When's The Last Time You Had Shrimp and Grits?
Southern cuisine is a unique delicacy. It's rich, hearty, and packed with flavors, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few dishes that can raise an eyebrow. From fried chicken and pecan pie to Chitlins, you need to know what you're ordering at a Southern restaurant. Here are 10 classic Southern dishes everyone loves and 10 that are a bit weird.
1. Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is the quintessential Southern meal. There's nothing as juicy and satisfying as a place of golden fried chicken. It's dredged in flour or a buttermilk batter, and then fried to perfection. The best Southern fried chicken is crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
2. Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp and grits originated in South Carolina and Georgia as a simple fisherman's breakfast. Whip up a batch of creamy cornmeal grits topped with bacon, spices, and sautéed shrimp. A Southern delicacy that even a true Northerner would love.
3. Biscuits and Gravy
Biscuits and gravy first rose to prominence in the Appalachian regions thanks to their heartiness and how cheaply they could be made. This dish consists of flaky buttermilk biscuits smothered in a rich, creamy sausage gravy. It's warm and satisfying, and some love it so much that they eat it for breakfast.
4. Jambalaya
A Louisiana specialty, jambalaya is a Creole and Cajun classic blend of rice, sausage, chicken, seafood, vegetables, and seasonings. It's a one-pot masterpiece influenced by Spanish, French, and West African cuisines. Jambalaya reflects the diversity of New Orleans.
5. Collard Greens
With roots in Southern and African cuisines, collard greens are simmered low and slow to perfection. It's usually cooked with ham hocks or bacon. This is the staple vegetable side in the South, and is especially popular in Georgia and the Carolinas.
6. Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is one of the most popular desserts in the South. Made from pecans, sugar, eggs, and baked into a flaky pie crust, pecan pie is a treat. It's nutty, sweet, and super indulgent. It's become so popular that it's become a regular guest at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
7. Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is prepared differently in different states, but each version is a classic. Pulled pork is most popular in North Carolina and Tennessee. It's smoked slowly over wood and seasoned with vinegar-based sauces or dry rubs. The Southern preparation of pulled pork always makes it tender and bursting with flavor.
8. Chicken and Dumplings
Southern cooking doesn't skimp on heartiness, and chicken and dumplings is no exception. This uber-comforting dish matches tender chicken with doughy dumplings in a broth so rich it borders on gravy. It's a simple dish to make if you're thinking of treating your family to a night of southern cooking.
9. Hushpuppies
Hushpuppies are deep-fried cornmeal balls that are a popular side for fried fish or barbecue. Its crispy exterior perfectly contrasts its soft interior, making it impossible to only eat one...or five.
10. Red Beans and Rice
A simple southern classic that never disappoints. This Louisiana staple simmers red beans with onions, bell peppers, and celery. It's filling, cheap to prepare, and always satisfying.
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1. Chitlins
Chitlins are pig intestines that are either boiled or fried. Popular mostly in the deep south, you need to push through their weirdness to enjoy their deliciousness.
2. Pickled Pig's Feet
This food tends to turn people off at the mention of its accurate name. This dish is pig's feet cured in spices and vinegar brine. Believe it or not, they're quite tasty and have a nice tanginess. Their chewiness also makes them fun to eat.
3. Boiled Peanuts
If you're ever driving through Georgia or South Carolina, make sure to stop for boiled peanuts at one of the many roadside places. A boiled peanut is a raw green peanut simmered in salted water until they are perfectly tender. Their mushy texture is surprisingly addictive.
4. Frog Legs
Leave it to Southerners to not pull punches when naming their dishes. Frog legs are very popular in Louisiana and are often cooked with Cajun spices that heighten the flavor profile. They genuinely taste like chicken but with a hint of fishiness.
5. Souse
Souse is also known as head cheese, but it's not actually cheese. It's a gelatinous cold cut made from pig heads, feet, or other parts. The mixture then sets in its own collagen. It's flavored with spices and vinegar and usually served cold. Because, ya know, serving it warm would be weird.
6. Livermush
Livermush is a loaf made from pig liver, head parts, cornmeal, and a blend of spices. After preparation, it's sliced, fried, and used in sandwiches, especially in parts of North Carolina. The weirdness comes from its gray color and mushy texture. Fortunately, frying changes the texture.
7. Ambrosia Salad
A sweet salad made with canned fruit cocktail, shredded coconut, whipped cream, and marshmallows, Ambrosia salad is a church potluck classic. It's even sometimes made with Jell-O or mayonnaise. It's a confusing dish with a mixture of flavors that won't appeal to everyone.
8. Tomato Sandwich
Weird doesn't always have to be dialled up to 10. This humble sandwich is simply sliced tomatoes on white bread with mayo, salt, and pepper. This sandwich is popular across the Carolinas and Alabama, but no one is exactly sure why.
9. Hoecakes
A hoecake is a thin cornmeal pancake that's fried on a griddle or skillet. The cool thing about hoecakes is that they got their name because they were originally cooked on the flat blade of a garden hoe over an open flame.
10. Stuffed Ham
Imagine a whole ham stuffed with some combination of kale, cabbage, onions, and spices and then boiled until it falls off the bone. That's a stuffed ham, and it's been a favorite dish in pockets of the southern U.S. for some time.
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