Cooking for Real Season 9 Episode 1 Cookin' It Old School

As a new season of Cooking for Real begins, host Sunny Anderson is ready to take viewers back in time with her latest installment, titled "Cookin' It Old School." In this first episode of season 9, Sunny explores classic recipes and cooking techniques that have stood the test of time.

Sunny begins by showcasing a staple of any old-school kitchen: cast iron cookware. With a variety of sizes and shapes, Sunny shows how versatile and durable cast iron can be in the kitchen. She starts with a classic dish, chicken fried steak, that relies on the even heat distribution of a cast iron skillet to achieve the perfect crust. She also shares tips on maintaining and caring for cast iron so it will last for generations.

Next up, Sunny tackles a classic appetizer: deviled eggs. But instead of the typical mayo-based filling, Sunny switches things up with a spicy guacamole filling that adds some heat to this timeless dish. She also demonstrates how to jazz up the presentation with a few finishing touches, like a sprinkle of smoked paprika or a slice of crispy prosciutto.

For the main course, Sunny turns to another old-school favorite: meatloaf. But this isn't your average loaf of meat. Sunny shows how to elevate this comfort food staple with a beef and pork blend, homemade BBQ sauce, and a stuffing of sautéed spinach and onions. She also shares her secrets for keeping the meatloaf moist and tender, even after leftovers have been reheated.

To round out the meal, Sunny creates a classic side dish that often gets overlooked: creamed corn. She makes it from scratch using fresh corn and cream, and adds a little kick with some cayenne pepper and hot sauce. Sunny also shares some variations, like a Tex-Mex version with peppers and black beans, or a Southern-style version with bacon and chives.

Finally, Sunny wraps up the episode with a sweet treat: chocolate chip cookies. She shares her tips for getting perfectly chewy and crispy cookies every time, like chilling the dough before baking and using a mix of white and brown sugar. She also offers some unique add-ins to jazz up the classic cookie, like espresso powder or crushed pretzels.

Throughout the episode, Sunny not only shares her love for old-school cooking techniques and recipes, but also shows how they can be updated and modernized with a few simple tweaks. "Cookin' It Old School" is a celebration of the comforting, soulful dishes that have been passed down through generations, and demonstrates how they can still be relevant and delicious today.