Southern cuisine is distinctive and mouthwateringly delicious. And because we here at Waterstone on Augusta are proud of our regional cuisine and located on historic Augusta Road, we provide a chef-inspired menu of Southern staples that can compete with the restaurants of downtown Greenville. Plus, our friendly and receptive staff members listen to our residents to enhance the dining experience. Since our menu often features delectable Southern cuisine, we thought it might be fun to review some classic Southern dishes. Be warned that your stomach may rumble!
The Staples of Southern Cuisine
Buttermilk Biscuits
So simple and yet so delicious! A combination of flour, buttermilk, and the baker’s preferred fat (butter, shortening, or lard), buttermilk biscuits are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. To create another Southern staple, top your buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy to create (you guessed it) biscuits and gravy.
Fried Chicken
Crispy and succulent, fried chicken works well in so many different forms. The juicy meat is dredged in thick flour and fried until golden. Pair it with mashed potatoes, collard greens, and biscuits. Plop it on waffles. Or make it into a sandwich!
Deviled Eggs
Did you know that “stuffed eggs” were eaten in ancient Rome? The term deviled is used to describe a spicy version of this food. However, deviled eggs in the South aren’t usually particularly spicy. The yolks are mashed with mayonnaise (Duke’s being the preferred brand), mustard, sweet pickle relish, and some salt and pepper.
Peach Cobbler
There are so many delicious dessert recipes from the South that incorporate fruit – buckles, slumps, crisps, pandowdies – but a cobbler is the most classic. And while peaches are grown across the United States, there’s something especially delicious about a Georgia peach. Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Grits
Are you really a Southerner if you don’t like grits? Similar to polenta, grits are formed from a ground white corn called hominy. They have a fine consistency because the hulls are removed prior to grounding. Every cook in the South has their preferred method of preparing grits, but a common way to appreciate their unique flavor is to boil them with cream, butter, and salt.
Collard Greens
In the South, collard greens are commonly boiled and then stewed in the liquid left behind (which is known as potlikker). Cooked until soft and dark, collard greens are a popular side dish in the South. They’re also an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and calcium.
Pimento Cheese
A staple of Southern cooking since the early 1900s, pimento cheese is a basic mixture of shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, and seasonings. You can spread it on crackers, form it into a veggie dip, dollop it on your burger, or spread it on a breakfast biscuit. Simply delicious!
Cornbread
Before settlers arrived in North America, the Native American population was already grinding maize into cornmeal and mixing it with water and salt to form cornbread. It’s crumbly and moist, and it can be made savory or sweet depending on your preferences.
Hush Puppies
If you enjoy cornbread, you’ll love hush puppies. Gloriously deep-fried cornbread balls, hush puppies are often eaten plain. However, you might also want to pair them with honey, ketchup, or butter. They’re deliciously addictive.
Brunswick Stew
Though it comes in a variety of different forms, Brunswick stew typically contains meats, spices, and seasonal vegetables. Common ingredients include corn, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, and meat (usually chicken in Virginia and beef in Georgia). This is a hearty, stick-to-your-bones type of meal.
Chicken & Dumplings
What’s cozier than a warm bowl of chicken and dumplings? It’s like a hug in a bowl! If you’re from the South, you might have memories of watching your grandma roll out the simple dumpling dough on the counter with flour. The dumplings are added to slow-cooked chicken and vegetables: a delectable one-pot meal!
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We’re proud to offer chef-inspired cooking that includes a variety of Southern staples. So if you’re looking for a premier assisted living and memory care community in the heart of downtown Greenville, South Carolina, come visit us at Waterstone on Augusta. Our community is both relaxing and elegant, and we strive to enhance the quality of life of the seniors we serve through teamwork and unity. To learn more about our amenities and to view our lovely community, please schedule a tour online or call us today at 864-605-7236.
P.S. If you enjoyed reading this, you’ll love our blog post How to Show Southern Hospitality!