Even nowadays, traditional soul food is made up of many fat ingredients, sugar and salt, Sidner said. Inspired by the creativity and delicious recipes inherited from his grandmother, he used sweet potatoes, a classic soul food ingredient, in a fun and healthy way.
“What I’m trying to do is take an item that I call the” Cinderella of the Ball “. We’re going to dress up the sweet potatoes and make them great, “Sydnor said. “If you’re open, you can eat great food without salt, fat, or sugar.”
He also used the greens, leaves and stems of sweet potatoes found at the Produce Junction.
He fried the green in two ways. One uses garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper and dry sherry. The other is inspired by Chinese ingredients such as canola oil, ginger, garlic, salt and Shaoxing wine.
According to Johnetta Frazier and Neva White, live audience testers at Sydneyr Family Coalition, it’s simple, easy, and delicious.
Sydnor also baked a tray full of olive oil-covered sweet potatoes for his “sweet potato bar” with exciting and healthy ingredients.
Exhibits: Rosewater whipped Greek yogurt, date, preserved lemon, harissa, pomegranate juice, pistachio apricot salsa, roast beet, pineapple salsa, water and green onion diluted peanut butter, assorted nuts, toast Peanut butter, dried cranberries and figs, sorghum, spicy maple syrup, turkey bacon and more.
“Drive your imagination,” said Sidner. “Live a little! There are 365 days a year. Why do you eat the same thing over and over again?”
Sydnor said he chose to use sweet potatoes instead of his sister vegetable yam because of its low glycemic index. Raw sweet potato vegetables taste like spinach, but they also contain more vitamin C and are rich in fiber.
Although Sidner was inspired by his family, he said he was also impressed by his experience traveling and dining around the world as a hotel restaurant owner.
“Soul food is in every culture,” said Sydnor. “Soul food is a food that makes you feel good. Soul food is a food that nourishes you.”
