The Beat of the Streets & The Flavor of the Streets
JULy 14, 2024 - ISSUE 1 - VOLUME 1
Welcome to "Taste Music. Hear Food."!
I am excited to take you on a journey where hip hop and urban culture meet unique food facts and origins. Each week, we’ll explore how these two vibrant worlds intertwine. Let’s kick things off!
Hip Hop Highlight:
The Birth of Hip Hop
Hip hop was born in the Bronx, NY, during the 1970s. It started as a cultural movement among African American and Latino youth, incorporating four key elements: DJing, MCing, breakdancing, and graffiti art. DJ Kool Herc is often credited with pioneering the genre by hosting block parties where he extended the instrumental breaks of popular songs, allowing people to dance longer.
Food Fact: The Origins of Street Food
Street food has been a staple in many cultures for centuries. From ancient Rome’s bread and olives to China’s early food stalls selling noodles, street food has always provided affordable, accessible, and delicious options for the masses. Today, street food is celebrated globally for its diversity and creativity.
Connection: How Street Culture Influenced Both Hip Hop and Street Food
Both hip hop and street food emerged from urban environments where creativity and resourcefulness were key. Just as hip hop artists used turntables and microphones to express themselves, street food vendors used simple ingredients to create culinary masterpieces. Both are reflections of the vibrant, dynamic cultures of the streets.
Recipe:
New York-Style Hot Dog w/ Kraut mustard & onions
Onion Sauce
Ingredients
2 LARGE ONIONS, FINELY SLICED
2 TABLESPOONS VEGETABLE OIL
1 CUP KETCHUP
3 TABLESPOONS YELLOW MUSTARD
1/4 CUP TOMATO PASTE
1/2 CUP WATER
1/4 CUP WHITE SUGAR
1/4 CUP BROWN SUGAR
1/4 CUP APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
1/4 CUP WHITE VINEGAR
1/4 CUP CORN SYRUP (LIGHT)
1 TEASPOON CHILI POWDER
1/2 TEASPOON PAPRIKA
1/4 TEASPOON CAYENNE PEPPER (ADJUST TO TASTE)
SALT AND BLACK PEPPER TO TASTE
Instructions
In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté them until they become translucent and slightly caramelized. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
Ingredients
4 SABRETT HOT DOG,(OR ANY NATURAL CASING HOT DOG)
4 HOT DOG BUNS
1 CUP SAUERKRAUT
1/2 CUP YELLOW MUSTARD
1/2 CUP ONION SAUCE
Instructions
- Grill or boil the hot dogs until fully cooked.
- steam the buns until soft..
- Place each hot dog in a bun.
- Top with sauerkraut, onions, and mustard.
- Serve hot and enjoy a taste of New York street food!
Thank you for joining us for the first edition of "Taste Music. Hear Food."!
We hope you enjoyed learning about the birth of hip hop and the rich history of street food. Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter, where we’ll dive into DJ Kool Herc’s influence on hip hop and the spicy world of Jamaican jerk chicken
Reflective Question:
What’s your favorite street food and how does it reflect the culture of its origin? Share your thoughts with us! We’re thrilled to have you on this journey with us. Until next week, keep tasting the music and hearing the food!
Love it, very creative . Amazing artwork and I love the reflection element. I can’t wait for the next one !
You’re a genius little big brother….!!!
Couldn’t be more proud of you.
Shaved ice/snow cones. Which was your favorite, mine or Papi’s (What flava – What flava?)
Truly remarkable, such a fun read! I will be coming back for more! My favorite street food….all of it. I think street food embodies the people so I want to try it all!! Can’t wait to try the Onion Sauce!
The fusion of food and music still transcends the senses each experience. That fact that this is being curated by a qualified culture member is to be applauded. Well done Chef Porter.
Love this!! Such an artistic way to relate two integral cultural elements. Street food makes you feel so connected to the neighborhood, the people, the sounds, the art. A spicy half smoke with kraut and onion sauce always hits the spot. This is the blog I didn’t know I needed! Looking forward to the next read!!
What’s a top 5 songs I should listen to while making the recipe?
The images are rich with detail. I’ll be back for seconds.
For me this is the direction I would go (in no particular order)
1. A Tribe Called Quest, “Ham ‘N’ Eggs” (People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
2. Slick Rick, “Mona Lisa” (The Great Adventures of Slick Rick
3. Jay-Z, “Success” (American Gangster
4. The Sugarhill Gang, “Rappers Delight” (Sugarhill Gang
5. Beastie Boys, “3 the Hard Way” (To the 5 Boroughs.
Thanks, Chef Porter, for highlighting this important aspect of culture—food and music.
Thank you, I appreciate you.
I love to imagine the energy of those block parties and truly listening to something “new.” Street food = connecting to love.
I remember vividly being a very young boy at the park jams and being COMPLETELY mesmerized by how captivating and infectious the DJ’s and MC’s we’re till this day I remember this feeling as if it has just happened.
My son Im so very proud of you !! Your creative Mind is so powerful …..who would EVER thought blending food and music together could be so complementary and you’ve done it with finesse do the damn thing baby!!!
🙏🏾❤️
WHAT!!!!! KEEP HEARING THE FOOD… AND TASTING THE MUSIC !!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥 ONLY your creativity could make this make sense BRAVO 🤩🤩🤩