Authentic Southern Style Cookin': Mississippi Favorites You Just Can't Get Anywhere Else

Believe it or not, there was a time when pretty much everything was home grown that stocked our kitchens and pantries. Coffee was made in a stove-top percolator, the stove being a cast iron stove that you actually had to build a fire in. The pots and pans were cast iron and doubled as a washing machine when on an outside open fire to heat the water for the whites. The milk came from the cows, not the grocery store and you could actually taste the milk because it wasn't watered down!

The home made butter that was produced from this milk was like nothing you can buy in the stores today. While the years flew by and we did become more modernized, we never forget the flavor of those wonderful down home meals and southern hospitality. Through the years, we have passed on the old recipes as well as added new ones to be handed down through the future generations.

I will share some of my favorites with you in this hub, some of which are from several generations prior and some of which are more recent. All, however, are mouth-watering recipes that anyone with a tastebud can enjoy. So put away the diet sheet and enjoy some down home southern style cookin'! What southern meal woul be complete without a recipe for some southern fried chicken, Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint my readers (neither of the three) so I will begin with the obvious! Put all dry ingredients in a bowl or pie plate and mix well.

Preheat the oil in the skillet. This is best cooked in a cured cast iron skillet on med/low heat but if you use an electric skillet, preheat to 350 degrees with about a half inch of oil in the skillet. Batter chicken thoroughly in mixture and put in skillet. Cook with lid on until golden brown (about 20 minutes).

Turn chicken pieces over and cook the same on the second side. If you like crispier chicken, cook the last 10 minutes on each side with lid off. Check chicken for doneness by poking with the fork to the bone to see if juices run clear. Make sure when you remove the chicken from the skillet to scrape the crumbs from the bottom of the skillet as this is the best part! Drain chicken on paper towel before serving.

For those who prefer something not fried, try this juicy meatloaf recipe that will melt in your mouth. No more packy, dry meatloaf that the dogs won't eat! This recipe is from past generations of an in-law and is the only way I will eat a meatloaf. Put ground beef in a 13" x 9" baking pan or glass baking dish.

Crumble bread or crackers into very fine crumbs into the ground beef and add all other ingredients except for the tomato sauce. Mix all this together by folding over and over until well mixed. Do not knead as this will make the meatloaf dry and packy. Once you have mixed these ingredients well, separate the mixture into halves, making a row down each side of the pan lenghtwise.

Pack tightly against sides and leave about a 1 inch space between the 2 loaves. This will allow room for the drainage. You will bake this at 375 degrees for about an hour, keeping the meat drained about every 20 minutes. You can drain the excess grease into a glass or metal bowl until cooled for disposal.

Before removing the meatloaf from the oven, pour the 2 cans of tomato sauce in a small saucepan. Add 1 of the cans full of water to the sauce and heat to boiling. Remove from heat. When the meatloaf is removed from the oven and remaining grease drained, pour the mixture over the top of the meatloaf and let stand about 5 minutes. This is the best meatloaf I have ever tasted! Some people prefer to cook potato salad with cubes but I prefer cream style.

This can be done however you prefer. 1 to 2 lbs. Hard boil eggs, peel and set aside. Boil potatoes just to tenderness for cubed or to total doneness for creamed. Cubed would need to have a slight crisp to it. Drain water thoroughly from potatoes. If you are making creamed, you should mash potatoes with a potato masher. Dice all veggies and eggs and add to potatoes along with all other ingredients and stir well.

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