Soul food is enjoyed by many people for its hearty and rich-tasting recipes. This type of food can be served elegantly but more often is served in a casual manner. Planning a menu requires preparation and the right food choices. Try these suggestions for effective menu planning that will please your family and friends.
Make a Menu List
List the entrées, side dishes, breads, and desserts you want to prepare each day. For entrées, fried chicken, meatloaf, catfish, or baked ham are good selections. Meats should be bought fresh and washed when appropriate. Greens such as collards, mustard, or turnips are traditional side dishes, as are candied yams and black-eyed peas. Vegetables should be purchased fresh and cleaned thoroughly before cooking. For breads, list buttermilk biscuits, cornbread, and hush puppies. Sweet potato pie, bread pudding, and peach cobbler are soul food favorites for dessert.
Think Seasonally
Organize your menu by writing down meal ideas one week in advance. Plan one meal for each day of the week. Keep in mind that some vegetables and fruits will not be in season at different times of the year. In warmer months, your menu should include chilled items such as potato salad, coleslaw, and lemon pie. In winter, soups and stews are ideal.
Writing down your food choices will eliminate the chance of repeating the same entrée two to three times in a week. Because most soul food is plentiful, save the heartiest meals for the weekends or entertaining and gatherings.
Soul Food Combinations
Soul food meals are most delicious when the entrée, side dish, bread, and dessert harmonize perfectly together. Try a combination of country ham, turnip greens, baked macaroni and cheese, corn bread, and apple pie. Or barbequed pork, potato salad, hush puppies, rolls, and lemon pound cake. Another favorite is fried catfish, spicy collard greens, biscuits, and bread pudding.
One dish meals can consist of beef stew, chicken and dumplings, or turkey soup.
Tags: bread pudding, entr side, food choices, hush puppies, potato salad, side dishes, Soul Food