Kwanzaa Dinner Menu

Kwanzaa is a winter holiday where African Americans come together for seven days to celebrate their heritage and honor community values. Kwanzaa is also a time where lavish feasts are shared! For your next Kwanzaa celebration, why not try our delicious menu?

Appetizers

Buffalo Wings

3 lbs chicken wings
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup hot sauce such as Texas Pete

Heat shortening in a heavy duty frying pan. Combine butter and hot sauce and mix well. Cover all chicken wings in hot sauce/butter mixture. Bake in a 400 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes, flipping the wings over once during cooking. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Coconut Shrimp

1 cup shredded coconut
1 package of crumb coating such as Shake and Bake
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp cayenne
1 egg
2 tbsp water
1 1/2 pound extra large shrimp, cleaned and deveined

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium sized bowl, whisk egg and water together until well mixed. In a separate bowl, combine crumb coating, coconut and spices. Dip each piece of shrimp in the egg mixture first, then the crumb mixture. Bake for approximately ten minutes.

Entrees

Southern Fried Chicken

1 fryer chicken, cut up
4 cups buttermilk
1 cup cracker crumbs
1 cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
2 1/2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Marinate chicken in buttermilk for a couple of hours. Combine crumbs and spices. Dredge each piece of chicken in crumb mixture. Heat oil in skillet, then gently place dredged chicken in. Cook for about 20 minutes, turning once to brown all sides of the chicken.

Tangy Pork Ribs

5 lbs pork ribs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup lime juice
Favorite brand of barbecue sauce

Marinate ribs overnight in a mixture of 1 cup barbecue sauce mixed with lime juice and water. Then, bake ribs in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Next, place ribs on heated grill. Cook for 10 minutes on each side, frequently brushing with remaining barbecue sauce.

Side Dishes

Hoppin' John

4 cans drained black eyed peas
2 cans chicken broth
1 lb sliced smoked sausage
3 cups finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons red pepper
3 cups white rice
1 cup water

Mix water, peas, broth, sausage, onion, and red pepper in a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and add rice. Simmer until rice is tender and mixture is thick. Remove from heat.

Macaroni and Cheese

1 lb uncooked elbow macaroni (or pasta of your choice)
1/2 stick butter
1 egg
2 cups condensed milk
4 cups of cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Boil macaroni in salted water until soft. Drain. In large bowl, mix macaroni, half the butter, the milk, and 3 cups of cheese. Transfer to greased casserole dish. Top macaroni with remaining cheese. Cut remaining butter into squares and place on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 35 minutes, or until cheese on top is bubbly and lightly browned.

Dessert

Sweet Potato Pie

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup condensed milk
1/2 stick butter
2 tbsp flour
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon and nutmeg
Unbaked ready-made pie crust

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Boil and mash sweet potatoes, then place in large mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix with electric hand mixer until well blended. Pour into pie crust and bake for 35 minutes. Garnish with whipped cream if desired.

Southern Style 'Pot of Greens'

Black-Eyed Pea with Sausage

Okra Recipes

Kwanzaa Desserts

Planning an African Themed Kwanzaa Party

Setting a Traditional Kwanzaa Table