March 4th, 2015

Charleston Cooks!, Cooking Classes, Maverick Southern Kitchens, Retail Shop, A Kitchen, Charleston, South Carolina, Learn, Share, Enjoy!!

Charleston in bloom.  I want to see it.  I guess I will have to go back.

“A good Cook is the peculiar gift of the gods.  He must be a perfect creature from the brain to the palate, from the palate to the finger’s end.”  walter savage landor

I found myself participating….oh yes, getting my hands dirty, in a cooking class.  Charleston Cooks! is located at 194 East Bay St. Tel. 843-722-1212.  Website?  http://www.charlestoncooks.com Charleston Cooks! is a retail shop and a kitchen, where you can learn, share and enjoy.  There were going to be 9 amateurs participating in a One Pot Wonder Cooking Class.

One pot recipes are perfect for a large group of guests.  Take them to someone’s house as a gift.  Or, prepare them ahead of time when there are not enough hours in the day to labor in the kitchen.  Using fresh ingredients, easy recipes, and awesome seasonings.  They work all the time.

Haley Gunther was our Chef and Josh was her Assistant.  They were so gracious in welcoming us to their kitchen.  They showed us tricks of the trade….I thought I knew some of them, but to tell you the truth I felt like a novice.

Haley encouraged us to read the recipes in front of us completely. There have been some classes where a new recipe was invented….you know, a little bit of this and too much of that.  Tasting is very important.

The 9 of us gathered were from Hilton Head, Australia but living in New York, North Carolina, Delaware, and I believe Alabama.  We quickly became friends with a common bond…cooking!

On the table Cream Cheese Apricot Jalapeno Jam and crostini.  A little tasting before the class started.

We were going to be making 5 recipes.  Cajun Jambalaya, Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole, Prosciutto and Spinach Lasagna, Chicken Country Captain, and for a sweet ending….a Raspberry Whipped Triffle.  Needless to say, I am not posting those recipes at this time, but if you are interested let me know and post by post I will write them for you.

The mother and daughter team was split with the mother making the Triffle.

Her daughter and I were in charge of the Prosciutto and Spinach Lasagna.  It turned out so well.  Loved the prosciutto addition to the lasagna.

And look how pretty it turned out.

The Australians were having a ball….with Haley keeping a good watch on them…lol.  They were responsible for the Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole.  It seemed that both loved to cook but he mentioned that cooking at the end of the day was so relaxing for him.

Two pots with different groups cooking.

On the left the Chicken Country Captain was being prepared and on the right the Cajun Jambalaya was taking shape.

Chicken Country Captain

Cajun Jambalaya

Each of our plates looked beautiful.  It’s all about Yum and our recipes turned out Yummy!  Perfectly paired with Maverick Wines.

When we arrived the table was a blank canvass.  We did not know each other.  In a few hours we learned and cooked a meal and then we sat down to eat and chat.  Pretty soon we knew about the ones that behives are a pastime, the others that love to travel, and the husband that mentioned to the Australians if they would be interested in seeing the destroyer….his wife gave him that look that said “what are you thinking!”  Really, a destroyer on vacation?  Anyway, laughter, and a good time are always priceless!!  Thanks Haley and Josh!!!!  Until next time.

For more information on cooking classes, please visit http://www.charlestoncooks.com/charleston/classes.

March 3rd, 2015

Charleston Eats, Slightly North of Broad Street, S.N.O.B., Charleston, South Carolina…Chef’s Table, Eclectic Lowcountry Bistro, Historic Charleston, BB&T Charleston Wine & Food Festival, March 4-8,”Charleston Dishes Delicious”

Historic Charleston

Charleston, S.C., is a good place to get “stuck” when your flight is canceled.  I did not know I was going back to Charleston so quickly.  How lucky, right?

So many restaurants have opened in Charleston since last year.  It’s like you don’t know which one to choose….and then, everyone that has been to Charleston will tell you where to go, what to eat….don’t forget this or that.  I am doing the same thing.

On my book there are 5 “ingredients” to a good restaurant:  Culinary Competence, Quality of Ingredients, Ambiance, Service, and Price.  Which means you want the best chefs or cooks, depending how you want to call yourselves, fresh ingredients, ambiance conducive to conversation, personal service and a good price.  I found S.N.O.B.

Slightly North Of Broad, or, S.N.O.B., is located at 192 East Bay Street.  Tel. 843-723-3424  Website?  http://www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/slightlynorthofbroad.  This restaurant is owned by the Maverick Southern Kitchen Group, with other restaurants such as High Cotton in Greenville, and Charleston, Old Village Post House in Mount Pleasant, and Charleston Cooks!  They have gluten free menus available!!

I arrived at 11:50 a.m.  I thought I would be the first one there.  Oh, no.  The dining room was full.  Then, I was told that there was a seat available at the Chef’s Table.  Are you kidding?…another lucky day.  The dining room is an extension of the kitchen.  The Chef’s Table is long and seats 6 guests.  To my left there were 2 gentlemen, and to my right a couple who knew the Executive Chef, and another guest.

The corn bread was warm and came in a sweet grass basket.  Perfect addition to my soup.

Checking out what everyone was having I noticed the huge portion of moist meatloaf.  But, I wanted something different like their Curried Chickpea Soup with Cabbage and Currants.  Totally delish, well seasoned and comforting.

I am always on a culinary journey.  The blending of flavors get my tastebuds doing that je ne sais quai.  Originally, I was going to order the fried chicken livers on grits…..then, my question was:  What is your signature dish?  No hesitation; the Maverick Shrimp & Grits.  That did it.  A signature dish that everyone comes to enjoy.  I wanted it.

The gentleman on my left said to me that his hotel had said S.N.O.B. had the best shrimp and grits.  So, check out my plate….shrimp, home sausage, country ham, freshy tomatoes, green onions, garlic and Geechie Boy yellow grits.

Geechie Boy Yellow Grits are ground in historic mills in Edisto Island, S.C…..Local!!

No dessert was necessary, I was totally satisfied……the gentleman at the end of the table…I believe his name was George was having a coconut ice cream, which he said was the best.  He visits S.N.O.B. at least 3 times per week.  He considers their cooking one of the best anywhere by far.  That’s a local’s review for you.

Guilty…..the reason I was not having dessert is because I was going to a cooking class next door at Charleston Cooks in about an hour and a half.  Yikes…

Note:  The BB & T Charleston Wine & Food Festival is March 4th until the 8th…this coming week-end.  It is in its 10th year.  It celebrates Lowcountry Cuisine with James Beard Award winning chefs from around the country, as well as the region’s best.  Please check http://www.charlestonwineandfood.com.

When is Spring getting here???