A Celebration of Food and Food Sustainability Projects

Category: Travel

Southern Hush Puppies Recipe

Hush Puppies are a deep-fried savory ball made with a corn-meal batter.  Hush Puppies are often served with seafood in the South.

Recipe courtesy of Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking by
Nathalie Dupree & Cynthia Graubart

Serves 6

Ingredients:

2 cups cornmeal
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons green onions, finely chopped
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons buttermilk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
vegetable oil or shortening for frying

Method:

  1. In a large bowl, sift together, cornmeal, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
  2. Stir in the onions, buttermilk and egg until thoroughly mixed.
  3. Heat the oil to 375˚F and drop the batter by spoonful’s (about 2 teaspoons each) into hot oil.
  4. Fry until golden brown.
  5. Move to a plate lined with paper towels and serve hot.
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Boardinghouse Home Cooking at the Wilkes House, Savannah

Enjoy a touch of Southern hospitality at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room in Savannah, Georgia.

The Wilkes House in Savannah Georgia
The Wilkes House in Savannah Georgia

Lunch is served boardinghouse style with many dishes passed around the table.  We shared a table with a group from Ontario, Canada and the granddaughter of the original Mrs. Wilkes.

Southern dishes passed around the table
Pass the Hush Puppies Please!

Southern Dishes

Bonnie Dixon
Bonnie

We ate far too much of the southern comfort food. 

You pass bowls and plates around to others at the table as you would in a large family or boarding house.

Most or all of the following is available according to season:

  • Fried Chicken
  • Sausage
  • Beef Stew
  • Meat Loaf
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Bisquits & Gravy
  • Black-Eyed Peas
  • Cabbage
  • Snap Peas
  • Macaroni & Cheese
  • Butter Beans
  • Black-eyed Peas
  • Rutabega
  • Squash
  • Rice & Gravy
  • Candied Yams
  • Pickled Beets
  • Red Rice
  • Collard Greens
  • Okra & Tomatoes
  • Brown Rice
  • Potato Salad
  • Apple Salad
  • Macaroni Salad
  • English Peas & Noodles
  • Baked Beans
  • Cole Slaw
  • Cornbread

Follow the links for recipes as we add them.

History

Sema Wilkes took over the boardinghouse in 1943.  Six bachelors rented rooms upstairs and came down for meals.

Wilkes Family History

When asked how long the bachelors stayed, Marcia Thompson, the granddaugher of Sema Wilkes offered:

They stayed until they died. A nice room and three meals a day in downtown Savannah. Why would you ever leave?

Greg Dixon, Marcia Thompson, and Bonnie McDonald Dixon
Greg and Bonnie with Marcia Thompson

Stay at the Wilkes House

You can still stay at the Wilkes House and other properties managed by the family.

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