1Fried Catfish
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONOur top secret for the most flavorful catfish fillets? Buttermilk and hot sauce. We know, it may sound odd, but the result is an extra-flavorful catfish that, once coated and fried, is a crispy, satisfying dinner that'll rival even your favorite seafood restaurants.
Get the Fried Catfish recipe.
2Jollof Rice
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCERJollof rice is a traditional African rice dish featuring a tomato-based stew. It's a true standout Kwanzaa dish, thanks to its perfect balance of heat, sweet (from the tomatoes and peppers), and spice.
Get the Jollof Rice recipe.
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3Shrimp & Sausage Gumbo
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDSGumbo is a true melting pot dish. Originating in Louisiana, it combines the cuisines and ingredients of several cultures including West African, French, German, and Choctaw. It's a perfect addition to a Kwanzaa feast that celebrates diversity and growth.
Get the Shrimp & Sausage Gumbo recipe.
4Kwanzaa Crinkle Cookies
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5Southern Baked Mac & Cheese
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON 6Skillet Cornbread
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONNot only does this cornbread involve less cleanup, but it promotes the ideal texture of crackly crust around moist, decadent corn cake. Pouring the batter into a preheated cast-iron creates a sear to the batter and speeds up the bake time. Wins ALL around.
Get the Skillet Cornbread recipe.
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7Jerk Chicken
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONJamaica's most famous dish has to be jerk chicken, making it perfect for your Kwanzaa feast. Don't eat chicken? The subtly sweet and spicy jerk marinade goes well with everything from tofu to seafood too.
Get the Jerk Chicken recipe.
8Southern Collard Greens
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORESouthern cooking can sometimes appear intimidating or too involved, but this recipe is anything but. All you need are a couple of hours, a handful of staple ingredients, smoked turkey, and your collard greens (the star of the show) for an easy side (or meal on its own!).
Get the Southern Collard Greens recipe.
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9West African-Inspired Chicken & Peanut Stew
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE 10Hummingbird Cake
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GOREFun fact: Hummingbird cake is actually from Jamaica! It was originally called "Doctor Bird Cake," which is a nickname for a type of Jamaican hummingbird. People say the cake earned its name because it was sweet enough to attract hummingbirds. It tastes like a mix between carrot cake and banana bread, and you're gonna be obsessed.
Get the Hummingbird Cake recipe.
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11Shrimp Creole
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORESimilar to shrimp étouffée, but with a tomato-based sauce, this recipe will transport you to the balcony-lined streets of New Orleans. Aromatic onion, green bell pepper, and celery form the holy trinity of flavor on top of which you'll build this saucy little number.
Get the Shrimp Creole recipe.
12Black-Eyed Peas
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONSimilar to the soul food classic Hoppin' John but without the rice component, these black-eyed peas are cooked with a little bit of onion, garlic, spices, and a hunk of fatty salted pork for depth of flavor and a hint of smokiness.
Get the Holiday Black-Eyed Peas recipe.
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13Brown Stew Chicken
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GOREBrown stew chicken might seem like a snooze of a name for a recipe, but don’t be fooled—Jamaica’s signature marvel of a dish offers a galaxy of flavors that explains its massive fan base on the island and among the country’s expats.
Get the Brown Stew Chicken recipe.
14Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet potato pie might get sidelined to other holiday pies, but with this forever favorite recipe, we’re bringing her into the spotlight and making her shine. Mounds of roasted sweet potato combine with dark brown sugar, vanilla, and spices inside a golden flaky crust for a pie that rivals all other contenders.
Get the Sweet Potato Pie recipe.
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15Jamaican Oxtail Stew
Parker FeierbachIf you've never had Jamaican oxtail stew, you're in for a major treat. It's rich, SUPER-flavorful, with fall-off-the-bone-tender meat and creamy butter beans. It's a true special occasion dish and takes some finesse, so check out our top tips before you jump in.
Get the Jamaican Oxtail Stew recipe.
16Shrimp & Grits
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONThere's a lot of richness going on here. Bacon! Butter! Cheese! To cut all the fat, you need some acid. Enter: freshly squeezed lemon juice. It brightens this shrimp dish up BIG TIME—so don't skip it.
Get the Shrimp & Grits recipe.
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17Sweet Potato Gratin
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONYour sweet potatoes are tired of being baked. Give them the chance to become something much more exciting and turn them into sweet potato gratin. Just like the OG potatoes au gratin, these sweet potatoes are layered with plenty of cheese and herby cream sauce and baked until golden brown and bubbly. 😍
Get the Sweet Potato Gratin recipe.
18Rice & Peas
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONFluffy and moist, this rice and bean (not actual peas!) dish has a savory creaminess that comes from the use of aromatics like garlic and onion, in addition to coconut milk. It's a perfect match for the classic dishes like curry chicken or oxtail stew you might find on a Jamaican Kwanzaa table.
Get the Rice & Peas recipe.
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19Jerk Tofu Grain Bowls
ERIK BERNSTEIN 20Corn Fritters
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GOREMove over, hush puppies! Corn fritters are our new favorite Southern-fried side. Fluffy and crispy with sweet fresh corn, these make the perfect partner for everything you and your family could possibly dream up for your Kwanzaa feast.
Get the Corn Fritters recipe.
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