The cuisine of the southern United States is known for its hearty comfort food. Iconic dishes include fried chicken, grits, and collard greens, and there are several steps to making these dishes. For fried chicken, the chicken is soaked in buttermilk before being coated in a mix of flour, cornstarch, and spices before being fried until crispy. Grits are a creamy side dish made by cooking stone-ground grits with water or chicken broth, butter, and shredded cheddar cheese. Collard greens are a classic southern side dish cooked with bacon or ham hock, onions, garlic, chicken broth, and apple cider vinegar.
Comfort Cookin’ from the American South: Fried Chicken, Grits, and More
If you’re in the mood for some hearty, tried-and-true American comfort food, look no further than the cuisine of the southern United States. From smoky barbeque ribs to buttery biscuits and gravy, there’s no shortage of mouthwatering dishes to choose from.
But when it comes to classic southern cooking, there are a few dishes that stand out above the rest. Here’s a step-by-step guide to some of the best comfort food from the American South, including fried chicken, grits, and more.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Before you get started cooking up a southern feast, it’s important to have all your ingredients ready and on hand. Here’s what you’ll need to make some classic southern dishes:
Fried Chicken
- Chicken pieces (legs, thighs, breasts, or a combination)
- Buttermilk
- Flour
- Cornstarch
- Salt and pepper
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
- Paprika
- Oil (such as vegetable or peanut oil)
Grits
- Stone-ground grits
- Water or chicken broth
- Salt and pepper
- Butter
- Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Collard Greens
- Collard greens
- Bacon or ham hock
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Step 2: Make the Fried Chicken
When it comes to southern comfort food, few dishes are more iconic than perfectly fried chicken. Here’s how to make it:
1. In a large bowl, soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least an hour or overnight.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika.
3. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and coat each piece in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.
4. Heat a few inches of oil in a deep frying pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
5. Working in batches, fry the chicken until it’s golden brown and crisp, about 15 minutes for dark meat and 10 minutes for white meat.
6. Drain the chicken on paper towels and season immediately with salt.
Step 3: Cook the Grits
Grits are a creamy, buttery side dish that pairs perfectly with fried chicken, barbeque, or just about any other southern comfort food you can think of. Here’s how to make them:
1. In a medium-sized pot, bring 4 cups of water or chicken broth to a boil.
2. Pour in 1 cup of stone-ground grits and stir well.
3. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
4. Cook the grits for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re smooth and creamy.
5. Season the grits with salt and pepper to taste, and stir in a few tablespoons of butter and shredded cheddar cheese, if desired.
Step 4: Prep the Collard Greens
Collard greens are a classic southern side dish that are often slow-cooked with bacon or ham hock for extra flavor. Here’s how to make them:
1. Wash and chop 2-3 bunches of collard greens into bite-sized pieces, discarding the tough stems.
2. In a large pot, cook 4-5 slices of bacon or a ham hock until the fat has rendered out and the meat is browned.
3. Remove the bacon or ham hock from the pot and set it aside.
4. In the same pot, sauté a diced onion and minced garlic until they’re soft and translucent.
5. Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and stir well.
6. Add the collard greens to the pot and toss them with the liquid and seasoning until they’re thoroughly coated.
7. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let the collard greens simmer for about an hour, or until they’re soft and tender.
8. Crumble the cooked bacon or ham hock over the top of the collard greens before serving.
Step 5: Enjoy!
With your fried chicken, grits, and collard greens ready to go, it’s time to sit down and savor some classic southern comfort food. Whether you’re looking to warm up on a chilly day or just need some nostalgic, stick-to-your-ribs cooking, these recipes are sure to hit the spot. So grab a plate and dig in!