Haley Laurence
November 01 | 2017
Everyone knows that Southerners can cook some delicious food. But let's face it -- we spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It's pretty time-consuming to whip up Southern delicacies like chicken and dumplings and collards.
But there's good news: If you have an Instant Pot, a programmable pressure cooker with a cult-like following, you can cook some of of your favorite Southern recipes a lot faster.
Don't believe us? Well, here are a few recipes from across the internet. They're probably not as good as granny's recipes, but really, what is?
Sides
(Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
Of course, we have to start this list with some mac and cheese. Find it here.
We Southerners love our greens, and believe it or not, they still taste pretty darn good if you cook them in the Instant Pot. You can find a recipe for collards or turnip greens from the blog Family Savvy here.
Or, if you're craving Southern-style beans and greens, find a recipe here.
Want to make boiled peanuts in half the time? Try this IP recipe.
In the mood for some cheesegrits? Try this.
And, if you want some corn-on-the-cob that's ready in minutes, here's a recipe.
This recipe promises you potato salad in six minutes.
Main dishes
(AL.com file photo)
Nothing is more Southern than pulled pork. Drastically cut the cooking time of the dish with this recipe.
Or if you prefer brisket, here's a recipe for maple-smoked meat.
Want to feel like you're eating in the middle of Louisiana -- without all the hassle? Well, you can make some easy-peasy jambalaya in your cooker. Find it here.
Or, if you prefer gumbo, here's a link you'd like.
For breakfast lovers, here's you some sausage gravy. (No biscuits included.) Find it here.
For those cold Southern nights, relax with some easy chicken and dumplings. Find it here.
Delight your family with some Mississippi co*ke Roast,recipe here.
Take comfort food to the extreme with the Tex-Mex chili mac. Recipe here.
Looking for a dinner recipe? Try these country-style ribs. Recipe here.
Shorten the cook time for red beans and ricehere.
Other treats
(AL.com file photo)
The blog Southern Family Lifestyle has a peach cobbler recipe that looks so easy and so yummy. Find it here.
Or, if you prefer blueberry cobbler, try a recipe here.
It's not a Southern list without some sweet tea. Find a recipe here.
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Amber Sutton
February 27 | 2024
Check out Talia's Takes, our new advice column
Check out Talia's Takes, our new advice column
Each month in the Potluck newsletter, Talia Lin answers your most pressing questions in her advice column, Talia's Takes, and we thought we'd give you a look at one of her recent columns here. If you'd like to receive Talia's advice in your inbox each month, please sign up for the Potluck, our membership program. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how we do things and you'll get to influence the content we make.
Now, on to Talia's Takes!
Question: “How to deal with the sadness from missing the summertime Southern heat?”
I find this to be a very interesting question. Let’s dissect it. You didn’t ask how to deal with missing Southern heat. You specified, “summertime Southern heat.” And the “sadness” that accompanies that. Let me try to wrap my mind around being sad that it’s not 97 degrees with 92% humidity all day, every day, with my poor AC unit, who’s been on her last leg the past 2 summers, struggle bussing through the night because even when it was pitch black outside it only went down to 83 degrees... This will be an exercise in suspension of disbelief for me.
As someone who is clearly so very thankful for the time of year when it finally starts to cool off, I imagine it would take quite a lot for me to miss the summertime heat. It’s always nice when it starts, but then it lingers about 2 months more than necessary. I will acknowledge though, that I’ve never spent too long away from it. Even when I briefly ventured north-ish (barely past Kentucky and for less than a year so we don’t need to talk about it) and I had to deal with snow for the first time in my life -- it was still a relief to not be constantly sweating. Granted, I was young enough at the time to find the thought of slipping on ice more embarrassing than dangerous. Times have changed.
An obvious solution is to attempt to cheer yourself up. Distractions often work well for me. Not to ignore the sadness of course, but to redirect our focus. Try revisiting a beloved book or TV show. Watch funny videos about adorable and unlikely animal friendships. Treat yourself to a favorite snacky-snack. I personally find it difficult to feel down while saying the word "bubbles". Especially if you do it in a silly voice. Bonus points for putting on a fun costume and dancing around your living room to upbeat music. Sing along! If you’re snacking, please don’t choke.
If none of that worked, we can try attacking this issue from another angle.
A fantastic way to stop missing something is to find gratefulness for what you have in this exact moment. Balance is always important, right? So let’s try an experiment.
Put on as much clothing as you can. Not just tops. All of it. Socks, hats, scarves, underoos -- if you’ve got it, throw it on! Then crank that heater all the way up. Invest in several humidifiers, place them strategically throughout your abode, and find a sunny window spot to bask in like a cat. Once you start to perspire, put another layer on. Things should be quickly escalating from comfortably warm to a sweltering sticky heat. You may be second-guessing the choices you’ve made up to this point. "Why are you even doing this experiment? Was it really a wise decision to take life advice from some random actor who does sketch comedy on the internet? She isn’t even a real professional. This was a horrible idea."
Read more: Check out Talia's Takes, our new advice column
Wait just a doggone minute! You can now pour yourself a nice big glass of sweet tea. We aren’t heathens. Don’t stand in front of that fridge for too long though; we’re still in the middle of science. Once all the ice in your glass has melted and your 11 sweaters have all been... well, sweat through -- go bake yourself a casserole. Is it done? Great! Don’t close that oven door! Turn it off, of course, we’re not trying to burn anything down. Just leave it open until all that baking air has dissipated into your kitchen. It is possible you’re now experiencing a full-blown panic about how on earth you’re going to manage to peel yourself out of the 17 human-soup-drenched layers you’ve trapped yourself in. Perhaps you’re contemplating going full Hulk to escape the stifling swamp you’ve created for yourself. This is the time to finally take one step outside your door. Just for a moment. Long enough to take a deep breath of brisk, fresh air and feel the wind stir against your face.
Doesn’t that feel nice? Are we maybe, just maybe, feeling the teensiest bit of gratitude for a break? A change? The opportunity to appreciate something new? A simple way to nurture love for the environment you’re in, is to recognize what it could be like to not have it all. You are expanding your capacity to love! I’m so proud of you.
That’s my take on this anyway,
Talia
P.S. If you’re missing the summertime Southern heat because you’re currently stuck in Alaska, I do understand, and I’m sorry. Sounds like it’s time to plan a visit! In late July or early August? But if you’re still here and just missing the warmth because it’s currently the singular month we get of winter, I’m going to need you to suck it up.
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talia's takes
Amber Sutton
February 27 | 2024
Quincy's Big Fat Yeast Roll (1990)
If you grew up in the Southeast in the '80s and '90s, there's a good chance you remember the popular restaurant called Quincy's that has almost disappeared entirely today -- key word there being almost. That's right; those big fat yeast rolls are still up for grabs, but depending on where you live, you may have to drive a while for 'em.
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Quincy's got its start in 1970 when Alvin McCall, Jr., opened the first location in Spartanburg, S.C. By 1990, at the chain's peak, there were 212 of them throughout the South, according to Encylcopedia.com. However, by 1998, its locations had dwindled to less than 100, and today, there are only two Quincy's Steakhouses left -- one in Florence, S.C., and one in Monroe, N.C.
While Quincy's is technically a steakhouse as they offer fresh cut steaks and a full menu of other items, most people tend to think of it as more of a buffet restaurant thanks to its popular all-you-can-eat hot bar offerings like fried chicken, mac and cheese and more. The other thing Quincy's is known for, of course, is those giant yeast rolls, which are still served with honey butter and by the basketful at both locations today.
READ MORE: There are only 3 K-Marts left in the country, and one of them is in the South
It's iconic rolls aren't the only thing left from the restaurant's heyday either. From the diamond-shaped sign out front to the trays customers carry through the hot bar line, the last two Quincy's locations remain mostly unchanged, creating a nostalgia trip that just so happens to come with a full meal (and as many plates of dessert as you'd like, too.)
Quincy's Family Steakhouse | Television Commercial | 1991 | Big Fat Yeast Rollwww.youtube.com
That's probably why they stay busy, with many diners saying they were surprised to find one still open and couldn't resist giving it a try after all these years.
"We have a lot of people come in," said Tina Brockington, assistant manager of the Quincy's Steakhouse in Florence. "Some will come in and say that they're traveling and haven't ate at Quincy's in years but wanted to stop by. We stay busy."
If you're wondering why your local Quincy's closed down, or was turned into a WesterN SizzliN, more than two decades ago while these two locations seem to still be thriving, it's likely because it was a corporate-owned location or owned by a franchisee that elected to convert it.
The good news though? If reading this gave you a hankering for Quincy's big fat yeast rolls or hit you with a strong desire to make yourself plate-after-plate of Southern dishes, sides and desserts, you can actually make it happen. Just might want to gas up the car first.
Read more:
14 dishes that take us back in time
An ode to Krystal, a Southern fast food gem
What's the former Blockbuster in your town now?
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quincy's
Amber Sutton
April 30 | 2022
Meatloaf
Shutterstock
We all had a food or two we downright refused to eat as a kid that we can't get enough of now.
Children can be pretty selective about the foods they eat. Often times, kids miss out on some of the best dishes and meals because something about it -- whether it's the color, texture or smell of it -- just doesn't sit right with 'em.
With that in mind, we decided to ask our followers on the It's a Southern Thing Facebook page to tell us about the foods they hated as a kid but love now. We got more than 2,000 replies, and let's just say every green vegetable was present.
Another tidbit we learned about reading through the responses? Boiling vegetables, or anything really, isn't a great way to get a kid to them. Oh, and grape jelly can hide the taste of pretty much anything.
You can read all of the responses on our Facebook page.
Brussel sprouts
Shutterstock
"I hated them as a kid. They were awful. Now I love these little colon sweepers." -- Jennifer Griffin West
Turnip greens
(Matt Wake)
"I’m ashamed to admit this, but when I was little, I actually hated turnip greens. I know, I know! It’s hard enough for me to think about, much less say in front of people, but it’s true. Absolutely cannot imagine life without them now, but I was young and stupid back then. Nutrition and my Southern roots meant nothing to me. I am glad to put it behind me now." -- Beverly Stokes
English peas
Shutterstock
"Growing up I only had the kind in a can, and they were nasty. I never knew how good they were until I got married and we grew them in our garden." -- June Reams Brown
Grits
GritsAL.com File Photo
"It was grits, but then a lady at church made some for Sunday school. She added bacon, cheese, butter and plenty of cream. My love affair with them began that day." -- Leigh Denton Sanchez
Okra
Shutterstock
"I really always loved fried okra, but growing up, I would not taste it cooked any other way. Now I love okra any way it is fixed, especially in gumbo." -- Donna Wade
Tomatoes
AL.com File Photo
"I only hated tomatoes because my brother did. Of course, now I think of all that time I wasted not eating them! What was wrong with me!?" -- Jamie Ellise Gillaspie
Bleu cheese
"I always screwed up my face and told my father he was eating mold. Now I love it." -- Kay Roush Hosford
Rice
Joe Songer/AL.comc
"Growing up I couldn't even be in the house when my mother was cooking rice. Now that I am in my late 60s, I love it. Of course, as an adult, I learned there are many more ways to prepare it than plain boiled with butter." -- Joe Mason
Deviled eggs
Deviled egg platter(Shutterstock)
"Growing up we never called them deviled eggs. Instead, we called them 'party eggs.' I knew I didn't like deviled ham so I assumed I didn't like the eggs either. I was well into my 20s when I learned party eggs were the same as deviled eggs, and I love them." -- Shelle Williams
Broccoli
(Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
"I learned in college that my mother boiled the life out of it." -- Patty Pope
Sweet potatoes
(Tamika Moore)
"Sweet potatoes! I couldn’t stand them. Now I roast them in olive oil and savory seasonings. It's the best!" -- Whitney Zydonik
Cornbread
cornbreadShutterstock
"I had to sit at the table until I finished. I found out later that my mom made terrible cornbread. I liked it at both of my grandparents' houses." -- Virginia Breland
Squash
"Now that is isn’t boiled into submission, it’s great. Same thing with Brussel sprouts." -- Marcia Baker Van Alstine
Potato salad
Shutterstock
"Potato salad of all things! I missed out for years. I slowly built up a tolerance to it by eating a little bit every time I had the chance at family picnics, salad bars, etc. I grew to love it!" -- Christy Carter
Shrimp
Shrimp and grits | AL.com File Photo
"I hated the way they smelled when my mama cooked them. It wasn't until I went to a restaurant as an adult and had them that I fell in love!" -- Crystal Wadsworth
Collard greens
AL.com File Photo
"It was collard greens with chunks of ham for seasoning. I love them now, but mom couldn't get me to eat them." -- Jan Jones
Pot roast
Shutterstock
"Pot roast with carrots and potatoes. We had it almost every Sunday because it was easy for my mom to stick in the oven while we went to church. Fast forward about 30 years, and now it's a favorite." -- Debi Snider
Mashed potatoes
(Jared Boyd)
"I hated them so much as a kid that I put globs of grape jelly on them to hide the taste -- that is until my dad said that was enough of that! Now I love them so much." -- Connie Palmer
Pimento cheese
(Photo by Tamika Moore/tamika@redclaymedia.com)
"My grandma used to make homemade pimento cheese and always wanted me to try it, but I never would. She died when I was 12, and as an adult, I always wish I would have taken even one taste." -- Scarlett Hope Jernigan
Black eyed peas
AL.com File Photo
"I thought they tasted like pure dirt and only ate them for New Years because Grandma told me it brought good luck. Now I can actually tolerate them a little bit!" -- Aaron Armentrout
Meatloaf
Shutterstock
"I hated it as a kid, but I crave it as an adult. It’s my comfort food." -- Kathy Thompson
Coleslaw
In defense of coleslaw, the unsung hero of Southern cookouts
"It was like a switch was flipped in my brain in my 30s." -- Sarah Lanzing
Biscuits and gravy
(Matt Wake)
"I hated the texture of gravy, but now I can’t get enough of them." -- Christina-Elizabeth Shania Flynn
Cranberry sauce
JLMcAnally/Shutterstock.com
"It's so much better if you take five mins to make it instead of just opening a can of red gloop!" -- Jenna Pace
Fried green tomatoes
Fried green tomatoesLuke Porter/It's a Southern Thing
"I hated fried green tomatoes as a kid, but love them both now." -- Stephanie Moore
Dressing
Cornbread dressingShutterstock
"My mom made it really soggy and used most of a can of sage. As an adult, I've learned seasoning and moisture in moderation." -- Linda Frailey
Barbecue
Matt Wake
"The stuff in Texas and Oklahoma is sooooo much better than the east coast stuff." -- MaryJane Callahan
Beets
Shutterstock
"As a child, I was only subjected to vile, unholy boiled beets with vinegar. I now love roasted beets with olive oil, garlic, and dill." -- Andrea Powell
Cabbage
Shutterstock
"I thought cabbage had to be boiled to within an inch of its life and was nasty! Now that I know you can stir fry and have it still crisp, I really enjoy it! -- Andrea Pennington
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community question
