• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 pint shucked oysters, cleaned of shells and debris
• 2 cups homemade chicken stock or reduced-fat low-sodium chicken broth, plus more if needed
• 4 cups day-old cornbread
• 1 pound country white bread, cut or torn into 1-inch cubes
• 3 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 sweet onion, finely chopped
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Meme's Cornbread and Oyster Dressing

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• About 7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove (or more, if you'd like), germ removed and very thinly sliced
• About 8 sprigs fresh thyme, rosemary, mint and/or parsley
• 6 fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
• Fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• 5 tablespoons unseasoned bread crumbs
• 8 oil-packed anchovies, minced
• 1 small lemon
• Pinch of piment d'Espelette or cayenne pepper
• 3 large red and/or yellow boxy bell peppers
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes (25 to 30), halved
• For serving (optional)
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Ricotta
• Snipped fresh chives or finely chopped other fresh herbs

Oven-Charred Tomato-Stuffed Peppers

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• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup diced prosciutto
• ¼ cup minced onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 8 cups chopped Swiss chard leaves
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg

Creamed Swiss Chard

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• 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish
• Coarse kosher salt
• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 sweet onion, chopped
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
• 2 jalapeños, or to taste, seeded and chopped
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups 2% or whole milk, warmed
• 2 cups grated Gruyere cheese (8 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 1 cup fresh plain, whole wheat, or panko bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

Spicy Mac & Cheese

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• ½ pound smoked turkey, ham hock, smoked jowl, or diced ham
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons onion soup mix
• 3 large bunches collard greens (about 2 pounds)
• 1 teaspoon bacon grease or vegetable oil
• Salt

Sweetie Pie's Collard Greens

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• 2 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup grated onion
• 1 teaspoon minced or pressed garlic
• 2 cups cooked chicken, turkey, salmon, or finely chopped shrimp
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¾ cup chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• 1 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1 sleeve saltine crackers, finely crumbled
• cooking oil for frying

Croquetes

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• 1 pound medium shrimp, steamed, shelled, and deveined, still warm 
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 
• ½ teaspoon distilled white vinegar 
• ½ teaspoon seafood boil spice, or more to taste 
• Dash of celery seed 
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise (reduced fat is fine) 
• ⅓ cup sour cream (reduced fat is fine) 
• ⅓ cup thinly sliced celery 
• ½ small red bell pepper, diced (optional) 
• ¼ cup finely diced red onion (optional) 
• 2 ripe avocados

Old School Shrimp Salad

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• 1 pint sliced mushrooms
• 1 medium onion, halved and sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Roasted Mushrooms and Onions

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• vegetable oil for frying
• 2 pounds russet potatoes
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup crushed kettle-style salt and vinegar potato chips
• 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning mix
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• water as needed

Spicy Fries

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• 4 quarts water
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 5 pounds unpeeled fresh shrimp
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• ¼ cup Tabasco sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ teaspoon seafood seasoning
• 1½ teaspoon dried basil
• 1½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1½ teaspoon minced fresh parsley

Cajun Chilled Shrimp

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