SOUTHERN CUISINE WITH A NORTHERN FLAIR MY SOUL FOOD

Southern Cuisine is another way of describing “Soul Food” which generally refers to the Foods mainly consumed by the African American and poor people.  The truth being known , the Southern Cuisine is enjoyed by everyone.  Most of the foods from the South are fresh and natural.  Generally inexpensive or grown right there on the farm or in a garden.

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s large groups of Southerners migrated to the north, they brought their customs and foods with them.  These customs and foods have been shared and enjoyed by everyone throughout generations.

Most of the dishes use parts of the pig that would not normally be eaten by all people, but were readily available at a low price or easily found on the farm or plantation. Parts of the pig such as the feet, snout, head, ears, belly, hocks, chitlins, neck bones and other parts that I will not mention at this time.  So keeping this in mind quite a few folks grew up and still do eat dishes like chitlins, hog head cheese, smoked neck bones, barbecued hog head, oxtails, pig ears, and my favorite pig feet!  Today, due the popularity of these products, they are almost as expensive as an New York Steak.

Some of the other products that were readily available were chickens, cows, frogs, fresh water fish and array of fresh garden vegetables, such as okra, corn, sweet potatoes, green tomatoes, and greens such as turnips, collards, kale and mustard.  Seasoned with a little bit of smoked meat to make an excellent dish.  Also the fresh fruits available were excellent to make cakes, cobblers and pies.  Such as peaches, oranges, lemons, blackberries, raspberries and much more.  Beans play an important part in the diet.  This is because of the cost and the storing potential of dry beans.  Not only that, but that a family could eat off of 25 pounds of beans for a month at a time if necessary.

With Americans consuming foods with high and hidden levels of cholesterol, fat, sodium, and sugar.  The American diet is change their eating habits. Americans must cut the usage of fats, sodium, and cholesterol have been cut down or out.  Instead of shortening the recipes call for butter, margarine or olive oil.  Salt can just be omit if necessary.