Raisins in the Pudding

Even though Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday will be celebrated next Monday, his actual birthday is today. I am repeating this recipe in his memory in in honor of African American History month.

koolkosherkitchen

Almost forty years ago, as I landed in the U.S., I came across a short poem and was stunned by the powerful images.

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode? 

Written by Langston Hughes, one of the prominent leaders and moving forces of Harlem Renaissance but a total unknown in communist Russia, where I came from, it hit me with a surge of emotion I wasn’t even able to understand at that time.

Next came the play by Lorraine Hansberry, whose title was taken from Hughes’ poem, A Raisin in the Sun. It was the first in many ways: the first play written by a…

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41 Comments Add yours

  1. Beautiful poem of what happens to a dream deffered, Dolly. You always come up with lovely stories connected with food. Thanks for the awesome share.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much, dear Kamal!

      Liked by 2 people

  2. weggieboy says:

    Ninety years old on his birthday, were he still with us. I try to imagine what America would be like now if he had been spared murder. It was a sad day the day he died, a loss America couldn’t spare. I still have a hard time remembering 1968. The assassination of Bobby Kennedy and the Democrat convention mess pretty much capped a terrible year. I have no fond memories of 1968.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I wasn’t here, and American news were heavily edited in communist Russia, as you would imagine, but I can feel the impact of that year on the rest of the century, and further, even today.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. ren says:

    Actually Dolly, my dear, if I may be so bold as to say….MLK Jr. Day is not of his birthday, it is a Federal holiday celebrating the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr. When my son was in grade school, he asked his teacher if the school closed on MLK Jr Day. She laughed at him and said No. He was saddened. Love your post. Thank you

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much, dear Ren! I am aware of the Federal holiday, but this year the holiday is next Monday, while MLK’s actual birthday was yesterday, so my post was in his memory.
      Next Monday is one of the minor Jewish holidays, New Year of the Trees, and I didn’t one one important post to upstage the other.
      So the teacher laughed, huh? Is she still laughing, I wonder?

      Liked by 2 people

  4. da-AL says:

    This is wonderful — such a great intro to the U.S. — honest yet optimistic

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much, dear da-Al; your unwavering optimism is an inspiration to many!

      Liked by 2 people

  5. Thank you for honoring Martin Luther KIng, Dolly! He was a great man, and brought freedom to a lot of people too. I never ate bread pudding before, but this delicious sounding recipe my mom has to use asap. 😉 Thank you and best wishes, MIchael

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, Michael, and I am so glad you liked the recipe! Have a great day!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you too, Dolly! Raisins in Pudding is new to me, but sounds great. Have a beautiful day too. Michael

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Ah, the day is almost over, and I just saw your comment, Michael! I am an adventurer in everything, including food, as you may have noticed. I only post successful results of my intrepid experiments, though, so enjoyment guaranteed.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Yes, even reading your postings brings a lot of joy (and hunger too).;-) Have a great weekend, Michael

        Liked by 2 people

      4. Thank you for your lovely compliment, Michael! You too, have a wonderful weekend.

        Liked by 2 people

  6. Douglass is right, and i hope someday we do achieve the kind of peace he was speaking of. Maybe then we could all sit down to some of your lovely raisin pudding!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’ll be happy to make it for the whole world, dear Mimi!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. spearfruit says:

    Thanks Dolly. Wonderful post and great tribute to MLK

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much, Gary!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. kelleysdiy says:

    Wonderful poem Dolly, I’ve never heard it before.❤️️ thank you for sharing❤️️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. My pleasure, darling, but tell me, when you went to school, it wasn’t a part of English Lit required reading? Just curious, because now it is.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. kelleysdiy says:

        Honey, my favorite subject was English Literature in college. It’s just been a while.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I just thought of a change in curriculum to reflect minority authors and minority issues.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. kelleysdiy says:

        Interesting, very cool idea! There are so many aspiring writers.❤️️

        Liked by 2 people

      4. kelleysdiy says:

        how is my little one…she isn’t sending me signals ❤️️

        Liked by 2 people

      5. Ha! I got them hooked on live catnip plant. They are HIIIIGH! No signals to anyone, only into space – spaced out cats!

        Liked by 2 people

      6. kelleysdiy says:

        Ohh, you ruined her! ❤️️🐱❤️️

        Liked by 2 people

      7. Yep, she is a catnip junky now!

        Liked by 2 people

      8. kelleysdiy says:

        Shame on you! ❤️️🐱❤️️Does it keep them off the furniture?

        Liked by 2 people

      9. No, but we have finally made arrangements to get my couch reupholstered, and I was assured that the fabric used is the one cats don’t like. In addition, it will be treated with “cat-repellent” spray. We’ll see!

        Liked by 2 people

      10. kelleysdiy says:

        Great! I used that cat repellent spray around my sons sandbox. It really worked!

        Liked by 2 people

      11. I hope! Spending all this money on restoring an antique couch just to have it destroyed again is not an option.

        Liked by 2 people

      12. kelleysdiy says:

        May your troubles be less and your blessings be more. And nothing but happiness come through your door.

        Liked by 2 people

      13. And the same right back to you, darling!

        Liked by 2 people

      14. kelleysdiy says:

        ❤️️☺️🐱

        Liked by 2 people

  9. Raisins is my favourite!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for stopping by and commenting, darling!

      Liked by 1 person

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