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Ten finger-lickin' good eats for each finger

You don't need to be a Southern Belle to enjoy these crispy goods. These Southern-inspired recipes will have all your limbs salivating!

Ultimate fried fish sandwich Source: Adam Liaw

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Chicken, bread and butter pudding

Chicken, bread and butter pudding Source: Adam Liaw

Inspired by Southern USA's chicken and dressing, this Australian version uses bread instead of cornbread, mushroom gravy instead of tinned mushroom soup and a supermarket rotisserie chicken.

Fried green tomatoes

Source: SBS Food

The Southern origin of this dish was perpetuated by Fannie Flagg’s 1987 novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, set in Alabama. However, Robert F Moss, a culinary historian from South Carolina, suggests it may have entered American cuisine via Jewish immigrants to the north-east and Midwest. Serve this dish as a side with fried chicken.

American Southern-style carrot cake

American Southern-style carrot cake Source: Poh & Co.

Poh never thought the humble carrot cake could be taken to such a ridiculous level of indulgence. She was given this recipe by Priyant Pratap, who’s a huge fan of American-style home cooking. It has all the hallmarks of great American baking - buttermilk, cinnamon, corn syrup and cream cheese, and it’s heavenly with a capital 'H'.

Low-country blue swimmer crab boil

Source: Lee Chan's World Food Tour

American crab boils are often eaten in communal settings - it's a great dish for getting people together. The mix of seafood, vegetables and sausage is traditionally tipped onto newspaper in the centre of the table and everyone just digs in.

Southern baked cheese grits

Source: Brooke Bass

This buttery dish has been a staple at food blogger Brooke Bass' annual Christmas Eve fête for the last two decades. Its creamy middle and crispy cheese topping brings so much joy and so many memories.

Cauliflower hot wings

Cauliflower hot wings Source: Adam Liaw

Typical hot wings are made from chicken wings, but this vegan-friendly version uses cauliflower florets dredged in batter and deep-fried. A great idea for a party snack, whether your guests are vegan or not!

Biscuits with pulled brisket and milk gravy

Source: Derek Swalwell

American "biscuits", a staple in Southern cuisine, are similar to scones and are often served with a milk gravy. For a less rich alternative to the creamy gravy, try barbecue or chilli sauce.

Ultimate fried fish sandwich

Ultimate fried fish sandwich Source: Adam Liaw

To make the ultimate fried fish sandwich, you'll need the ultimate fried fish. This recipe gives a few tricks, like soaking the fillets in buttermilk, using panko breadcrumbs and frying at a specific temperature.

Jambalaya

Source: SBS Food

A classic Creole dish, jambalaya from New Orleans is a true one-pot wonder blending French, African, Spanish and American influences. Make sure you use parboiled or 'converted' rice when making this recipe. Serve with cornbread muffins for a hearty main meal.

Southern fried chicken

Source: Brett Stevens

America’s south offers rich pickings for fried chicken. Marinating the chicken in buttermilk tenderises the meat, while cayenne pepper and other seasonings bring flavour and a chilli kick. The most distinctive feature of this recipe, though, is that it’s cooked in a skillet, which allows for better heat control and perfectly cooked chicken.

SALIVATING SOUTHERN EXTRAS

Cornbread muffins

Maple-brined and smoked fried chicken

Bourbon butterscotch puddings

New Orleans almond and sour cream wedding cake

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3 min read

Published 11 April 2022 4:19pm

Updated 21 December 2023 9:40am

By SBS Food bite-sized

Source: SBS