In the heart of the Bible belt, sits a little state called Mississippi. This state was once home to a greater variety of Native American tribes than any other state in the nation! And it was the native tribes who gave Mississippi its name. The Mississippi River forms the western border of the state. The local tribes called that river "messipi," meaning "Big River."
Many say that the best thing to come from Mississippi is southern comfort food! And there are some really delicious famous foods from Mississippi! But others would argue that blues music is the best gift that Mississippi has given the world! Blues music was born in the Mississippi Delta, just after the Civil War. The state recently created the Blues Trail, documenting the important sites that impacted the blues journey to the world.
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History of Biscuits and Gravy
There are not many foods more southern than biscuits and gravy! Today Americans look for biscuits that are tall with flaky layers. But that's not always how biscuits were made. In the pre-Civil war days, biscuit dough was pounded and then dropped onto baking sheets. These biscuits were considered a delicacy, reserved for the Sunday dinner. Finally, in the mid-1800s leavening agents were invented. This transformed the biscuit into what we know today.
Sausage gravy has been paired with biscuits ever since the Revolutionary War. Post-war, food supplies were low and meals needed to be cost-effective. Both biscuits and gravy are made out of staple ingredients. Adding sausage to the gravy boosted the protein and made it a meal that would sustain long days of work.
History of Mississippi Mud Pie
Like many of our state dishes, we don't know exactly who invented the Mississippi Mud Pie. What we do know is that it was first seen in print in 1975. There are many variations of this pie, but they all resemble the muddy banks of the Mississippi. Most have some sort of a crumbly crust, thick and fudgy cake, and fluffy cream.
Famous Food From Mississippi Dinner Menu
Mississippi State Facts
- Mississippi was the 20th state in the US
- The 26-mile section of the Mississippi gulf coast is the longest man-made beach in the world
- Root beer was invented in Biloxi in 1898 by Edward Adolf Barq, Sr.
- Mississippi has more churches per capita than any other state in the US
- Pine-Sol was developed in 1929 by chemist Harry A. Cole, who lived in a pine forest near Jackson, MS
- Famous people from Mississippi include: Tennessee Williams, B.B. King, and Oprah Winfrey
If this is the first state dinner you have enjoyed with us, check out our journey from the beginning, starting here.
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