Chicken and Collard Green Soup Hearty Chicken & Collard Green Soup with Garlic and Herbs Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 carrots, sliced 2 celery stalks, chopped 6 cups chicken broth 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded (or use rotisserie) 3 cups chopped collard greens, stems removed 1 tsp dried thyme 1/2 tsp smoked paprika Salt and black pepper, to taste Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional, for brightness) Directions: In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery; sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened. Add garlic, thyme, and paprika. Cook for 1 minute more. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add shredded chicken and chopped collard greens. Simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes until greens are tender. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste. Serve hot with crusty bread or cornbread, if desired. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes Kcal: 310 kcal (per serving) | Servings: 4 servings #chickensoup #collardgreens #souprecipe #comfortfood #southerncooking #greensoup #homemadesoup #chickenbroth #nutritiousmeals #easyrecipes #heartybowl #healthycomfortfood #simpleingredients #garlicherbs #seasonalsoup #cozykitchen #lowcarbdinner #soupforfall #southernsoulfood #realfoodrecipe A warm bowl of goodness This Chicken & Collard Green Soup is rustic, flavorful, and perfect for soul-soothing comfort.

Cajun Butter Sauce Rich and Spicy Cajun Butter Sauce with Garlic and Herbs Ingredients: 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat) 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional) Salt and black pepper to taste Directions: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, but not browned. Stir in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for another 30 seconds. Add lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce, and stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to let the flavors meld. Remove from heat and stir in chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm as a drizzle over seafood, grilled chicken, steak, or roasted vegetables. Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes Kcal: 120 kcal per 2 tbsp | Servings: About 6 servings #cajunbuttersauce #buttersauce #spicybutter #garlicbutter #cajunflavors #seafoodsauce #steaksauce #spicygarlic #butterdrizzle #southerncooking #homemadesauce #easyrecipe #weeknightcooking #cajunseasoning #saucefordipping #savorysauce #lemonbutter #fieryflavor #grillingseason #spicygoodness Pour this Cajun Butter Sauce over your next grilled steak or shrimp and watch it disappear in seconds. Rich, garlicky, and spicy perfection!

Fried Green Tomato and Goat Cheese Salad Crispy Fried Green Tomato Salad with Creamy Goat Cheese and Mixed Greens Ingredients: 3 medium green tomatoes, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2 large eggs, beaten 1 cup cornmeal 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon paprika Vegetable oil, for frying 4 cups mixed salad greens 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze 2 tablespoons olive oil Optional: Fresh basil leaves for garnish Directions: Slice green tomatoes and pat dry with paper towels. Set up a breading station: one plate with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with cornmeal mixed with salt, pepper, and paprika. Dredge each tomato slice in flour, dip into egg, then coat with seasoned cornmeal. Heat about 1/4 inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry tomato slices in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain. In a large bowl, toss salad greens with olive oil. Arrange on serving plates. Top with fried green tomato slices, goat cheese, red onion, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately while the tomatoes are warm and crispy. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes Kcal: 325 kcal | Servings: 4 #friedgreentomatoes #goatcheeselove #southerncooking #crispytomatoes #saladrecipes #summerfresh #comfortfoodsalad #greentomatorecipe #balsamicdrizzle #easygourmet #goatcheesesalad #southernsalad #homemadesalad #freshherbs #seasonaleating #vegetarianfriendly #farmtotable #crispybites #cheeseandgreens #brunchsalad Southern comfort with a gourmet twist! This Fried Green Tomato and Goat Cheese Salad is pure crispy-creamy bliss.

Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Crispy Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken with Pan Sauce Ingredients: 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 5 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon dried thyme Juice of 1/2 lemon Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish) Directions: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5–6 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook 2–3 more minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter and let it melt, then stir in garlic, paprika, onion powder, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Return chicken thighs to the skillet, spoon some sauce over them, and transfer to the oven. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from oven, drizzle lemon juice over the top, garnish with parsley, and serve hot. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes Kcal: 410 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #cajunchicken #garlicbuttersauce #easychickenrecipe #crispythighs #southerncooking #onepansupper #weeknightdinner #boldflavors #ovenbakedchicken #spicysauce #comfortmeal #garliclovers #chickendinner #savorygoodness #easyrecipes #dinnerideas #herbedbutter #panseared #homecooked #flavorpacked Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs just hit different—crispy skin, juicy inside, and buttery spice in every bite! You’ve got to try this flavor bomb!

Louisiana Hot Sauce Fiery Louisiana-Style Hot Sauce with Aged Peppers and Vinegar Kick Ingredients: 1/2 pound red chili peppers (like cayenne or tabasco), stemmed 2 teaspoons salt 1 1/2 cups white distilled vinegar 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional) 1 clove garlic, smashed (optional) Directions: Roughly chop the chili peppers and place them in a glass jar or container. Add salt and stir to coat evenly. Pour in the vinegar, making sure the peppers are fully submerged. Add sugar and garlic if using. Cover the container with a breathable lid (like cheesecloth or a fermentation lid) and let it sit at room temperature for 5–7 days to ferment slightly. After fermentation, pour the contents into a blender and blend until smooth. Strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve to remove solids (optional, for a smoother sauce). Pour the strained hot sauce into a sterilized bottle or jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Shake well before each use. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Fermentation Time: 5–7 days | Total Time: ~7 days Kcal: 5 kcal per serving (1 tbsp) | Servings: ~24 servings (1 ½ cups) #hotsauce #louisianaflavor #spicycondiments #fermentedfoods #homemadesauce #hotsaucerecipe #hotpeppers #spicygoodness #cayennepepper #vinegarbased #saucelovers #heatseekers #hotsaucelife #chilipaste #fireyflavors #hotsauceaddict #diyhotsauce #southerncooking #fermentationlove #boldflavors Bring the heat! This Louisiana Hot Sauce is bold, tangy, and the perfect DIY project for spice lovers!