Basic Southern Cooking Tips

Once you taste true Southern cooking, you immediately begin to wonder how it was prepared and if you could create the same recipes in your own home. Unfortunately, many people fail when they try their hand at Southern cooking. The truth is that Southern cooking is an art. Many Southern cooks do not follow a recipe that is written out on a piece of paper. Also they put their heart and soul into feeding their friends and family. In other words, Southern cooking involves more than just combining ingredients. Here are just a few tips to get you started.

Basic Southern Cooking Tips #1: Use What You Have

Long, long ago there were very few rich people in the South. The people, who didn't have much money, used the ingredients they had. This may have been fresh produce from their gardens, meat from hogs that they had raised, fresh eggs and poultry, and anything else that they had grown or raised themselves. You can apply this in your own kitchen. Instead of rushing off to the grocery store for one ingredient, try working with what you have on hand. Some of the best meals come from creativity rather than cookbooks.

Basic Southern Cooking Tips #2: Cook It Slow

Southern cooking does take a while to prepare. You can't rush home from work and plan on preparing collard greens, fried chicken, homemade biscuits, and banana pudding in 30 minutes. Many people are actually too busy to create a delicious Southern meal during the week. But, with a little planning you can create a delicious meal on the weekend.

Basic Southern Cooking Tips #3: Learn to Cook By Eye

Southern cooking is not about measurements. That's why it's hard to put Southern cooking recipes on paper. For example, when I make sausage gravy, I add enough flour and milk until I have the consistency I want. Also don't be afraid to taste your food along the way to see if it needs more seasoning.

Basic Southern Cooking Tips #4: Use Cast Iron Cookware