Holy moly, this page looks yummy! Is it just me, or does each and every Southern Delicacy we feature look more and more delicious? Maybe I should stop working on these posts right around lunch time…

Like grits, deviled eggs are one of those love it or hate it foods. I think it’s the consistency that throws the dislikers off! I, myself, am quite fond of deviled eggs, and Emily’s told me she loves them, too. Deviled eggs, or eggs mimosas (I prefer this term!), are hard-boiled eggs cut in half and filled with the hard-boiled egg’s yolk mixed with all kinds of yummy seasoning and toppings. Deviled eggs are traditionally served cold as an appetizer, most commonly on holidays or at parties.

From top: deviled eggs by Cru Catering (photo by A Bryan Photo via Southern Weddings), deviled eggs with prosciutto (photo and recipe from Pixelated Crumb), lobster deviled eggs from Coastal Living (photo by Becky Luigart-Staynor), deviled eggs topped with bacon (photo by Cyn Kain)

A few interesting facts about deviled eggs: The term “deviled” dates back to the 19th century, when the term was coined to refer to particularly piquant (hot or spicy) spices in cooking. In Belgium, a variation known as “Russian eggs” is served. This version is where the eggs are filled with caviar and served in rémoulade sauce (not so sure about that one). In some parts of the South, the terms “salad eggs” or “dressed eggs” are used, particularly when the dish is served in connection with a church function.

We love the idea of serving deviled eggs at a wedding cocktail hour for a little down home flavor, especially when you dress up the classic with one of these creative ideas! The deviled egg topping bar below is particularly fun and interactive!

Clockwise from top left: deviled eggs with topping bar from My Recipes (photo by Jennifer Davick), pimento cheese deviled eggs from Southern Living (photo by Jennifer Davick), buffalo chicken deviled eggs (photo and recipe by Baked by Rachel), beet-pickled deviled eggs from The Kitchn (photo by Leela Cyd Ross)

Want to try your hand at deviling some eggs? Cool hard-boiled eggs, peel and half lengthwise. Remove the yolks, then mash and mix with your favorite ingredients, such as mayonnaise, mustard, tartar sauce or Worcestershire sauce. Then scoop the yolk mixture and place into the egg “cups.” Lastly, garnish with Old Bay, paprika, curry powder, chives, and/or dill!

Do you like deviled eggs? Will you be serving them at your wedding? Do you prefer the classic version, or would you try one of the bolder varieties in this post?

Have any of y’all seen the show GCB? I’m obsessed! It’s my new guilty pleasure – over the top, a bit campy, and completely fabulous. And, it’s based in the South! Holla! Y’all know I love big Southern hair, and this show is full of it!

The ladies of GCB have yet to sample chicken and waffles on screen, but I’ll bet it’s only a matter of time, as this sweet and savory bite is a Southern staple! On that note, oh heavens, please someone keep me from licking this computer screen! Seriously, the mini cones?? I think Emily’s mini food obsession is rubbing off on me!

A little history: Chicken and waffles is a soul food dish that combines delicious waffles with (usually) fried chicken. The waffle is usually drizzled with butter and/or syrup, which only adds to the deliciousness factor (and, yes, the calorie count). The exact origin of this semi-crazy combination is unknown, but according to one story, it actually has deep roots, dating from the 1790′s, when Thomas Jefferson brought a waffle iron home from France. The combo of chicken and waffles started appearing in cookbooks shortly thereafter.

A Bryan Photo via Southern Weddings (food by Cru Catering), Diana M. Lott, Ingalls Photography via Martha Stewart Weddings, Jessica Lorren, last two by Vitalic Photo via Style Me Pretty

No matter where this tradition started, we Southerners have embraced it! According to my secret Northerner source (shh, it might be Miss Emily), this Southern delicacy is particularly baffling to our counterparts up North. I’m not sure what to tell her except that perhaps it’s in our genes!

On a final note, I am personally so excited to see this delicacy being served at Southern fetes. We all know I’m a bit of a tradition freak, so seeing couples serving this truly Southern combo to their guests has me tickled pink. Because chicken and waffles is such a flexible dish, it’s perfect for almost every wedding event, from cocktail hour to a midnight snack to a going away brunch the next morning. We also love the idea of printing your grandmother’s waffle recipe on a muslin bag and sending it home with your guests as a homespun favor!

Tell me: Do you love chicken and waffles? What’s your favorite Southern food? Will you be serving a Southern delicacy at your wedding?

Psst… hungry for more?
Our Southern fixin’s Pinterest board
Black-eyed peas
Benne wafers

Jessica Lorren and Cru Catering are fabulous members of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

Every year, my family spends new years on Dauphin Island. Since there’s a fireworks ban, we bang pots and pans at midnight, and everyone must eat at least a spoonful of black-eyed peas and collard greens. On New Year’s Day, we have a big ol’ park football game (and not tag football, either – it’s violent!). I love these traditions, which is why I was so sad that BDK and I weren’t able to make it to the Island this year. We stayed home and drank champagne in our pajamas, but we STILL each ate a spoonful of black-eyed peas and collard greens.

Tasty Kitchen

Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day (or shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve) is thought to bring prosperity and good luck to those who partake. The practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is generally believed to date back to the Civil War. Today, the tradition of eating black-eyed peas for the New Year has evolved into a number of variations, including serving them with greens (for good luck with money) or with cornbread (no word on what that’s supposed to do for you).

For the best chance of luck every day in the year ahead, one must eat at least 365 black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. That’s a lot of peas! Some Southerners add a shiny penny or dime to the pot just before serving, and the person whose bowl contains the coin receives the best luck for the New Year. Reminds me of my husbands crazy meemaw, who used to put a horseshoe in the dog’s water for extra iron!

We love that some Southern brides have chosen to incorporate black-eyed peas into their wedding days, whether using them as a mason jar or vase filler, or tossing them for good luck instead of confetti or petals!

Credits from top to bottom and left to right: Melissa Schollaert via this awesome V4 wedding, next two images Millie Holloman via SMP, Morgan Trinker, and Studio 56 Photography

Does your family have any crazy New Year’s traditions? How many of y’all eat black-eyed peas and/or collard greens at the New Year? Will you or have you incorporated black-eyed peas into your wedding decor?

Hungry for more? Dig into our other Southern Delicacies:
Grits
King Cake
Benne Wafers

When my sister and I were younger, we bickered a lot. Every Mardi Gras, especially, we would argue about who would get the baby in their piece of king cake. One year, my mom must have had enough, because she went all King Soloman on us, and cut the baby in half, then placed half a baby in each of our pieces of cake! We were both a bit in shock! This must sound so bizarre, especially if you don’t know about king cakes, but allow me to explain!

Mark Eric Photography

In the South, particularly Mobile, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and Louisiana, the king cake is a Mardi Gras tradition. Normally served on Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday), the king cake is a ring of twisted sweet bread topped with icing or sugar. Depending on how you feel about such things, they can look either festive or garish, because they’re usually colored purple, green, and gold with food coloring.

Placed underneath or inside of the cake is a small plastic baby, said to represent Baby Jesus. Tradition says that the person who gets the piece of cake with the baby receives good luck for the coming year, AND they’re responsible for buying the cake the following year. Who knows why my sister and I would argue so much over that tiny baby — I guess just because the other one wanted it so much!

Images from Brown Eyed Baker

To me, king cakes have a delicious, yet not overly sweet taste that is absolutely divine! Think cinnamon roll or sweet cake without as much cinnamon or sugar.

Do you love king cake? Have you incorporated it or will you incorporate it into your wedding day? Maybe as an alternative groom’s cake?

Think you’ve got what it takes to make this sweet tradition? I stumbled upon this traditional recipe from Brown Eyed Baker for y’all. If you try it, be sure to let me know how it comes out!

P.S. Join in the Mardi Gras party with these past posts!
Emily’s Mardi Gras Inspiration Board
My tradition + inspiration post
Nicole’s Color Palette Finds

This past weekend, my husband BDK and I had a fun little trip to the Boca Beach Club planned. Research for the Honey List, you know. Let’s just say it was a blast, but more on that later!

Our Southern Delicacy mini-series is taking a beach trip as well – to Charleston! I know, jealous! Our Southern Delicacy of the week is the benne wafer, and according to the Olde Colony Bakery, “the benne wafer perfectly represents the fine taste and heritage of the Charleston, South Carolina area.” Having never tasted benne wafers (shame!) I cannot concur without further research.

Benne wafer photo by She Wears Many Hats; benne wafer favor photo by Veil and Bow via Style Me Pretty

I can, however, give you a little taste (pun-intended) of what my research found! Benne wafers are unique to the Lowcountry (the region located along South Carolina’s coast), and have been around since the Colonial era. The benne (the Bantu word for sesame) wafer is a thin cookie, made of toasted sesame, and has a almond-y or peanut buttery flavor. The original recipe was brought over from East Africa in the 17th century, and wafers are still made by hand today. Not local to Charleston but still looking to get your hands on this great Southern treat? Try Olde Colony Bakery, Market Street Munchies, or Byrd Cookie Company.

An additional detail for brides? According to Bantu folklore, eating the benne wafer is said to bring good luck; I think the luck alone is a perfect reason to serve this yummy treat at a wedding! (Well that, and its fabulous Southern history!) These sweet little cookies would also be perfect as a wedding favor or tucked into a welcome bag.

Looking to try your hand at benne wafers? Discover South Carolina has the recipe for traditional preparation of this delicacy for y’all!

Have you tried benne wafers? How do they rank among fabulous Southern treats, in your opinion?

P.S. Is this making you hungry? Check out our first feature in this series – grits!