Kardea's Best Dishes
Caramel Apple Cake
Sweet Treats 15 Photos
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these delicious desserts.
About the show
About the Host
Kardea Brown
Episodes
See Episode GuideShrimp Fest
It's Kardea Brown's favorite time of the year: shrimp season in Charleston! This year she's making Fried Shrimp Baskets, and her mom helps out with her Famous Hand-Cut Fries and a fresh Grilled Shrimp Cobb Salad. For a sweet dessert, Kardea makes summery Strawberry Lemon No-Bake Cheesecake Bars.
For the Love of Chocolate ...
Love is in the air when Kardea and her boyfriend Nassir have a double date dinner with their friends, Yolanda and Eugene. Kardea kicks off the night with a savory Peppered Skirt Steak Salad with Crumbled Blue. Then it's time to get sweet with Chocolate-Covered Bacon and Chocolate Cheesecake with a Chocolate Cookie Crust topped with Homemade Chocolate Pretzel Bark.
Lowcountry Lunch
Kardea Brown invites a friend over to sit by the creek, share a great meal and watch the world go by. Her menu includes a Seafood Salad Roll with Charleston Shrimp and Blue Crab, Homemade Seasoned Chips and a Fresh Melon Salad topped with fresh mint and spicy dressing. For dessert, Kardea makes Creekside Custard Cups with crushed graham crackers and orange Curacao custard.
NOLA Brunch
Kardea Brown is whipping up a tasty brunch with a spicy twist! Her mom Pat is coming over for her favorite meal inspired by her top bucket list destination: New Orleans. First up, Kardea makes a Cheesy Creole Breakfast Skillet with andouille sausage and shrimp covered in a creamy Creole sauce with a colorful Mardi Gras Salad on the side. Then, she fries up scrumptious New Orleans Beignets with Raspberry Syrup. To top of the perfect NOLA brunch, Kardea puts her twist on a Louisiana classic with a kick -- the Pimm's Cup!
A Garden Grows
Kardea Brown invites Aunt TC over to help plant a container garden in the backyard while Kardea cooks up a fresh veggie and herb-inspired meal. First up, Veggie Soul Rolls are stuffed with collard greens, carrots, cabbage and rice. Then, Kardea grills Lamb Chops with a Mint Pesto and prepares a Fresh Tomato and Feta Salad. To finish off a beautiful day, nothing sounds better than keeping the oven off, so Kardea makes a no-bake Carolina Mud Pie.
Backyard Grill
Kardea Brown fires up the grill for an old-fashioned backyard barbecue and invites her family over to enjoy some of her charbroiled dishes. On the grill are Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Burgers and Grilled Sea Island Wings, and she whips up quick Southern Pickles and Okra to have on the side. For dessert, there's nothing better in the summer than a Grilled Peach Crumble.
Traveling Supper Club
Kardea hosts an intimate traveling supper club in her hometown of Charleston, S.C. She creates a Southern-inspired menu of Low Country Spatchcocked Chicken served with traditional Gullah Red Rice and a Warm Asparagus Salad. For a sweet end to a beautiful dinner, there's Grandma's Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding.
Miss Brown's Birthday!
On her birthday, Kardea Brown wants nothing more than to cook a decadent meal for two of her favorite ladies, Momma Pat and Aunt TC. The celebratory dinner starts with Carolina She-Crab Soup followed by delectable Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Ribs sitting atop Creamy Sweet Potato Polenta. And for a truly Southern birthday, Kardea bakes a traditional Hummingbird Cake and enjoys a spiced banana and pineapple piece of heaven.
A Garden Grows
Kardea Brown invites Aunt TC over to help plant a container garden in the backyard while Kardea cooks up a fresh veggie and herb-inspired meal. First up, Veggie Soul Rolls are stuffed with collard greens, carrots, cabbage and rice. Then, Kardea grills Lamb Chops with a Mint Pesto and prepares a Fresh Tomato and Feta Salad. To finish off a beautiful day, nothing sounds better than keeping the oven off, so Kardea makes a no-bake Carolina Mud Pie.
Miss Brown's Little Helpers
It's Aunt Kardea's day to hang out with some of her nieces and nephew, and she makes their favorite things along with a couple of sweet treats. She serves up Stovetop Mac 'n' Cheese and kid-approved Baked Potato-Chip Chicken Strips. Then, after a little hide and seek in the yard, the kids join Aunty K in the kitchen for Homemade Benne Wafers and Charleston Milkshakes with all the toppings.
"Too Cute" Brunch
Kardea invites her Aunt TC over for a big low-country brunch. The perfectly Southern meal includes Charleston-Style Shrimp and Grits, Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits topped with Fresh Apricot Jam, along with a Creamy Hazelnut Frappe.
Big Apple Down South
Start spreadin' the news! Kardea Brown's friend from New York City is visiting, so Kardea's whipping up a meal that combines Big Apple favorites and the best of the South. She starts by making Seafood Pizza with Local Shrimp, plus a Salami and Tomato Salad with Buffalo Mozzarella. She mixes up a refreshing Charleston Tea, which is bourbon iced tea with mint and sparkling lemonade. For dessert, it's Kardea's spin on a New York classic, Big Apple Crumb Cheesecake.
Drive-Thru Redo
Kardea Brown invites her fast-food loving friend Katie over for homemade versions with a lighter touch! Kardea makes a Double Patty Veggie Burger with a special sauce that goes perfectly with Oven-Baked Onion Rings, a healthy spin on the side order. Plus, for dessert, there's Baked Apple Hand Pies along with a Chocolate Fro-Yo Shake.
Fancy for Less
Kardea invites her notoriously frugal Aunt TC over for a dinner that looks like a million bucks but won't break the bank! For their fancy meal at home, Kardea makes Molasses Salmon, Mushroom and Pea Risotto, and Wilted Bok Choy. Dessert is a restaurant classic -- Vanilla Creme Brulee with Raspberry Coulis.
BFF Reunion
Back in her school days, Kardea would spend her weekends planning a trip to Mexico with her besties. In honor of that trip that never happened, Kardea creates a Mexican-themed meal with a big dash of low country. The menu includes Catfish Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw along with Mexican Street Corn Salad, Pina Colada Pie and Lemonade Margaritas.
Insta-licious
Social media maven Kardea Brown is taking food pictures worth a thousand bites! To start off, she makes a Steakhouse Burger with frizzled onion, thick-cut bacon and blue cheese dressing, and she serves it with Crispy Home Fries topped with a pimiento aioli. Then she arranges Roasted Fennel with Apple Cider Reduction and saves the best for last, Bananas Foster Upside-Down Cake.
Double as Nice for Half the Price
Kardea Bown's cousin Ashley is saving for a house and learning to spend less on eating out. So, Kardea is making Ashley her favorite restaurant meal, all for under $30! On the menu is a starter of Sea Island Beer Steamed Mussels and, for the main course, Kardea cooks up Penne with Sausage and Greens with a Grilled Romaine Caeser Salad on the side. For a sweet ending, it's a homemade version of Ashley's go-to restaurant dessert -- Molten Chocolate Cakes.
Fishing and Dishing
Kardea is meeting her brother, Kedrick, at his favorite fishing hole to hopefully catch their dinner. She plans to make Crispy Fried Whitefish with a Cornmeal Crust, Southern Brussels Sprouts Salad with Homemade Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing and Kardea's Fresh Baked Cornbread. For something a little sweet, she whips up a quick and easy Creamy Orange Trifle.
Birthday Dinner
Kardea hosts a birthday dinner for her good friend Ashley. The celebratory meal starts with Pepper Jelly Meatballs to nibble on and Low Country Crab Cakes topped with Southern Succotash as the main attraction. To finish off, there's Ashley's favorite Toasted Coconut Cake.
My Sweets!
Kardea Brown invites her sweetest friends over for a dessert party! The star of the dessert table is a beautiful Dressed-Up Carrot Cake made extra special with apples, raisins, pineapple and a caramel drizzle. Kardea adds her Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate-Topped Pralines and Homemade Buttery Fingers to make it the sweetest party of all time.
Ladies Who Lunch
Kardea Brown plans a fancy Southern-style light lunch for her good friend and colleague Nancy Fuller. First, Kardea creates an assortment of Southern Tea Sandwiches filled with Smoked Salmon, Homemade Egg Salad and Ham. She pairs those with a Lowcountry Charcuterie Board featuring Buffalo Blue Pimiento Cheese and Candied Pecans. For dessert, she makes mini versions of Nancy's favorite, Key Lime Pie Tartlets. Of course, no lunch with Nancy would be complete without a little Gigi juice, so Kardea mixes up a Spiked Peach Tea.
Beach Blanket Country Boil
Kardea Brown hits the beach with friends for some fun in the sun and a summer-perfect picnic featuring a Low Country Boil, Fresh Peach Arugula Salad and Sparkling Summer Lemonade. For a sweet treat, frozen Confetti Vanilla Whoopie Pies hit the spot.
Picnic in the Park
Kardea Brown picnics in the park with friends and her favorite one-hand wonders like Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Homemade Bacon Jam and Chilled Black-Eyed Pea Salad. The relaxing summer lunch finishes with delicious Blackberry Hand Pies.
Comfort Cooking with Ma
Ma's coming by for dinner, so Kardea Brown is cooking up some of her favorite comfort food classics, including Carolina Smothered Chicken with Creamy Mustard Sauce, Wild Rice with Mushrooms and a Roasted Broccoli Salad. Last but certainly not least, she puts a comfy twist on a Southern classic with her Sweet Potato Cheesecake.
Sister Supper
Kardea Brown gets her sisters together for a super Southern and special dinner. The scrumptious menu includes Fried Pork Chops with Homemade Table Gravy, Sauteed Yellow Squash and Zucchini, and Rainbow Rice Pilaf. For dessert, Kardea bakes up a treat that all the sisters love -- Red Velvet Sheet Cake!
Light Low Country
Kardea is having two special guests over for dinner -- her mom and grandma! Since her grandma is watching what she eats, Kardea prepares a meal that's deliciously Southern without breaking the calorie counter. She makes Grilled Pork Chops with a homemade Apple and Mango Compote, along with flavorful Cauliflower Rice. For dessert, there are Mini Sweet Potato Pies topped with Toasted Pecans.