5 Recipes For Southern Comfort

Southern comfort is the ultimate feel good food when you’re looking for that taste of warmth and heat. These recipes will provide that sweet spicy kick that we all crave. Here are 5 recipes for southern comfort.

Grits are a great southern comfort snack or side dish.

1. Grits

This southern classic is a must have for any southern comfort dinner. Grits are perfect for warming your soul up for cold nights and providing that perfect side dish to your next dinner. And while grits can take some time to make, the effort is well worth it! 

Ingredients

• 4 cups of water
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 1 ½ cups stone ground corn grits
• 2 pinches of salt
• 7 tbsp of butter
• 2 ounces of parmesan, grated
• 1 cup of heavy cream

Directions

Place your 4 cups of water, grits, bay leaves and salt into a large pot. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Then, remove from heat and cover for 15 minutes. Next, uncover your grits and return to a boil over medium high heat. Make sure you scrape the bottom of the pot to prevent it from clumping together. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes. Lastly, remove from heat and sir in the butter, cheese and heavy cream. Serve and enjoy. 

Fried okra is a great for satisfying that southern comfort craving.

2. Fried Okra

If you’re looking for that crispy southern comfort, this recipe is perfect for you. Fried okra is a great snack and side dish. And while there are numerous recipes out there for fried okra,this one adds that perfect vinegar kick to any dining occasion. Note, this recipe is mainly for summer, but I think it’s great for any season! 

Ingredients

• 1 pound okra
• 2 eggs
• 10 splashes vegetable oil
• 1 large pinch salt
• 1 ¼ cup corneal
• ¼  flour
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper

Directions

Cut the stems off the okra and cut lengthwise into halves. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs and add salt. Next, add your okra and coat in the egg mixture. Let it soak for about 10 minutes. Heat your vegetable in a large skillet over medium high heat. Make sure it is around 375F before adding your okra.  Meanwhile, in a Ziplock bag, add your cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper and cayenne. Toss gently to combine it all. Drain your okra from the egg mixture and place in a bag. Coat your okra well and place in a skillet. Cook until golden brown for about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer over your okra to a paper towel lined plate. Add salt. Serve and enjoy. 

Hush puppies are perfect for adding that sweet heat to your next dinner.

3. Hush Puppies

This legend is one of the holy grails of southern cooking. There is nothing like the  flakey texture of a perfect hush puppy. These golden beauties are great for any southern side dish or snack to bring that sense of southern comfort to your next dinner. 

Ingredientes

• 10 splashes Canola oil
• 3/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup cornmeal
• 1 tbsp cup sugar
• 1 ½ cup baking powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch garlic powder
• 1 pinch onion powder
• 1 pinch paprika
• 1 pinch pepper
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 dashes of tartar sauce

Directions

Preheat a large skillet with 2 inches of oil layering the base at 365F. In a mixing bowl, add flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, garlic powder, baking powder, onion powder, paprika and pepper. Add the egg and buttermilk and stir until thick. Then, stir in your butter. Drop the batter in spoonfuls into the hot oil. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from heat and place in a towel lined plate. Serve with tartar sauce and enjoy. 

Fried chicken is a southern comfort legend.

4. Fried Chicken

This would not be a southern comfort recipe list without fried chicken. This flaky delicious treat is a classic that is a must for any southern comfort craving. And while some recipes can be time consuming, this one is made fast and simple. 

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs and drumsticks
• 3 cups of buttermilk
• 3 tbsp salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 3 cups flour
• ½ cornstarch
• 1 pinch paprika
• 2 pinches onion powder
• 2 pinches garlic powder
• 1 pinch dried oregano
• 1 pinch dried basil
• 1 pinch white pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 quart vegetable oil

Directions

In a mixing bowl, whisk together your buttermilk, salt and pepper. Add in your chicken pieces and cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours. After your chicken has been refrigerated, pour your vegetable oil into a skillet. So it is about ¾ inch deep. Heat up to 350F. Combine your flour, cornstarch, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, basil, white pepper, cayenne, paprika and salt in a plastic bag. Mix thoroughly. Then, carefully remove your chicken and place in the bag, make sure the chicken is thoroughly covered in seasoning. Place the chicken in the oil. Cook until golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oil with a paper towel lined plate. Serve and enjoy. 

A southern comfort feast would not be complete with this starchy staple.

5. Mac N Cheese

A southern comfort food craving would not be complete without this classic. Mac N Cheese is a southern staple throughout the south and is a perfect comfort food for any cold night. This recipe is fast and easy and will leave you feeling warm. 

Ingredients

• 1 box elbow pasta
• ½ cup butter
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 2 ½ cups of half and half
• 4 cups grated medium cheddar cheese
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 1 pinch paprika

Directions

Preheat your oven to 325F. Bring a large pot to a rolling boil and add your pasta, cook for 1 minute less than the package directs you to. In a medium saucepan, melt your butter on medium heat. Add your flour and whisk it in. Slowly, pour 2 cups of the milk and half and half into the pan and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted. In a large mixing bowl, combine your pasta to your melty cheese mixture. Pour mixture  in your buttered baking dish. Add the grated cheese on top. Bake for 15 minutes. Serve and enjoy. 

These recipes are perfect for satisfying that southern comfort craving. Southern comfort foods have been around for generations and are culinary legends in their own right. When you’re looking for a little southern comfort for your next dinner, try these recipes.