Chicken Souse, Johnny cakes and Grits

S4 E20 | A Sing-A-Long With Ernest & Travis Denning | Something's Burning

Country music’s own Ernest and Travis Denning stop by my home away from home in Nashville for some singing and some souse. There’s also a pepper eating bet, a song writing session, grits and johnny cakes.

Chicken Souse

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs. chicken wings and drumsticks
  • ½ cup fresh lime juice
  • 2-4 habanero peppers
  • 1 TBS seasoned salt
  • 1 TBS allspice
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1 TBS black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 TBS oil
  • [1 large yellow onion
  • 2 large carrots
  • 2 sticks celery
  • 3 large potatoes
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme

Steps:

  1. Combine chicken with lime juice, season salt, pepper, allspice and bay leaves into container to marinate. Chop up onions, carrots, celery and potatoes.
  2. Heat oil in Dutch oven then add chicken, cooking until browned on all sides. Save the marinade from the chicken and set aside.
  3. Add in onions, carrots, celery and sauté in the Dutch oven.
  4. Add in potatoes and fresh thyme. Then return chicken to the pot along with the remaining marinade.
  5. Pour enough water into the pot to cover the chicken and bring to a boil, simmering for 45 minutes.
  6. Remove chicken, de-bone, then add chicken meat back into pot. Add salt to taste.

Johnny Cakes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 2 TBS sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • Oil

Steps:

  1. Whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
  2. Make a well in the center and add in egg, buttermilk, water, and melted butter mixing well.
  3. Heat oil in skillet and drop in batter. Flip once edges start to bubble.

Grits

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups of water
  • 1 cup grits
  • Salt to taste
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Unsalted butter

Steps:

  1. Stir grits into boiling water
  2. Reduce heat, cover and let sit for 15-20 minutes stirring occasionally until thick.
  3. Add in cheese, butter, and salt to taste