Tomato Sandwiches: Southern or Universal?

Today for lunch, I assembled a simple tomato sandwich. Something I've done hundreds (or thousands) of times in my life, almost always during summer. Two slices of white bread: check. Several slices of a juicy tomato (grown by family or friends): check. Duke's mayonnaise: check. Salt and pepper: check.

Eat me! (On a sandwich, of course.)

To me, tomato sandwiches are a ubiquitous part of Southern summer life. Consumption of these sandwiches is widespread--almost everyone down here eats them. Truly. You don't have to describe to another Southerner what a tomato sandwich is, or explain to them that, yes, it's still delicious even though it doesn't have meat, cheese, butter or any of the other ingredients that usually make food worth eating. In the South, it's never assumed that tomato sandwiches are vegetarian specialties or some kind of poor man's meal for those barely scraping by. (Although, a tomato sandwich could very easily suffice in either of those situations.) No, Southerners know tomato sandwiches.

But just because Southerners eat--and appreciate--tomato sandwiches often, does that mean the humble sandwich actually falls into the category of Southern food? After all, they do have tomatoes in other parts of the country (and world). And they have bread. And salt and pepper.  Of course, they don't all have Duke's, which is sad for them; but most places have passable versions of mayonnaise.

The only acceptable mayo for a Southern tomato sandwich.

This is something I often think about when I'm enjoying a juicy tomato (or, 'mater) sandwich. And, it turns out, I'm not the only one. This weekend, I read Southern Heirlooms in Our State magazine. The author of the article, Scott Huler, asks the very same question. He starts with the premise that tomato sandwiches are universal to some degree; however, his ultimate conclusion--and how he gets there--provides for a very insightful look at how important tomato sandwiches are to the Southern summer experience:

"So, a homegrown crop with a long growing season, consumed constantly by people used to doing for themselves, and a sandwich that's a quick and convenient way to eat it. With a native condiment that somehow makes it special. Maybe the tomato sandwich, Southern style, does have a claim to iconic status."

Huler also points out how people in this region--specifically his wife--talk about tomato sandwiches in a particularly Southern way. And it occurs to me that I've never heard anyone outside the South mention a tomato sandwich ... ever.  So, they may (possibly) eat them, but it's not something you hear them go on about or describe with delight and sentimentality. But Southerners talk about tomato sandwiches--like all of the other foods we love--a lot. You can't shut us up about them. Heck, Rebecca Wells even found a way to work them into one of her novels:

"We'd go to Washington, D.C., where the President and Mrs. Roosevelt would be waiting, begging me to come have tomato sandwiches with the crust cut off." ~Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood

Even the sassy characters of Southern literature love tomato sandwiches.

So, you decide. Tomato sandwiches: Southern or universal?

Clearly, this is a yankee tomato sandwich.

Movie Menu Inspiration: 'The Help'

Update added at bottom.

A couple of weeks ago, I talked about movie menu inspirations. So when I saw that Southern Living had a post called "Southern Recipes Inspired by The Help," I secretly hoped they had been reading Savor South. Who am I kidding? I know they haven't. However, I still love the idea behind this piece. They have compiled 27 of their classic recipes in a slideshow, detailing the connection each dish has to the novel/movie.

I can see already that I'm going to have to try the buttermilk biscuit recipe. I'm on a personal quest to make the perfect biscuit. Like Jason, I'm biscuit-challenged. But I'm determined not to let them best me. I will make delicious biscuits. I will make delicious biscuits. I will make delicious biscuits! And I think I'll try their recipe to see if it's the perfect combination of ingredients I've been looking for.

Another recipe on their inspiration list that jumped out at me was the Tuna Salad with Lemon Aioli . It looks yummy and delicious. Or is it just the incredible bread bowl presentation I'm drawn to? Either way, I'm going to have to try both the recipe and the bowl. Look for a similar presentation at the next party I host.

Now, if the movie has as many food references as this list leads me to believe, I'm going to have to run see it soon! My co-bloggers loved the book. So ... between their recommendation of the story and my preoccupation with biscuits exceptional character development, I'm sure to want to see the film.

UPDATE: In piddling around on Twitter today, I came across this awesome food blog called The Cooking Bride that started 'The Help' Southern Cooking Series. Check out this post where she offers a bacon pimento cheese recipe!

What's Your Movie Menu Inspiration?

The Pioneer Woman just had a post on Truvy's Cuppa Cuppa Cuppa cake from Steel Magnolias. Yes, Steel Magnolias. A film that, despite the melodrama and phony Southern accents, is still an enjoyable watch--due mainly to the trifecta of Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis.

Anyway, Ree (the Pioneer Woman) has a bit of a love affair with the movie and has successfully recreated Truvy's recipe.

But it made me wonder: What about the bleeding armadillo cake? You know, the red velvet groom's cake atrocity served at Shelby's wedding reception in the movie.

Well, as it turns out, the Internet is lousy with armadillo cakes. There are how-to guides and Flickr galleries. I even found a bakery called Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop. Basically, if you have the inclination to bake and decorate such a thing yourself, you have plenty of online help and inspiration.

So, I got to thinking ... What are some other movie-inspired recipes I'd like to try (either out of food lust or novelty's sake)? Hmmm. I might need ideas. What are some that you'd like to try (or have tried)? Let us know!

A Biscuit Bar (and Other Great Ideas)

The blog for Southern Weddings magazine is a great resource for Southern brides ... but I also happen to think it's a gold mine of ideas for entertaining. If you have dreams of becoming the perfect Southern hostess (or host) you can easily draw inspiration from many of their featured wedding receptions and engagement parties. One of my favorite ideas is the biscuit bar that two North Carolina newlyweds used at their wedding. I think this could easily be the centerpiece of a Sunday brunch or a wedding shower, don't you? It's seems fairly easy and affordable, too.

If you're interested in pulling this off for your next soiree, one of Southern Wedding's editors has a how-to guide here.

While you're on the site, search around for other good ideas. For instance, I saw this in one of their entries:

Is that pimento cheese molded into the shape of a beehive? Oh my!

See what I mean??? Check out the Southern Weddings blog right away.

100 Ways to Cook Southern

Here at Savor South, we love Southern Living. For me personally, it's as much a go-to guide for recipes as the Betty Crocker Cookbook was to housewives of the 1950s. If I'm looking for a new recipe--Southern or not--I always peruse the cooking section of their site first. And my scrapbook cookbook (a binder of recipes I've collected over the years) is largely comprised of recipes I've torn from their pages or printed from their site. Do yourself a favor and spend some time looking at some of their dishes. You might want to get started with this menu of recipes: 100 Ways to Cook Southern.

They have compiled a list of foods that are either quintessentially Southern or traditional with a Southern twist. Some of the recipes are region-specific (like low-country, for example), and some have South-wide appeal. Looking over it, I noticed many favorites of mine. For example, Brunswick Stew (featured in the picture above), Pimento Cheese, Buttermilk Biscuits, Grits, Po-Boys, Chicken and Dumplings, Macaroni and Cheese and shrimp anything. I really could go on and on. And I have to say, there's not a recipe on the list I wouldn't try. And a few I have tried, with marvelous results. A favorite of mine, which I often prepare for holiday parties is the Warm Turnip Green Dip.

I always get complimented on this dish; and, confidentially, I could eat the whole thing myself and never share it with anyone. But since I'm sure that would add 5 pounds to my frame right on the spot, I don't.

Another recipe of theirs I've tried that's had (almost) as equally good results is their King Ranch Casserole:

And I look forward to trying many more, such as their Cheese Straws, Beer-Batter Fried Pickles, Tomato Gravy and Coca Cola Cake.

If you'd like to spend some time drooling, please check out these recipes. They even have a recipe for making Southern Sweet Tea. Although, if you're a Southerner, you probably perfected this beverage years ago.