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June is National Soul Food Month, so I decided to share the recipes of 4 of my favorite Soul Foods!
What is Soul Food?
Soul food is a variety of foods that originated in the South-Eastern part of the United States and from African American culture. It is also known to have some Native American influences. The expression “soul food” dates back to the mid-1960s, when “soul: was a common word to describe African American culture.
What are some foods that are classified as “Soul Food?”
- Candied Yams
- Collard Greens
- Fried Chicken, Fish or Pork (Chitlins)
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Pound Cake
- Peach Cobbler (Any cobblers really)
What makes Soul Food unique?
Soul food tends to be more intense in terms of flavors and seasoning. It’s going to have, typically, more fat; it’s going to be sweeter, spicier, saltier.
Here are 4 of my Favorite Recipes!
The first favorite would have to be mac and cheese.
It has been an absolute favorite since I was a child. My boys even love this recipe. However, they always request hot dogs with it. I pick my battles, and once and a while isn’t a bad thing.
Southern Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 3 c macaroni, uncooked
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 c heavy cream
- 1 c Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 1 c Sharp Cheese, shredded
- 1 c Mexican Cheese, shredded
- 6-8 oz Velvetta Cheese I like mine extra cheesy so I typically do 8oz, but 6 sometimes for celebrations.
- 1 1/2 c Milk
- Salt and peppers to taste (Optional)
- Smoked Paprika or Original Paprika (Optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350
- Cook macaroni until al dente. Do not overcook.
- Drain pasta and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add milk, heavy cream, seasoning (paprika) & cheeses (except for the cheddar). Then stir to combine.
- Add the eggs and stir well to combine.
- Butter a 9 x 9-inch baking dish.
- Add macaroni to the baking dish & pour cheese mixture over macaroni.
- Top with cheddar cheese. (Sprinkle with paprika and/or black pepper, if desired.)
- Bake for 35-45 minutes. Do not over cook. It may be a bit jiggly when you take it out of the oven. It will firm up as it cool.
- Let cool for about 10-15 minutes or until fully set. Then ENJOY!
Notes
Secondly would most definitely be banana pudding!
I would love to go back some more as we speak since it is so yummy it is hard not to eat it breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My kids even love helping me make the layers before we enjoy it together.
Easy Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 bx Instant Banana Pudding
- 1 bx Instant Vanilla Pudding
- 1 container Whipped Topping
- 1 bx Mini Vanilla Wafers
- 6 Bananas
- 4 c Milk Do not use almond or soy milk or the pudding will not come out the right consistency.
Instructions
- Make the pudding in 1 bowl together per the directions on the back of the box with the milk.
- Add in chopped up bananas to the pudding.
- Layer the pudding about one inch thick and Vanilla Wafers in a glass bowl till full.
- Then top with the whipped topping.
- OPTIONAL: Add additional bananas or crumbled up vanilla wafers on top.
Notes
** Vanilla Wafers will get soggy and the bananas will turn. I do not recommend eating this after day 3 of being prepared.**
The third is some southern corn pudding.
I make this with pulled pork, turkey on Thanksgiving Day, and so much more. It is an absolute hit, and I always come home with an empty dish.
Corn Pudding – Southern Style
Equipment
- 9×13 Pyrex
Ingredients
- 1 box Jiffy Cornbread Muffin Mix
- 1 stick Butter
- 1 c Sour Cream
- 1 can Creamed Corn
- 1 can Sweet Corn Do not drain
- 1 pinch Salt (optional) Other optional items would be some fresh peppers
Instructions
- Preheat over to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 Pyrex
- Mix all ingredients together till there are no clumps of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
- Dump into Pyrex and put it into the oven for 50 to 60 mins.
Fourth we need a vegetable and soul bean green beans are so delicious!
SOUL BEANS are what I call these green beans. They are creamy and delicious. That this year I have started growing my green beans so I can make this more often. I can’t wait! They are sprouting right now, so it shouldn’t be much longer.
Soul Beans
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 c Crumbled Cornflakes
- 1 tsp Minced Onion
- 1 c Sour Cream
- 4-6 c French-style green beans cooked and drained
- 1 c Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Melt 1tbsp butter in a small saucepan and stir in the crumbled cornflakes. Then sit aside.
- Melt remaining butter in saucepan. Stir in salt, pepper and onion. Reduce heat then add sour cream and stir until smooth.
- Slowly add in green beans.
- Spoon green bean mixture into greased 2qt baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and cornflake mixture.
- Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition
My Favorite Soul Food Cookbooks:
What are your favorite Soul Food recipes?
Please share it below. I would LOVE to try them. I am always trying new recipes and trying to share them.