NexavarHub
writer

Diana Okafor

Staff Writer · Pacific Northwest

Diana Okafor writes about sustainable food systems from the Pacific Northwest. Her work has appeared in regional food publications and agricultural journals. Diana grows her own vegetables, keeps a small flock of chickens, and has opinions about soil composition that she acknowledges are not for everyone. She visits restaurants that source from local farms and writes about what that actually means in practice, beyond the marketing language. Diana holds a certificate in sustainable agriculture and has worked on two small farms.

Expertise

Sustainable food systems, farm-to-table, Pacific Northwest cuisine

Years Writing

5 years

Favorite Tool

A cast iron skillet inherited from her grandmother

Articles by Diana Okafor

Restaurant Reviews |

Po-Boys in New Orleans: Three Sandwiches That Explain Why This City Takes Bread Seriously

Three po-boy shops in New Orleans, from roast beef debris to fried oyster, on French bread.

Recipes |

Smash Burgers on a Cast-Iron Skillet: Two Minutes Per Side, One Messy Stove, and a Perfect Crust

A smash burger recipe with a crispy crust, American cheese, and a soft bun, cooked on screaming-hot cast iron.

Restaurant Reviews |

Roti Shops in Trinidad: The Flatbread Stuffed With Curried Chickpeas That Feeds an Island

A review of three roti shops in Port of Spain, Trinidad, comparing doubles, paratha roti, and curries.

Food Culture |

Thieboudienne: The Senegalese Fish-and-Rice Dish That Feeds West Africa

The national dish of Senegal, a tomato-based fish and rice dish with vegetables, and its Wolof roots.

Restaurant Reviews |

Food Carts in Portland: The Pods That Serve Better Thai, Ethiopian, and Korean Than Most Restaurants

A review of three Portland food cart pods, highlighting international cuisines at cart prices.

Recipes |

Jerk Chicken on a Gas Grill: The Jamaican Marinade That Needs Scotch Bonnet and Patience

A jerk chicken recipe with a wet marinade of scotch bonnet, allspice, thyme, and scallions, cooked over indirect heat.

Restaurant Reviews |

A Small French Bistro in Brooklyn That Gets the Details Right

A Brooklyn Heights French bistro with honest cooking and attention to detail.

Recipes |

Pan-Seared Steak in Cast Iron: Two Inches Thick, Salt, Pepper, and Butter

A cast-iron steak method with a thick cut, high heat, butter basting, and the five-minute rest.

Restaurant Reviews |

Pierogi in Krakow: The Polish Dumpling Houses That Locals Return to Every Week

A review of three pierogi restaurants in Krakow, comparing fillings from potato-cheese to meat to berry.

Recipes |

Shakshuka for a Late Morning: The North African Eggs That Taste Different in Every Kitchen

A shakshuka recipe with poached eggs in spiced tomato sauce, with regional variations from Tunisia to Israel.

Food Culture |

Eating the Mediterranean Way Without Moving to the Mediterranean

Practical tips for adopting Mediterranean eating habits with accessible ingredients and realistic weeknight meals.

Restaurant Reviews |

Nashville Hot Chicken: Three Spots and the Heat Scale That Surprised Me

A review of three Nashville hot chicken joints, from Prince's to newer spots, with heat level comparisons.

Restaurant Reviews |

Seafood Rice in Lisbon: The Portuguese Dish That Rivals Any Paella

A review of three Lisbon restaurants specializing in arroz de marisco, the Portuguese seafood rice dish.

Recipes |

Grilled Lamb Chops With Mint Gremolata: Fifteen Minutes From Kitchen to Table

Quick grilled lamb chops with a fresh mint-garlic-parsley gremolata, cooked over high heat.

Restaurant Reviews |

A Proper Southern Seafood Boil: Recipes From Three Families Who Have Been Doing This for Decades

Three Gulf Coast families share their approach to the traditional seafood boil.

Restaurant Reviews |

What Farm-to-Table Actually Means at Three Portland Restaurants

Three Portland restaurants that practice genuine farm-to-table cooking.

Recipes |

Gumbo from a New Orleans Kitchen: Roux, Okra, and the Argument That Divides a City

A gumbo recipe with a dark roux, explaining the okra-versus-file powder debate that runs through New Orleans cooking.

Recipes |

Irish Soda Bread in Forty Minutes: No Yeast, No Kneading, No Wait

A simple Irish soda bread with buttermilk, baked in a cast-iron skillet for a crusty exterior.

Recipes |

The Spanish Tortilla That Took Me Five Attempts to Get Right

A Spanish potato tortilla recipe with tips on the tricky flip technique and why the potatoes need to be cooked slowly.

Recipes |

Smoked Brisket on a Charcoal Grill: What I Learned From a Pitmaster in Lockhart, Texas

How to smoke a whole packer brisket on a kettle grill with charcoal and wood chunks, without a dedicated smoker.

Restaurant Reviews |

Pastel de Nata in Lisbon: Six Bakeries, Six Custard Tarts, and One Clear Winner

A tasting tour of six Lisbon bakeries to find the best pastel de nata, comparing crust, filling, and temperature.

Food Culture |

Barbecue in the American South: Four Regions, Four Completely Different Ways to Cook a Pig

A comparison of barbecue traditions in Texas, the Carolinas, Memphis, and Kansas City, and what makes each region distinct.