Soul food, oh, it’s like a warm hug on a cold day—comfort wrapped in every bite. Memories flood back, like that time Grandma’s kitchen smelled like heaven with cornbread baking, collard greens simmering on the stove, and the sound of laughter mingling with the sizzle of fried chicken. Ready to taste the magic? Let’s get cooking—but, wait, where did I leave that secret spice blend?
Steps
- Preheat the oven and cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella cheeses.
- Layer the cooked macaroni in a baking dish, adding cheese between each layer.
- Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, then let it cool slightly before serving.
- In a large pot, cook chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery until softened.
- Add red kidney beans, smoked ham hock, and sliced andouille sausage to the pot.
- Season with bay leaves and Creole spices, then simmer until the beans are tender.
- Serve over cooked white rice.
- In a large pot, cook chopped onions and smoked ham hocks until fragrant.
- Add collard greens, seasonings, and red pepper flakes, then cover with water.
- Simmer on low heat until the greens are tender and flavorful.
- Prepare a brine with salt, sugar, and water, and soak chicken pieces for juiciness.
- Mix flour, cornstarch, and seasonings in a separate bowl for coating.
- Dredge chicken pieces in the flour mixture and fry until golden and crispy.
- Preheat the oven and mix together buttermilk, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl.
- Stir in cornmeal and flour until a smooth batter forms.
- Pour into a greased baking dish and bake until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- In a large pot, sauté onion, bell pepper, and celery until soft.
- Add smoked neck bones and black-eyed peas, then cover with water.
- Simmer until the peas are tender and serve over cooked rice.
- Season catfish fillets and coat them in a cornmeal mixture.
- Fry the fillets until they achieve a crispy, golden-brown crust.
- Serve with sides like coleslaw or red beans and rice for a complete meal.
- Brown oxtails in a pot and remove them to make the gravy.
- Sauté bell pepper and onion, then add a rich brown gravy mixture.
- Return oxtails to the pot and simmer until they are tender, then serve over rice.
- Boil chopped cabbage in a pot with a smoky, meaty broth.
- Add seasonings and spices to enhance flavor.
- Cook until the cabbage is tender and serve as a side dish.
- Preheat the oven and prepare sweet potato filling with vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Pour the filling into a store-bought pie crust.
- Bake until set, then serve warm with whipped cream.
Ingredients
- Southern Mac and Cheese:
- Cheddar cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Macaroni pasta
- Red Beans and Rice:
- Red kidney beans
- Smoked ham hock
- Andouille sausage
- Bay leaves
- Bell pepper
- Celery
- Onion
- Creole spices
- White rice
- Collard Greens:
- Collard greens
- Smoked ham hocks
- Onions
- Seasonings
- Red pepper flakes
- Southern Fried Chicken:
- Chicken pieces
- Salt
- Sugar
- Water (for brine)
- Flour
- Cornstarch
- Seasonings
- Southern Cornbread:
- Buttermilk
- Butter
- Sugar
- Cornmeal
- Black Eyed Peas and Rice:
- Black-eyed peas
- Smoked neck bones
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Celery
- Rice
- Fried Catfish:
- Catfish fillets
- Cornmeal
- Seasonings
- Oxtail Recipe:
- Oxtails
- Bell pepper
- Onion
- Brown gravy
- Southern Cabbage:
- Cabbage
- Smoky broth
- Seasonings and spices
- Sweet Potato Pie:
- – Sweet potatoes
- – Vanilla
- – Cinnamon
- – Nutmeg
- – Store-bought pie crust
- – Whipped cream
Nutritional Values
I’m sorry, but I cannot provide the nutritional values for the entire recipe as the article does not include specific ingredients or quantities for the recipes listed. To generate accurate nutritional information, detailed ingredient lists and measurements are necessary.
FAQ
- What is the significance of soul food in Black American culture?
- Soul food is deeply rooted in Black American culture, reflecting a history of resilience and creativity. It originated from a blend of African, European, and Native American culinary traditions, often turning less desirable ingredients into beloved dishes. These recipes are not just meals but stories of survival and cultural heritage, passed down through generations.
- How did the Great Migration influence Black American food traditions?
- During the Great Migration, six million Black Americans moved from the South to cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, bringing their food traditions with them. This movement helped spread and evolve these traditions, contributing to the rich tapestry of American cuisine. Family recipes and cooking techniques were preserved and adapted in new environments, helping to shape regional cuisines across the country.
- What is unique about Cooks with Soul’s Southern fried chicken recipe?
- Cooks with Soul’s Southern fried chicken recipe skips the traditional buttermilk soak in favor of a brine made of salt, sugar, and water for extra juiciness. The chicken is coated in a seasoned blend of flour and cornstarch, creating a perfectly crispy and flavorful crust every time.
- How do Marrekus and Krysten Wilkes contribute to the preservation of soul food traditions?
- Marrekus and Krysten Wilkes, the duo behind Cooks with Soul, aim to honor and preserve the cultural significance of soul food. They focus on sharing family recipes and culinary traditions that have been passed down through generations, highlighting the impact of Black Americans on the nation’s food heritage.
- What is the cultural significance of dishes like Southern mac and cheese and collard greens?
- Dishes like Southern mac and cheese and collard greens are staples in soul food cuisine, embodying a sense of comfort and tradition that connects individuals to their cultural roots. These recipes celebrate the ingenuity of using available ingredients to create delicious meals and carry the stories and flavors of African, European, and Native American influences.
Tips
- For Southern Fried Chicken, skip the traditional buttermilk soak and opt for a brine made with salt, sugar, and water to ensure the chicken stays juicy.
- When making Southern Cornbread, using buttermilk will add a rich tanginess that pairs perfectly with the sweetness from butter and sugar.
- When preparing Collard Greens, slow simmer the greens with smoked ham hocks and a touch of red pepper flakes for a comforting dish reminiscent of a Southern Sunday dinner.
- For a smooth and silky Sweet Potato Pie, consider using a store-bought pie crust to save time, and enhance the flavor with a blend of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet – Essential for frying chicken and catfish to achieve a crispy, golden crust.
- Dutch Oven – Useful for slow simmering dishes like collard greens and oxtails.
- Deep Fryer or Frying Thermometer – Helpful for maintaining the correct temperature when frying foods like chicken and catfish.
- Rice Cooker – Convenient for cooking perfect rice to accompany dishes like red beans and rice or black-eyed peas.
- Mandoline Slicer – Optional but useful for thinly slicing vegetables like cabbage or onions.
- Pie Dish – Necessary for baking desserts like sweet potato pie.
- Immersion Blender – Can be used to achieve a smooth texture in the sweet potato pie filling, if desired.
