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 GuideOde to Rice
Rice is the foundation of Gullah cooking, and Kardea Brown's grandma always has a pot of it ready to go. Kardea is making four dishes using rice to show her grandma how many ways there are to transform the humble grain into something delicious and unexpected. She fries up Crispy Rice Cereal-Coated chicken, makes a Cheesy Rice Casserole with Turkey and amps up the flavor with Curried Rice Salad. There's even rice in one of Grandma's favorite desserts, Sticky Rice Pudding with Mango.
Inspired by Charleston's Best
Kardea Brown and her friend KJ Kearney like to explore Charleston's food scene together, and KJ has even developed a social media presence based on his outings. Kardea invites KJ over to treat him with her versions of Charleston's best, taking inspiration from the great meals they've shared together. She makes a Panko Fried Pork Chop Sandwich on Grilled Texas Toast, Shaved Green Cabbage Slaw with Shallots and Dijon Vinaigrette, Lima Bean Salad and a special Homemade Banana Pudding.
If You Can't Stand the Heat ...
Kardea Brown shares her favorite dishes to make when it's just too hot to stay in the kitchen! She makes Easy Shrimp Kabobs with Garlic Sauce and Pasta Salad with Squash, Feta and Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette. Her Watermelon Salad is cool and crisp, and Creamy Orange Push Pops are a light, refreshing dessert. This menu is a quick and easy way to beat the heat and enjoy the sunshine!
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!
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!
Bridal Brunch Bites
Kardea Brown is getting married, and her friends and family are throwing her a bridal shower. As every cook in the family does, she brings her own bites of Open-Faced Mini Salmon BLTs, Smoked Ham Salad in Lettuce Cups, Deviled Eggs with Fried Shrimp and Chocolate Coconut Nests.
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!
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.
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!
Hutchinson House Dinner
Kardea Brown hosts a fundraising dinner to benefit the Hutchinson House -- the last and only standing house built and owned by freedmen on Edisto Island, S.C. The event kicks off with a performance by Gullah-inspired music group Ranky Tanky. The dinner is a traditional Southern fish fry featuring Fried Cornmeal Crusted Catfish with a Baby Spinach Berry Salad and Candied Walnuts and Loaded Baked Potato Salad. For dessert, Kardea bakes an Old-Fashioned Lemon Buttermilk Pie.
Inspired by Charleston's Best
Kardea Brown and her friend KJ Kearney like to explore Charleston's food scene together, and KJ has even developed a social media presence based on his outings. Kardea invites KJ over to treat him with her versions of Charleston's best, taking inspiration from the great meals they've shared together. She makes a Panko Fried Pork Chop Sandwich on Grilled Texas Toast, Shaved Green Cabbage Slaw with Shallots and Dijon Vinaigrette, Lima Bean Salad and a special Homemade Banana Pudding.
Mosquito Beach Dinner
Kardea Brown is cooking for an event celebrating the restoration of Mosquito Beach, a significant place in Charleston's Gullah history. She starts off with traditional West African Peanut Stew and grills Stuffed Whole Snapper with herbs, lemons and tomatoes. She also whips up her Southern riff on cilantro rice, Collard Green Rice, and prepares Sweet Bread with Pineapple Jam for dessert.
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!
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.
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.
Game Day Eats
Kardea Brown is cooking up fun treats for a softball game with her friends. She is kicking up her Three Lil Pig Hot Dog with some pulled pork and crushed pork rinds on top and throwing together Miss Brown's Ballpark Potato Salad, a beautiful tri-color potato salad with a tangy vinaigrette. Plus, Kardea makes an addicting French Onion and Leek Dip and, for dessert, bakes some Vanilla Snack Cakes to bring this meal to a home run!
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!
Feeding the Team
Kardea Brown is always rooting for the home team, and today she's feeding her local college football team some winning dishes to fuel them all season long. She serves up Chopped Cheese Sandwiches, Colossal Onion Rings, Hot Carolina Chicken Fingers and Apple Pie Hand Pies with Apple Cider Glaze.
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.
Family Reunion
Kardea Brown’s family reunions are big, loud and legendary events. She’s hosting the party at her Charleston, S.C., home and makes all the family favorites, including No-Fuss Baby Back Ribs with Carolina Moppin' Sauce and a beautiful 4-Bean Salad. Aunt TC joins Kardea in the kitchen to make her famous Potato Salad, and for dessert, the crew digs into classic Charleston Chewies.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Galentine's Day
It's Galentine's Day, and Kardea Brown invites her best girlfriends over to enjoy an indulgent chocolate-inspired dinner, starting with Chipotle Cocoa Rubbed Salmon. Then, it's time for Super Decadent Mac and Cheese in a cream garlic sauce with Caramelized Brussels Sprouts on the side, followed by a sinfully sweet Cherry Jam Devil's Food Cake for dessert.
