Cranberry Raisin Pie, Paula Deen and Racism
An extra bag of cranberries in my frig had me internet searching for recipes, when I came across a Paula Deen YouTube video for cranberry raisin pie. I was never a fan of Deen's "Paula's Home Cooking" show but did buy a set of her cookware at a deep discount many years back. To refresh my memory about the Deen Controversy, I found this article on her rise and fall as the Southern cooking authority. The article explains that her Southern Cooking Show was cancelled from many networks following a Lawsuit by her African American chef. The lawsuit disclosed that she was using racial slurs and was allowing sexual misconduct in her business. She admittedly used the N word and many networks cancelled her show. Ironically, because her show was cancelled, her popularity rose in many white sympathetic circles and her cookbook (and cooking paraphernalia) became best sellers. Her popularity collapsed only when it was disclosed that she had diabetes. Apparently, racism was o.k. with many people, but gluttony was not. While theft and exploitation of recipes from African American cooks and chefs was o.k., unhealthy cooking choices were not. Sad how the same ignorance concerning issues of racial disparity rankle around us to this day.
https://www.eater.com/2019/11/7/20951397/paula-deen-racism-career-rise-fall-white-negroes-book-excerpt
As usual I combined this recipe with several other recipes to come up with my own version. It is tart, tangy and sweet so a small slice goes a long way. It tastes like the cranberry relish my Grandmother used to make.
Cranberry Raisin Pie
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4 c. fresh or frozen cranberries
2 c.sugar
3 TBSP cornstarch
1 c. orange juice
1 c. raisins
1 TBSP orange zest
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Pie crust for double crust pie.
Mix sugar and cornstarch in sauce pan. Add next 5 ingredients and bring to a boil. Boil until all cranberries have popped and sauce has thickened (about 5 minutes). Put in 9" pie double pie shell.
Bake 25 minutes at 375degrees
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