definitely go back to both Sky’s Gourmet Tacos and Sweet Blessings Eclectic Soul Food to explore other dishes on their menu.

Photo by: Sweet Blessings Eclectic Soul Food
Fried Chicken Plate (4 pieces)
Side of Mac n’ cheese and collard greens, cornbread and Jelly Sauce
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl
Cluck and Surf Plate (2 pieces of Fried Chicken & 1 piece of catfish)
Side of Mac n’ cheese and greens plus cornbread
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl

Sky’s Gourmet Tacos and Sweet Blessings Eclectic Soul Food are just two of the Black Owned Restaurants who participated in LA’s Black Restaurant Week. Both are respectable establishments.

Below is a list of the restaurants that participated in the LA Black Restaurant Week of 2020. Do check these restaurants throughout the rest of the year and continue to support small business owners who are also Black Owned Establishments.

Continue to Support Small Businesses.

Stay healthy and vigilant!

Thanks,

HippieSrirachaGirl

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Louisiana-Style Tilapia, a Summer Plate

A GUMBO that is what Louisiana is. We’re talkin’ a lil bit of each culture, we’re talkin’ a blend of various ethnic backgrounds to include: African, European, Native American and Caribbean, which later evolves into Creole and Cajun cuisine. We’re talkin’ spices. The spices that were attached to the cultures’ to each of these individual apron strings. Using these spices during the summer months will wake up your tastebuds with a burst of flavor on a fresh piece of Tilapia.

Hello Fresh has created a Louisiana-Style Tilapia dish, which includes a few simple ingredients for a friendly budget: Tilapia, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Carrots and Red cabbage. There is nothing better than pan fried fish. a touch of OLD BAY Seasoning and a fresh side of coleslaw with family and friends. As the people of Louisiana say, “LIVE TO EAT” and remember to respect the heritage of the food you eat.

Ingredients from Hello Fresh
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl
Chopped Mini Green Chile Peppers, Scallion Greens, Carrots & Yukon Gold Potatoes, Preheat oven at 425 degrees
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl
Toss Yukon Gold Potatoes with a drizzle of oil, sprinkle of paprika, black pepper and Pink Salt
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl
Golden Brown, cook for 20-25 minutes
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl
Coat Tilapia in OLD BAY Seasoning with sour cream, 1 TBSP of water, panko and cornstarch
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl
Fry Fish: 1/3 inch layer of oil in large pan over medium-high heat, 2-3 minutes per side
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl
Louisiana-Style Tilapia w/ Potato Wedges, Red Cabbage Slaw & Spicy Remoulade
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl

Top your Tilapia with your choice of Hot Sauce and your coleslaw with Scallion Greens! If you are interested in cooking this dish for a friendly budget dish during this summer of Covid-19, check you Hello Fresh!!!

Stay healthy and vigilant!

Thanks,

HippieSrirachaGirl

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Caribbean Gourmet: Vegan Curry Plate & Roti

While in Shelter-in-Place check out Caribbean Gourmet. Yonette Allyene is a Guyanese Chef based in Los Angeles, California. Chef Yonette can be contacted through Instagram. When Shelter-in-Place is lifted she can found at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Farmer’s Market on Saturday’s from 10am -3pm and at Atwater Village Farmer’s Market on Sunday’s from 10am-2pm.

Currently, Chef Yonette is providing prepackaged delivery service meals to customers in the Los Angeles Area. Below is the menu for Caribbean Gourmet. Chef Yonette accepts payments through these APPS: Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle. [First Delivery Order is free within 15miles from Pasadena. Further locations in the outlining areas can range from $5-15.]

Photo from Caribbean Gourmet

Below is the Vegan Curry Plate, which comes with Channa (indian styled chickpeas) along with an assorted selection of vegetables in a delicious and robust curry sauce added with Roti!

Vegan Curry Plate & Roti
Photo by: HppieSrirachaGirl

Direct message Chef Yonette through her Instagram Account by saying, “I’m a part of the tribe, HippieSrirachaGirl Tribe.“

Express yourself! If you are a Food Explorer, take a picture and share with us what you ordered and how it worked out!

Thank you,

HSG

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Natraliart Food Restaurant – Central L.A.

Reviewer: HippieSrirachaGirl

Dish 1: Curry Goat w/ beans & rice with plantains
Signature Juice: Beet Root and Carrot Juice
Dish 2: Jerk Chicken Salad
Photo Edited by: Obdulio Carreras

Light, Simple, Fresh-delectable food...My advice…drive slowly down Washington Blvd because I have passed this restaurant a number of times. It wasn’t until I did some research on other Caribbean restaurants and the name of this restaurant caught my attention. I tend to draw towards Caribbean restaurants because I enjoy a lil spice in my life! This restaurant has been in Central L.A. for over 35 years. Their dishes represent authentic Jamaican herbs and spices. The owners of this restaurant make their own fresh fruit juices and some are made with vegetables. This restaurant keeps their flavors traditional, thus bringing Jamaica to Central L.A.

Signature Juice: Pine-Ginger Juice
Dish 2: Jerk Chicken Salad
Photo Edited by: Obdulio Carreras

From the menu, I ordered Curry Goat and I’m a big fan of curry! This dish was served with small pieces of fresh goat meat marinated in a special blend of Jamaican curry herbs & spices with a side of rice & beans and plantains. The Beet Root & Carrot drink was made fresh with a touch of carrot juice, lemon juice, ginger, spices & honey. I cleaned my entire plate and savoured every moment of the Beet Root & Carrot drink because it was perfectly balanced in flavor. My aunt ordered the Jerk Chicken Salad, the chicken was moist and tender. The spice level of the meat was perfect the crunch from the fresh levels balanced out the jerk chicken. For her drink she ordered the Pine-Ginger Juice, which had pineapple, ginger and honey!

Photo Edited by: Obdulio Carreras

From the warmth of the owner, the traditional Jamaican spices in the curry and to the fresh Beet Root & Carrot juice, I was a happy customer. 35 years in Central L.A. and this restaurant proudly represents Jamaica.

Photo Edited by: Obdulio Carreras

For more information on this restaurant, call at (323) 732-8865.

Natraliart Jamaican Restaurant 3426 W. Washington Blvd Los Angeles, Ca 90018

When you have the chance to check out this restaurant, let them know that its a HippieSrirachaGirl invitation!

If you are Food Explorer, leave a comment below on the dish you have tried.

Cheers, HSG