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Many traditional soul food items are available in United States in soul food restaurants or you can make them yourself in your own kitchen. Listed below is some soul food items: Meats: Vegetables: Breads and Grains: Desserts: Soul food cuisine is typically high in fat and calories because an important aspect of the preparation of soul food cooking is using lard. You can make soul food cuisine healthier by using alternatives like vegetable oil or canola oil to fry the foods. Another healthy tip is using smoked turkey instead of pork. Some staples of soul food cuisine do have healthy benefits. Collard greens is a good source of vitamin A, B, and C. Peas, rice, and legumes are a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. Sweet potatoes have beta carotene and minerals in them. If you are looking for some soul food cooking recipes, you do not have to look no further. Below is some soul food recipes that are delicious and easy to make.
Ham Hocks with Red Beans 1 lb sm ham hocks Bread Pudding Stir in remaining pudding ingredients. Pour into greased 9x9-inch casserole pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until set in center. For vanilla sauce, in small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, whipping cream and 1/2 cup butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens and comes to a full boil, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in 1 tsp. vanilla. Serve sauce over warm pudding. Store in refrigerator.
The origin of soul food can be traced back to Africa. Foods like rice and okra are elements in the West African cuisine were introduced to the Americans. When the first group of Africans landed in America through the slave trade, they bought food over to America. Other foods that were introduced included black- eye peas, sweet sorghum, and watermelon, which became part of American's crops and foods. As slaves in the southern states, captives feed their workers cheaply by giving them leftovers or thrownaway foods from the plantation. To make due with what was left to them, they used discarded meats such as pig's feet, ham hocks, chitterlings, pig's ears, oxtails, and hog jowls. To enhance the flavoring; more ingredients and herbs were added. The word "soul food" originated in the 1960's, which replaced southern- style food. Soul food was named in honor of the blacks cooks, who prepared food during the slave era.
Recipes:
1 bay leaf
1 lb dried red beans
1 onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 qt cold water
Directions:
1. Wash and soak beans for 2-3 hours or overnight. Drain off water and put beans in large pot with 2 quarts cold water.
2. Let the water heat throughly with the beans. Then add the ham hocks, herbs, and onions.
3. Cook slowly for 2-3 hours.
4. Serve with rice, salad, and cornbread.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
1 1/2 c all- purpose flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp ground red pepper
1 tbsp salt
2 tsp black pepper
1 3- 3 1/2 pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces
1 c buttermilk
2 c vegetables oil
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, ground red pepper, salt and black pepper; mix it well.
2. Dip the chicken pieces in the buttermilk and then in the flour mixture, coat completely.
3. In a large deep skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until hot.
4. Fry the coated chicken in batches for 8- 10 minutes per side, until golden and no pink in chicken.
5. Drain on a paper towel lined plate.
Collard Greens
2 lb collard greens- stems discarded and leaves chopped
2 tbsp medium onion, chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 tsp bacon fat
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp dark sesame oil
Chili pepper flakes
salt
sugar
Directions:
1. Use a large skillet with a lid. Melt bacon fat and heat olive oil on medium heat. Saute onion for a couple of minutes. Add garlic and saute for a couple more seconds.
2. Put greens, sesame oil, chili pepper flakes, salt, and sugar in pan, then cover and cook until tender, 8- 10 minutes.
Hush Puppies
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 onion, grated
1 large egg
3/4 cup milk
Directions:
Pudding:
4 cups cubed white bread crumbs
1/2 cup raisins
2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs (beaten)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Vanilla Sauce:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For pudding, in a large bowl, combine bread crumbs and raisins. In a small saucepan, combine milk and 1/4 cup butter. Cook over medium heat until butter is melted, 4 to 7 minutes. Pour milk mixture over bread; let stand 10 minutes.
Soul food is an American cuisine that consists of a selection of foods; traditional in the cuisine of African American. Now-a-days, people from all walks of life indulge in the soul food cuisine. Many different Americans prepare soul food for gatherings and celebrations. The tradition of soul food still lives on today due to the foundation of preparing soul food that was put in motion many years ago.