Although the name might suggest otherwise, this Southern classic is prepared with shredded cabbage that is sautéed and braised in butter until tender. It is usually accompanied by bacon, onions, and occasionally sliced apples. Fried cabbage can be enjoyed as a meal on its own, but it is traditionally served as a side dish to complement jacket potatoes, fried chicken, or cornbread.
MOST ICONIC Fried Cabbage
Louisiana's comfort food is nicely represented in red beans and rice, a dish that is traditionally prepared on Mondays, with the aroma of red beans drifting through the neighborhoods. The dish originates from the New Orleans Creole kitchens of the 1700s and the 1800s.
The beans are typically cooked over low heat throughout the day, with additions such as ham hock and Andouille sausage. When served, the beans are spooned over hot rice, and the whole thing is often spiced up with some hot sauce.
MOST ICONIC Red Beans and Rice
View moreCowboy beans or chuckwagon beans is a traditional dish with unknown origins. However, it is especially popular in the American Southwest and a staple of Texan cuisine. The dish is usually made with a combination of pinto beans (alternatively: red kidney beans, black beans, or white navy beans), ground beef, smoked meat, and a sweet and tangy sauce made with different ingredients such as barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, onions, or Worcestershire sauce.
Cowboy beans are a staple at parties, barbecues, and potlucks in the region. Interestingly, the dish can be seen in Mel Brooks' famous Western parody Blazing Saddles (1974).
MOST ICONIC Cowboy Beans
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Belonging to the Brassica oleracea family, collard greens are a type of green leafy vegetable that is characterized by thick leaves with tough stems and a slightly bitter flavor that is eliminated through cooking. This vegetable has long been appreciated in the traditional cuisine of the American South, and it has been recognized as the official state vegetable of South Carolina on June 2, 2011.
Even though collard greens are commonly eaten raw and can easily lend themselves to various cooking methods - steaming, frying, or sautéing - the most traditional way to enjoy them in the South is slow-cooked in water or broth along with smoky cured meats such as ham hock, bacon, ham, pork jowl, or smoked turkey wings or legs.
Serve with
MOST ICONIC Collard Greens
View moreMaque choux is a Creole dish originating from Louisiana. It is typically prepared with a combination of corn, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions, and some recipes also call for the addition of celery and garlic. The ingredients are braised until tender, and maque choux is then served as a side dish.
Hot sauce or sugar might be added to the pot before serving in order to add more flavor. Although maque choux is typically served as a side dish, it can also be consumed as a main meal when served over rice.
MOST ICONIC Maque Choux
View moreServed every day in the dining room of the United States Senate, Senate bean soup is a dish that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. The soup is made with navy beans, onions, and ham hock, while the original version additionally included celery, mashed potatoes, parsley, and garlic.
MOST ICONIC Senate Bean Soup
Some say that there are as many different ways to make a burgoo as there are cooks who are preparing it. It is a spicy stew consisting of meat and vegetables, traditionally cooked outdoors in iron kettles over an open fire. The cooking would take upwards of twelve hours and the ingredients used in it were the ones that were available at the time.
Today, it is typically a combination of meats such as pork, chicken, or beef, and vegetables such as beans, corn, cabbage, tomatoes, and potatoes. Some claim it was brought to the United States from England in the late 19th century, while others say it was invented by a French chef named Gustave Jaubert.
MOST ICONIC Burgoo
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Caramel tomatoes is a Prohibition-era side dish that's especially popular in Maryland and other parts of the American South. The dish is usually made with a combination of large peeled and cored tomatoes, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and butter.
The tomatoes are arranged in a large skillet with the cored side up. They're dotted with butter and sprinkled with salt, pepper, and sugar. The tomatoes are baked until lightly browned and soft. During the baking process, they're basted with the juices.
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