Winter Southern Comfort Foods

I can't believe winter is half over. Here in Virginia, we've had a mild winter and I'm definitely not going to complain. Since Virginia is considered a southern state and it's still considered wintertime, I thought I'd share with you some Southern comfort foods that I'm sure you will enjoy making. Even if you are in a warmer climate, I don't think you'd mind these recipes.

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 30 min.YIELD: 8 biscuits.  

You know biscuits are traditionally made to eat at just about any meal. My favorite is eating it with butter and jam. Especially my mom's homemade strawberry jam.

Picture and recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• Melted butter

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cut butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 
2. Stir in buttermilk just until moistened. 
3. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 3-4 times. 
4. Pat or lightly roll to 3/4 in. thickness. 
5. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter.
6. Place on a greased baking sheet. 
7. Bake at 425° until golden brown, 11-13 minutes. 
8. Brush tops with butter. Serve warm.

Best Sausage Gravy

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 20 min.YIELD: 4 cups.

This gravy is a staple in southern cooking. It’s the best sausage gravy recipe, especially when served over fresh hot, biscuits. Don't forget the biscuits.

Picture and recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 1 pound sage-flavored bulk pork sausage
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 to 4 cups of whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Dash Worcestershire sauce
• Dash hot pepper sauce
• Biscuits

Directions

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook sausage and onion until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, 5-7 minutes. 
2. Drain, discarding all but 2 tablespoons of drippings. 
3. Stir in flour. Gradually stir in milk. Add seasonings. 
4. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened 2-3 minutes. Serve over biscuits.

Grilled Pimiento Cheese Sandwiches

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 20 min.YIELD: 2 servings

Rich and creamy pimiento cheese is a southern favorite. It makes this grilled pimiento cheese sandwich shine, especially when sweet hot pepper jelly is added.

Picture and recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 4 slices sourdough bread
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup refrigerated pimiento cheese
• 2 tablespoons pepper jelly
• 6 cooked thick-sliced bacon strips

Directions

1.  Brush 1 side of each bread slice with melted butter. In a large skillet, toast bread, buttered side down, over medium heat until golden brown, 3-4 minutes.
2. Remove from heat; place toasted side up. Spread cheese over toasted bread slices. Top 2 slices with jelly, then with bacon. Brush the outside of each sandwich with the remaining melted butter. Top with remaining bread slices, cheese facing inward. Cook until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, 3-4 minutes on each side. If desired, serve with additional jelly.

Pecan Pie Cobbler

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 30 min. + coolingYIELD: 12 servings.

Cobbler of any kind is delicious but this takes it over the moon with all the yummy flavors of a pecan pie.

Picture and recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup 2% milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup brickle toffee bits
• 1-1/2 cups boiling water
• Vanilla ice cream, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Place butter in a 13x9-in. baking pan; heat pan until butter is melted, 3-5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and vanilla until combined.
2. Remove baking pan from oven; add batter. Sprinkle with pecans, brown sugar, and toffee bits. Slowly pour boiling water over top (do not stir). Bake, uncovered, until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes (the cobbler will thicken upon cooling). Serve warm, with ice cream if desired.

Grandma’s Southern Collard Greens

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. Cook: 2 hours YIELD: 6 servings.

Who remembers Grandma making good old fashion collard greens? As a kid, I didn't like them but now I'd have them all the time if I could.

Picture and recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons lard or shortening, divided
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-1/2 pounds smoked ham hocks
• 6 cups water
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 1 to 3 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1 large bunch of collard greens (about 2 pounds), coarsely chopped
• 1-1/2 cups white wine

Directions

1. In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon of lard over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until tender. Add ham hocks, water, seasoned salt, pepper flakes, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until meat is tender, 55-60 minutes.
2. Add collard greens, wine, and the remaining lard. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until greens are very tender, 55-60 minutes. Remove meat from bones; finely chop meat and return to pan. Discard bones. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 1 hour + cooling YIELD: 20 servings.

Always a crowd-pleaser, its pleasing vanilla flavor enriched by sour cream may remind you of breakfast at Grandma's! 

Picture and recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2-3/4 cups sugar, divided
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sour cream
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; add alternately with sour cream, beating just enough after each addition to keep the batter smooth.
2. Spoon a third of the batter into a greased 10-in. tube pan. Combine cinnamon, nuts, and remaining 3/4 cup sugar; sprinkle one-third of the mixture over the batter in the pan. Repeat layers 2 more times. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 60-65 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before removing from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Banana Pudding

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 35 min. + chilling YIELD: 9 servings.

Oh SO GOOD! If you don't believe me, just make it yourself. It's beautiful in a trifle dish.

Picture and recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups 2% milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 8 ounces vanilla wafers (about 60 cookies), divided
• 4 large ripe bananas, cut into 1/4-inch slices

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, mix sugar, flour, and salt. Whisk in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat.
2. In a small bowl, whisk eggs. Whisk a small amount of hot mixture into eggs; return all to the pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. In an ungreased 8-in. square baking dish, layer 25 vanilla wafers, half of the banana slices, and half of the pudding. Repeat layers.
4. Press plastic wrap onto the surface of the pudding. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Just before serving, remove the wrap; crush the remaining wafers and sprinkle over top.

Southern Shrimp and Grits
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Cook: 20 min. YIELD: 4 servings.

A southern specialty, sometimes called breakfast shrimp, this shrimp and grits recipe tastes fantastic for brunch or dinner, or anytime company’s coming. It’s down-home comfort food at its finest. 

Picture and recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 1/3 cup butter, cubed
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 cup of uncooked old-fashioned grits
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheeseSHRIMP8 thick-sliced bacon strips, chopped
• 1 pound uncooked shrimp (31-40 per pound), peeled and deveined
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Cajun or blackened seasoning
• 4 green onions, chopped

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, bring the broth, milk, butter, salt, and pepper to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in cheese until melted. Set aside and keep warm.
2. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; drain, reserving 4 teaspoons of drippings. Saute the shrimp, garlic, and seasoning in drippings until the shrimp turn pink. Stir in reserved bacon; heat through. Serve with grits and sprinkle with onions.

Air-Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + marinating Cook: 10 min./batchYIELD: 6 servings

The secret's in the hot sauce and the breading. Nashville hot chicken is coated in spices and hot sauce before it's fried (or air-fried) and then covered in additional hot sauce. This Nashville hot chicken recipe gets its heat from hot pepper sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, and chili powder.

Picture and recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice, divided
• 2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 2 pounds of chicken tenderloins
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• Cooking spray
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Dill pickle slices

Directions

1. In a bowl or shallow dish, combine 1 tablespoon pickle juice, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add chicken and turn to coat. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 1 hour. Drain chicken, discarding any marinade.
2. Preheat the air fryer to 375°. In a shallow bowl, mix flour, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. In another shallow bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk, and the remaining 1 tablespoon pickle juice and 1 tablespoon hot sauce. Dip chicken in flour to coat both sides; shake off excess. Dip in egg mixture, then again in flour mixture.
3. In batches, arrange chicken in a single layer on a well-greased tray in the air-fryer basket; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 5-6 minutes. Turn; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 5-6 minutes longer.
4. Whisk together the next 6 ingredients; pour over hot chicken and toss to coat. Serve with pickles.

Southern Lane Cake

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 40 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling YIELD: 12 servings.Ingredients

With pecans, cherries, and raisins in the filling and topping, this version reminds me of a fruitcake—only so much better!

Picture and recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 6 large egg whites
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup 2% milk

FILLING:

• 6 large egg yolks
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup coarsely chopped red candied cherries
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped and sweetened

Directions

1. Line bottoms of 3 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment. Grease parchment; set aside. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. In another large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Transfer to prepared pans.
3. Bake at 325° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks; remove the paper. Cool completely.
4. For filling, combine egg yolks and sugar in a large saucepan. Add butter; cook and stir over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved and the mixture thickens (do not boil). Remove from the heat. Stir in bourbon, orange zest, and salt. Fold in the raisins, coconut, pecans, and cherries. Cool.
5. Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with a third of the filling. Repeat layers twice. Frost sides of cake with whipped cream. Refrigerate until serving.

Chicken Biscuit Potpie

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 10 min. Bake: 25 min. YIELD: 4 servings.

This hearty chicken potpie recipe with biscuits takes just 10 minutes to assemble before you can pop it into the oven.

Picture and recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 1-2/3 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
• 1-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup biscuit/baking mix
• 1/2 cup 2% milk 
• 1 large egg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, combine the vegetables, chicken, soup, and thyme. Pour into an ungreased deep-dish 9-in. pie plate. Combine the biscuit mix, milk, and egg; spoon over the chicken mixture.
2. Bake until the topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes.

I hope you make some of these recipes, you won't regret it. Are you a Southern cook? Do you like Southern dishes? Comment below and let us know.

Keep it sassy,

Kelly

from the Sassy Silver Sisters

************************************************************************

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog! We really appreciate it. We believe that our blog is a great way to share valuable information, such as tips, tricks, and advice, to help our readers improve their lives. We strive to create content that is interesting, informative, and entertaining so that our readers can always find something valuable to read. We do our best to provide content that is timely and relevant, so our readers can stay up to date with the latest trends. We also aim to provide content that is unique and engaging, so our readers can learn something new and be inspired. We hope that our blog provides you with the necessary information and resources to make your life easier and more enjoyable. Thank you again for taking the time to read our blog!

FTC DISCLAIMER:  This page informs you of our disclosure statement regarding the advertisements we use and disclosure of our Service and the choices we have associated with it. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics, or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third-party ad network or affiliates. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements. The owner(s) of this website is not compensated to provide opinions on products, services, websites, and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this website are purely the owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. This website does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

Easy Ice Tea Recipes for National Ice Tea Month

It’s National Ice Tea Month and I love iced tea. Typically if I’m going through the drive thru at CFA or MCDs I get a sweet tea half cut, meaning the tea is way to sweet to order it full strength so I order a blend of sweet and unsweetened. Can you relate?

I make iced tea on occasion with a tea maker using simple syrup I’ve made. Normally it’s just family size tea bags with no other flavors. Sometimes, making flavored tea is on the agenda, like strawberry or mango flavors are delicious.

Below are a some thirst quenching sweet tea recipes you’ll have to try.

How To Make Southern Sweet Tea

 How To Make Southern Sweet Tea

INGREDIENTS

• 3 family-sized black tea bags (or 12 individual tea bags), such as Lipton or Luzianne
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Ice
• Fresh mint leaves or lemon slices (optional)

EQUIPMENT

• Small saucepan
• Long-handled spoon
• 1-gallon pitcher, or multiple smaller pitchers

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Boil the water. Bring 4 cups of the water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat.

2. Steep the tea for 5 minutes. Dunk the tea bags a few times in the water to fully hydrate, then leave submerged with the strings hanging over the side of the pot. After 5 minutes, remove the bags and discard.

3. Add the sugar to the tea. Add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved.

4. Pour the tea base into the pitcher. If using multiple pitchers, divide the tea evenly between them.

5. Top off the pitchers with water. Add 3 more quarts of water to the tea base to make a gallon of sweet tea and stir to combine.

6. Refrigerate until very cold. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight.

7. Serve over ice. Pour the sweet tea into ice-filled glasses. Add a sprig of mint or a slice of lemon to each, if desired!

Pineapple Iced Tea

Pineapple Iced Tea

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 7 tea bags
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• Optional: Pineapple wedges, lemon slices and fresh mint leaves

Directions

• 1. In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil; remove from heat. Add tea bags; steep, covered, 3-5 minutes according to taste. Discard tea bags. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Transfer to a pitcher; cool slightly. Stir in fruit juices.
• 2. Refrigerate, covered, overnight. Serve over ice. Garnish as desired.
• Cherry Limeade Sweet Tea

  

  Cherry Limeade Sweet Tea
  
  

  
  

• Ingredients

  • 8 cups water
  • 6 tea bags
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 can (12 ounces) frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
  • 1 cup chilled cherry juice blend
  • Ice cubes
  • Lime wedges and pitted dark sweet cherries

  Directions

  • 1. In a Dutch oven, bring water to a boil; remove from heat. Add tea bags; steep, covered, 10 minutes. Discard tea bags. Stir in sugar until dissolved; cool slightly. Transfer to a pitcher; cool completely.
  • 2. Add limeade concentrate and cherry juice to tea. Serve over ice with lime wedges and cherries.

  • Raspberry Iced Tea

• 

  Raspberry Iced Tea

  
  

  Ingredients

  • 6 cups water
  • 1-3/4 cups sugar
  • 8 tea bags
  • 3/4 cup frozen apple-raspberry juice concentrate
  • 8 cups cold water
  • Ice cubes
  • Fresh raspberries, optional

  Directions

  • 1. In a large saucepan, bring 6 cups water and sugar to a boil; remove from heat. Add tea bags; steep, covered, 3-5 minutes according to taste. Discard tea bags. Add juice concentrate; stir in cold water. Serve over ice, with raspberries if desired.

Blueberry Iced Tea

Blueberry Iced Tea

Blueberry Iced Tea

Refreshing summertime brewed tea with homemade blueberry simple syrup.

Prep Time15 mins

Resting Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 15 mins

Servings: 6

 Equipment

• Glass pitcher

Ingredients

• 6 Black tea bags
• 8 cups Filtered water, divided
• 3/4 cup Blueberry syrup see link below for recipe
• Lemon slices, mint for garnish

Instructions

• Bring 5 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Steep 10 minutes.
• Discard tea bags. Pour the tea into a pitcher. Add the blueberry syrup, stirring until totally incorporated. Add the remaining 3 cups of water.
• Chill for a minimum of one hour. Serve with lemon slices and mint leaves.

🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

Many thanks to thekitchn.com, tasteofhome.com, peelwitzeal.com for the great recipes.

How do you like your iced tea? Please comment below :) Don't forget to share these great recipes.

Stay safe and healthy,

Kelly

Sassy Silver Sisters

💓💓💓

Thank you for following us and if you haven't already subscribed to receive our weekly blog post, just click on the SUBSCRIBE button on the right of this page and you will be the first to find out what's going on in our sassy brains. 😉

DON'T FORGET OUR TIP JAR

If you enjoy our blog posts and videos, we'd appreciate your consideration of donating to our tip jar. Our equipment works okay but we'd like to have a microphone set for our videos and with the TIP JAR we can eventually purchase these items. Thank you so much for your support and we value your friendship! We hope to bring a little joy to your life!!

FTC DISCLAIMER: This blog post is NOT SPONSORED. All opinions are our own, honest opinions. The links are for easy access & if you choose to use these links we are in no way compensated.