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Soul food recipes are old school, classic, deep south Big Mama's staples. Fried chicken, beef or pork neck bones, ham hocks, fried pork chops, and oxtails are all in play.

These are as much about comfort, nostalgia and fun as they are about teaching and grounding a younger generation in the ways of their ancestors in order to preserve the culture.

These are not everyday weeknight recipes, but high involvement, Sunday dinner-worthy, labors of love and devotion.

There are several vegetables essential to soul food that go beyond the iconic dishes. Collard greens, blackeyed peas (especially fried black eyed peas), okra, sweet potatoes, cabbage, and a host of root vegetables. There are also a host of soul food meats and fried chicken recipes. Oh and how could I forget hot water cornbread?!

For most Thanksgiving Dinner is about the turkey, but for me it's about dessert; that last dish that puts you over the edge right into that food induced coma. My dessert of choice is a rich, silky smooth sweet potato pie, not to be confused with the traditional Pumpkin Pie. I take mine on the couch in front of the TV as I fight the Itis off trying to stay awake for the NFL games. I think I'm 0 for my last 5 staying awake. Sweet Potato Pie is kind of a big deal, right there with potato salad at a barbecue. No half step-in aloud. I keep my version pretty traditional but elevate the flavor via use of brown butter and whole nutmeg and cinnamon sticks.

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Indulge in a Flavor Forward Pork Stew, where succulent pork riblets meet a luscious apple cider broth infused with Haitian epis seasoning, yuca, and fennel. A fusion masterpiece, blending Southern comfort and Caribbean flair in every bite. Related Meat Stew Posts: Picture succulent pork rib tips, stewed to perfection in a luscious apple cider-based broth …

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I've been working on a Baked Mac and Cheese recipe. I landed on one that is decadent, comforting, and creamy mac and cheese recipe perfect as one of your Thanksgiving side dishes or a regular Sunday dinner menu item. I'm partial to classic i.e. cheesy, creamy, and a great crust. To get into that comfort food frame of mind I went deep into the vaults for a classic song "Under the Moon and Over the Sky" by Angela Bofil who IMO is one of the most underrated, underappreciated and unsung musical talent.

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If you’re looking for an exciting and delicious rice alternative to the same old boring side dishes, Gullah or Charleston red rice is a must-try. Originating from the coastal city of Charleston, South Carolina, this dish will tantalize your taste buds with its combination of aromas and flavors derived from generous amounts of onion, peppers, …

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Christmas always brings in new toys, and I'm happy to have this Instapot to break in and make you the beneficiary. So let's just say this will be the gift that keeps on giving. Seeing I'm late to the Instapot craze, I'm in catch-up mode and hope to be as prolific as Quincy Jones once I get the hang of it. For my first foray into things, I decided to convert an older traditional stove-top recipe for white bean stew. Plus, I had leftover ham hocks I was trying to get rid of from the pork nachos recipe for tonight's bowl games. Feel free to use this recipe to make black-eyed peas for New Year's as the peas are easily substitutable for white beans in this recipe.

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Shrimp, grits, and gravy are a beautiful thing. This version which makes use of red pepper sauce to make grave and leftover smoky ramen broth to flavor the cheesy grits is next level grits making. Don't believe me, try it for yourself. Just make sure to never ever anger your spouse with a hot pot of grits nearby. Otherwise you might find yoursefl with something in common with the late great Al Green. These grits were meant to be eaten.

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Crafting a Southern oxtail recipe that's bursting with flavor but not TOO HEAVY can be a major challenge. I'm going to show you how to achieve maximum taste without the excess fat often associated with traditional oxtail recipes. Yeah you can trim away excess fat before cooking, but you trade-off some flavor. Balancing the richness …

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Cabbage is a leafy green vegetable that is often used in Southern and soul food cooking. It has a slightly bitter taste, so is often cooked with bacon or ham to balance out the flavor. Cabbage is also used in slaws and salads, and can be pickled for a tangy treat. So whether you're looking …

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