Southern Home Cooking and Your Mississippi Vacation

Are regional foodie favorites part of your Gulf Coast vacation? When Southern home cooking is a staple of your getaway plan, you need to know where to start. If you're on the search for true Southern cuisine, take a look at some of the top home cooking picks and where you can find them.

Do you like to eat local? A Mississippi Gulf Coast vacation means you have plenty of seafood selections that are freshly caught nearby.

Shrimp is one of the most popular from-the-Gulf options for locals and visitors alike. While some vacationers enjoy eating the freshly caught shrimp as is, you can also find the ingredient in plenty of Southern style dishes. These include Etouffee (shrimp or crawfish in a roux-based, vegetable sauce that's served over rice) or Po'boy sandwiches.

Other foodie finds from the Gulf include oysters (grilled, in the shell, and other preparations), crab (boiled, as part of a gumbo recipe, or in combination with other types of seafood), or fish such as Mississippi Gulf Flounder, Mullet, Red Drum, or Snapper.

While seafood is a staple in the Gulf, it isn't your only choice. Chicken and dumplings are a top choice when it comes to down home comfort foods. This often-heavy option is hearty enough to fill you up for an entire day of Mississippi sight-seeing.

Along with dumplings, fried chicken is another popular poultry pick in southern style cuisine. You're sure to find plenty of Gulf Coast eateries that serve this staple. Pair it with sweet corn, biscuits, potatoes, fried vegetables, or even buttermilk waffles.

If you don't eat meat, don't worry. You have plenty of down home Southern options. Fried green tomatoes are a Southern staple that you may not see elsewhere in the country. These tangy treats are battered, breaded, and fried. Thick-sliced fried tomatoes are served either as-is or on bread as a sandwich.

Okra is another fried vegetarian option that features prominently in Southern cooking. This home-style selection is battered, spiced, fried, and served as a fabulous finger food.

Even though there are plenty of southern style vegetable dishes in Gulf Coast eateries, you can also find meat-free options that don't necessarily involve anything green. Hushpuppies are a classic when it comes to down home cuisine. These fried spheres are made primarily from cornmeal and have a soft, but crunchy comforting texture.

The Southern feast shouldn't end immediately after the main meal. Don't forget about the delicious regional desserts available in the Gulf Coast area. Southern specialties include everything from bourbon sweet potato pie to peach upside-down cake and red velvet delights.

Where can you dine on these scrumptious Southern Gulf Coast dishes? There are plenty of places across the Mississippi coast to taste these fine treats.

Before you book your Mississippi vacation, visit local travel and tourism websites, ask friends, or talk to your travel agent about favorites with foodies. Along with restaurants and cafes, you can also explore home style cooking where you stay. Bed and breakfasts often offer a full menu of Mississippi meals.

Don't let the name fool you - bed and breakfasts offer more than just a morning meal. While you can get breakfast or brunch, some also serve lunch and dinner. This allows you to experience everything the South has to offer in one place. Not only will you get to explore classic Gulf cuisine, but the bed and breakfast setting provides a home-like environment to enjoy your meals in.

Are you planning a trip to Gulf Coast Mississippi? Do you want to experience everything the South has to offer? Contact Bed, Breakfast and Beyondfor more information.