Just Soul Food Recipes

Baked Pork Roll with Macaroni and Carrots

2012-01-10T08:24:00.001-08:00

From "Home Pork Making", a "complete guide for the farmer, the country butcher and the suburban dweller, in all that pertains to hog slaughtering, curing, preserving and storing pork product--from scalding vat to kitchen table and dining room", published in 1900.

Chop fine (a meat chopper will do the work well and quickly) 3 lbs. raw lean pork and 1/4 lb. fat salt pork.

Soak a pint of white bread crumbs in cold water. When soft squeeze very dry, add to the chopped meat with a large onion chopped fine, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1/2 teaspoon each of chopped sage and thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix together thoroughly and form into a roll, pressing it closely and compactly together. Have ready about a tablespoon of fat in a frying pan, dredge the roll thickly with flour and brown it in the fat, turning it until nicely browned on all sides. Then place it in a baking pan, and bake in a hot oven for one hour. Baste it every ten minutes with water.

Do not turn or disturb the meat after it has been put into the oven. Half an hour before dinner add 12 or 14 small carrots that have been parboiled in salted boiling water for fifteen minutes. When done, place the roll on a platter, surround it with plain boiled macaroni, dot with the carrots and pour over all a nicely seasoned tomato sauce.

Boiling with Bacon

2010-01-28T16:07:00.000-08:00

Get a pound of streaky bacon, cut square if possible, scrape and wash clean, put on in plenty of water, with a young onion, a little thyme and parsley, bring to a quick boil, throw in cold water, skim the pot clean, then let stand simmering for two to three hours. Add to it either greens—mustard, turnip, or dandelion or field salad, well washed and picked, let cook till very tender, then skim out, drain in a colander, lay in a hot dish with the square of bacon on top. Here is the foundation of a hearty and wholesome meal. The bacon by long boiling is in a measure emulsified, and calculated to nourish the most delicate stomach rather than to upset it. Serve two thin slices of it with each helping of greens. You should have plenty of Cayenne vinegar, very hot and sharp, hot corn bread, and cider or beer, to go along with it.

String beans, known to the south country as snaps, never come fully to their own, unless thus cooked with bacon. Even pork does not answer, though that is far and away better than boiling and buttering or flooding with milk sauces. It is the same with cabbage. Wash well, halve or quarter, boil until very tender, drain and serve. Better cook as many as the pot will hold and the bacon season, since fried cabbage, which is chopped fine, and tossed in bacon fat with a seasoning of pepper, salt and vinegar, helps out wonderfully for either breakfast, luncheon or supper. Never throw away proper pot-liquor—it is a good and cheap substitute for soup on cold days. Heat, and drop into it crisp bread-crusts—if they are corn bread crusts made very brown, all the better. Pioneer folk throve on pot-liquor to such an extent they had a saying that it was sinful to have too much—pot-liquor and buttermilk at the same meal.

Community Cookbook Cornbread

2009-12-06T08:04:00.000-08:00

Sift three-fourths cup cornmeal, three-fourths cup flour, two and one-half teaspoonfuls baking powder, three-fourths teaspoonful salt, one tablespoonful sugar. Work in tablespoonful butter, then add three-fourths cup sweet milk, into which one or two eggs have been beaten. Pour into greased pans and bake in a moderate oven. If sour milk is used, take one and one-half teaspoonful baking powder and one-fourth teaspoonful soda.

From "The Community Cook Book" from the Class of Willing Workers of the Winter St. Baptist Church, Haverhill, MA. "A practical cook book, representative of the best cookery to be found in any of the more intelligent and progressive American communities."

Corn Pudding

2009-07-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

Slit lengthwise the grains in eight large ears of corn, scrape out the pulp carefully, saving all milk that runs. The corn should be full, but not the least hard—if it has reached the dough state, the grains will keep shape. Beat three eggs very light, with half a teaspoonful salt, a tablespoonful sugar, plenty of black pepper, and paprika, half a cup of very soft butter, and half a cup sweet cream. Add the corn pulp and milk, stir well together—if too thick, thin with a little milk. Pour into a pudding dish, cover and bake ten minutes, then uncover, and bake until done.

From "Dishes and Beverages of the Old South", Martha McCulloch Williams, 1913

Plain Corn Bread

2009-06-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

Sift sound fresh white cornmeal, wet with cold water to a fairly soft dough, shape it by tossing from hand to hand into small pones, and lay them as made into a hot pan well sprinkled with dry meal. The pan should be hot enough to brown the meal without burning it. Make the pones about an inch thick, four inches long, and two and a half broad. Bake quickly, taking care not to scorch, until there is a brown crust top and bottom. For hoe-cakes make the dough a trifle softer, lay it by handfuls upon a hot-meal-sprinkled griddle, taking care the handfuls do not touch. Flatten to half an inch, let brown underneath, then turn, press down and brown the upper side. Do not let yourself be seduced into adding salt—the delight of plain corn-bread is its affinity for fresh butter. It should be eaten drenched with butter of its own melting—the butter laid in the heart of it after splitting pone or hoe-cake.

Salt destroys this fine affinity. It however savors somewhat bread to be eaten butterless. Therefore Mammy always said: "Salt in corn-bread hit does taste so po' white-folks'y." She had little patience with those neighbors of ours who perforce had no butter to their bread.

From "Dishes and Beverages of the Old South", 1913.

New Orleans Red Beans

2008-03-02T08:34:00.001-08:00

1 lb dry red beans
2 quarts water
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
4 bay leaves
1 cup chopped sweet green pepper
3 tablespoons chopped garlic
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 teaspoons dried thyme, crushed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Pick through beans to remove bad beans; rinse thoroughly. In a 5-quart pot, combine beans, water, onion, celery, and bay leaves. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and cook over low heat for about 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Stir and mash some of the beans against side of the pan to thicken the mixture.

Add green pepper, garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook, uncovered, over low heat until creamy, about 30 minutes. Remove bay leaves.

Serve over hot, cooked brown rice, if desired.

Mixed Greens

2008-03-02T08:30:00.001-08:00

2 bunches mustard greens or kale
2 bunches turnip greens
pepper to taste (optional)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste (optional)

Rinse greens well, removing stems. In a large pot of boiling water, cook greens rapidly, covered, over medium heat for about 25 minutes or until tender.

Serve with some of the pot liquor (liquid from the cooked greens). If desired, cut greens in pan with a sharp knife and kitchen fork before serving.

Succotash

2008-03-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

10-ounce baby lima beans (frozen)
2 tablespoons margarine
10-ounce whole kernel corn (frozen)
10-ounce cut okra
15-ounce canned tomatoes (undrained)
1/2 cup chopped onions
Tabasco sauce to taste
Salt and black pepper to taste

Combine lima beans, margarine, corn, tomatoes, onions, Tabasco sauce, salt, and pepper in a pan.Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Add okra and cook for 10 more minutes.

Mock Southern Sweet Potato Pie

2008-03-02T08:08:00.001-08:00

Crust:
1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 tsp sugar
1/3 cup skim milk
2 Tbsps vegetable oil

Filling:
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup evaporated skim milk, canned
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed)

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.

Crust:
2. Combine the flour and sugar in a bowl.
3. Add milk and oil to the flour mixture.
4. Stir with fork until well mixed and then form pastry into a smooth ball with your hands.
5. Roll the ball between two 12-inch squares of waxed paper using short, brisk strokes until pastry reaches edge of paper.

Filling:
7. Combine sugars, salt, spices, and eggs.
8. Add milk and vanilla. Stir.
9. Add sweet potatoes and mix well.
10. Pour mixture into pie shell.
11. Bake for 60 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Cool and cut into 16 slices.

Baked Pork Chops

2008-03-02T08:07:00.001-08:00

6 lean center-cut pork chops, 1/2-inch thick
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup green pepper
1/2 cup red pepper
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Trim fat from pork chops. Place chops in a 13 by 9-inch baking pan.
3. Spread onion and peppers on top of chops. Sprinkle with pepper and salt. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. Cover pan and bake 30 minutes. Uncover, turn chops, and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until no pink remains. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Oven Fried Fish

2008-03-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

2 lbs fish fillets
1 Tbsp lemon juice, fresh
1/4 cup skim milk or 1% buttermilk
2 drops hot pepper sauce
1 tsp garlic, fresh, minced
1/4 tsp white pepper, ground
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/2 cup cornflakes, crumbled or regular bread crumbs
1 Tbsp vegetable oil (for greasing baking dish)
1 lemon, fresh, cut in wedges

1. Preheat oven to 475° F.
2. Wipe fillets with lemon juice and pat dry.
3. Combine milk, hot pepper sauce, and garlic.
4. Combine pepper, salt, and onion powder with cornflake crumbs and place on a plate.
5. Let fillets sit in milk briefly. Remove and coat fillets on both sides with seasoned crumbs. Let stand briefly until coating sticks to each side of fish.
6. Arrange on lightly oiled shallow baking dish.
7. Bake 20 minutes on middle rack without turning.
8. Cut into 6 pieces. Serve with fresh lemon.

Southern Barbecue Chicken

2008-03-02T08:05:00.001-08:00

5 Tbsps tomato paste (3 ozs)
1 tsp ketchup
2 tsps honey
1 tsp molasses
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
4 tsps vinegar, white
3/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 tsp ginger, grated
1 1/2 lbs chicken, skinless (breasts, drumsticks)

1. Combine all ingredients except chicken in a saucepan.
2. Simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Wash chicken and pat dry.
4. Place chicken on a large platter.
5. Brush chicken with 1/2 of sauce mixture.
6. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour.
7. Place chicken on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and broil for 10 minutes on each side to seal in juices.
8. Turn oven down to 350° F, and add the remaining sauce to the chicken.
9. Cover the chicken with aluminum foil and continue baking for 30 minutes.

Chicken Gumbo

2008-03-02T08:03:00.001-08:00

1 tsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup flour
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 lbs chicken breast, skinless and boneless, cut into 1-inch strips
1 cup white potatoes (1/2 lb), cubed
1 cup onions, chopped
1 cup carrots (1/2 lb), coarsely chopped
1/4 cup celery, chopped
1/2 medium carrot, grated
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 stalks scallion, chopped
1 whole bay leaf
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
2 tsps hot (or jalapeño) pepper
1 cup okra (1/2 lb), sliced into 1/2-inch pieces

1. Add oil to a large pot.
2. Heat pot over medium flame. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Stir in flour.
4. Cook, stirring constantly, until flour begins to turn golden brown.
5. Slowly stir in all the broth using a wire whisk and cook for 2 minutes. The mixture should not be lumpy.
6. Add all ingredients except okra.
7. Add okra and let cook for 15 to 20 more minutes.
8. Remove bay leaf.
9. Serve hot in a bowl or over rice.

Crispy Oven Fried Chicken

2008-03-02T08:02:00.001-08:00

1/2 cup skim milk or buttermilk
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1 cup cornflakes, crumbled
1 1/2 Tbsps onion powder
1 1/2 Tbsps garlic powder
2 tsps black pepper
2 tsps dried hot pepper, crushed
1 tsp ginger, ground
8 pieces chicken, skinless (4 breasts, 4 drumsticks)
a few shakes paprika
1 tsp vegetable oil (use to grease baking pan)

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Add 1/2 teaspoon of poultry seasoning to milk.
3. Combine all other spices with cornflake crumbs and place in a plastic bag.
4. Wash chicken and pat dry. Dip chicken into milk, shake to remove excess, then quickly shake in bag with seasoning and crumbs.
5. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
6. Remove from refrigerator and sprinkle lightly with paprika for color.
7. Evenly space chicken on greased baking pan.
8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 40 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 30 to 40 minutes or until the meat can be easily pulled away from the bone with a fork. The drumsticks may require less baking time than the breasts. Crumbs will form a crispy “skin.” (Do not turn chicken during baking.)

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

2008-03-02T08:01:00.001-08:00

1/2 tsp cinnamon, ground
1 1/2 tsps allspice, ground
1 1/2 tsps black pepper, ground
1 Tbsp hot pepper, chopped
1 tsp hot pepper, crushed, dried
2 tsps oregano, crushed
2 tsps thyme, crushed
1/2 tsp salt
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup onion, puréed or finely chopped
1/4 cup vinegar
3 Tbsps brown sugar
8 pieces chicken, skinless (4 breasts, 4 drumsticks)

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Combine all ingredients except chicken in large bowl. Rub seasoning over chicken.
3. Marinate in the refrigerator for 6 or more hours.
4. Evenly space chicken on nonstick or lightly greased baking pan.
5. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 40 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 30 to 40 minutes or until the meat can be easily pulled away from thebone with a fork. The drumsticks may require less cooking time than the breasts.

Classic Mac and Cheese

2008-03-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

2 cups macaroni
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup evaporated skim milk
1 medium egg, beaten
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 1/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese (4 oz), finely shredded, low fat
nonstick cooking oil spray

1. Cook macaroni according to directions. (Do not add salt to the cooking water.) Drain and set aside.
2. Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking oil spray.
3. Preheat oven to 350° F.
4. Lightly spray saucepan with nonstick cooking oil spray.
5. Add onions to saucepan and sauté for about 3 minutes.
6. In another bowl, combine macaroni, onions, and the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.
7. Transfer mixture into casserole dish.
8. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Vegetable Stew

2008-03-02T07:59:00.005-08:00

3 cups water
1 cube vegetable bouillon, low sodium
2 cups white potatoes, cut in 2-inch strips
2 cups carrots, sliced
4 cups summer squash, cut in 1-inch squares
1 cup summer squash, cut in 4 chunks
1 15-oz can sweet corn, rinsed and drained (or 2 ears fresh corn, 1 1/2 cups)
1 tsp thyme
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 stalk scallion, chopped
1/2 small hot pepper, chopped
1 cup onion, coarsely chopped
1 cup tomatoes, diced

(Add other favorite vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, etc.)

1. Heat water and bouillon in a large pot and bring to a boil.
2. Add potatoes and carrots to the broth and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Add the remaining ingredients except for the tomatoes and continue cooking for 15 minutes over medium heat.
4. Remove 4 chunks of squash and purée in blender.
5. Return puréed mixture to pot and let cook for 10 minutes more.
6. Add tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes.
7. Remove from flame and let sit for 10 minutes to allow stew to thicken.

Vegetable Stew

2008-03-02T07:59:00.004-08:00

3 cups water
1 cube vegetable bouillon, low sodium
2 cups white potatoes, cut in 2-inch strips
2 cups carrots, sliced
4 cups summer squash, cut in 1-inch squares
1 cup summer squash, cut in 4 chunks
1 15-oz can sweet corn, rinsed and drained (or 2 ears fresh corn, 1 1/2 cups)
1 tsp thyme
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 stalk scallion, chopped
1/2 small hot pepper, chopped
1 cup onion, coarsely chopped
1 cup tomatoes, diced

(Add other favorite vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, etc.)

1. Heat water and bouillon in a large pot and bring to a boil.
2. Add potatoes and carrots to the broth and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Add the remaining ingredients except for the tomatoes and continue
cooking for 15 minutes over medium heat.
4. Remove 4 chunks of squash and purée in blender.
5. Return puréed mixture to pot and let cook for 10 minutes more.
6. Add tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes.
7. Remove from flame and let sit for
10 minutes to allow stew to thicken.

Limas and Spinach

2008-03-02T07:59:00.003-08:00

2 cups frozen lima beans
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup fennel, cut in strips (4 oz)
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
4 cups leaf spinach, washed thoroughly
1 Tbsp distilled vinegar
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp raw chives

1. Steam or boil lima beans in unsalted water approximately 10 minutes. Drain.
2. In a skillet, sauté onions and fennel in oil.
3. Add the beans and stock to the onions, cover, and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Stir in the spinach. Cover and cook until spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes.
5. Stir in the vinegar and pepper. Cover and let stand for 30 seconds.
6. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

Smothered Greens

2008-03-02T07:59:00.001-08:00

3 cups water
1/4 lb smoked turkey breast, skinless
1 Tbsp hot pepper, freshly chopped
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp cloves, ground
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp thyme
1 stalk scallion, chopped
1 tsp ginger, ground
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 lbs greens (mustard, turnip, collard, kale, or mixture)

1. Place all ingredients except greens into large saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Prepare greens by washing thoroughly and removing stems.
3. Tear or slice leaves into bite-size pieces.
4. Add greens to turkey stock. Cook 20 to 30 minutes until tender.

Candied Yams

2008-03-02T07:58:00.001-08:00

3 medium yams (1 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp flour, sifted
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp orange peel
1 tsp soft tub margarine
1/2 cup orange juice

1. Cut yams in half and boil until tender but firm (about 20 minutes). When cool enough to handle, peel and slice into 1/4-inch thickness.
2. Combine sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and grated orange peel.
3. Place half of the sliced yams in a medium-sized casserole dish. Sprinkle with spiced sugar mixture.
4. Dot with half the amount of margarine.
5. Add a second layer of yams, using the rest of the ingredients in the same order as above. Add orange juice.
6. Bake uncovered in oven preheated to 350° F for 20 minutes.

Potato Salad

2008-03-02T07:57:00.002-08:00

6 medium potatoes (about 2 lbs)
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
2 stalks scallion, finely chopped
1/4 cup red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 Tbsp onion, finely chopped
1 egg, hard boiled, chopped
6 Tbsps mayonnaise, light
1 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp dill weed, dried

1. Wash potatoes, cut in half, and place them in cold water in a saucepan.
2. Cook covered over medium heat for 25 to 30 minutes or until tender.
3. Drain and dice potatoes when cool.
4. Add vegetables and egg to potatoes and toss.
5. Blend together mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, and dill weed.
6. Pour dressing over potato mixture and stir gently to coat evenly.
7. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Oven French Fries

2008-03-02T07:57:00.001-08:00

4 large potatoes (2 lbs)
8 cups ice water
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp white pepper
1/4 tsp allspice
1 tsp hot pepper flakes
1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1. Scrub potatoes and cut into long 1/2-inch strips.
2. Place potato strips into ice water, cover, and chill for 1 hour or longer.
3. Remove potatoes and dry strips thoroughly.
4. Place garlic powder, onion powder, salt, white pepper, allspice, and pepper flakes in a plastic bag.
5. Toss potatoes in spice mixture.
6. Brush potatoes with oil.
7. Place potatoes in nonstick shallow baking pan.
8. Cover with aluminum foil and place in 475° F oven for 15 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Turn fries occasionally to brown on all sides.

Homestyle Biscuits

2008-03-02T07:56:00.001-08:00

2 cups flour
2 tsps baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsps sugar
2/3 cup buttermilk, 1% fat
3 Tbsps + 1 tsp vegetable oil

1. Preheat oven to 450° F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and
sugar.
3. In a small bowl, stir together buttermilk and oil. Pour over flour mixture;
stir until well mixed.
4. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently for 10 to 12 strokes. Roll
or pat dough to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut with a 2-inch biscuit or cookie
cutter, dipping cutter in flour between cuts. Transfer biscuits to an
ungreased baking sheet.
5. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Good-for-You Cornbread

2008-03-02T07:54:00.000-08:00

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup buttermilk, 1% fat
1 egg, whole
1/4 cup margarine, regular, tub
1 tsp vegetable oil (to grease baking pan)

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Mix together cornmeal, flour, sugar, and baking powder.
3. In another bowl, combine buttermilk and egg.
4. Slowly add buttermilk and egg mixture to the dry ingredients.
5. Add margarine and mix by hand or with a mixer for 1 minute.
6. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in an 8 by 8-inch greased baking dish. Cool. Cut into 10 squares.

Use 1% milk and a smallamount of margarine to make this cornbread lower
in saturated fat and cholesterol. Beat lightly.