Alright, Chef Big Ed in the house! Here’s a soul food feast recipe lineup with fried chicken, mac & cheese, collard greens, candied yams, and cornbread — straight from the soul to the plate.

🍗 Big Ed’s Fried Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole chicken (cut into pieces) or 2-3 lbs chicken parts
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 tsp hot sauce (optional)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
  • Oil for frying (peanut or vegetable)

Instructions:

  1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk + hot sauce (overnight for max flavor).
  2. In another bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper.
  3. Heat oil to 350°F.
  4. Dredge chicken in flour mix. Shake off excess.
  5. Fry 10–15 mins (depends on piece size) until golden & crispy.
  6. Let rest on wire rack, not paper towels (keep crispy!).

🧀 Baked Mac & Cheese (Golden Crust)

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 4 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, colby mix)
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook pasta al dente. Drain.
  2. Mix eggs, milk, cream, and seasonings.
  3. In a greased baking dish, layer pasta, butter, cheese, repeat.
  4. Pour milk mixture evenly over.
  5. Bake at 375°F for 35–40 mins until bubbly & golden.

🥬 Southern Collard Greens

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs collard greens, cleaned & chopped
  • 1 smoked turkey leg or ham hock
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Splash of vinegar or hot sauce

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, simmer smoked meat in broth ~30 mins.
  2. Add onions, garlic, greens, and red pepper flakes.
  3. Simmer low & slow for 1.5–2 hours.
  4. Add vinegar or hot sauce before serving.

🍠 Candied Yams

Ingredients:

  • 4–5 sweet potatoes, peeled & sliced
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: marshmallows on top

Instructions:

  1. Layer sweet potatoes in a baking dish.
  2. Melt butter, mix with sugar, spices, vanilla.
  3. Pour over potatoes. Cover with foil.
  4. Bake at 375°F for 40 mins. Remove foil, baste, bake 10–15 mins more.
  5. Optional: Add marshmallows last 5–10 mins.

🌽 Golden Cornbread

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup flour

    Piece of freshly baked cornbread with creamy butter on top

  • 1/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup melted butter or bacon grease

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease cast-iron skillet.
  2. Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet separately. Combine.
  3. Pour batter in skillet, bake 20–25 mins until golden.

Now THAT’S a Big Ed soul food spread.

 

  1. REF-001-SOULCLASSICS
    For fried chicken, mac & cheese, and cornbread
    👉 www.bigedkitchen.com/recipes/soulclassics
  2. REF-002-SOUTHGREENSROOTS
    For collard greens, mustard greens, green beans, etc.
    👉 www.bigedkitchen.com/recipes/southgreensroots
  3. REF-003-SWEETHEATSIDES
    For candied yams, baked beans, sweet cornbread, etc.
    👉 www.bigedkitchen.com/recipes/sweetheatsides