Southern cooking is like a beautiful quilt. It is made from different fabrics to create something harmonious. Southern recipes are the heart and soul of American cuisine. These recipes are were great flavors have come together to create the best dishes that continue to withstand the test of time. Let’s embark on a tasty journey through the South’s most iconic recipes, each dish a testament to the region’s rich culinary legacy.
Fried Chicken – Crispy Comfort
The quintessential Southern comfort food and in my opinion the most delicious dish know to man. Fried chicken is a southern classic that is the essence of homestyle cooking. With its golden, crispy crust and juicy, tender meat, it’s a dish that holds a special place in the heart many. Fried Chicken pairs great with mashed potatoes, rice and gravy or collard greens.
Mac and Cheese – Baked to Perfection
Baked macaroni and cheese is a soul food, southern side dish that is loved by many. Baked to golden perfection, My recipe with six cheeses transforms this simple dish into a decadent delight.
Green Beans and Potatoes – Simple Comfort
Green beans and potatoes is such a comforting dish. It is a recipe of basic ingredients however there is nothing basic about the taste. This southern dish is made with fresh green beans and potatoes and cooked with bacon, onion and a rich broth. The combination of flavors makes this a classic side dish.
Collard Greens – Soul Food Side Classic
Collard greens are a popular Southern dish and a staple of Soul Food Cooking. Whether cooked with meat (turkey, ham hock or crispy bacon) or mixed with other greens (turnip greens, mustard greens or kale), It is a welcomed side dish to any southern dinner plate.
Gumbo – Cajun Comfort in a Bowl
This hearty stew is perfect for a cold winter night. With roots deeply embedded in Louisiana culture, gumbo is a celebration of diverse flavors. This classic dish can be prepared several ways depending on what your taste buds desire. Whether seafood, chicken, sausage or all of the above, gumbo is a harmonious blend of meats, vegetables, and the perfect spices. This ultimate comfort food will keep you coming back for more.
Oxtails – Slow Cooked and Tender
Oxtails is one of my most popular recipes. Made with the perfect blend of seasoning, beef broth and slow cooked until tender. This slow cooker dish embodies Southern ingenuity, turning an underrated ingredient into a flavorsome delight.
Fried Cabbage: Southern Comfort Dish
Fried Cabbage is a simple dish that is loved by the masses. Made with simple ingredients but yielding the best taste. Fried Cabbage pairs well with fried chicken, cornbread, meatloaf and most southern comfort food recipes. It is the perfect comfort dish for chilly nights.
Skillet Cornbread: Southern Recipes
Cornbread, baked in a cast-iron skillet, holds a special place on Southern tables. This cornbread recipe is easy to follow and is made with only a few simple ingredients. This cornbread is the perfect compliment to most southern dinner recipes.
Banana Pudding: Creamy Delight
When I think of Southern food, banana pudding immediately comes to mind. Made with homemade vanilla pudding this indulgent and nostalgia dessert is one of my all time favorites. With layers of vanilla wafers, bananas, and creamy pudding, banana pudding is the embodiment of Southern comfort. Try my original recipe or my Chessman Banana Pudding.
Peach Cobbler: Sweet Southern Treat
The crispy crust, juicy peaches and the sweet syrup is the taste of all that is good in the South. I make my peach cobbler with frozen or fresh peaches, never can. Peach cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream is the ultimate Southern dessert.
Smothered Chicken: Old Fashioned Recipe
When it comes to southern comfort food recipes, you must add Smothered chicken to the top of the list. Made with basic ingredients that transforms into one of the most satisfying meals you will ever have. Made with chicken thighs, breast, legs or wings bathed in a rich gravy. This dish is both comforting and satisfying.
Candied Yams: Southern Recipes
Candied Yams are cooked to caramelized perfection, evoke the flavors of the South. A perfect side dish for the holidays or any day of the week.
Red Beans & Rice: Southern Recipes
A Creole classic, red beans and rice are a celebration of flavors. Made with spicy andouille sausage, the holy trinity of veggies and the perfect blend of seasonings. Topped with hot sauce, red beans and rice is a soul food classic.
Shrimp and Grits: A Southern Favorite
Shrimp and grits is another soul food classic. Made with cheesy grits, plump shrimp, sausage and bacon in a spicy flavorful sausage gravy.
Southern cooking has shaped all cooking and these recipes are just the tip of the iceberg. From chicken to seafood, soups and stews the generations of recipes that were born in the south has shaped a cuisine that is essential to the American culture. Southern cuisine is comforting and welcomed on any table. It is the melting pot of food where flavors come to life.
