Southern-style cooking is the definition of comfort food. This soul-warming cuisine is the perfect way to usher in colder weather and enjoy a relaxing night in with online casino games. From Southern fried chicken to Mississippi mud pie, Southern-style meals are sure to satisfy even the most discerning taste buds.
So where does Southern-style food come from? Why is it so well-loved around the world and why does it make the perfect accompaniment for playing the best online slots? Read on to find out.
The origins of Southern-style cooking
This style of cooking developed in the American South as the result of cultural exchanges between Africans, Native American and Europeans. West African slaves brought new methods of cooking and an intriguing vegetable, okra, to the region, as well as stewing and the one-pot meal. Europeans introduced pork to the States – which quickly became a staple in Southern meals – and Native Americans introduced cultures they came into contact with to corn and various corn dishes such as cornbread, plus the salting and frying of meat.
Best Southern-style recipes
For a stimulating casino-themed night at home, whether you choose casino table games or live dealer casino games, here are some of the most finger-licking good recipes from the South!
Easy Southern fried chicken
This low-fuss meal is a cook’s dream, especially when that cook has the opportunity to play casino games for money late in the evening. Use a cast iron pan that retains heat well and will cook the chicken more evenly. Cut up a whole chicken into pieces and then season appropriately. Dip chicken pieces into an egg and milk mixture before coating with a combination of flour and red pepper. Fry the chicken in an inch of hot oil for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown, turning occasionally.
It is widely accepted that the first printed recipe for fried chicken appeared in The Virginia House-Wife in 1824. The recipe was written by Mary Randolph, supposedly a distant relative of Thomas Jefferson.
Mississippi mud pie
This tall, dark and handsome masterpiece demands admiration. It consists of a chocolate cracker base, brownie and chocolate custard filling with a delicious whipped cream topping. Creative bakers have been known to use miso (a traditional Japanese seasoning made with fermented soybeans), coffee grounds and bourbon in alternative versions of this addictive pie.
The origins of the pie are somewhat murky. According to one story the pie was invented in a small town near Jackson, around the late 1920s. A woman who lived there, Jenny Meyer, lost her home when the Mississippi river flooded in 1927. To make ends meet, she worked as a waitress and during one of her shifts joked that a melting frozen chocolate pie looked like the river’s muddy banks. And so the name stuck.
Collard greens
Collard greens are the staple green vegetable of the south. If you want to cook them in authentic Southern style, here’s how to go about it. To start, assemble the following: ham (the greens are cooked with smoked ham hocks, which is what gives the dish its distinctive savory, meaty flavor), garlic, chicken broth, collard greens (they usually come pre-trimmed, otherwise make sure to thoroughly clean and prepare them first), apple cider vinegar, sugar and seasonings. Combine the onions, ham hocks and garlic in a stockpot. Pour over the chicken broth. Cook over medium heat until the meat falls off the bone. Add the remaining ingredients and cook until the greens are tender.
Food-inspired online slots
Once you’ve made one or more of these comforting Southern-style dishes, it’s time to kick back and enjoy your meal with a side of live dealer casino games or even some online slots with food-inspired themes.
Kung Food
This Chinese-themed 5-reel, 30-payline slot features Chinese food as symbols. You’ll come across fortune cookies, rice and soy sauce, to name but a few as you spin the reels against a backdrop of a Chinese kitchen. There is also a “Play Faster” option which lets you reduce the break time between spins.
Hell’s Kitchen
Confront Gordon Ramsay, the harshest of taskmasters, in this online slot with an RTP of 96.07%. In fact, this is the official slot of Ramsay’s famous television series Hell’s Kitchen. Symbols include sticky toffee pudding, a fruit cocktail, a spicy burger and beef wellington.
Baking Bonanza
This online slot offers a unique twist. Players choose their own cakes to bake and their own RTP ratio, which can range between 92.89% and 96.47%. This one-of-a-kind food-themed slot is really a hybrid blend of bingo and slots. The aim of the game is to complete your chosen cake recipes, with every cake finished paying out a specific reward.
Join the fun at Borgata Online
Enjoy a Southern-style meal in the comfort of your home while playing casino games with family and friends. There’s so much to enjoy when you sign up with Borgata Online. Evenings at home have never been so enjoyable.