A 7-Day Southern Meal Plan

Sunday: Creole Jambalaya

Jambalaya is a traditional Louisiana dish, coming from our Spanish and French culture. Rice is the main ingredient, with different meats or seafood mixed in. I particularly like this variation with shrimp and ham. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana

Monday: Country Chicken with Gravy

Here’s a lightened-up take on classic southern comfort food. This chicken gravy recipe has been a hit at our house since the first time we tried it! —Ruth Helmuth, Abbeville, South Carolina

Tuesday: Green Tomato BLT

I absolutely love tomatoes, any kind, any size. Being from the South, that includes fried green tomatoes. I created a special summer sandwich to show them off. —Hillian Holmgren, Del Rio, Texas

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Red Beans & Sausage

Being from Louisiana, my go-to comfort food is red beans and rice. The Crockpot makes it so easy and the recipe reminds me of Sunday family dinners going back generations. Serve it as a slow-cooker side dish or make it a meal with hot buttered corn bread. —Lisa Bowie, Las Vegas, Nevada

Thursday: Contest-Winning Cajun Cabbage

Looking for a different treatment for cabbage? Try this spicy cheese-topped dish that I adapted from a friend’s recipe. I added a little of this and that until it tasted the way I wanted. Not only do my husband and kids like it, I get rave reviews when I make it for company or church functions. —Bobbie Soileau, Opelousas, Louisiana

Friday: Southern Shrimp and Grits

A southern specialty, sometimes called breakfast shrimp, this dish tastes great for brunch or dinner, and anytime company’s coming. It’s down-home comfort food at its finest. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

Saturday: Crispy Fried Chicken

If you’ve wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana

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