What Is Southern Cooking Anyway?
By onegoodwoman
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Southern Techiniques
Dredge...
Dust....
Coat....
Batter...
Pan Fry.....
Deep Fry......
Roast...
Grill......
Boil....
Simmer.....
Dip.....
Butter.....
Cream....
Heavy cream.......
Bacon grease.......
Lard.......
Day old bread.......
Take a brown paper bag.......
Using your iron skillet......
Bring out the dutch oven.....
All of these are among the terms any good southern cook is familiar with, they probably extend beyond our borders.
Can 'southern cooking' be defined?
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Southern Food
Fried Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes
Seared steak
Slow simmered pot roast
Turnip Greens
Polk salad
Pimento cheese
Buttermilk anything......
Cornbread
Squash casserole
Hickory smoked meats
Battered and fried peppers
Okra and tomatoes........a combination I never saw until I lived in Texas
Georgia Peaches
Vidalia onions
Gulf coast seafood
Cajun........a world unto itself
Pork Roast......
White Gravy....
Brown gravy...
Gravy and biscuits.......
Texican.....
Southwest style...........
Is one large pot big enough?
The 'south' is bigger than you may know, and we have regions.......the Carolinas, the Virginias, Georgia, Alabama, the western southern states, going into Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Creole and Cajun, no, they are not the same......Mississippi, even Florida is a 'southern state', though, it is probably more often thought of as a travel and vacation destination.
Africa, Cuba, Mexico, pioneers, plantation owners, sugar, cotton, citrus, tobacco, farmers, ranchers,.......many peoples have an influence in what is loosely known as southern food.
So do substitutions used by each culture. Chicory in your coffee, oatmeal in your pecan pie?
Squash, tomatoes, corn, grits, as well as the practice of deep pit barbecuing were inherited from the southeastern Native American tribes such as the Caddo, Choctaw, and Seminole. Southern cooking is regional. Whether from the Texas plains, the Appalachian Mountains, or under the influences of the Caribbean, Southern Food, is simple, made from what is available, is filling and just plain tastes good.
Many people try to copy a southern recipe and are disappointed. Many cooks have shared this with me........ Why?
An egg is an egg, and chicken is chicken...
Soul and Southern.......
When driving a truck, I stopped in a northeastern cafe, which boasted a hand written sign, " Authentic Southern Cooking".
Being in a foul mood, I asked the hostess, yes, I was this ugly, " what does a Yankee know about southern food?". Her reply made sense, she said, " we hire cooks from the south, and pay them to move up here". She was apparently accustomed to rude people like me!
To make it southern, you have to learn to put your love, your soul , into it.
For many people, cooking is something you 'do', for the southern cook, it is what you 'are'.
We are judged by our peers........no self respecting southern cook would show up at the church social with gummy rice, too thin banana pudding, dry ham.......we would risk the mortgage for another chance to correct our mistakes, yet, the immediate family is expected to eat the 'misadventure'..........just do not tell your Gramma.
This is hard and detailed stuff, being a southern and gentile lady of the house! We deserve that mint julep! It has been earned just by surviving the pressure of our peers.
When A Chicken Becomes More Than A Chicken
People all over the world, fry chicken. When you look for a recipe, do you look for " world fried chicken", "US fried chicken" or, "southern fried chicken"?
With hundreds of recipes for southern fried chicken, it is the center of more debates than perhaps any other food item. From the seasoning and coating to the fat and cooking time, discussions of southern fried chicken can start some lively debates throughout the South. Skin on, skin removed, single dip, or double dip the chicken in batter. Some fry in oil, some in butter, others in lard or bacon grease.
The batter itself has led to lasting family feuds. The 'wrong' batter, could label you an undeserving wife!
Should I want a recipe for clam chowder, I would specify " Boston Clam Chowder". If I need instructions on making tortillas, I ask those of the Mexican culture. Sure, like chicken, they can be made anywhere, but there is a trusted unofficial authority. Perhaps, southern cooks are trusted, because we also grow our vegetables and raise our meats.
Just What Part of the South?
We segregate ourselves. We do. There is the cornbread south, the pecan pie south, the grits, the hog jowl, the lemonade. Banana pudding does not cut the mustard everywhere!
On the southern coast, seafood takes the spotlight from fried chicken. Only in Texas and Louisiana, do you mix tomatoes and okra. In my own hometown, it was fried okry. Beware of regional dishes, be very aware. You will not recover from taking the wrong southern dish. It will haunt you all the days of your life, even after you leave the territory, the memory will follow.......I would never serve cornbread with chicken. There is a place where this is done. Grits with fish? Yuk, but I am careful where I might say this aloud. Baked beans from a can? I do not know of any southern place where this will not ostracise you!
Trust me, I am both a southern cook and a traveler.
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All This Food
Not all southern women are good cooks. For those of us that are, we take pride in feeding you. Those ladies who lack the skills, do not pretend, they offer to take you out to eat. Only a southerner can tell the difference. A visitor may deem them generous, and in their own degree, they are.
It is among our greatest fears and embarrassments, that you would require something than can not be found in our cupboards or refrigerators. We take this as a personal slight.........we really do.
If you do not like our cooking, it is an insult to us and our ability.
For us not to have it to offer................it is the height of embarrassment, we have failed in hospitality.
You must have something to drink as well. Tea? Lemonade? Juice, squeezed from our own hands? There is also coffee and fresh milk.
Well, it's a short ride to the county line and the package store. Your comfort is of the utmost importance.
Tell us of your tastes and desires, we are here to serve , to feed, and to accommodate. We take pride in doing just those things.
What Others Had To Say.......
Peter Allison 2 weeks ago
For a people who are so accommodating and eager to please - you sure do lay down a lot of rules! LOL... Having lived in South Carolina (working on the back deck of a shrimp boat) and having spent a lot of time working on documentary films in Appalachia, I concur, Southern cooking is an art that extends way beyond simply working the oven-range and laying food on the table. It involves time, patience, good storytelling skills - and yes, a fair numbers of 'principles' to adhere to! Thanks for the hub!
If you enjoyed this hub, please read more from me.......
- onegoodwoman on HubPages
A small town southern girl, trying to learn from everyone I meet along the way, those who teach me about myself become my true friends. Some...
Comments
Jrsearam,
Catering is one of those dreams, that got
put to the back burner, while I was rearing
my family........some things just have to take
priority! Making a living for our family
comes before our dreams..
So Very Good to see you again. It seems as
though it has been half of forever.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I love all kinds of food from everywhere but those damn grits and okra....yuk!! I think you gotta' be from the south to like that stuff. Oh that fried chicken and country ham though..good hub, Peace!! Tom
Your grandbaby is beautiful. What patience she exudes in waiting for her supper. Absolutely adorable. Thank you for the hub it was great, now I am so hungry for all those wonderful mouth watering ... Okay, I gotta go, I really am hungry now. Great hub. :)
Southern cooking extends a ways up into Illinois as well. I grew up on it.
Thank you for a great hub, I enjoyed it. Keep up the good works. Godspeed. creativeone59
For a people who are so accommodating and eager to please - you sure do lay down a lot of rules! LOL... Having lived in South Carolina (working on the back deck of a shrimp boat) and having spent a lot of time working on documentary films in Appalachia, I concur, Southern cooking is an art that extends way beyond simply working the oven-range and laying food on the table. It involves time, patience, good storytelling skills - and yes, a fair numbers of 'principles' to adhere to! Thanks for the hub!
I've never liked grits, but while in TN a few years ago, I did eat at nearly every restaurant along the TN River, and there are quite a few catfish ones there. No one makes hush puppies like Southern folks.
Justom,
I don't like grits or hominy either,
my hubby does. He's frome southern
California. There's no ryhme or reason.
thanks for coming by!
Lcg4jc,
Did you eat? :)
Thank you for the compliment
to my little granddaughter. You
can just imagine that we adore her!
Good to see you again.
tmbridgeland,
Good to see you friend.
Hence the name, " what is it anyway"?
It involves custom and attitude.
Creativeone59,
Thanks for coming by. I am
glad you enjoyed it.
It is good to have you here.
Peter Allison,
New readers are welcome here!
My old school Grandmothers, just
expected you to instinctely know
the 'rules', inside the kitchen
and out.
"Good storytelling" is what we
refer to as the 'art of southern
embellishment'. sshhhh......
Thanks for coming by!
Bobbirant,
You are right, and I don't know
how I failed to mention, that not
every southern cook has mastered
catfish.
Thanks for coming by. Merry
Christmas to you and your husband.
Im not a big grits fan either. We southern folks do know how to cook. I should not have read this when i was hungry. Delicious hub. Food for the soul is always best.
Hey Fullerman5000,
You know it!
Thanks for coming by, its
good to see you~~
Oh dear friend I have a feeling that we could heat up a kitchen with some of our cookin'!! When my children can't come home for the holidays I hunt for people I can feed! Pray you are doing well. You settled yet?
blessings!
j
Hey dear, you must have read my hub!!! Got a "Southern Fried Chicken Recipe." I don't know what else to call it because I am from the South. You remind me of my daughters. They would make some of the same remarks! Great hub. Merry Christmas!
Judicastro,
I have finally made it back to the farm!
Hoping for a short winter, looking forward
to spring chickens, a goat and gardens!
So fortunate to have found this spot, about
20 miles outside 'the city'.
Bettybarnesb,
How nice to see you. I did
make it a point to go and read
your hub. A platter of your
fried chicken would be welcome
at any table!
Your Granddaughter is precious. How old is she? I think my Emma has all the makings of a Southern Bell. I think I need to buy that house next door. I love to eat. Words like "dust, coat, batter, pan fry, deep fry" bring me to sheer joy! ok i have to stop. i am way too hungry. if we ever get a chance to meet, i hope I have the opportunity to taste true Southern cooking from a woman who not only has become dear to me, but understands that food is so much more than something that we just eat.
I would be a disgrace to all you southern belles, I'm afraid...I have never made fried chicken! Yikes...I even admitted that on your hub :) I do enjoy reading all about your cooking though...food tells so much about the culture of a people. Enjoy reading all your tales!
FloBe.........
A disgrace? I think not!
YOU would be our guest~~~
Glad you enjoy.
Giselle,
Thank you! She turned 2 in early December.
It seems you have summed up my message well......
good food is more than what we eat, it is about
the food, the prep and why we take such care.
Oh I rejoice with your place of joy! Bloom dear friend as I know you will!! Will there be pics forthcoming? Have a wonderful Christmas. Wish you were close.
Thanks Judi,
Merry Christmas to you as well!
My friend Justom is crazy, Okra rocks!
Wesman Todd Shaw......
Thanks for the chuckle! It is among my favorites,
when fried. My 'southern charm' would not allow
for me to force anyone!
Thanks for coming by, new readers are always
welcome here!
What a delightful read. I love it! I have an extensive collection of cast iron, much found in the south while visiting, I cook and bake in nothing but! IT's healthy and a good work out while moving it about cooking and cleaning. Katie :)
Katiem2,
You know, I never thought of that, but they do get heavy!
Thanks so much for coming by for a read, hope to see you again~~
What a great hub! I am an Iowa transplant from South Carolina. I find it amazing that the meat and dairy are SO wonderful here, and no one seems to know how to cook it! Someone told me not long ago that they like going to Cracker Barrel for their Southern cooking! Ha! There are no shrimp & grits on their menu!
Cheapsk8chick,
Welcome to my hub~
Its wonderful that you are now at
home in the south. Adapting to a new
region can be difficult.
Sometimes the best cooks are tucked away
in smaller privately owned diners. Getting
to know them can be a wealth of information
on cooking and kitchen ideas.
Great hub! I too am a Southerner & love to cook. Thinking of opening a southern food place in the UK! Not sure if the Brits are ready for it or not {yet}! :)
Brit-Wifey,
They are ready! Everyone appreciates good food.
Do US proud~~
Thanks so much for reading my hub, and most of all....welcome to HP.
jrsearam 17 months ago
Do you cater part time by any chance? Even though it would cost me a nice chunk of change, I'd love to get some of your cooking fedexed to my front door. This deep southerner really loves that southern food from up north. LOL....Merry Christmas to you and yours OGW, JR