2025 Happy New Year - Cooking from Scratch like Mama

Welcome to Collard Valley Cooks! Have you wished you could make your Traditional New Year meal taste like Mama made it? You can do it!
2025 Happy New Year - Cooking from Scratch like Mama
Welcome back to the Collard Valley Cooks kitchen! In today’s video, we're diving into the heart of Southern cooking. Join us as we prepare some of our favorite classic recipes to warm your heart and feed your soul. From the perfect cornbread dressing to mouthwatering desserts, we’ve got you covered!
In This Video, You'll Learn:
How to create mouth-watering southern sides made with simple ingredients.
Step-by-step instructions for our featured recipes.
Tips for making holiday baking a breeze!
Featured Recipes out of our Vol. 1 Cookbook:
Creamed Potatoes
Collard Greens
Pinto Beans
Chicken Tenders
Find a printables recipe from our website here: www.collardval...
Don’t forget to check out our cookbooks for more delicious recipes! Available on:
Shopify: collard-valley...
Amazon: www.collardval...
On May 18, 2017, as I reflected on my battle with cancer, I realized I hadn’t taught my daughters how to cook. Concerned that if the cancer returned, I wouldn’t leave them with essential kitchen skills, I decided to record my favorite recipes on video.
I jumped out of my recliner, filmed my first tutorial that day, and posted it on Facebook the next day. The overwhelming response led me to create a Facebook page, a website, and a KZbin channel. Encouraged by my viewers, my husband and I compiled a cookbook, which I hope brings joy to both new and experienced cooks. Thank you for supporting Collard Valley Cooks!
Many people wonder if Collard Valley is real; it is located in northwest Georgia, where the hills rise toward the Appalachian Mountains. The name originates from Chief Collard, a Cherokee leader forced into exile during the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. Nearby Cedartown was established as a mill town in the early 1900s.
This rural area has maintained its agricultural roots. Tammy’s grandparents, Albert and Lucille Benefield, embodied this lifestyle, focusing on cooking with simple ingredients. We hope you enjoy this simple rural cooking style, reflecting traditions passed down through family and community, similar to other “Collard Valleys” nationwide.
Stay Connected!
For updates, cooking tips, and behind-the-scenes content, subscribe and hit the notification bell! We're also proud to be sponsored by Swaggerty Farms. Check them out: www.swaggertys...
Contact Information:
COLLARD VALLEY COOKS LLC
Tammy or Christopher Nichols
P O BOX 1736
Richmond Hill, GA. 31324
Email: [e-mail]
Cookbooks are shipped from:
1555 Rockmart Hwy.
Cedartown, GA. 30125
Email: [e-mail]
Join the Collard Valley family and let’s cook together!
#collardvalleycooks #southerncooking, #traditionalrecipes
Happy Cooking! 🍽️
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[@jodypayne2512]

Ya'll two crack me up! Love your cooking. I was born and raised in Blairsville GA, love the old was

[@rubytaylor4566]

😋yummy Yummy yum 😊❤🙏 Ms. Ruby

[@joanndeland7969]

Everything looked delicious 😋

[@e.cahill9594]

So much fun to watch your video’s! I love the way you cook!

[@elainemcnabb2587]

Yum and you look great and you have lost weight 😊😊

[@CollardValleyCooks]

Oh thank you!

[@sammyhakimvlogs5608]

All of these recipes look so delicious 😋 Mrs. Tammy and Chris.

[@JacknJill_1956]

My favorite way to fry chicken, corn bread n fried potatoes is in an iron skillet

[@elizabethhackett-ij9gh]

You're so happy when you cook Tammy! Love your enthusiasm and great tips! It's fabulous when you & Chris do this together! Enjoy this great meal. Blessings & Happy New Year!

[@neilcreter7338]

Thank you. I love your programs and your cookbooks.

[@SandraDavidson-q2c]

Any cream gravy for the chicken and mashed potatoes? That's how we do it in central texas

[@DeborahBrown-oo2dp]

Happy New Year to you all! Wonderful meal!

[@SandyC-ep3tv]

I just noticed your spice rack and I am so jealous! 😂😂 That is awesome! Did you buy that or did someone make that just for ou? I would so love to have one!! ❤

[@CollardValleyCooks]

I bought it

[@Grandmaelaa]

Happy New Year. I bought all of your cookbooks and my southern husband is providing some nice compliments to my new recipes. Really like the simple approach to food you present. Hope you’all have a healthy year.

[@CollardValleyCooks]

Thank you, I’m so glad you like them!

[@Jackie-yh4wg]

This msg should go after your presentation of that delicious in-oven beef stew you presented so skillfully the other day! I am behind & cannot catch up right now. I want to ask you if you & your fabulous fisherman have ever prepared a fish stew? I made up one when I lived in LA before Katrina. I prepared the basic components: a mirepoix, yellow squash, & or zucchini boiled & simmered up to a complex pot of soup into which I cut portions of fresh fish to cook in the finished stew/broth just long enough that infuse fish flavor. It’s similar to the French staple fish stew called bouillabaisse (boo-ya-base) & a similar Italian dish called cioppino (chee-oh-pee-no). If I were the wife of a fisherman, these would be my main fish dishes made with delicious fresh fish every time, many times each week! I love fresh fish & soups & stews!!! Just wanted to know if you two ever team up on a fish stew of any sort! Then there’s paella . . .

[@CollardValleyCooks]

That sounds good!

[@elizabethsmith5720]

I'm in bed with flu so I'm not cooking New Year's Meal but I will soon. I use Lard in all these dishes including cornbread except potatoes. I'm old and still cooking like my Mama and Little Grandma did. Mom was 95 when she passed and Grandma was 87. She broke a hip dancing, which eventually led to her passing. Good eating. Happy New Year

[@leewillers4621]

😢

[@deborahgarrison4349]

Hope you feel better soon!

[@elizabethsmith5720]

@@deborahgarrison4349 Thank you so very much. I am on the mend. Happy New Year Blessings

[@pamelalacy9612]

I use lard too ❤

[@kymdisney11]

Happy New Year Tammy & Chris!

[@WaterfallFW]

Happy New Year! Hope you have a wonderful new year ahead.

[@SuzanneScarbrough]

Looks delicious ❤ Happy New Year enjoyed this

[@JacknJill_1956]

We're supposed to get a snow storm n central/southern Illinois Sunday. Started out a/3-5", then 5-8 now 6-10" omgosh they don't know how much. How do you make sucotash? Love that stuff...I pray you had a very nice Holiday. May God bless you both🙏😉

[@MamaStyles]

Fingers crossed we get some of that snow here in Ontario(I’m close to the u.s border near Detroit) other than a few flakes it’s been unseasonably warm and I haven’t needed a jacket.😂

[@JacknJill_1956]

@@MamaStyles it's supposed to hit on Sunday

[@pinkvibrations]

Enjoyed spending my New Year's Evening with you two! Happy New Year Tammy and Chris! ❤💥🎉

[@moma1961]

I fixed blackeyed peas, cornbread, cabbage, steamed broccoli &cauliflower, and porkchops for dinner today! Happy New Year to you and your family! My blackeyed peas were from scratch. When I fry chicken , I like to soak mine in buttermilk as well.

[@marywebber7761]

Everything looks delicious as usual Tammy ❤

[@rubytaylor4566]

Happy New Year's Tammy and Chris. All of God's Blessings to you and your Family. 😊❤🙏

[@jbchalf1]

I so enjoy watching you cook. Curious now what will you do with that grease you fried the chicken in? We are just going to eat Black Eyed Peas I cooked in the crock pot and Pork Chops I cooked in the air fryer. Just two of us old folks in Ohio. Around here they eat kraut & pork but I'm originally from VA and love black eyed peas and now so does my husband. Thank you for all your efforts doing these videos. LOVE watching you all.

[@CollardValleyCooks]

We seal it in a container and throw it out

[@suejohnson3972]

Happy New Year Chris and Tammy !🤗🎊🎈🎉❤️❤️

[@BrendaE-u2n]

Happy new years 🎉

[@rubytaylor4566]

Looks Delicious 😊❤🙏 Ms. Ruby

[@cathyprosser1050]

Looks yummy y'all😋 Happy New Year ❤❤❤

[@normaesteva3698]

Happy New Year to you and Mr. Chris. Wishing you many blessings of health, peace, and prosperity. Love all your videos and your Southern recipes. Watching you from San Juan, Puerto Rico. ❤❤❤

[@JoyKennedyHughes]

Happy New Year! 🎉👍👍❤️❤️

[@marilyndeville4585]

Made your Cornbread for 2 again today! Outstanding. Thank you so much for sharing everything!

[@CollardValleyCooks]

I’m so glad you loved it!

[@maurafornataro3911]

Happy new year dear Tammy and Chris . That looks delicious

[@kathybrooks4270]

We it stuffed cabbage on New Year’s Day. That spread you have looks really good. ❤❤❤❤

[@janiceslay8871]

I cooked collards, blackeyed peas, meatloaf, Mac & cheese and cornbread! Delicious!!

[@DarlenE1362]

Happy New Year 🥳🎉🥳🫶. Yummy meal..😊

[@salmckelvey5128]

What tool are you using?

[@CollardValleyCooks]

amzn.to/3WpAZBe

[@dawndeany9645]

Hi Tammy sounds good

[@karenboyett1453]

Tammy, I love your channel. I'm new to watching you work your Mama's magic. You cook like my Grandmother did.. My mom cooked, but not like my grandmother did.. I made your Pot Roast the other day... it was scrumptious. Like you i have trouble standing ive had 3 back surgeries, and now i found out both my shoulders are torn.. so i have lots of pain and can't lift hardly.. Ok enough about me.. I also made your chicken & Dumplins.. soo delicious.. but I have a question. After the dumplins cooked, the pot liquor or broth was nice and creamy.. But after they cooled off and we wanted another meal, the broth was thin and watery. What causes that to happen. Ive noticed that with the Dairy Queen dumplins.. theirs does it to.. I thought maybe you could tell me why. Thanks Tammy.. lts me Karen

[@CollardValleyCooks]

I think it just seperates when it cools but you can mix it back up when heated. I am glad you are trying the recipes!

[@OnAirVoice]

Happy New Year!!

[@chrischrist7982]

Awesome video

[@evelynphillips5108]

I put sugar in my cornbread depending on what I'm eating with. And I use the yellow self rising cornbread. But no jiffy I fo like jiffy but I prefer the homemade cornbread.

[@Julie-u2z]

Happy new year to all !! Delicious dinner, Tammy!!

[@isidramares1193]

Happy New Year!!

[@lauratrahan3020]

Tammy, be careful cooking barefoot. I received 2nd and third burn to my foot on Thanksgiving. I was in Burn Center 21 days, three surgeries, skin graft. Now in Rehabilitation. I was bringing 2 quarts of water plus turkey giblets to a rolling boil. My thumb gave way as I was moving boiler and poured boiling water on my foot. Yes, I was barefoot. It can happen to anyone. Please, be careful!🙏❤️

[@leannekenyoung]

That is VERY GOOD ADVICE!!!! I’m so sorry you had to suffer so much to be able to provide it to others. God bless you and I pray you have completely healed and are feeling much better. 🥰❤️🙏🏻🇨🇦🍁

[@KEENDARLING]

Poor thing I'm so sorry you went through that I fell walking hash browns to my son! I passed out after I had Covid in Aug'20/20 i had 3 surgeries and skin graft over several parts of my body! Yikes Idk why I was walking with a hot pan but I'm grateful & happy to be healed up and know better One of my best friends bought me my instant pot after that bc I was so scared to cook!!! I love it I love this channel!

[@susandavis1205]

Sounds good

[@sherryhudson9075]

Looks delicious ❤

[@MiaSonoma]

I absolutely love your hair style. You look like college age girl lol I vote to keep it 😀

[@NonnieTD]

What kind of potatoes do you like to use for creamed potatoes? Happy new year!

[@CollardValleyCooks]

Russets

[@BobbiRoling]

Happy New Year to both of you.

[@suejohnson3972]

Happy New Year Chris and Tammy !🤗🎊🎈🎉🎇❤️❤️

[@leewillers4621]

I haven’t cut into my fruitcake yet either. We had steak, mashed potatoes and broccoli. It was good and simple to make. Thanks for the video Chris and Tammy. Happy New Year from MO.❤🎉

[@paulandbenny]

I thought, Tammy usually puts buttermilk on the chicken strips first! 😂 I'm sure they'll still taste good. Ps. Nobody asked me, but your hair down and light make up llke that looks great. 👏👏👏👏

[@lindarobins429]

Great New Year’s dinner. DELISH!😊

[@MelissaMounts]

Happy new year! I love your videos. Can you please pray for my daughter Giada she has blood issues

[@CollardValleyCooks]

I am praying for Giada.

[@MelissaMounts]

@@CollardValleyCooksthank you so much ❤

[@soffiaaryati712]

Simple Gorgeous n yummy food tammy thnk you fr sharing . Hv a brilliant year ahead Tammy n Chris

[@earleneamyx1710]

Best cook

[@diannedutton6127]

Looks delicious, love fried chicken. I had turnip greens, peas, ham, cream potatoes and deviled eggs. I enjoyed this video.❤

[@maurafornataro3911]

God bless your family that chicken looks delicious - everything does. !

[@dano1956]

Amen!!

[@MedinaJones-j1t]

Happy New Year to you Tammy & Chris& to your family!! I hope you all have a blessed and joyful 2025!!🎉🎉🎉🙏🙏🙏😍😍😍

[@JuliaSmith-ek8mu]

My cornbread is the prettiest and best tasting ive ever put in my mouth. And everybody says the same thing. They love all the crispy crunch on the bottom. It gets so pretty and golden brown! We love it! 😊

[@bonniecarpenter4660]

Mom always made gravy with the oil from frying chicken… man was it good on mashed potatoes…. Happy New Year!

[@DianeTorbett]

Happy new years

[@ilonabancroft5948]

Glad I found you this evening. Might try your fried chicken.

[@marilyn4318]

Everything thing look delicious,I didn't cook a traditional New Year dinner,I just had some pork steaks and fried apples and biscuits &Gravy.Happy New Year to you and your family 🎉

[@melaniecravens7240]

Every thing g looks great

[@matthewlowry3726]

That looks so good. The chicken in buttermilk does look better but I would eat both don’t you worry about that. I hope you show the greens cooked..oh when those are done right they are delicious

[@BrendaE-u2n]

Crisper chicken the better 😋

[@WeldonSnyder]

Momma use salt pork. I think I'll cook my greens like you do.

[@karensweet6530]

I sure do wish I had some Collards, Pintos, Fried Taters w/onions, Cornbread and a piece of Ham! I don't have nobody to cook nothing good for me! I have severe Neuropathy from head to toe and I can't use my hands and can barely walk! I struggle trying to make a Cheese Sandwich which is what I'm having for Supper! Before my health got so bad after I had a Heart Attack, I cooked good meals like this all the time! I could cook anything because that's what us Southern Women learned to do from our Mommas and Grannies! It's been 3 years since I had a good meal like this Tammy! I pray everyday that the Lord find it in his Will to heal my body! If not, I'll be going Home Soon anyway because Jesus is Coming Soon! Amen. Happy New Year! God Bless y'all.... 🙏🙏❤❤

[@CollardValleyCooks]

I know how hard it is to cook when your hands don't work. You are in my prayers.

[@wilmastewart6887]

Tammy, my mother used a paper bag to shake her chicken pieces in and I think it really works better than the plastic bag. You should try it sometime.

[@deboraheverett8150]

That chicken looks delicious

[@deboraheverett8150]

Enjoy your chicken dinner and New Year’s Day supper . It’s 2025 now

[@JacknJill_1956]

I love watching you. Hey I sent u a recipe in the mail just wondering if you got it or not. Southern Rice

[@CollardValleyCooks]

I haven't yet

[@JacknJill_1956]

@@CollardValleyCooks it's been well over a month. I hope I sent to the right address

[@DianeTorbett]

Looks yummy

[@henrycooks1883]

I got an 8 pound prime rib, used store rewards, cost free, and bought a smaller one, so I had one for the freezer, same price you paid, beef has been so high. Everything looks delicious, happy new year.

[@ginabadeaux9319]

love to you

[@donnawilson2858]

This is a country meal. We made peas and ham, fried cabbage with onions and bacon. Cornbread.

[@tracycosby7335]

Hey Chris and Tammy, happy new year! I made my cornbread the same way but it was super crumbly. How can I get it not to be so crumbly?

[@deborahgarrison4349]

Hope you feel better soon and get home. That was a freaky accident, and I am sure you are hurting.

[@deborahgarrison4349]

This post was for Laura.

[@tonyathompson3228]

We are haven cabbage rolls with mashed taters

[@JuliaSmith-ek8mu]

I dont use my hands to grease my iron skilliet. I just pour in 1/4 cup of oil in it and let it get super hot before i pour my cornbread batter in and put it directly into a preheated 400 degree oven for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. It is the best cornbread and everybody just raves about it!

[@lauratrahan3020]

Sorry, posting twice, am on lots of drugs.😮🙄😫

[@lynngoett488]

I have been looking for this cornbread for years I don’t care for sweet corn bread.

[@joycemiraglia280]

✍Hello Tammy and Chris and fur Babies 🐾🐾 My dad was from the South and said he grew up eating the white cornmeal cause they fed the yellow to the pigs. My mom's people are from England and they eat yellow sweet cornbread which I love. The Cracker Barrel restaurant makes their cornmeal muffins like you do in the South and I'm definitely not a fan of that unsweetened white corn meal. I only had a small piece of ham leftover from Christmas so I froze it so I can have it with a pot of beans and cornbread but it was so delicious I wish I could have some to snack on right now, so it's a good thing I froze it. For New Years Eve I made individual pizzas from scratch, smokie wraps, chips and pretzels and dip and pop. We had pork loin chops and sauerkraut for New Years Day with mashed potatoes, green beans,corn, tossed salad and I made a pumpkin pie and* green fluff* salad. Talking about all this food and watching you make your fried chicken is making me hungry but its bed time ha ha ha! I save my favorite KZbin channels for my evening entertainment instead of watching TV 📺 good thing I do ha ha ha! I'd never heard that superstition before about washing clothes...or cooking chicken on New Years. I love how well you treat your chickens. Never heard that about pigs and why we eat pork on New Years just to eat it. Wishing You, and your family a Very Happy and Blessed New Year 🎉🍷🍷🎉 and the Very Best of Everything in 2025. Good Night😴 God Bless LuvYa! Bye from NE Ohio🌹. Tammy loved the Christmas Card 🎄 now that all the hustle and bustle of the holidays is over we can now sit back and enjoy the tree 🎄and decorations etc. I don't take everything down till after the Epiphany of Jesus January 6th or longer depending on how I'm feeling. We have a winter storm❄❄ advisory for the next few days and of course we didn't have a white Christmas so we definitely don't need the snow ❄ but it is nice to snuggle up with a blanket and some hot Tea☕ Take Care and again Happy New Year🎉

[@marthaanthis3980]

Thanks for the tip on preparing the iron skillet for cornbread. I always worry about burning myself because I’m older and the iron skillets are soooo heavy!

[@karengreene7880]

I am laughing so hard! My dad's family never washed on New Year's Day. They said the same thing! LOL

[@lauratrahan3020]

Happy New year! My wound nurse could be your twin. I showed her your picture.

[@CollardValleyCooks]

How cool!

[@neilcreter7338]

How do you dispose of the oil. Have a Happy New Year.

[@CollardValleyCooks]

In a container with a screw on top

[@Tonytherf]

Hey Tammy and Chris, boy, oh boy, that's a plate full of chicken for only two breasts. Those pinto beans look fantastic! Happy New Year

[@deboraheverett8150]

Tammy what kind of cooking oil do you use??

[@CollardValleyCooks]

Mazola corn oil

[@isidramares1193]

Thank you for the video and when will Your 4 cookbook be available

[@CollardValleyCooks]

It has been for a few years on collardvalleycooks.com

[@mariananderson7364]

We are up the road a piece in NC and my mama always said not to wash sheets between Christmas and old Christmas or you would wash somebody out, my sisters and I did one year and our dad died, so I don’t mess around with that, I change my sheets between but I do not wash them lol!

[@chaunceyelainebean4023]

I didn't grow up with sweet cornbread. I still don't.

[@lauratrahan3020]

Tammy, be careful cooking barefoot. I received 2nd and third burn to my foot on Thanksgiving. I was in Burn Center 21 days, three surgeries, skin graft. Now in Rehabilitation. I was bringing 2 quarts of water plus turkey giblets to a rolling boil. My thumb gave way as I was moving boiler and poured boiling water on my foot. Yes, I was barefoot. It can happen to anyone. Please, be careful!🙏❤️Pinto’s are my favorite

[@CollardValleyCooks]

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry to hear that! I'll be more careful, thanks for the reminder.

[@tracyzabelle]

[@penniecurrie2424]

Chris tammy my grand father was a 101 he always told us to not to buy collards till it frosted it makes the collards sweet,and a little hint if there is any your listeners have issue with bloat or digestion with regular collards there is a collard called cabbage collard very,very good most time they don't get as big as a reg collard I am living proof on the cabbage collards I have lots stomach issues

[@ronrugletic5656]

Yep, don't eat chicken on New Years day or you will be scratching for money all year long !!!!

[@leaannebrummett9159]

I too was raised on southern savory cornbread. I call sweet cornbread... stale cake. I don't like it with my meal. My hubby loves it with his beans...EWWW! Momma would make Beans and cornbread, greens, fried tators and salmon patties. We would often eat our cornbread crumbled up in a glass, then pour whole milk or buttermilk in the glass and eat it with a spoon.

[@lauratrahan3020]

I meant meat

[@lauratrahan3020]

I don’t think we can get Swagerty mean in Mobile area. I hear it is really good. When I get well I want to order your first cook book. How do I order?