Healthier Microwave Popcorn (Paper Bag Method) Ingredients - ⅓ cup popcorn kernels - Optional: a small handful of M&M’s or 1–2 tsp sugar - Melted butter (to taste) - Salt (to taste) Instructions 1. Add popcorn kernels to a plain paper bag. 2. For fun, add M&M’s or sugar before popping (totally optional). 3. Fold the top of the bag over twice to seal. 4. Microwave on high for about 2 minutes. 5. Carefully open the bag (steam!). 6. Drizzle with melted butter and add salt to taste. 7. Shake, enjoy 🍿 Why it’s better - No mystery oils or preservatives - You control the butter, salt, and sweetness - Cheap, fast, and customizable

You know, everybody keeps talkin’ about how artificial intelligence is taking over kitchens these days — making cooking faster, cleaner, more “efficient.” And sure, that all sounds fancy on paper. But let me tell you something: it’s also stirrin’ up a whole pot of questions about creativity, authenticity, and what’s going to happen to folks like me who’ve spent our perfecting family favorites and exceptional dishes created from passion and love. These AI-powered gadgets can write recipes, match flavors, even cook whole meals with the push of a button. Some restaurants — from high-end to fast-food — are already testing out kitchens run by robots that can flip a burger the exact same way every single time. Now I'm not going to lie, it’s wild to see a machine pipe frosting or sear a steak with perfect precision. But just because something can do a thing doesn’t mean it should replace the people who’ve poured their heart and soul into learning it- right? See, cooking has always been personal for me. It’s rooted in intuition, tradition, memory — in stories passed down over Sunday dinners, in the way my mother seasoned a pot without ever measuring, in the feeling you get when you feed somebody something that warms more than just their stomach. That is not something a robot can feel, mimic, or understand. And I’ll be real with you: I worry. As these AI systems get cheaper and more advanced will my clients look for less expensive options for their catered events? Will be be easier and cheaper to use robotics and will someone like me, and independent chef be able to afford the cost of robotics in order to "lessen" my cost of staffing? If we start choosing efficiency over artistry, profits over people, we’re going to lose something special. Something human. The warmth, the passion, the little imperfections that make a dish feel like home — the things no machine can ever truly recreate. Food ain’t just fuel. It’s love. It’s culture. It’s history on a plate. And I’ll fight for that every single day.

Why Pound Cake Hits Different in Black Culture Pound cake isn’t just dessert in Black culture—it’s a whole tradition. It shows up at every event: cookouts, holidays, funerals, birthdays, church functions… you name it, somebody brought a pound cake. It’s a Love Language When a Black auntie or grandma takes the time to make you a pound cake, just know you’re loved. It’s not a “throw it together” dessert—you’ve gotta cream the butter, measure right, pray it doesn’t fall, and let it bake slow. It’s a whole act of care. A Staple at Every Gathering There’s always that one family member known for their pound cake. And you better not show up with yours unless it can compete. A good pound cake is soft, moist, and slices clean—no crumbs falling apart. Part History, Part Heritage Black cooks took a simple recipe and made it their own—adding lemon, 7UP, sour cream, butter flavor, almond, marble, whatever made it special. It became a recipe passed down, not from books, but from hands and memories. Why It Still Matters Pound cake connects us to our people. It’s comfort, community, and culture all in one pan. No matter how trends change, pound cake stays. Discussion: What makes your pound cake the winner? How do you avoid it getting stuck in the pan? Share your pictures of a perfect Pound Cake