Kardea's Best Dishes
Best Barbecue Sides 19 Photos
Bring bold Low Country flavors to your next cookout.
Sweet Treats 34 Photos
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these delicious desserts.
About the show
About the Host
Kardea Brown
Episodes
See Episode GuideLighter Side of Soul Food
Kardea Brown cooks up some classic Southern dishes that are mouthwatering and light. First up, Veggie Soup Bunch is a dish that was always simmering in her grandma's kitchen. Then, a flaky Pecan and Panko Crusted Baked Fish with Mashed Parsnips is followed by something sweet, Blackberry Lavender Cornmeal Cake. This meal may be light, but it does not skimp on the flavor!
Just Horsin' Around
Kardea Brown is cooking up a Derby Day-inspired lunch for an afternoon of horseback riding with her best friend Yolanda. First up, Kardea's Hot Brown Sandwiches have roast turkey topped with a beautifully cheesy sauce. Then, she makes a Cream Cheese Ball with smoked cheddar, olives, pecans and chives, and a Ginger Mint Julep is Kardea's twist on the classic derby cocktail. Last, but not least, Miss Brown's Kentucky Butter Cake is a fluffy, buttery cake that melts in your mouth!
Sun's Out, Grill's Out!
Kardea Brown loves to grill just as much as she loves feeding her fiancé, Bryon, and she is firing up the grill for everything from dinner to dessert. She's serving Sweet and Sour Short Ribs with a Loaded Grilled Potato and Grilled Brussels Sprouts Salad. For dessert, Bryon's Mini Peach Dump Cakes are made on the grill too. It's a beautiful day, and there's no better way to spend an afternoon than hanging outside and grilling up delicious dishes for the one you love!
Puppy Play Date
Kardea Brown is packing up a Mediterranean-inspired lunch to meet with her friend for a puppy play date at the dog park! She's grilling up a Chicken Shawarma Gyro and serving it with a delicious Couscous and Chickpea Salad. For dessert, Kardea adds a twist to her Bundt Pan Baklava and creates a refreshing Raspberry Ouzo Fizz. She even whips up Peanut Butter Pup Cakes for the doggies to enjoy!
Cooking Through History
Kardea Brown gets a personal tour of the International African American Museum in Charleston, and she cooks up traditional dishes for the staff. To start, she's serving sweet Charleston shrimp with her Low Country Pickled Shrimp Salad. Then, the main course is Braised Oxtails served over Rice and Sea Island Red Peas. For dessert, Kardea makes Puff Puff with Mango-Papaya Sauce. The food celebrates the flavors from across the African diaspora and how that heritage inspired Low Country cooking!
Friday, Fish and Friends
Kardea Brown's Grandma Josephine and her girls, Miss Carolyn and Miss Evelyn, never miss the chance to gather on a Friday night for a traditional Southern fish fry. Kardea is giving them a week off by joining the fun and bringing their classic Friday meal of Fried Whole Red Snapper with Creole Gravy, Oyster Rice, Citrus Pound Cake with Blood Orange Curd and Hurricane Punch.
Couples Date Night In
Kardea Brown forgoes the expensive restaurant with a fun date night in! She and her boo invite their favorite couples over for a delicious dinner of Braised Chicken with Onion Gravy, Maple-Roasted Root Vegetables, a Hot Toddy and Fried Rice Pudding Balls.
Heavenly Wings
Kardea Brown makes a meal with her aunt TC to treat TC's fellow church volunteers to a low-country feast. First, Kardea cooks up her delicious BBQ Smoked Turkey Wings. Then, Kardea whips up her Skillet Lima Beans, pan fried with bacon and tomatoes, and a Creamed Corn Casserole. For dessert, Kardea bakes a Lemon Pudding Pound Cake that'll have everyone singing her praises!
Ribs and Pretzels and Tailgating!
Kardea Brown is meeting up with family and friends at the high school stadium for a proper tailgate, and her menu is a cut above the average burgers and hot dogs. She grills St. Louis-Style Ribs and sets out Beer Cheese and Soft Pretzel Bites to nibble on. She gives boring coleslaw a makeover into Collard and Red Cabbage Slaw, and she layers coconut and chocolate in a graham cracker crust for Momma Pat's Goodie Bars.
Mom's Birthday
Kardea Brown is celebrating her momma Pat's big day with her mom's favorite Tex-Mex meal, and Aunt TC joins her in the kitchen to help! The stars of this birthday menu are Carne Asada Chimichangas, deep-fried burritos stuffed with braised short ribs and cheese sauce. On the side, Kardea has Spicy Rice, and the birthday girl is getting an extra special cake to celebrate -- Brown Butter Cake with Spiced Chocolate Ganache and Dulce de Leche.
Grandma's Special Supper
For her grandma's birthday, Kardea Brown is throwing a beautiful dinner at one of her grandma's favorite spots, the historic Angel Oak Tree, which is estimated to be 400-500 years old. Kardea starts off with Crab Stuffed Lobster Tails and a Blender Bearnaise, a quick kitchen hack to make a sauce with shallots, wine and tarragon -- the perfect complement to the lobster. Then, she makes a cheesy Tomato Pie with Cornmeal Crust and Kardea's Easy Entremet, a layered dessert that looks fancy but is easy to whip up.
Mom's Comfort Cooking
Kardea Brown invites her mom, Pat, to come visit for the weekend, and they cook up dishes together that Kardea craves most from growing up. They make Mom's Seafood Lasagna, a creamy and cheesy pasta bake with low-country shrimp and crab meat, and Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread. Then, Kardea mixes up Pat's Brambleberry, a delicious bourbon cocktail muddled with sweet blackberries, and whips up No-Bake Raspberry Pretzel Cups for Miss Pat's sweet tooth. There really is no place like home ... with your mom!
Mamas Who Lunch
Kardea Brown hosts a Mother's Day lunch for her childhood best friends. She's cooking up Scalloped Potato-Stuffed Chicken alongside her Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Roasted Grapes. Then, Kardea has the perfect dessert for these mamas, a Lemon Meringue Pie with shortbread cookie crust, tart lemon filling and pillowy meringue. Plus, every mama deserves a delicious cocktail, so Kardea treats her ladies to a Strawberry Rosé Daiquiri -- a frozen treat with sparkling rosé, rum and strawberries.
Aunt TC's Sammich Shop
Kardea Brown's Aunt TC is opening a sandwich shop (or "sammich," as she says), and she wants Kardea to help her develop the menu. Kardea has some delicious ideas for them to cook and taste test, like Grilled Shrimp Po' Boys, Fried Peanut-Crusted Chicken Sandwiches, Twice Fried Sweet Potatoes Fries with a variety of sauces and, for dessert, Lemon Sugar Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches.
Surprise, Ma!
Kardea Brown hits the road to surprise her mom in Atlanta with a visit. On her way, she stops at a seafood stand to pick up some sweet Charleston shrimp for the grill -- a little taste of home for Ma! In Ma's kitchen, they make New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp and Grilled Rubbed Chicken with an Alabama White Sauce. Kardea makes a light and crisp Rainbow Carrot and Fennel Salad with Apricots, and they top off their reunion meal with a delicious Unwind Sangria.
The Festival Is in Town
The Moja Arts Festival, a celebration of African American and Caribbean art, is in town, and Kardea Brown is excited to experience it with her friend. Afterwards, she cooks up a beautiful meal with foods that reflect the African diaspora, including Callaloo, Senegalese Yassa, Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Ham Hock and Sweet Plantain Foster.
One Night Only
For one night only, Kardea Brown's Aunt TC is dusting off her comedy routine for a church fundraiser, and Kardea is fixing up the food. She's making Fried Mac and Cheese Bites, Party Meatballs with marinara sauce, Artichoke Dip-Stuffed Mushrooms and Mini Cubans. Perfect bites to enjoy all the laughs!
Wine and Dine
Kardea Brown and her mom sign up to compete in a grape stomp at a local vineyard. After they have a blast stomping grapes like Lucille Ball, Kardea makes a wine-inspired meal that includes Steak and Patatas Bravas, Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad with Green Goddess Dressing, Salted Caramel Pots de Crème and Red Muscadine Sangria.
Housewarming Party
Kardea Brown opens her new home to welcome friends, family and new neighbors! For the party, she's making Buttery Lobster Rolls with a charred scallion aioli, Coconut Shrimp with Fruit Salsa, and a Summer Pasta Salad with grilled okra, corn and peppers. Plus, everyone gets something sweet with Kardea's jarred layered dessert -- Strawberry Shortbread Trifles.
Lighter Side of Soul Food
Kardea Brown cooks up some classic Southern dishes that are mouthwatering and light. First up, Veggie Soup Bunch is a dish that was always simmering in her grandma's kitchen. Then, a flaky Pecan and Panko Crusted Baked Fish with Mashed Parsnips is followed by something sweet, Blackberry Lavender Cornmeal Cake. This meal may be light, but it does not skimp on the flavor!
Just Horsin' Around
Kardea Brown is cooking up a Derby Day-inspired lunch for an afternoon of horseback riding with her best friend Yolanda. First up, Kardea's Hot Brown Sandwiches have roast turkey topped with a beautifully cheesy sauce. Then, she makes a Cream Cheese Ball with smoked cheddar, olives, pecans and chives, and a Ginger Mint Julep is Kardea's twist on the classic derby cocktail. Last, but not least, Miss Brown's Kentucky Butter Cake is a fluffy, buttery cake that melts in your mouth!
Aw, Shucks!
It's oyster season in the Low Country, and Kardea Brown has invited a couple of friends over for a classic Southern oyster roast. She gives this classic Southern tradition a light and hearty makeover with her Roasted Oysters with Thai Chili Mignonette, Crab Rangoon Wonton Cups, Easy Brunswick Stew and Slow Cooker Black Cherry Cobbler.
Happy Birthday, Bryon!
Kardea Brown celebrates her boo's most recent trip around the sun by cooking up a menu chock full of his favorites, like Collard Green Stuffed Shells, Pear and Glazed Pecan Salad, Cast-Iron Garlic Parmesan Biscuits and Strawberry-Swirl Cheesecake.
Cook with What Ya Got!
Kardea Brown puts together a seasonal Southern meal with staples from her kitchen and pantry. She's cooking up Grilled Country-Style Pork Ribs with a cola glaze, Red Beans and Rice, and Grilled Cabbage Wedges with Buttermilk Ranch. For dessert, a Cherry Cola Chocolate Cake is topped with a warm cola-fudge frosting. Sometimes, cooking with what you've got makes the best meals!
Fun Park Feast
To celebrate her friend's birthday, Kardea Brown is throwing down some of her friend's favorite Tex-Mex flavors. She's cooking up a Cheesy Birria Dip, Burger Sliders with Esquites and Summer Squash Salad with a smoky agave vinaigrette. Plus, Kardea finishes the celebration with some Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes!
I Scream for Burgers
Kardea Brown loves being an auntie, so she invites her brother Quan and his kids over to help her in the kitchen. She cooks up Smash Burgers with the Works and adds a twist with Avocado Fries. Then, Kardea makes homemade strawberry ice cream and two desserts with her nieces and nephew, Strawberry Crunch Bars and Very Berry Ice Cream Floats. This is a meal everyone will love, no matter how grown up!
