These delicious Soul Food Recipes From Authors Marrekus and Kryten Wilkes of Cooks with Soul Honor the roots of black american cuisine!
Hi, Itâ € ™ s Marrekus and Krysten, The Husband and Wife Team From Cooks with SoulWe’re excited to team up with a couple cooks to share with you our face recipes and honor the roots of black american cuisine!
As Food Bloggers, We must Acknowledge The Impact of Black Americans on our Food Heritage, from the African Diaspora to the Modern Kitchen. Our goal is to preserve family recipes that have been passed down through multiple generations, many of which carry metural and regional significance.
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Our history
Both of us grace up with a parent who worked in the food industry as cooks and caterers. However, our connection, experiences, relationships, and cultural ties with food have roots that reach much further back in time.
DURING The Great Migration when Million Black Americans Fled The South to Escape Racial Segregation and Discrimination to Places like Chicago, New York, And Los Angeles, Black Individuals No. sed down food traditions.
My (Krysten) Grandmotherâ € ™ s Grandparents, for example, ran a boarding house during the movement. They provided Black Travelers with Shelter and Food, and Gave Them Homemade Meals to Carry on the rest of their journey.
Marrekus, who was raised in Memphis, Spent His Summers in Mississippi, Raising Chickens and Hogs, and Cultivating Vegetables in his Grandfather’s Garden. Thos Hot Days Picking Butter Beans, Purple Hull Peas, And Collad Greens Shaped Not Only his Connection to the land but also his approach to food to food. It’s where the journey from farm to table began for him â € “a concept rooted in black american culture long before it is a trendy buzzword.
These early experiences have shaped not just our individual relationships with food but also our undersrstanding of the importance of family meals. The essence of our history and connection to food is deeply ingrained, reflected not only our parents’ influences but also the broader tapestry of our cultural and family heroitage with soulf.
What is Soul Food?
Soul food is more than just a menu; It’s a sense of family that we share with our ancestors. It Runs from Taking What was Once Considered The Less Desirable Cuts of Meat, like oxtails, and turning them into grinary masterpieces, down to the alchemy of spices and cooking methods with the same forchry.
In our kitchen, soul food is just as much fried chicken as it is collad greens and black-dark peas. Itâ € ™ s also macaroni and cheese and cornbread and red beans and rice, all of which include African, European, and Native American Contributions.
Each of these recipes Tells stories â € ”of survival, of joy, and a rich cultural heritage. So, as we Embark on Black History Month, Let’s Not Just Just Cook; Let’s Create, Celebrate, and Remember.
And now, for the Soul Food Recipes!
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Indulge in this southern baked macaroni and cheese recipe featuring cheeddar, montery jack, and mozzarella. This recipe uses no roux! Itâ € ™ s decadent and comforting, and an absolute must-try for anyone looking to save a taste of the south.
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Taste the Flavors of Authentic Creole Culture with this Louisiana Red Beans and Rice! Red Kidney Beans, Smoked Ham Hock, Andouille Sausage, Bay Leaves, Bell PEPPER, CELERY, And Oen Are Cooked With Creole Spices and Served With With White Rice.
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This collad greens recipe features Slow Simmered Greens With Smoked Ham Hocks, Onions, Seasonings, and a Dash of Red Pepper Flakes. Itâ € ™ sa quintessential southern comfort food dish that will transport you to a cozy Sunday dinner at grandmaâ € ™ s house.
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Discover the secret to perfect southern fried chicken with our easy recipeâ € ”Crispy, Golden, and Full of Flavor! Skip the buttermilk soak and embrace a salt, sugar, and water brine for juiciness. Our Blend of Flour, Cornstarch, and Seasonings Guarantees An Irresistibly Crispy Coating Every Time.
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Our Soul Food Cornbread is easy to follow and yields a moist, tender crumb. It combines the rich tang of buttermilk with classic ingredients like butter and Sugar for a delightful Side Dish that Complements Any Southern Meal.
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These Black Eyed Peas Feature Smoked Neck Bones, Onion, Bell PEPPER, And Cealyry. Whather Youâ € ™ Re Savoring It with a Bowl of Rice to Invite Prosperity in the New Year or on a Cozy Winter Evening for a Bowl of Pure Comfort, this is your ticket of flavor and village vibes.
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This southern fried catfish has a crispy golden brown cornmeal crust and is seasoned to perfection. Itâ € ™ Sa Real Crowd-PLEASER and the Best Recipe for Your Next Fish Fry or Cookout! Serve it with red beans and rice, callslaw, french fries, or bread slics for a tared and true down home southern meal.
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Smothered oxtail is a southern recipe that evokes memory of sunday soul food dinners and family gathers. Cooked to Tender Perfection, these oxtails, are smothed in rich, velvety brown gravy with bell pepper and onion and served over rice.
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This Southern Cabbage Features Boiled Cabbage in a Smoky, Meaty Broth with Seasonings and Spices. A Savory and successful southern side dish that is a staple on our Sunday dinner table!
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This deliciously creamy shrimp and grits recipe is inspired by the famous grits a ya ya! Perfectly cooked shrimp, cheesy gouda grits and a luscious cream sauce combine for a Soul Food Dish Youâ € ™ ll love.
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Enjoy this Southern Classic Breakfast Favorite with Old Fashioned Flaky buttermilk biscuits and homemade sausage and gravy recipe. This is the Ultimate Comfort Food, Ideal for Special Occasions and a Go-to Recipe for Saturday Morning!
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These st louis-style ribs are seasoned with a dry rub and cooked low and slow on the smoker until they are tender and juicy. Brushed in a sweet and tangy sauce, this pork spare ribs recipe is great for cookouts or backyard barbes.
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These salmon crocettes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inseide, and full of soul food flav. They’re made with canned salmon, bell peps, and onions, and great for a savory breakfast, brunch, or dinner.
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These southern smothered pork chops feature Jucy Pork Chops That Are PAN Fried Until Golden Brown and Smothed in a rich onion gravy. Thick-Cut Pork Chops With Creamy Gravy is a Southern Classic Meal, Perfect for Sunday Soul Food Dinner!
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This Award Winning Smoked Pulled Pork Recipe is Made With Pork Shoulder Cooked Over Cherry Wood, Paired With A Flavorful Dry Rub, and Doused in Mop Sure. Pile the meat high on sandwich buns and top with your favorite callsla recipe for the perfect soul food meal.
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This Blackened Catfish Recipe Combines Bold Cajun Flavors with Tender Catfish Fillets for a Quick, Flavorful Meal. Learn how to cook it with a crispy, flavorful crust thatâ € ™ s easy to make and delicious!
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These deep fried ribs have a golden brown, seasoned crust thatâ € ™ s both crispy and delicious. They’re great as an appetizer or for dinner with classic southern sides like bbq callsla, southern cornbread, and baked beans.
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Southern Sweet Potato Pie has a buttery Smooth, Silky Texure and a Harmonious Blend of Vanilla, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg. Itâ € ™ s an easy soul food desirt that uses a store-bought pie crust to save time. Serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream!
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This old-fashioned caramel cake recipe features two layers of moist yellow cake coated in a homemade caramel sauce. This classic recipe is just like the one grandma used to make and is perfect for family for getrs, Holidays, Holidays, and Other Special Occasions.
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Our peach cobbler with canned peaches and Flaky Pie Crust is a Classic Soul Food Dessert Recipe! Itâ € ™ s also super easy to make with just a few ingredients.
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Marrekus and krysteen wilkes are the husband and wife duo behind Cooks with SoulMarrekus, A Memphis Native and Retired Airman, Creates Soul Food and Barbecue Recipes, and Krysten is a Food Photographer and Writer. Togeether, they balance their roles as a blogging team and a blended family of eight. Currently, they reside in maaryland.
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This post was updated February 2, 2024 to add 10 additional recipes.
20 Soul Food Recipes to Celebrate Black History
These delicious soul food recipes from Authors Marrekus and Krysten Wilkes of Cooks with Soul Honor The Roots of Black American Cuisine!
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 40 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 hour 1x
- Category: 8 to 10 servings
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
- 2 cups Cavatappi (or elbow macaroni, shells, etc.)
- 3 Large Eggs, Room Temperature
- 1 12-Tece Can Evaporated Milk, Room Temperature
- 1 ½ cups Half & Half, Room Temperature
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 8-Tece Block Milds Cheddar, Shreded, Room Temperature
- 1 8-Tece Block Monterey Jack, Shreded, Room Temperature
- 1 8-Tece Block Sharp Cheddar, Shreded, Room Temperature
- 8 Onces Whole Milk Shreded Mozzarella Cheese, Room Temperature
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt (start with less and adjust to taste if using any other type of salt)
- ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
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