"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." This is a saying that my mother told me, as I'm sure many southern moms have told their daughters. I'm willing to bet that this is nothing but truth because I have not met one guy who would turn down a home cooked meal. I'm a firm believer that as an independent woman, it's important to know how to utilize the kitchen and cook for your future family.
Especially as a southern lady, cooking is an important aspect of our culture and one that needs to be carried on. Throughout the years I have watched many women in my family cook for weddings, barbecues, Christmas parties, you name it — and I've narrowed down the top 15 dishes every southern girl needs to know how to cook.
1. Fried Chicken
Fried chicken should be cooked in flour, buttermilk and oil in a cast iron pan, and definitely should not come from a fast food restaurant.
2. Buttermilk Biscuits
Biscuits are for breakfast, lunch and dinner but they can only be made with buttermilk — NEVER with regular milk. Bonus points if you add gravy.
3. BBQ
After working in a BBQ restaurant for a while, I have learned the differences between Carolina and Kansas city sauce and how good barbecue can change your life.
4. Potato Salad
Always crave a good potato salad and I’ve never been to a southern function without it making an appearance.
5. Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler is pretty much the closest thing to heaven that exists.
6. Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole should only exist with mountains of marshmallows on top.
7. Mashed Potatoes
Another variation of potatoes, mashed potatoes should be thick, fluffy and covered in brown gravy. Also, there is no judgment on how much you should eat.
8. Cornbread
Not to be confused with northern cornbread, southern cornbread is not sweet. It’s usually served with a meal or covered with boiled cabbage.
9. Banana Pudding
Nothing beats ice cold banana pudding, double points if you eat it as a breakfast food.
10. Tea Cakes
Tea cakes are basically sugar cookies, but much lighter and perfect for dunking in sweet tea.
11. Fried Okra
Okra may sound disgusting, but fried okra is like nothing you have ever had before.
12. Mac and Cheese
There are thousands of mac and cheese recipes online, but make sure you find one that includes plenty of cheese and breadcrumbs on top.
13. Hushpuppies
Basically mini cornbread, hushpuppies are bite-sized fried nuggets that take a side dish to a whole new level.
14. Sweet Tea
This goes without saying, sweet tea is the ultimate player in a southern feast.
15. Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is probably the most southern dessert there is. When people think of the south this is one of their first thoughts.
