Soul food

Soul Food (literally about soul food ) is the name of the traditional cuisine of African Americans in the United States with a focus on the South.

History

In the 1960s, soul food was positive component of ethnic identity of African Americans in the United States and the first corresponding restaurants were opened. This can be seen in the context of the civil rights movement of Martin Luther King at this time, but also the Black Muslims and thereby strengthened self-confidence of this ethnic group.

Born out of a kitchen of the defect, many dishes have become part of American cuisine and also popular internationally, such as spare ribs or chicken wings. Originally, the African Americans in the United States during slavery and in time were stuffed mostly satisfied with inferior or cheap food, or what any other use found, for example, less popular cuts of meat, such as offal, pig feet and ears or chicken wings.

Fundamentals and Ingredients

Although some African ingredients are used such as, for example, okra, this kitchen is based on the cooking style of the American South, not african kitchens. But European influences and those of the Indians are to be found. From the Indian cuisine corn, various peas and beans, catfish, shrimp and turkey were taken.

In addition to the self- hunted animals such as gray squirrel, opossum, rabbit, deer and various fish and shellfish and the battle residues forming mainly maize, wheat, rice, yams, potatoes and sweet potatoes saturation basis of this kitchen, which has some similarities to the Cajun food. On some plantations in the southern states of the slaves had their own little garden where they kept chickens and ducks and could grow vegetables.

Typical spices of this cuisine are cayenne pepper, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, sesame seeds, saffron, thyme and vinegar. Popular vegetables in addition to beans and peas cabbage, squash and turnips; Onions also find frequently use. Soul food contains a lot of fat and sugar in order to improve the previously often rather poor quality food taste. Meat is mostly braised, fried and roasted, the vegetables often steamed with lard. Very popular is heavily sweetened iced tea, traditional buttermilk is often drunk.

Well-known dishes

• Grits ( grits, similar to polenta )
• Glazed Yams (glazed yam )
• Glazed Sweet Potatoes (glazed sweet potatoes )
• Chicken or Turkey Wings ( chicken, turkey wings )
• Chicken drumsticks ( drumsticks )
• Chicken Liver (chicken liver)
• Chitterlings ( pork innards )
• Spare ribs ( ribs )
• Corn Pudding / Corn Bread (corn pudding / corn bread)
• Collard greens ( green vegetables, like kale )
• Fatback (smoked and salted pork fat )
• Brawn
• Meatballs ( Meatballs )
• Oxtail soup
• Cooked pork feet
• Hoppin ' John (rice with black eyed peas ( cowpeas ) and bacon )
• Johnny Cakes ( salted pancakes made ​​of corn flour)