America's weatherman Al Roker shares Thanksgiving traditions and tips on perfecting his mama's oxtail stew with dumplings. They discuss food, childhood memories, mixing tape and even blackmailing siblings. Al reflects on the importance of Christmas and shares his favorite meal, Ox Tail Stew, along with tips for achieving the perfect flavor.
Sharing food as an act of generosity and participating in food drives can make a significant impact during the holiday season.
Despite limited resources, Al Roker's mother was able to create delicious meals in a small kitchen, blending Jamaican and American influences.
Deep dives
The Power of Sharing Food and Generosity
In this podcast episode, Al Roker discusses the importance of sharing food as an act of generosity, even when his family had limited resources. He highlights how his mother would prepare dishes for neighbors in times of tragedy or illness. Al Roker emphasizes the need to remember those less fortunate during the holiday season, and he encourages listeners to participate in food drives and support local food banks. He shares his own experience of participating in food drives and his appreciation for the impact that even small contributions can make.
Memories of Al Roker's Childhood Kitchen
Al Roker reflects on his childhood kitchen in St. Albans, Queens, describing the small space and the limited cooking equipment. He vividly remembers the kitchen table, a yellowish-colored Frigidaire refrigerator, and a four-burner cooktop. Despite the constraints, Al Roker marvels at how his mother could create delicious meals for their large family in such a small kitchen. He also recalls the influence of his parents' Jamaican and Bahamian heritage on the kitchen, with a mixture of traditional and American dishes.
The Magic of Al Roker's Mother's Cooking
Al Roker recounts his favorite meal cooked by his mother - Jamaican oxtail stew with dumplings. He describes the flavorful dish with tender oxtail, collard greens, and a caramelized pineapple upside-down cake for dessert. Al Roker fondly remembers the comforting aroma and taste of this special meal, as well as the ambience created when his father baked yeast rolls and cinnamon rolls. These family meals evoked a sense of togetherness and love, making them treasured memories of his childhood.
The Significance of Thanksgiving to Al Roker
Thanksgiving holds a special place in Al Roker's heart, as he has been hosting the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade for many years. He shares his childhood memories of Thanksgiving, watching the parade and enjoying family traditions. Al Roker reflects on the importance of the holiday and the joy of preparing Thanksgiving meals for his own family. He also mentions a new tradition of having Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant with his wife, Deborah, allowing them to fully enjoy the holiday without the stress of cooking.
On this special Thanksgiving episode, we’re joined by America’s weatherman Al Roker. He shares Thanksgiving traditions new and old, plus tips on how to perfect his mama’s oxtail stew with dumplings.
Al Roker is the longtime host of Today’s weather programing on NBC. He led NBC’s coverage of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade 26 years in a row, up until 2021. He had his own program on Food Network called Roker on the Road and a podcast, Cooking up a Storm with Al Roker.