Golden Harvest Bowl Honors Black History Month and Chef’s Roots

The Golden Harvest Bowl (Recipe Below)

In celebration of Black History Month, Marcus Live! Bar & Grille at American Dream is paying tribute to the vibrant culinary traditions of the African diaspora with a dish inspired by the bold, soulful flavors of Jamaica. Created by Chef Ernest Bent, who leads the kitchen alongside Marcus Samuelsson, the Golden Harvest Bowl is a heartfelt nod to his childhood in Jamaica—where rich spices, fresh herbs, and deep-rooted traditions shape every meal.

“This dish brings together the earthy richness of chickpea puree, the crispy sweetness of fried yams – a nod to the beloved ‘sweet potato’ often served in Jamaican households – and the deep umami of caramelized onions,” said Bent. “It’s a dish that’s both comforting and exciting, with layers of texture and flavor.”

Yield: 1

Golden Harvest Bowl

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A comforting and flavorful dish with creamy chickpea puree, crispy fried yams, sweet caramelized onions, nutty peanut chimichurri, crispy fried shallots, and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

• CHICKPEA PUREE:
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Juice of ½ lemon
• ¼ cup water or Coconut milk ( as needed for consistency)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• FRIED YAMS:
• 2 medium yams, cut into wedges or cubes
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
• CARAMELIZED ONIONS:
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 1 tsp brown sugar (optional)
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional)
• PEANUT CHIMICHURRI:
• ¼ cup roasted peanuts, finely chopped
• ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt to taste
• FRIED SHALLOTS:
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• ½ cup vegetable oil (for frying)
• GARNISH:
• Fresh parsley, cilantro

Instructions

Make the Chickpea Purée

1. In a food processor or blender, combine chickpeas, olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, lemon juice, and salt.
2. Blend while slowly adding water until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Fry the Yams

1. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Toss yams with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Fry in batches for about 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until golden and crispy. Drain on a paper towel.

Caramelize the Onions

1. Heat butter or olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat.
2. Add onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden (about 20-25 minutes).
3. Optional: Add brown sugar and balsamic vinegar for extra depth.

Make the Peanut Chimichurri

1. In a bowl, combine chopped peanuts, parsley, cilantro, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, and red pepper flakes.
2. Stir well and season with salt to taste.

Fry the Shallots

1. Heat vegetable oil in a small pan over medium heat.
2. Fry sliced shallots until crispy and golden brown (about 3 minutes). Drain on a paper towel.

Assemble the Golden Harvest Bowl

1. Spread a generous scoop of chickpea purée on a plate or bowl.
2. Arrange crispy yams on top.
3. Spoon over caramelized onions and peanut chimichurri.
4. Sprinkle with fried shallots and fresh herbs.
5. Serve warm and enjoy!

Don’t feel like cooking? Then, take a drive to Marcus Live! during Black History Month and enjoy a dish that honors tradition, culture, and bold Jamaican flavors. The Golden Harvest Bowl is available for a limited time throughout February.

Note: Jamaican sweet potatoes, known for their red or purple skin and creamy, pale yellow flesh, have a slightly drier, starchier texture than the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes commonly found in the U.S. Their subtle sweetness and firm consistency make them perfect for frying, roasting, or mashing in traditional Caribbean dishes. If you can’t find Jamaican sweet potatoes, Japanese sweet potatoes or boniato (a Cuban white-fleshed sweet potato) are excellent substitutes, as they share a similar texture and mild sweetness. If needed, regular orange sweet potatoes can also work, though they will be softer and sweeter in comparison.

Marcus Live! Bar & Grille
American Dream
1 American Dream Way
East Rutherford, NJ 07073