What a week. I want to share a memory that I just remembered to set the tone for this month's newsletter. I grew up in the 90s watching and loving TV shows like "Family Matters," "Hanging With Mr. Cooper," and "Fresh Prince of Bel Air." It never occurred to me, a dorky first-generation Chinese-American kid, that the Black families and people on TV were any different than anyone else. I remember so vividly, my dad coming in during my Friday night ritual and upon seeing a Black people on TV shouted (in Chinese), "Don't watch that black people trash on TV!" He'd grab the remote, turn off the TV, and storm out in a huff. I'd wait a few minutes to make sure he wasn't coming back, and turn on the TV again to continue watching the show.

Reflecting now on that memory from my childhood, I realize how extremely racist and harmful my dad was in those moments and still continues to be today. I wonder how I can change his perspective and help him understand why his words and behavior are harmful, hurtful and not acceptable. I don't have an answer yet, I'm working through these memories and feelings as I type. But I do know that my dad's feelings are not mine and I can do better to set an example for my baby niece, who is half-Black half-Chinese and will have to face prejudices of her own one day. This month's newsletter focuses on amplifying black voices in addition to the usual Baking With Chickens content in honor of Black Lives Matter.

But first... cookies. 

Never say never. I went from saying that I do not write recipes to full on developing and writing BWC Original Recipes. I had an idea in my mind, couldn't find a recipe for it on Google, so I made one up and tested it three times to develop my new favorite cookie -- with a little help from my pastry chef friend, thank you Annette! 

Baking With Chickens proudly presents STRAWBERRY ALMOND COOKIES! Made with seasonal fresh strawberries, chopped almonds, and topped with a strawberry lemon glaze. Legit one of the best things I've created. This is inspired by the 10th Anniversary Celebration cupcake from Tender Greens and a Strawberry Almond Cookie they used to have but I've never seen anywhere else. It took me three tries to get the recipe right. It's strawberry season RIGHT NOW. Go pick up a basket of strawberries from your local farmer's market and make these. Make these right now! And then go share them with someone over a conversation about race and how you can do better. 

Anti Racist Bake Sale

It's been a rough week but necessary for our country to speak up against injustice and police brutality.* Protests have erupted across all 50 States in support of Black Lives Matter. Fellow bakers across the country are using their pastry skills for action. Check out what bakers across the U.S. are doing to help donate. Keep your eyes out for bake sales and auctions in your city that benefit the cause.  

@alexanderbakes (Los Angeles) #bakesale4bail is selling and auctioning pastries and donating 100% of sales to a bail fund to directly help protestors and demonstrators. DM on Instagram to order.

@lanihalliday (NYC/Brooklyn) is doing a bake sale of her famous Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies to support Food Issues Group, a NY-based collective of chefs, farmers, food workers community to equity in the culinary industry. $25 a box, available on her website.

@daniimcr (NYC/Brooklyn-Greenpoint) #bakesale4bail from June 4-8 100% of profits donated to bailout funds and grassroots organizations. Check her IG Story for bake sale info.

@joshisbaking (Cincinnati) is making cookies for donations. 100% of proceeds donated to the Bail Out Project fund so that voices of this movement continue to be heard. Link to order in his Instagram bio.

@pangeasoven (Denver) is making and selling spicy cheesy bread, FIRE Loaf for George Floyd, made with thai chilies and cheddar for $20 a loaf and donating to the George Floyd Memorial Fund. 

@katrinamakescakes (Dallas) is auctioning this Black Lives Matter (pictured below) cake and donating everything to the non-profit Four Oak Cliff, which aims to liberate Oak Cliff from systematic oppression. Bidding closes on Thursday 6/4 at 9AM.

*If you're reading this and you disagree, think that all lives matter, that looters are thugs and gang bangers, or that protestors don't deserve free bail money then let's talk. I want to hear your opinion and have a conversation to better understand your point of view. It's easy to unfollow, ignore or mute dissenting opinions, but that's putting us in our own echo chambers which isn't good for anyone. It's more constructive to address the issues, even if it's a hard conversation. Talk to me, I want to learn and understand.   

Black Bakers, Chefs, Cookbooks & Gardeners to Follow

I realized that my own Instagram feed of people I follow is unintentionally very white and Asian. As part of my effort to #amplifymelanatedvoices and diversify my own view of the world this week, here are some Black voices who are bakers, chefs, writers, gardeners, beekeepers, and chicken keepers who I enjoy and think you might like as well. 

Egg-stra! Egg-stra! Read All About It.

A roundup of egg-ucating and hen-tastic news and info from around the internet. If you see something cool, share it with me and it could end up here! 

Thank you Jeff Pierce and Carrie Hall for sharing chicken content with me this month!