Mmmm! Make homemade Southern biscuits

Video: The truest meaning of soul food

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   >> place where they can feel loved. jenna bush hager discovered a place to make your heart melt. good morning.

   >> good morning. matt, that's right. in memphis, tennessee, one woman found an unusual usuausual way to deal with her grief. by feedings others comfort food she hopes to heal her soul. just a warning, this story could make you very hungry. good food has always been at the core of b.j.'s life. her mother's kitchen was a warm, lively and loving place. but when her son was killed in a motorcycle accident when he was 21, she shut down. it seemed impossible for her tole feel the love that kitchen once held.

   >> we called him go, go. he loved food. he knew good food.

   >> reporter: it was the good food that brought her out of her sorrow. like therapy, it helped to heal her soul. how has cooking been therapeutic for you?

   >> it took me back to a place that brought pleasant memories.

   >> reporter: driven by memories of a loving family and joyous kitchen she opened up her restaurant where customers get more with their comfort food .

   >> it's like having your grandmother serve you and kiss you on the head.

   >> she's got heart, love and soul in her food. after leaving here i felt so much better.

   >> reporter: her mother, who the restaurant is named after, taught her to cook. here every southern dish is made from scratch. all have one main ingredient --

   >> love, love, love, girl.

   >> reporter: this was a perfect place for a cooking lesson.

   >> you have to know what part is what.

   >> reporter: that's a leg?

   >> no, that's not a leg.

   >> reporter: that's a thigh, that's a leg.

   >> let me show you. you really haven't been in the kitchen. do it smooth. don't fight with it.

   >> reporter: i'm trying. it was fighting with me.

   >> roll with the flow.

   >> reporter: okay. moving on from the potatoes, i thought hot water biscuits sounded easy enough. two cups in there?

   >> no, no. sugar goes in there.

   >> reporter: i knew it was wrong right when i did it.

   >> sometimes they're ugly, but --

   >> reporter: did you call my corn bread ugly?

   >> no, no.

   >> reporter: you called my corn bred ugly. and i got into trouble with the deep fryer .

   >> i don't own a deep fryer .

   >> jenna, no. don't throw it.

   >> reporter: after all the work, i had to try -- well, everything.

   >> i want you to feel the love.

   >> reporter: fried green tomato?

   >> uh-huh.

   >> reporter: mm. i could drink this. these are the best green beans i have ever had. mm. home made.

   >> that's corn bread .

   >> reporter: i'm taking some of these home.

   >> okay, baby.

   >> reporter: and these. and these. customers always ask for the recipe, so she's written a cookbook with stories of her son, her family and the inspiration that keeps her cooking. more therapy to heal her soul. although her customers are from all over, they come in the same. hungry. they leave full, happier and loved. what's your mission when every client walks in the door?

   >> to feed your heart, your head and your stomach. if i can make your heart and your head feel better i've got your stomach. i know the food's got you.

   >> reporter: b.j. really found a way to make something good out of the darkest time of her life. matt, i will share with you some of the delicious dessert.

   >> thank you, jenna.

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