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Red Rice And Brown Sugar Glazed Ham: Chef Kardea Brown Shares Her Gullah-Inspired Easter Dinner Menu

From Southern collard greens to brownies called Charleston Chewies and Lowcountry macaroni salad, indulge in this "After Church" menu for Easter Sunday.

Food Network

By Victoria Uwumarogie · Updated April 15, 2022

They don’t call her thee “Delicious Miss Brown” for nothing. Food Network star and chef Kardea Brown knows how to whip up delectable dishes, doing so while honoring the Gullah/Geechee heritage she proudly grew up with in Charleston, South Carolina. And while the chef and her family whip up all sorts of mouthwatering meals throughout the year (she recently gave us some fantastic Lowcountry-inspired twists on Thanksgiving and Christmas favorites), they have a serious menu in mind for Easter.

To celebrate the resurrection of Jesus (it’s not about bunnies, y’all) through food, the TV personality has shared her go-to “After Church” dishes to bring to your dining table on Sunday. It includes savory specialties, like Southern collard greens, as well as sweets like Charleston Chewy brownies, and coastal classics like macaroni salad with grilled shrimp. Make one thing or go for the gusto and make them all. Either way, you can’t lose with Miss Brown’s delicious offerings.

Brown Sugar Orange Glazed Ham

It’s all about entrees for the Brown family on Easter. This hefty, glorious ham is a constant presence at every Easter gathering and according to Brown “is just so darn delicious!”

Courtesy of Chef Kardea Brown

Recipe

Charleston Chewies

A staple in the Gullah community, chef Kardea can’t get enough of Charleston Chewies brownies. A flip on brown sugar blondies, her take on the dessert is a gooey and pecan-filled treat.

Courtesy of Chef Kardea Brown/Food Network

Recipe

Grandma’s Mac and Cheese

You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted chef Kardea’s mac and cheese recipe, inherited from her grandmother and a staple at gatherings for over 60 years. The secret to this winning dish is using five different creams and cheeses.

Courtesy of Chef Kardea Brown/Food Network

Recipe

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Gullah Red Rice

Every family has their rice dish, and for chef Kardea’s it’s Gullah red rice. Inspired by West African Jollof rice, this recipe is rich in tomato flavor, has a sweet side (sugar is actually used) and has an extra kick from the addition of smoked pork sausage.

Courtesy of Chef Kardea Brown/Food Network

Recipe

Southern Collard Greens

You will never be disappointed with greens, especially chef Kardea’s take on Southern collared greens. This dish is accentuated by roasted garlic and the ultimate must-have for flavor: smoked turkey.

Courtesy of Chef Kardea Brown/Food Network

Recipe

Lowcountry Macaroni Salad with Grilled Shrimp

“Who made the macaroni salad?” It’s a question you can proudly answer when you share you got the recipe from chef Kardea. Whip up this take, loaded with lemon, olive oil and shrimp.

Courtesy of Chef Kardea Brown/Food Network

Recipe

TOPICS: Chef Kardea Brown easter food and drinks Gullah-Geechee

WATCH | Beads, Beats & Black Girl Magic

By Essence · Updated March 12, 2025

The road to the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ is paved with beads, the lively sounds of brass bands, and the unstoppable spirit of the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale. For the fourth time, ESSENCE, Femme Fatale, and Coca-Cola® are joining forces to UPLIFT AND SHARE THE MOMENT—launching an unforgettable journey to EFOC with a spectacular Mardi Gras celebration like no other! This year, we’re cranking up the excitement by giving you an exclusive peek behind the scenes for the very first time!

Founded in 2013, the groundbreaking all-female Mardi Gras krewe made history as the first established by African American women for African American women—but its spirit of inclusivity welcomes everyone to join the fun!
Femme Fatale goes beyond the parade route, fostering a year-round sisterhood rooted in service, mentorship, and cultural pride. Through leadership programs, community outreach, and signature initiatives like Say Yes to the Prom Dress, the krewe uplifts and supports women of all ages. The hard work and dedication put into preparing for Mardi Gras is just as important as their year-round efforts.

Year after year, Femme Fatale goes all-in to refresh their floats, costumes, and throws, ensuring that each parade is an unforgettable experience. The process starts months before the parade, with members brainstorming ideas, designing intricate costumes, and collaborating with artisans to create custom throws.
The work that goes into it is a true labor of love—each costume, throw, and float serves as a reflection of the krewe’s creativity, passion, and dedication to putting on a show that reflects their commitment to the community.
And when it all comes together, the result is nothing short of pure joy! Like the ESSENCE Festival of Culture, Mardi Gras is a celebration of life, culture, and unity—an explosion of color, music, and energy that brings people together in a way that’s truly unforgettable.