The Soul Food Pod

Many people associate soul food with Southern comfort food and the South. But soul food goes way beyond Southern cooking.  What is Black traditional food? My recipes on TheSoulFoodPot.com! These are my best examples of Black people's food and recipes that are easy enough for anyone to make and everyone to love! Examples of soul food are a Black folks' fried chicken recipe alongside collard greens,...

If you’ve ever found yourself mid-recipe wondering,  “Can I use sweetened condensed milk instead of evaporated milk in sweet potato pie?”  — this episode is your answer. Because not only can you… I’ve tested it, perfected it, and turned it into a signature variation of my Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie™ that still delivers that smooth, spiced, nostalgic bite we grew up on. This isn’t guesswork. This...

This "Black folk tea cake recipe" (that's what they're called!) is an old-fashioned nostalgic Southern soul food treat!  What you'll learn in this episode: What is a Black folks' Southern tea cake? African American tea cakes are a somewhat fancy Southern dessert. Little round cakes. Light, airy, and sometimes compared to soda bread or pound cake.   Tea cakes are typically...

If you grew up on soul food cooking or grew up in the South, then you already know! Grits are a staple in most Southern homes.    And if you're looking for a fantastic meal that boasts Southern comfort food with an extreme infusion of soul food flavors…   Then this Black folks' Southern shrimp and grits recipe is what you've been searching for! What is Black folks Southern shrimp and g...

What is a Black folks’ Southern turkey recipe? Crispy skin and moist, juicy, flavorful meat – that’s what embodies a Black folk turkey recipe. Atlanta folks might call it a soul food “dirty bird!” My signature recipe for Black folks Southern turkey will have your hungry bunch gobbling up this Southern specialty in no time. It’s one of our family’s favorites that gets devoured in minutes at Thanksg...

We're diving deep into an iconic recipe. One that some folks might have to wait all year to gather with friends and family to eat. It's the one Southern dish you shouldn't miss this Thanksgiving. Black folks chicken and dressing. What you'll learn in this episode: What is chicken and dressing? Cornbread dressing with the addition of shredded baked chicken. The ingredients include c...

Get ready for an unforgettable Thanksgiving Day with this soul food inspired Southern old-fashioned Thanksgiving dressing recipe. A delicious casserole dish everyone around the dinner table loves! Traditions, family, and food are the hallmarks of Thanksgiving. And in good tradition, a Thanksgiving dinner table is incomplete without an old-fashioned Thanksgiving dressing recipe.  What you'll le...

Something about Southern soul food's slow pace and easy-going nature makes you feel at home.    So when you're hungry, there are some great Southern dishes to try out before settling on a favorite – like Tidewater Virginia chicken yock! What you'll learn in this episode: What kind of food is yock (yok)? Soul food chicken yock is a meal that's an ode to my hometown in coastal Virgin...

Sweet, buttery, and rich with tradition—Black folks’ soul food candied yams are more than a side dish… they’re a story. In this episode of  The Soul Food Pod , we’re diving into the Black history of candied yams and how this beloved dish became a cornerstone of Southern soul food cooking. From African yam traditions to the adaptation of sweet potatoes in the American South, I’m breaking down how B...

We're diving deep into an iconic recipe. One that some folks might have to wait all year to gather with friends and family to eat.   It's the one Southern dish you shouldn't miss this Thanksgiving. Black folks chicken and dressing.  What you'll learn in this episode: What is chicken and dressing? Cornbread dressing with the addition of shredded baked chicken. The ingredients includ...

Do you want to make a delicious cake for your next event?  Then why not wow the crowd with a classic Southern dessert– Black folks' red velvet cake! It's the best way to celebrate a special occasion. From anniversaries to birthdays to graduations. Or for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, or Valentine's Day. What you'll learn in this episode: What is a Black folks' Southe...

Southern fried chicken is one of the most iconic dishes in soul food cooking. But what makes it different from regular fried chicken? In this episode of  The Soul Food Pod , soul food expert and author  Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®  explains the real secret behind Black folks’ Southern fried chicken. The answer isn’t just the crispy crust. It’s the layered seasoning and cooking techniques ...

Welcome back to another episode of The Soul Food Pod with your host, Southern soul food blogger and cookbook author Shaunda Necole! Episode 18 wraps up the podcast's first season, and this episode is all about New Year's Soul Food and African American traditions said to bring good luck and prosperity into the New Year! Shaunda shares a soulful guide to start the New Year on the right foot, includi...

Welcome back to another episode of The Soul Food Pod with your host, Shaunda Necole! In today's episode, Shaunda dives into the delicious world of a soul food Christmas dinner menu. Get ready to experience the classic flavors and mouthwatering dishes that will make your holiday feast unforgettable. From homemade Christmas eggnog to brown sugar-glazed Christmas ham, Shaunda Necole & The Soul Fo...

On this episode of The Soul Food Pod, host Shaunda Necole walks you through what is served at a Black American Thanksgiving dinner. She explains why a soul food Thanksgiving dinner menu is more than just the hog. From the Thanksgiving Day turkey to the smallest kernel of corn – it's a collection of the best soul food recipes. A Thanksgiving dinner feast fit for a king! You may see famous Southern...

In this episode of  The Soul Food Pod , host  Shaunda Necole  shares the story and technique behind her viral  Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie  recipe from  The Soul Food Pot® . Sweet potato pie is one of the most beloved desserts in Southern soul food cooking and a staple of African American holiday tables. With warm spices, a silky sweet potato filling, and a buttery pie crust, this classic dessert...

Cornbread dressing is one of The Soul Food Pot's most popular recipes. With over 65K shares, this recipe has invoked much feedback, comments, and discussion threads, including controversy about whether or not it's OK to use homemade cornbread or a cornbread mix. Host Shaunda Necole and her friend Nikki place a positive spin on this 5-star beloved recipe's negative comments through an interactive g...

Do you know the difference between Southern food and soul food? Get ready to find out! On this episode of The Soul Food Pod, host Shaunda Necole, with very special guests, oldest grandson Kobe and youngest son Dahvi discuss the significance of food in Black culture. Shaunda highlights how soul food reflects the rich heritage of Black history and how food brings people together in the Black communi...

On this episode of The Soul Food Pod, host Shaunda Necole is joined by special guest Teresa, her friend who is an Xtreme Hip-Hop instructor. Teresa shares healthy tips for eating in moderation during the holiday season. Together, Shaunda and Teresa discuss the significance of soul food in African American culture and highlight delicious Southern dishes that make up classic soul food holiday recipe...

On this episode of  The Soul Food Pod , cookbook author and soul food expert Shaunda Necole shares how to make Black folks’ collard greens the traditional Southern way — seasoned, slow-simmered, and full of rich, soulful flavor. From cleaning and cutting collard greens to building a deeply flavorful pot likker, Shaunda walks you through the step-by-step process rooted in African American cooking t...

Today we're celebrating Black people with the best Juneteenth food history, recipes, Juneteenth red foods & drinks, and easy menu ideas!  You can create Juneteenth traditions with Southern soul food favorites like red velvet cake, soul food baked mac and cheese, Southern apple pie, Southern hibiscus sweet tea, and more! The Juneteenth holiday and traditions are celebrated on June 19th in the U...

Black folks’ baked mac and cheese is a soul food classic. Creamy, custard-style, and baked until golden on top. In this episode of The Soul Food Pod, host Shaunda Necole shares the story behind her most beloved Southern baked macaroni and cheese recipe. How do you make Southern baked mac and cheese the Black way? On this episode of  The Soul Food Pod , host  Shaunda Necole  sits down with her best...

What is Southern peach cobbler? A Southern peach cobbler recipe is a soul food dessert and one of the darling favorite Southern desserts - loved by folks from East to West, North, and South! Loaded with fresh, juicy peaches and topped with a light and airy cinnamon sugar crust. It’s a cobbler so delicious, you may want to eat it all. All by yourself! On this episode of The Soul Food Pod, host Shau...

On this episode, host Shaunda Necole and her mom, Mama Mary (Ma-Ma), explore why Black cookouts are a beloved tradition in the African American community, the cultural significance and love for Black folks' potato salad at African American gatherings and cookouts, alongside other soul food dishes such as BBQ meats, collard greens, coleslaw, baked beans, and pig pickin cake. The podcast dives into...

Is banana pudding a Black thing? Let’s talk about it, because this classic Southern dessert is more than just sweet layers of cookies, bananas, and pudding. It’s a story of culture, adaptation, and soul. In this episode of  The Soul Food Pod , host Shaunda Necole takes you beyond the recipe and into the roots of  Black folks’ Southern banana pudding —from the African origins of bananas to its evol...