Author: BFF

Original Cookbook Name: Big Mama’s Old Black PotPublished By: Stoke Gabriel Enterprises, Inc.Year of Publication: 1987Page Number: 48Author / Contributor: Ethel Dixon (recipes & illustrations) Heritage & Cultural Context Pickled okra is a beloved Southern staple, often served alongside soul food classics or offered at gatherings as a crisp, tangy snack. This recipe from Big Mama’s Old Black Pot reflects the preservation traditions passed down through generations in Black Southern kitchens. Pickling was more than a method of food storage—it was an act of stewardship, ensuring harvests lasted beyond the growing season. In Louisiana, where this cookbook was compiled, okra’s…

(Savory Southern Grits Casserole) Source Attribution Original Cookbook Name: Big Mama’s Old Black PotPublished By: Stoke Gabriel Enterprises, Inc.Year of Publication: 1987Page Number: 47Author / Contributor: Ethel Dixon (Recipes & Illustrations) Heritage & Cultural Context Baked Grits are a cherished comfort dish rooted deeply in Southern Black culinary tradition. As noted in Big Mama’s Old Black Pot, grits are coarsely ground cornmeal, historically a staple across the American South and especially prominent in African American households. This baked version elevates a daily breakfast favorite into a savory casserole—rich with cheese, butter, and eggs—suitable for church suppers, holiday spreads, or repast…

Source Attribution Original Cookbook Name: big mama’s Old Black PotPublished By: Stoke Gabriel Enterprises, Inc.Year of Publication: 1987Page Number: 20Author / Contributor: Ethel Rayson Dixon Heritage & Cultural Context Fried Hot Water Cornbread is a staple in many Southern Black households, particularly across Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta. Unlike baked cornbread, this fried version offers a crisp, golden crust with a tender, moist center—made for quick preparation and maximum flavor. Traditionally cooked in cast iron with hot fat, this dish emerged from necessity and ingenuity, allowing cooks to stretch simple staples like cornmeal into something comforting and satisfying. Often served…

Source AttributionOriginal Cookbook Name: Big Mama’s Old Black PotPublished By: Stoke Gabriel Enterprises, Inc.Year of Publication: 1987Page Number: 21Author / Contributor: Ethel Rayson Dixon (author) Hoe cakes are a cornerstone of Southern and African American culinary history. Born out of necessity and ingenuity, these flat cornmeal cakes were originally cooked on the blade of a hoe over open fire by enslaved people and field workers—hence the name. This practical technique allowed laborers to prepare a hearty, portable bread with simple ingredients like cornmeal, bacon drippings, and milk. Hoe cakes remained a staple in Black Southern kitchens, celebrated for their comforting…

A cheesy, rich, and savory pasta shells recipe loaded with Cajun-seasoned ground beef and melted cheese. This Creamy Cajun Beef & Cheese Shells dish is the perfect weeknight indulgence, designed for those soul-satisfying cravings that only a deep pot of pasta can fulfill. With roots in Southern comfort and Black home-cooked traditions, this dish merges bold Cajun flavors with Italian pasta and cheesy richness for a fusion masterpiece. Whether it’s for Pasta Type Night or a casual family dinner, this recipe delivers creamy goodness and robust flavor in every bite. It’s one of those dishes you’ll want to come back…

Image credit: @bricookedit on Instagram Flavor-Packed Grilled T-Bone Steak for the Culture When it comes to summer grilling or a flavor-heavy weeknight dinner, nothing hits like a juicy T-bone steak marinated with bold, savory, and sweet ingredients. This recipe, adapted from @bricookedit, brings together smoky hickory, sweet teriyaki, vibrant peppers, and classic steak seasonings to create a dish that’s rich in taste and soul. Grilling has always been a communal event from block parties to Sunday cookouts. This T-bone steak recipe carries that legacy forward, blending modern flavor with traditional flair. Whether you’re grilling for your family or flexin’ for…

Why This Pineapple-Peach Tea is the Perfect Everyday Refreshment Nothing captures the feeling of true refreshment like a tall glass of iced tea — and this Pineapple-Peach Tea is pure sunshine in a glass. Crafted by Antoinette G. Johnson from her cookbook Mostly Homemade, this drink brings natural fruit sweetness into the bold flavor of classic black tea. Using frozen pineapple and peaches, this vibrant tea is simple, budget-friendly, and packed with tropical flavor. It’s a creative twist on a Southern favorite, making it perfect for family gatherings, backyard cookouts, or just cooling off after a long day. Bonus? It’s…

Where Mimosas Meet Memories: Destination Brunches Worth the Reservation Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the queen in your life than with a decadent brunch experience? This year, we’ve rounded up 11 spectacular Black-owned brunch destinations across the country that are serving up unforgettable flavors alongside the perfect ambiance for your Mother’s Day celebration. From soul-warming comfort foods to elevated culinary masterpieces, these spots offer the perfect backdrop for making memories with mom. West Coast Wonders Poppy + Rose — Los Angeles, CA Downtown LA’s go-to for crispy fried chicken, fluffy waffles, and…

Source: Kitchen Queen on Instagram A Sweet, Buttery Take on Homemade Biscuits Blueberry Butter-Swim Biscuits are the ultimate upgrade to your classic homemade biscuit experience. Imagine tender, buttery biscuits dotted with juicy blueberries, all baked to golden perfection, then topped with a luscious lemon glaze. This easy yet indulgent dish is ideal for brunches, Sunday family gatherings, or simply when you need a little homemade joy. What makes these biscuits so irresistible is their “swim” technique — where the dough bakes directly in a pool of melted butter. Originating as a Southern kitchen hack, butter-swam biscuits offer an effortless way…

Crispy Air-Fried Flavor with a Garlicky Parmesan Punch If you’re looking for a recipe that turns up the flavor without turning on the oven, Garlic Parmesan Lollipop Chicken is it. These air-fried drumsticks come out juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and are tossed in a buttery garlic parmesan sauce that will have you licking your fingers clean. What makes this dish shine is the lollipop cut—a butcher-style prep that turns a basic drumstick into a handheld flavor bomb. Created by the talented K.smokesKitchen, this recipe is perfect for game day spreads, family dinners, or whenever you’re craving…