Southern Recipes - Real Southern Cooking - Food of the South

Southern Fried Chicken

There are many sources for Southern recipes, but few are truly authentic. When you see cornbread that includes sugar...that ain't Southern cooking!! (just my opinion). Of course, different parts of the South vary in their taste, so do not be offended if you cook some dishes different than I do. We are probably just from different Southern regions.

With few exceptions, all our Southern recipes came from my 93 year old mom. You will also find Cajun recipes and Soul Food recipes here. We invite you to browse all of our Southern Recipes, bookmark this page and return often.

quote from mom..."never put sugar in cornbread and always in iced tea!"

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Monday May 14, 2012

Featured Recipe

Fried Green Tomatoes

A classic Southern dish, fried green tomatoes are so easy to make. Like potato chips, it's hard to stop when you get started...betcha can't eat just one.

Go to Recipe

 

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A word about Southern Recipes:

Southern recipes are difficult to write because many good cooks use look, feel, taste and experience rather than a rigid written guide to perform their magic in the kitchen. My mom made wonderful biscuits and cornbread and never used a recipe. She just knew when it "looked right". The message here is to be aware of the look, feel and texture of your combined ingredients. And taste, taste, taste as you cook. Don't be afraid to experiment and modify to suit your preference. With experience you, too, will be creating your own recipes.

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Quick Snacks

(click on image to go to recipe)

 

 

Pick of the Month

Hoecakes Recipe
Hoecakes, also know as "johnnycake", have been around since the 1800's. Southern hoecakes often tend to be a little sweet, although we do not use sugar in our recipe. It's a very simple recipe that is easy to make. If you have never made hoecakes, ask your grandmother...I bet she has.

 

 

 

 

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Southern Cooking Techniques

Southern cooking employs a few techniques that are different than many other cooking styles. Southern Food is generally cooked longer than you may be use to. For example, green beans are cooked until very tender and a dark greenish brown. Very different from brightly colored canned beans (ugggggh). Many dishes are cooked until crunchy (fried okra, cornbread, fried chicken). And frying is the primary cooking method.
Continue Cooking Techniques...

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Mississippi Mud Pie

It's said that Mississippi Mud Pie did not originate in Mississippi. It actually came from California. The name supposedly resulted from the color of the cake resembling the banks of the Mississippi river. Where ever it came from it's mighty good.
Recipe

 

 

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* Articles *

*What's Wrong With My Biscuits?*  *How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet*
*How to Make the Perfect Omelet*  *What are Chitlins and Cracklins?*

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Love Pickles?


Make your own.
Try our Hot Garlic Dill Pickles

Go to "Pickle Recipes"

 

 

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What's New

Sage Roasted Chicken Recipe
Low Fat Southern Recipes Really?
Southern Recipes Forum It's New!
Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese Recipe
Go to our Gardening site for tips on growing your own vegetables

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Etiquette at the Southern Table:

If you are invited to a Southerner's home for dinner for the first time, it will be useful to be familiar with some common customs. "Southern Hospitality" is not just a phrase..it's a way of life. Much activity revolves around food and when you enter a Southerner's home, even for a casual visit, you should expect to be offered a snack and beverage. It is polite to at least accept something to drink if not food.

Good table manners are valued so remember those things your mother taught you. Be sure to compliment your host on at least one dish you especially like. Try not to leave any food on your plate if possible, and should you ask for a second serving of any item, it will please your host. Feel free to ask for the recipe of anything you really liked. In short, most Southerners admire one's appreciation of food and a healthy appetite.

It is likely that your host will wish to say grace before eating. If this is not your custom, just go along with it quietly. Make no comment. In summary, be polite, friendly and enjoy the wonders of Southern cooking. Then look forward to future invitations.

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New to Cooking?

Cooking is more than just following a written guide. It also involves knowing the little tips that often turn a disaster into a success. One of the best ways to learn those tips is to spend your youth being tutored by a good cook, such as a parent or grandparent. But some of us are not afforded that opportunity and must do it on our own. In that vein, we have put together some tips for new cooks that may be helpful. Check it out Cooking Tips for Beginners.

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A Southerner's Humorous Perspective on Cornbread

Where I grew up (Alabama), cornbread with sugar was called "Yankee Cornbread" or "Restaurant Cornbread". Now, I understand taste vary in different regions and some people like it sweet but to me that's cake...not cornbread. And I've got several more pet peeves concerning cornbread... continue Southerner's Perspective on Cornbread

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