In 2018, I worked with Nicole Taylor (author of The Up South Cookbook and Watermelon & Red Birds) to research, develop, and test recipes from The Last OG tv show on TBS. It was my first cookbook project for a major media property, so I was very excited to take it on. I watched the show and took note of what they ate, mentioned, and cooked. Nicole did a lot of research on historical Brooklyn cuisine, prison food, and dishes from the Caribbean to fill out the rest of the book.
It was a creative endeavor to imagine what other foods the characters would enjoy and make for themselves. Not only is the book design insane (each recipe page is laid out differently!), but it is also educational about criminal justice reform and mass incarceration. It’s not just recipes from the show, but a great document of Brooklyn pride and its diverse cuisine. If you don’t have a copy of The Last OG Cookbook yet, you can grab one here from Bookshop.
From The Recipes I Developed
Jamaican Beef Patties - A classic bodega stable with homemade filling and crust. Ground beef is sauteed with fresh thyme and habanero peppers to make you cry (in a good way).
Loaded Onion Hot Dog - When Nicole asked me to load this hot dog with onion, I thought about how versatile onions can be. It’s a triple threat of caramelized Vidalia onion, raw red onion, and crushed Funyuns.
Pretzel Dusted Kebabs - Grilled lamb skewers mashed with another bodega favorite: salty pretzels! Juicy meat with onion, peppers, and pretzels for crunch.
Parkside Pot Pie - Savory hand pies filled with comforting chicken breast, peas, and gravy. It’s a portable pot pie you can bring on picnics!
Parole Board Bacon Burger - You don’t want to pass on this stack. It’s a 1/2 pound beef patty with thick-cut bacon, melty American cheese, and my special sauce packed with paprika and chili powder.
For the Vegetarian
Bodega Corn Casserole - Really easy to make!
Shay’s Sweet Potatoes - Can’t really
Prison Pad Thai - A real prison cooking method used to make dinner out of pantry staples.
Star Witness Knishes - These require a little patience, but are worth it in the end.
Green Eye’s Fried Pickles - Sour + crunch? You can’t go wrong.
For the Meat Eater
Clyde’s Backstabbing Ribeye
Bobby’s Blinged Out Tacos
Bulletproof String Beans & Minced Pork
Lemon Pepper Drums
Make Up Meat Platter
For a Party
Chopped Cheese Dip
Smoked Fish Fritters
Mango Slaw
Mullin's’ “Finger Lickers”
Amira’s Peach Cobbler
If You Have a Sweet Tooth
PBJ Beignets
Big Country’as Turtles
Brooklyn Knock-Out Sundae
Amira’s Peach Cobbler
The Goods Muffins