Cooking and Talking in the Bermudian Kitchen

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    In Religion in the Kitchen: Cooking, Talking, and Making of Black Atlantic Traditions, Elizabeth Pérez talks about how Afro-Diasporic religious practices are shown in everyday activities like cooking and talking, hence the title of the book.  In chapter 5, Tasting Affliction, Pérez brings up how talking while preparing the food allows people to share their personal stories. I completely agree with this. I feel that when people cook together there's a chance for them to create a special bond. A bond where they can talk and feel safe, especially if cooking with people they know. In chapter 3, Engendering Knowledge, Pérez says, "The kitchen, therefore, is the great sacred laboratory where know-how, faith, respect, and physical beauty meet each other for the enchantment of the divinities." In other words, the kitchen is a very meaningful place where cultural dishes are made, where offerings are prepared, and where they honor the gods. 

    At home, we prepare traditional Bermudian dishes for holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, Cup Match (Bermudian Holiday), Bermuda Day, and New Years. These also tend to be made in the summer. The dishes that we make definitely take a little while to prepare and make so it's nice to have family around while doing so. I guess this would connect to our religion, as whenever we cook in the kitchen, my mom plays Christian music on her speaker. It's nice to be able to make these traditional dishes with my family so I can learn first hand. Every time we make these dishes my mom walks me through the steps so that one day I'll be able to make them perfectly on my own. 
 

Cassava Pie (Farine Pie is the same thing just with no meat)

Codfish and Potatoes: This is a traditional breakfast that includes codfish, potatoes and tomato sauce. The avocado, boiled egg and banana are optional but most people include them.



Fishcakes and Hot Cross Buns (very good with hot sauce) 


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