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 GuideChristmas Brunch
Kardea Brown hosts a holiday brunch party for her girlfriends to celebrate before the seasonal rush. The girls catch up over savory Hashbrown Poutine, decedent Eggnog French Toast Bake, Grandma's Fruit Cake and a festive Poinsettia Cocktail.
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.
Southern Table
Kardea Brown is cooking up the perfect Lowcountry meal for her new Southern table: Fried Chicken with hot honey sauce, Hoppin' John and Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic and Pepper. For dessert, she puts a Southern twist on a sweet Apple Raspberry Cobbler with a Biscuit Top.
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.
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.
All About the Sides
Kardea Brown is keeping her favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, intimate with a special meal for Ma and Grandma. Grandma always brings the turkey, so Kardea is taking on the sides. She hopes Grandma approves of her Candied Yams, and no Lowcountry Thanksgiving is complete without Oyster Stuffing. Kardea adds Sauteed Turnip Greens and Cranberry Custard Pie for a holiday menu to be thankful for!
There's Nothing Like Home Cooking
Kardea Brown treats her friend Trevor to some Southern home cooking after months of being on the road for work. The star of the table is Lemon and Garlic Baked Chicken, and, for the sides, there's Country Wild Rice with Sausage and Collard Greens with Tomatoes. For dessert, Kardea has something extra Southern -- Upside Down Peach Cornbread Cake!
Sunday Supper
After a morning spent in church, Kardea Brown invites her family over for a scrumptiously Southern Sunday supper. She's serving up a few of her family's favorites for dinner, including Fried Chicken Po' Boys and her own twist on her grandma's Crab Mac and Cheese. For dessert, Kardea bakes her Aunt TC's famous Lemon Lime Soda Cake.
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.
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!
"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.
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.
Bestie Brunch
Kardea Brown is entertaining her childhood best friend, Kimiko, for the weekend, and she decides to make them a delicious brunch inspired by the breakfasts Kimiko's grandma used to make them as kids. She starts with a Meat Lovers Quiche and dreamy Lemon Sweet Rolls for a spin on classic cinnamon rolls. Kardea also makes a Strawberry Arugula Salad in Crispy Parmesan Cups and Tropical Dragon Fruit Mimosas for a must-have cocktail.
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.
Breakfast for Dinner
When she was a kid, breakfast for dinner was such a fun treat for Kardea Brown, so when her best friend, Yolanda, visits for the weekend, Kardea invents elevated and exciting breakfast dishes for dinner … just for the big kids! First up, Kardea grills up a bone-in rib eye with a fried egg for her Fancy Steak and Eggs and a Savory Dutch Baby, Kardea's take on a savory pancake with smoked salmon and creme fraiche. And Kardea can't have Yolanda over without a cocktail, so Kardea shakes up her refreshing Bourbon Hibiscus Tea and makes fluffy, sky-high Souffle Pancakes with Butter Pecan Sauce for dessert.
Pampered and Fed
Kardea Brown treats her mom and aunt to a spa day at a Charleston hotel followed by a decadent dinner at home. She starts them off with Crawfish Bisque and Escarole Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing. Then she makes rich Creamy Lobster and Corn Pappardelle and tops off the day with Chocolate Martinis and a Dark Chocolate Coconut Cream Tart.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sibling Supper
A few of Kardea's brothers and sisters are getting together at her place to catch up and share a meal. She's making a Slow-Roasted Onion Dip as an appetizer along with Grilled Garlic Bread. For the main course, there's a Southern Veggie Lasagna and a Kale Caesar Salad. What a delicious way to get the siblings together!
Dream Recipes
Kardea Brown makes a few of her all-time favorite recipes that she would put in her own cookbook. Her Jerk Chicken Rasta Pasta is one of her most creative dishes, and she also makes Country Sloppy Joes with Fried Onions. Frozen Yogurt Bark with Strawberry-Balsamic Jam is a stunner, and Chocolate Sandwich Delights are one of her most requested desserts.
All About a Throwback!
Kardea Brown invites a group of childhood friends over for updated and kicked-up homemade versions of favorite foods they had growing up. First, she tackles a staple of her mom's freezer, Mini Golden Beef Pockets filled with spiced ground beef. She makes her favorite after-school meal, Lowcountry Ramen Noodles with Charleston shrimp and collard greens, and for something sweet, there are homemade Delicious Dunkers and Double Berry Snack Bars.
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.
Easy Meals for a Busy Momma
Kardea Brown helps out her best friend -- a busy working mom -- by sharing a few quick, easy and inexpensive meals that she can throw together any night of the week using grab-and-go rotisserie chickens. They make Green Chicken Enchiladas, Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup with lots of vegetables and Chicken Puttanesca Pasta. Kardea also shares an easy dessert that only looks difficult, a Strawberry-Rhubarb Galette.
