How to Add a Southern Touch to Meals

Photo by Tomiko "Tomi" Cary

When one thinks of the South, the first thing that comes to mind is country people and good tasting country food. Luckily, you don't have to live down South to get a little bit of Southern comfort anymore. Just try adding a Southern touch to your meals!

Instructions

How to Add a Southern Touch to Meals

1. 

   Add a dash of the South with seasonings. Basic seasonings like hot sauce and cider vinegar add a lot of kick to your meals. Hot sauce can be added to your meats and vegetables. Cider vinegar is used to create mouth watering sauces, as well as add flavor to side dishes such as collard greens. Creole seasoning is a Louisiana favorite. Liquid smoke, barbecue and honey-glaze is a favorite for Virginians.

2. 

   Fry meats, poultry, fish or potatoes.Deep fried foods are customary to a southern meal. Deep fried chicken, chicken fried steak, deep fried catfish and fries are all foods that can spice up your meal. You can either make your own batter or buy a ready-to-use box of floured seasonings.

3. 

   Add some fixin's.Side dishes, better known as fixin’s spruce up a boring meal. Creamy, homemade macaroni and cheese, mustard potato salad or macaroni salad are three tasty fixin’s. Others such as collard greens seasoned with meat, home fried potatoes and green onions, string beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, black-eyed peas and cooked tomatoes add a southern touch to meals.

4. 

   No meal is complete without a dessertPeach cobbler, hot apple or sweet potato pie, rice or bread pudding are all traditional southern desserts. Pound, carrot, cheese and chocolate cake are classics as well. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to your favorite cake creation.

5. Don’t forget the ambiance! Eating a meal on red and white checkered table clothes and drinking out of a jar add the perfect southern touch to a meal. Get creative and buy salt and pepper shakers designed like birds, roosters or pigs!

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that no southern meal is complete without the homemade biscuits and rolls.

• Buy a soul food recipe book, when in doubt about the ingredients to a southern recipe.

• Consume small portions if you are concerned about your caloric intake.

• Deviled eggs, fried apples, fried green tomatoes, barbecued chicken wings and fried onions can be used as an appetizer.

• Foods like, pickled pig feet, squirrel stew, muskrat and chitterlings are often times intimidating to someone who has never tried them. Make sure you thoroughly clean all meats before you season and cook them.

• Try to limit your consumption of fried foods!