Southern cuisine is known for its bold and flavorful dishes. One of the key ingredients that adds depth and richness to these dishes is olive oil. This versatile oil is not only essential in the kitchen but has also been used for its medicinal properties for centuries. In this article, we will explore the versatile uses of olive oil in Southern cooking and share some delicious recipes that will have your taste buds singing.
No Southern meal is complete without a side of collard greens. These hearty and flavorful greens are a staple in Southern cuisine and make the perfect accompaniment to any Beer Can Chicken recipe. To make Southern Collard Greens, start by washing and removing the tough stems from a bunch of collard greens. Then, chop the leaves into small pieces and set aside. In a large pot, cook some diced bacon until crispy. Add in some diced onions and cook until they are translucent. Then, add in the collard greens and cook until they are wilted. Season with some salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar. Serve hot and enjoy the classic taste of the South.
For a flavorful and spicy addition to your Beer Can Chicken, try making Southern Pepper Sauce. This tangy and spicy sauce is perfect for drizzling over your chicken or using as a dipping sauce. To make Southern Pepper Sauce, start by combining chopped bell peppers, banana peppers, jalapenos, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Then, add in some vinegar and sugar and pulse until well combined. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Serve the sauce at room temperature for the best flavor.
If you're looking for a healthier side dish to pair with your Beer Can Chicken, try making Southern Greens. This dish is a combination of various leafy greens such as collard greens, mustard greens, and turnip greens. To make Southern Greens, start by cooking some diced bacon in a large pot until crispy. Add in some diced onions and cook until they are translucent. Then, add in the greens and cook until they are wilted. Season with salt, pepper, and a dash of hot sauce for some extra flavor. Serve hot and enjoy a healthy and flavorful side dish.
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Southern Fried Cabbage with Onions
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Butter, Medium Onion, Garlic, Cabbage, Sea
For a simple and delicious side dish, try making Southern Fried Cabbage with Onions. This dish is easy to make and pairs perfectly with Beer Can Chicken. To make Southern Fried Cabbage with Onions, start by cooking some diced bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Then, add in some diced onions and cook until they are translucent. Add in some shredded cabbage and cook until it is soft and wilted. Season with salt, pepper, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Serve hot and enjoy the savory and tangy flavors of this dish.
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Southern Cornbread – Southern Skillet Cornbread
Main Ingredients: Butter, Yellow Cornmeal, Flour, Baking Soda, Salt
No Southern meal is complete without a side of cornbread. And for the best cornbread, try making Southern Skillet Cornbread. This recipe yields a moist and flavorful cornbread that pairs perfectly with Beer Can Chicken. To make Southern Skillet Cornbread, start by heating a cast iron skillet in the oven. In a bowl, mix together some cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, mix together some buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until just combined. Pour the batter into the hot skillet and bake until golden brown. Serve warm and enjoy.
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Vegan Southern-Style Mixed Greens
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Vegetable Broth, Onion, Garlic, Dried Thyme
For a vegan twist on a classic Southern dish, try making Vegan Southern-Style Mixed Greens. This dish is full of flavor and is the perfect side dish for your Beer Can Chicken. To make Vegan Southern-Style Mixed Greens, start by cooking some diced onions and garlic in a large pot until they are translucent. Then, add in a variety of chopped greens such as collard greens, mustard greens, and turnip greens. Cook until the greens are wilted. Season with salt, pepper, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Serve hot and enjoy the vegan version of this Southern classic.
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Southern Beef Tips & Gravy
Main Ingredients: Butter, Onions, Garlic, Grass Fed Beef, Olive Oil
For a hearty and comforting main dish to pair with your Beer Can Chicken, try making Southern Beef Tips & Gravy. This dish is full of tender beef and flavorful gravy that is perfect for drizzling over your chicken. To make Southern Beef Tips & Gravy, start by seasoning some beef tips with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a large skillet, cook the beef until it is browned on all sides. Then, add in some diced onions, beef broth, and worcestershire sauce. Cook until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened. Serve hot and enjoy a hearty and delicious meal.
For a tasty and easy side dish to pair with your Beer Can Chicken, try making Southern Barbecue Baked Beans. These beans are full of flavor and make the perfect addition to any BBQ meal. To make Southern Barbecue Baked Beans, start by cooking some diced bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Then, add in some diced onions and cook until they are translucent. Add in a can of baked beans, some barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and a dash of hot sauce. Cook until the beans are heated through and the sauce has thickened. Serve hot and enjoy the sweet and smoky flavors of these beans.
For a delicious and tender main dish to serve with your Beer Can Chicken, try making Southern Smothered Chicken. This dish is full of flavor and is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. To make Southern Smothered Chicken, start by seasoning some chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a large skillet, cook the chicken until it is browned on both sides. Then, add in some diced onions, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy and savory flavors of this dish.
No Southern meal is complete without some cornbread dressing. And for a delicious and easy recipe, try making Southern Cornbread Dressing. This dish is full of flavor and is the perfect side dish for your Beer Can Chicken. To make Southern Cornbread Dressing, start by crumbling up some cornbread into a large bowl. Add in some sautéed diced onions, chicken broth, sage, and poultry seasoning. Mix until well combined and pour into a baking dish. Bake until golden brown and serve alongside your chicken.
If you're looking for a unique and flavorful main dish to pair with your Beer Can Chicken, try making Southern Smothered Oxtails. These tender and flavorful oxtails are sure to be a hit at any meal. To make Southern Smothered Oxtails, start by seasoning some oxtails with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a large pot, cook the oxtails until they are browned on all sides. Then, add in some diced onions, beef broth, and tomato paste. Cook until the oxtails are tender and the sauce has thickened. Serve hot and enjoy the rich and hearty flavors of this dish.
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Classic Flaky Southern Biscuits
Main Ingredients: Flour, Whole Milk, Butter, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt
No Southern meal is complete without some flaky and buttery biscuits. And for the perfect biscuits to pair with your Beer Can Chicken, try making Classic Flaky Southern Biscuits. These biscuits are easy to make and are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. To make Classic Flaky Southern Biscuits, start by combining some flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl. Cut in some butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Then, add in some milk and stir until just combined. Roll out the dough and cut out biscuits. Bake until golden brown and enjoy warm.
For a classic and comforting side dish to serve with your Beer Can Chicken, try making Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese. This dish is full of creamy and cheesy goodness and is sure to be a hit with everyone. To make Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese, start by cooking some macaroni according to the package instructions. In a saucepan, melt some butter and add in some flour to make a roux. Then, add in some milk and cook until thickened. Add in some cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Pour the sauce over the cooked macaroni and bake until golden and bubbly.
If you're looking for a quick and easy version of the classic Southern dish, try making Southern Baked Mac and Cheese. This recipe is simple and yields a deliciously cheesy mac and cheese that pairs perfectly with Beer Can Chicken. To make Southern Baked Mac and Cheese, start by cooking some macaroni according to the package instructions. In a saucepan, melt some butter and add in some evaporated milk, eggs, and cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour over the macaroni and bake until bubbly and golden brown.
For a delicious and hearty side dish to serve with your Beer Can Chicken, try making Southern Squash Casserole. This dish is full of flavor and is the perfect way to use up any extra squash you have on hand. To make Southern Squash Casserole, start by cooking some diced onions and garlic in a skillet until they are translucent. Then, add in some sliced yellow squash and cook until it is tender. In a separate bowl, mix together some sour cream, cheddar cheese, and mayonnaise. Add in the cooked squash and pour into a baking dish. Top with crumbled crackers and bake until golden brown.
No Southern meal is complete without a sweet treat to end the meal. And for a delicious and easy dessert to serve with your Beer Can Chicken, try making Southern Pecan Pie Bars. These bars are full of gooey pecan filling and a buttery crust that will satisfy any sweet tooth. To make Southern Pecan Pie Bars, start by making a simple crust with some flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. Press the crust into a baking dish and bake until golden brown. Then, pour a mixture of corn syrup, brown sugar, and pecans over the crust and bake until set. Let cool and cut into bars to serve.
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Jambalaya
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Celery, White Onion, Red Bell Pepper, Bell
For a taste of New Orleans to serve with your Beer Can Chicken, try making Jambalaya. This dish is full of flavor and is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. To make Jambalaya, start by cooking some diced sausage in a large pot until browned. Then, add in some diced onions, bell peppers, and celery and cook until they are softened. Add in some rice, chicken broth, canned tomatoes, and cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until the rice is cooked. Serve hot and enjoy the spicy and flavorful tastes of Jambalaya.
For a classic and simple side dish to serve with your Beer Can Chicken, try making Classic Southern Collard Greens. These greens are full of flavor and make the perfect addition to any Southern meal. To make Classic Southern Collard Greens, start by cooking some diced bacon in a large pot until crispy. Then, add in some diced onions and cook until they are translucent. Add in some chopped collard greens and cook until they are wilted. Season with salt, pepper, and a dash of hot sauce. Serve hot and enjoy the traditional taste of the South.
For a sweet and delicious dessert to pair with your Beer Can Chicken, try making Southern Peach Cobbler. This cobbler is full of juicy peaches and a buttery crust that is sure to be a hit with everyone. To make Southern Peach Cobbler, start by combining some sliced peaches, sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch in a baking dish. In a separate bowl, mix together some flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in some butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add in some milk and mix until just combined. Drop spoonfuls of the dough over the peaches and bake until golden brown. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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Mary's Healthy Southern Collard Greens
Main Ingredients: Collard Greens, Olive Oil, Kosher Salt
The Benefits of Olive Oil
Olive oil is a staple in Southern cooking and for good reason. Not only does it add a distinct flavor to dishes, but it also has numerous health benefits. Rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, olive oil has been linked to lowering the risk of heart disease and improving overall health. It is also a great source of Vitamin E and has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great addition to any diet.
Types of Olive Oil
When it comes to cooking with olive oil, it's important to know the different types and their uses. Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality and is best used for dressings, marinades, and drizzling over dishes. Virgin olive oil is a step below extra virgin and is better suited for cooking at high temperatures. Pure olive oil is a blend of virgin and refined oils and is best for frying and sautéing.
Recipes Using Olive Oil
Now that we understand the benefits and types of olive oil, let's dive into some delicious Southern recipes that showcase this versatile ingredient.
Fried Green Tomatoes with Olive Oil Remoulade
- Slice green tomatoes and pat dry. Dip in a mixture of flour, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and fry the tomatoes until golden brown.
- For the remoulade, mix mayonnaise, minced garlic, chopped pickles, and a dash of hot sauce.
- Serve the fried green tomatoes with the remoulade drizzled on top.
Buttermilk Biscuits with Olive Oil and Honey
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in cold butter and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add buttermilk and a drizzle of olive oil. Mix until just combined.
- Roll out dough and cut into biscuits. Bake until golden brown.
- Serve warm with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of sea salt.
In Conclusion
Olive oil is a versatile and essential ingredient in Southern cooking. From adding flavor and depth to dishes to providing numerous health benefits, it truly is a powerhouse ingredient. Next time you're in the kitchen, don't forget to reach for that bottle of olive oil and let its delicious flavors take your dishes to the next level.
