Author: Debbi Covington

John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Isn’t that true? We’re all so busy, almost all of the time, and we put off celebrating the everydayness of our lives. Don’t forget to spend some quality time with the person you love the most. Always take the time to enjoy each other — today, tomorrow and every day. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the outside world to spend a quiet evening at home with your true love.  These delicious recipes will ensure a great meal and a special night.                                                                          Photography: Susan DeLoach Photography

    What’s better on a blustery winter day than a bowl of steaming hot soup? Correct answer? Nothing’s better. These unseasonably cold days in Beaufort, SC have left me chilled to the bone. I guess I’m used to working in a warm kitchen over a hot stove.

  On November 18th, wine aficionado Larry Bernard and I taught a wine and food pairing class for OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at USC-B. Our class was limited to 30 people and sold out in the first few hours that it was offered. The recipes this week are a sampling of some of the wines and food that were served during our presentation. Larry and I will be offering a bourbon and food pairing class on February 2nd. For more information, contact Andrea Sisino at OLLI.

Blow the horns, throw the confetti and pop the cork on 2015 in sparkling style! A time for reflection as well as for reveling, the turning of the year provides an opportunity to look back with satisfaction and ahead with hope.  Invite a few guests for a toast of bubbly and then sit down to a palate-pleasing meal. 

  Come on over, the drinks are on the house! Festive beverages – hot or cold, spirited or nonalcoholic – will enliven any holiday gathering of friends and family!

  A few weeks ago, one of my favorite customers approached me about catering a birthday dinner for his wife that would feature foods from New Zealand. I, of course, hopped on the idea and suggested that we serve the meal tapas-style. The rest is history. We had a great night and the yummy small plates were well-received!

You don’t have to live in the South to practice the tradition of Southern hospitality! It’s true that much of the South has grown and changed but a warm welcome is a Southern tradition that remains. Intimate dinner parties are a gracious way to entertain. We don’t really need an excuse to celebrate, do we? Celebrate Everything!  The recipes this week are from my award-winning cookbook Celebrate Everything! with Photography by Paul Nurnberg.

Charlie Brown’s pal, Linus van Pelt, was right! There’s something incredible about pumpkins in the fall. Luckily, you don’t have to stay up all night in the pumpkin patch to find a great pumpkin recipe.

A Night With Debbi Covington On September 15th, I received a Facebook message from my friend, Josette Grimsley: “Debbi, my supper club is having a Debbi Covington recipe event this Saturday night. I was wondering if you have a roasted vegetable recipe, either squash or root veggies. If you can direct me to Celebrate Everything! or one of your Lowcountry Weekly articles, I would be so grateful!” Then, I received an email from Becky Baldwin. “Debbi, I understand that Josette has mentioned our Debbi Covington supper club evening. We meet this Saturday and are preparing your recipes. Would love to have you and your husband if you don’t have plans.”    

  This is the time of year when we welcome autumn’s chill, along with a bushel full of fall flavors!  The air is crisp and the leaves are changing, heralding the autumn harvest.