Here is an article in 12 paragraphs on the subject of ‘The Ultimate Guide to Southern Cooking: 12 Recipes to Try at Home’:
The American South is known for its distinctive cuisine, from fried green tomatoes to pecan pie. Southern cooking relies on ingredients and techniques passed down through generations. If you want to make authentic Southern recipes at home, here are 12 must-try dishes to get you started.
No Southern meal is complete without a hearty helping of fried chicken. To make fried chicken, season chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour or cornmeal. Fry in hot oil until golden brown. Serve with mashed potatoes and collard greens.
For a classic Southern side, you can’t beat hoppin’ John, a dish of rice and peas. Black-eyed peas or field peas are simmered with aromatics like onion and bell pepper, then served over rice. The peas provide protein, while the rice fills you up.
Biscuits are a staple of Southern baking. Homemade biscuits made from just a few simple ingredients – flour, baking powder, salt, butter, and buttermilk – beat store-bought every time. Split open a warm biscuit and fill it with butter, honey, or your favorite jam.
No Southern brunch would be complete without cheese grits. Grits are ground corn that is boiled and often served as a porridge. To make cheese grits, stir shredded cheddar cheese into cooked grits until it melts. The creamy, cheesy grits pair well with fried eggs or sauteed greens.
For dessert, key lime pie is a Southern classic. The tart yet creamy pie is made from key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks in a graham cracker crust. Top with whipped cream and lime zest to garnish.
Jambalaya is a hearty Southern dish influenced by French and Spanish cuisine. Tomato, peppers and the “holy trinity” of celery, onions and bell peppers provide the base. Add your choice of meat and seafood, like shrimp, sausage, chicken and crawfish. Serve the flavorful rice dish with a simple salad.
Pecan pie is a Southern tradition, especially around the holidays. Corn syrup, eggs, sugar, pecans, and spices like vanilla and cinnamon are combined and poured into an unbaked pie crust, then baked until set. The gooey pie is packed with toasted pecans and has a texture similar to chess pie.
For a savory Southern snack or appetizer, fry up some green tomatoes. Select firm green tomatoes and slice into wedges. Coat with cornmeal and spices, then fry in oil until golden and crisp. Green tomatoes have an appealing tartness that pairs well with a creamy dipping sauce.
Red velvet cake is a classic Southern layer cake. The buttermilk cake layers are filled and topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. Red food coloring gives the cake a dramatic red tint. Though not traditional, many people add mix-ins to the batter like chopped pecans or chocolate chips.
Shrimp and grits is a Lowcountry dish of plump shrimp simmered in a spicy and garlicky tomato-based sauce over creamy cheese grits. The combination of fresh shrimp and rich grits is hard to beat. Serve the dish with a simple salad for a satisfying Southern brunch or dinner.
Mashed potatoes are a comforting side for any Southern meal. Peel and chop starchy potatoes like russets, then boil until tender. Drain and mash with butter, milk, sour cream, salt and pepper. For extra decadence, stir in shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, chives, or caramelized onions. Fluffy mashed potatoes pair perfectly with fried chicken, meatloaf or pot pie.