Southern At Heart Season 2 Episode 5 Family Feast

In the fifth episode of season 2 of Southern at Heart, titled "Family Feast," host Damaris Phillips invites her brother, David, to her kitchen to cook up a feast for their extended family. The focus is on creating a meal that is hearty and satisfying yet still elegant and sophisticated enough for a special occasion. Throughout the episode, Damaris shares her tips and tricks for entertaining and cooking Southern-inspired dishes.

The episode starts with Damaris revealing that she and David are throwing a dinner party for their family in honor of their parents' upcoming wedding anniversary. She decides to make a classic Southern spread that includes fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, creamed spinach, and biscuits. However, she wants to elevate the dishes a bit by using high-quality ingredients and adding unexpected flavors and textures.

To start, Damaris and David begin preparing the macaroni and cheese. She explains that she likes to use a combination of aged cheddar and gruyere for a rich and tangy flavor. She also adds in some smoked paprika and toasted breadcrumbs to give the dish a little crunch. Damaris then moves on to the creamed spinach, which she says is a dish that her family always requests. She uses a combination of fresh spinach and frozen chopped spinach to make the dish both flavorful and convenient. David adds in some cream and nutmeg for a decadent finish.

Next up is the fried chicken. Damaris explains that she likes to use a blend of spices in her breading to make the chicken extra flavorful. She also shares her tips for getting the perfect golden-brown crust on the outside without overcooking the chicken on the inside. While the chicken is frying, Damaris and David work on the biscuits. Damaris reveals her secret ingredient for making fluffy buttermilk biscuits: grated frozen butter. She says that this technique helps keep the butter cold and creates layers in the dough for a tender and flaky texture.

As the dishes start to come together, Damaris and David set the table and prepare for their guests to arrive. Damaris explains that she likes to add little touches like fresh flowers and fancy glassware to make the meal feel special. When the family finally sits down to eat, the food looks and smells amazing. The macaroni and cheese is rich and gooey, the creamed spinach is perfectly seasoned, and the biscuits are warm and buttery. But the real star of the show is the fried chicken. Everyone raves about how juicy and flavorful it is, and Damaris and David are proud of their hard work paying off.

Throughout the episode, Damaris emphasizes the importance of family and tradition in Southern cooking. She talks about how food brings people together and how simple dishes can evoke memories and emotions. She also encourages viewers to experiment with their own recipes and make them their own. Overall, "Family Feast" is a heartwarming and delicious episode that showcases the best of Southern hospitality and cuisine.