All Of It with Alison Stewart

Food writer Nicole A. Taylor has written a new cookbook, Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations, inspired by her years observing the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Before the holiday, now officially recognized by the federal government, Taylor joins us to talk about the history of Juneteenth cooking, as well share some recipes for main dishes, desserts, and special drinks you may want to try out this weekend.

Southern-ish Potato Salad (exerpt)

SERVES 6 TO 8

The greatest failure when making potato salad is overcooking the spuds—creamy mashed pota- toes is a no-go for any potato salad recipe. You want a waxy variety like fingerlings, Yukon Golds, or red potatoes; these varieties will keep their shape and texture when cooked right. Bobby Seale, cofounder of the Black Panther Party, said it well in his 1988 cookbook Barbeque’n with Bobby, where he wrote under a recipe titled “Hunky Crunchy Potato Salad” that his mother’s potato salad was a “tasty quasi-mashed potato salad.” My pro tip is to season the potatoes while they are warm. Begin your training to be a queen.

3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces⅓ cup plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt 8 ounces bacon (optional)About 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter (if omitting the bacon)1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 fennel bulb, cored and chopped¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil½ cup sour cream ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves and stems, chopped, plus 2 tablespoons leaves for garnish2 teaspoons ground mustard1 teaspoon smoked paprika, plus extra for garnishZest of 2 lemons (2 tablespoons)3 tablespoons Quick-Pickled Banana Pepper brine (page 44)¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Peel your potatoes and rinse in cold water. Place the potatoes in a large pot and add water to cover (around 10 cups) and ⅓ cup of the salt. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook the potatoes, uncovered, until just tender but with some bite still, 18 to 25 minutes. Be sure not to overcook the potatoes—you don’t want mushy potato salad! Drain the potatoes and transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the salt and allow to cool for 30 minutes or so.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the bacon (if using) over medium heat until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crisp and browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate, leaving the fat in the pan. (If you’re omitting the bacon, melt the butter in a large skillet here.) Add the onion and fennel to the hot bacon fat in the skillet and cook until softened, about5 minutes. Season with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Add the cooled fennel mixture to the bowl with the potatoes, then add the olive oil, sour cream, chopped parsley, ground mustard, paprika, lemon zest, pickled banana pepper brine, and pepper and stir to combine. Taste! Taste! If necessary, you may need to add a tad more of the seasonings and sour cream. Garnish with the parsley leaves and, if desired, an extra pinch of paprika.

We’re talking about potato salad here, so: everyone has their way. Some people make it the day of; some people make it the day ahead. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

June 19th marks the date in 1865 when the news of emancipation reached enslaved Black people in Texas, and has been commemorated as Juneteenth ever since, finally becoming a federal holiday in 2021. WNYC Newsroom culture and arts reporter Precious Fondren joins us to talk about some of the ways Juneteenth is being celebrated across the city. 

The late artist Ray Johnson is best known for spreading his multimedia collages through the U.S Postal Service. However throughout his career, he was thought of as, "New York's most famous unknown artist." Recently, 137 disposable cameras Johnson used in his final years were discovered, revealing thousands of photographs of new collages never seen before. The Morgan Library & Museum will display some of these photographs, alongside some of his mail art, in a new exhibition called, Please Send to Real Life: Ray Johnson Photographs, which opens today. Curator Joel Smith joins us to talk about the discovery, the mystery of Ray Johnson, and why his legacy and work matters.

Susan Cain taught us all to understand the power of introverts with her huge hit book Quiet. Now she is back to discuss how we get through pain by exploring sadness, grief, mortality and impermanence with her new book Bittersweet.

Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock joins us to discuss his new memoir, A Way Out of No Way: A Memoir of Truth, Transformation and the New American Story. The book chronicles his childhood in Savannah, his time as a senior pastor at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the runoff election that earned him and Senator Jon Ossoff seats in the Senate, officially handing control of the body over to the Democratic Party.

Pianist Vadim Neselovskyi grew up in the port city of Odesa, Ukraine, which has come under attack from Russia in the ongoing conflict. Recently, Neselovskyi recorded an album about his home city titled, Odesa: A Musical Walk Through a Legendary City, out tomorrow, and has been touring around Europe and the United States to raise money for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. He will be playing two shows in New York City, one on June 17 at the Salmagundi Club, and again on June 29 at The Stone. Neselovskyi joins to discuss his memories of growing up in Odesa, writing music about the city, and his fundraising concerts to help those suffering from the war.

A Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade is expected in the coming weeks or days, and the new documentary "Battleground," which is screening at the Tribeca Festival, examines the anti-abortion activists who organized to push politics in this direction. Director Cynthia Lowen joins us to discuss.  

The House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection is holding its third day of public hearings today, focusing on the role of former Vice President Mike Pence. WNYC's own Brian Lehrer joins us to preview the hearings and discuss what revelations might be found. 

Former Yankees All-Star, right fielder, and five-time World Champion Paul O'Neill joins us to discuss his new memoir, Swing and a Hit: Nine Innings of What Baseball Taught Me, alongside co-writer and YES Network broadcaster Jack Curry. O'Neill and Curry will also take calls from fans!

The Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest returns for the third year. This year's headliners include Rita Brent, Onika McLean, JJ Mattise and Kelly Kellz. Creator and comedian Joanna Briley joins us to talk about some of the events.