- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Mac & Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Collard Greens Ingredients:
- 1 pound collard greens, stems removed and leaves chopped
- 3 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Step 1: Marinate and Fry the Chicken
- Marinate Chicken: In a large bowl, mix buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Add chicken pieces, ensuring they’re fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Prepare Flour Mixture: Mix flour with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Fry Chicken: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Remove chicken from buttermilk, dredge in flour mixture, and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Step 2: Cook the Shrimp
- Season Shrimp: Toss shrimp with Cajun seasoning.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside.
Step 3: Make Mac & Cheese
- Cook Macaroni: Cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Add mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted.
- Combine: Mix cheese sauce with cooked macaroni. Transfer to a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
Step 4: Prepare Collard Greens
- Cook Bacon: In a large pot, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Cook Greens: Add collard greens, chicken broth, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until greens are tender. Stir in cooked bacon.
Step 5: Serve
Arrange the fried chicken and shrimp on a platter, accompanied by a generous serving of mac & cheese and a side of collard greens. This hearty meal combines the best of Southern comfort food, promising a delicious and satisfying experience.
Visual Aids:
- Step-by-Step Photos: Include photos for marinating chicken, frying chicken, cooking shrimp, preparing mac & cheese, and cooking collard greens.
- Video Tutorials: Short clips showing key steps like breading and frying chicken, and mixing mac & cheese can be very helpful.
- Final Presentation Photo: A high-quality image of the plated meal, showcasing the golden fried chicken, succulent shrimp, creamy mac & cheese, and vibrant collard greens, will visually entice and excite anyone looking forward to this meal.
This meal is a celebration of flavors and textures, perfect for any occasion that calls for a hearty, comforting, and deliciously memorable dish.