Southern Recipes That Will Remind You of The Mountains

If you don’t live in the Smoky Mountains we are sure you will miss some of the best southern cooking you fell in love with while visiting. From Jalapeño Buttermilk Cornbread to Banana Pudding, there are delicious recipes that you can bring home with you to your kitchen. 

Check out Pigeon Forge’s most popular dishes inspired by the mountains:

Jalapeño Buttermilk Cornbread

There is no South without some good ole cornbread. Whether you like it sweet or with a touch of heat they will both take you on a flavor journey to an old cottage nestled in the mountains.

Ingredients

Prep Time: 15 min | Bake Time: 20 min | Serves: 8

• 1 cup of self-rising flour
• 1 cup of yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup of buttermilk
• 1/4 cup of eggs
• 3 tablespoons of canola oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup of fresh or frozen corn, thawed
• 3 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. In a large bowl, whisk flour and cornmeal. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg substitute, 2 tablespoons oil, honey, and mayonnaise. Pour the remaining 1 tablespoon oil into an 8-in. cast-iron or another ovenproof skillet; place the skillet in the oven for 4 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, combine the buttermilk and flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in corn, cheese, and peppers.
3. Carefully tilt the skillet to coat the bottom with oil; add batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.

Sweet Tea

What a classic! This staple has been a favorite for decades and will be for many more to come. Brew up this refreshing drink for a nice pairing with any meal you serve up.

Ingredients

Prep Time: 15 min + chill time | Serves: 7

• 2 cups of water
• 6 bags of black tea
• 1/8 baking soda

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from the heat; add tea bags. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Discard tea bags.
2. Sprinkle baking soda into a 2-qt. pitcher. Transfer tea to pitcher; stir in sugar. Add cold water. Refrigerate until chilled. (Note: baking soda helps reduce the bitterness of the black tea)

Swirled Cinnamon Bread

One of the best treats to indulge in when the weather is cold and the snow is knocking on your window. This recipe is sweet and simple and makes a great addition to any occasion.

Ingredients

Prep Time: 25 min | Bake Time: 45 min + cool down | Serves: 12 pieces (1 loaf)

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 large egg, room temp
• 1 cup of plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup of canola oil
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk egg, yogurt, oil, and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and remaining cinnamon.
2. Spoon a third of the batter into an 8×4-in. loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Top with a third of the brown sugar mixture. Repeat layers twice. Cut through the batter with a knife to swirl the brown sugar mixture.
3. Bake 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from the pan to a wire rack.

Buttermilk Biscuits

With only 4 ingredients and plenty of butter to share, these buttermilk biscuits are as fluffy as a cloud. Served with pretty much every southern dish ever, biscuits are a must when preparing the ultimate southern meal.

Ingredients

Total Time: 30 min | Serves: 8 buscuits

• 1/2 cup of cold butter, cubed
• 2 cups of self-rising flour
• 3/4 but of buttermilk
• Melted butter

Cooking Instructions 

1. In a large bowl, cut butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk just until moistened. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 3-4 times. Pat or lightly roll to 3/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter.
2. Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 425° until golden brown, 11-13 minutes. Brush tops with butter. Serve warm and enjoy.

These recipes sure made us hungry. The history of these dishes passed down from generations is quite amazing. Now, if you still have not taken a trip up to the Smoky Mountains or are planning one out, make sure to check out when it’s the best time to visit Pigeon Forge for the best experience.