What Was Maya Angelou Favorite Food - Poetry & Poets (2024)

Maya Angelou was a renowned poet, author, and civil rights activist. She was known for her wisdom, insight and creativity, and many of her writings referenced her love of food and her preferences for certain dishes. Angelou had a deep appreciation for the culinary world and her favorite foods were often the dishes she cooked for her family. From easy, Southern inspired comfort food, to rich Creole delicacies, Maya Angelou’s favorite meals revealed her diverse range of tastes.

Angelou was a passionate home cook and her family meals were considered her specialty. She often prepared Southern classics such as fried chicken and biscuits, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese. The food Angelou cooked was hearty and comforting, and she loved to feed her friends and family with her home cooked meals. She also enjoyed Creole dishes like jambalaya and gumbo, which she said reminded her of her childhood home in Stamps, Arkansas.

Angelou also had a taste for exotic spices and flavors. She was fond of Indian and Asian dishes, often adding her own unique touch to the recipes she attempted. She often incorporated Burmese flavors, using the lime juice and fish sauce she had brought home from her travels in Burma. She also enjoyed dishes from South and Central America, experimenting with spicy peppers and Mexican flavors in her kitchen.

In addition to the flavorful dishes, Angelou was also a proponent of healthy eating. She was a huge fan of fresh fruits and vegetables, incorporating them into her meals whenever possible. She also enjoyed a variety of grains, such as quinoa, and healthy legumes, like lentils. Angelou was well aware of the health benefits of eating foods packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and she often incorporated these healthy ingredients into her meals.

Angelou was also known for her sweet tooth. She was an avid baker and had a variety of desserts in her repertoire. She was fond of British-style trifles and cobblers, as well as Southern favorites such as Hummingbird Cake and Chess Pie. She also loved experimenting with different ethnic desserts, often attempting recipes from Burmese, Indian and Latin cuisines.

Overall, Maya Angelou enjoyed a range of flavors and was not afraid to explore the different cuisines of the world. Whether it was classic Southern comfort food, exotic Burmese dishes, or healthy grains and legumes, Angelou was passionate about food and she incorporated it into her life in various ways.

Southern Comfort Food

Maya Angelou was an avid fan of Southern comfort food, and her family meals often included classics such as fried chicken, biscuits, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese. These dishes were comforting and familiar to Angelou, as they were the same dishes she grew up eating. These meals often included simple ingredients and were prepared through slow cooking techniques, allowing the flavors to build and develop. For Angelou, these dishes embodied the love and care she grew up with, and she often served them for her friends and family.

Angelou often used her own unique touches to make her Southern recipes stand out. She would often add her own flavor accents, such as chili powder, garlic powder, or cumin, to enhance the experience of the dish. Angelou also had a special recipe for fried chicken: she would season it, fry it in a skillet, and then put the chicken in the oven to bake. This resulted in crispy, golden-brown chicken that was both delicious and unforgettable.

Angelou also cooked a variety of side dishes to accompany her Southern meals. She was an expert at making collard greens, and her version was cooked with bacon and onions, giving it a smoky flavor. Her macaroni and cheese was always made with sharp white cheddar and a golden brown crust, making it a favorite among her family. Finally, Angelou was known for her biscuits, which were soft, golden brown and always a hit.

Overall, Maya Angelou’s Southern comfort meals gave her family a deep sense of comfort and joy. Through these dishes, Angelou was able to share her love for her own childhood home and the flavors of the South.

Creole Cuisine

In addition to Southern comfort food, Maya Angelou was also well versed in the flavors of Creole cuisine. Many of her favorite dishes were those that reminded her of her childhood home in Stamps, Arkansas. Dishes such as jambalaya and gumbo were often part of Angelou’s family meals, and she was particularly fond of the spices used in Creole cooking. Angelou often incorporated Creole flavors into her recipes, adding cayenne pepper, paprika, and other spices to give them a punch of flavor.

Angelou also enjoyed Creole dishes that blended the classic flavors of the South with the spices of the Caribbean. Dishes such as red beans and rice, or shrimp étouffée, were staples of Angelou’s menu. She was also known for her homemade jambalaya, a traditional dish of rice, vegetables and meats, cooked in a spicy tomato-based sauce. This dish was beloved by Angelou’s family, who enjoyed the bold flavor and aroma of the dish. Additionally, Angelou also incorporated Caribbean flavors into her desserts, blending local spices with traditional Southern ingredients.

Angelou also loved to cook with unique ingredients from the Creole region. She was well versed in the flavors of local produce, and often used Creole vegetables in her cooking, such as okra, eggplant and sweet potatoes. Angelou also used crustaceans in her dishes, such as crawfish, shrimp and crab. These ingredients gave her dishes a seafood flair, and she often combined these seafood flavors with the Spices and flavors of the Caribbean.

Overall, Maya Angelou was passionate about the flavors of Creole cuisine, and she often shared her love of this regional fare with her family and friends. Through her recipes, Angelou was able to bring a little bit of her childhood home of Stamps, Arkansas to her dinner table.

Exotic Spices and Flavors

Maya Angelou was not afraid of exploring different cuisines and flavors, often incorporating exotic spices and ingredients into her dishes. She was fond of Indian, Asian and Mexican dishes, and often tried new recipes from these cultures. Angelou was also an expert in blending different spices and flavors, often creating unique and memorable dishes in the process.

Angelou often incorporated Burmese flavors into her recipes, using fish sauce, lime juice and tamarind concentrate that she had brought back from her travels to Burma. She often paired these flavors with other spices, such as chili peppers and lemongrass, to create unique and intriguing dishes. Angelou was also fond of Indian flavors, and she often cooked dishes such as curry and masala. She often served these dishes with naan and chutney, allowing her guests to explore the flavors of India and Southeast Asia.

Angelou also experimented with Mexican flavors. She was an expert at making chiles rellenos and enchiladas, which she often served with a variety of toppings and sauces. Angelou was also passionate about Latin desserts, often making traditional flan, or even an occasional churro. She often combined local spices, such as cinnamon and cocoa, with classic Southern flavors to create unique and delicious desserts.

Overall, Maya Angelou was passionate about experimenting with different cultures and flavors, often resulting in delicious dishes with a unique flair. Her culinary explorations allowed her to explore the world through food, and to share her love of different flavors with her family and friends.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Maya Angelou was an advocate for healthy eating and often incorporated fresh fruits and vegetables into her meals. She was well aware of the health benefits of these foods, and she was an expert at utilizing their flavors and nutrients in her cooking.

Angelou often used vegetables as the base of her meals, and she was a huge fan of fresh, seasonal produce. She was an expert at making salads and soups, often using whatever vegetables were in season. She was also fond of Mediterranean-style dishes, such was ratatouille and tabbouleh. These vegetable-based dishes were flavorful and healthy, and Angelou was able to incorporate her love of vegetables into her meals.

Angelou was also an advocate for healthy grains, such as quinoa and bulgar wheat. She often used these grains as bases for her dishes, often adding vegetables and herbs to give them flavor. Angelou also enjoyed legumes, such as lentils, and she often served them with vegetables, grains and spices to create hearty and nutritious meals. Through these dishes, Angelou was able to incorporate her love of healthy eating into her meals.

Maya Angelou was also a proponent of fresh fruit, and she often served it as a dessert or snack. She was an avid baker, and she often created unique desserts using seasonal fruits. For example, she often made berry cobblers during the summer months, utilizing the sweet and tart flavor of the berries. Angelou also used fresh fruits in her salads, adding flavor and nutrition to her dishes.

Overall, Maya Angelou believed in incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into her meals, ensuring that her family and friends had access to flavorful and nutritious meals. Through her unique and experimental recipes, she was able to make healthy eating an enjoyable experience.

Delicious Desserts

In addition to her love of cooking, Maya Angelou was also an expert baker. She was fond of Southern desserts, such as Hummingbird Cake and Chess Pie, as well as British-style trifles. Angelou often combined Southern favorites with multicultural flavors, creating unique and memorable desserts in the process.

Angelou’s desserts often incorporated ingredients and flavors from around the world. She was an avid fan of Middle Eastern desserts, such as baklava and ma’amoul. She also often blended Burmese flavors into her desserts, using ingredients such as pandan extract and coconut flakes. Angelou was also an expert at creating Latin desserts, such as flan, and often used spices and flavors from Latin America to enhance her recipes.

Angelou also loved experimenting with different techniques, often combining classic baking techniques with modern trends. She was an expert at creating cheesecakes, often flavoring them with different fruits and spices. Angelou also created eclairs, tarts, and cobblers, using traditional French techniques to make these desserts even more delicious. Finally, Angelou was a master at making pies, often utilizing unusual flavors, such as passion fruit and guava, to create truly unique desserts.

Overall, Maya Angelou had a sweet tooth, and she often delighted her family and friends with her amazing desserts. Through her baking, she was able to share her love of different cultures and flavors, creating memorable and unforgettable desserts.