Author: Debbi Covington

Following a recent seafood photo shoot for DIY Weddings Magazine I found myself with a bunch of fresh lemons that needed to be used quickly. What an excellent excuse to make Preserved Lemons! If you’ve never cooked with preserved lemons, I urge you to try them. They add a unique and bright flavor that is indescribable. Preserved lemons may be purchased on line or at gourmet specialty stores — but why would you want to buy them when you can make your own?

‘Tis the season of hot days and warm nights! Who doesn’t like a refreshing cold beverage in the summertime? I carry around a tervis tumbler filled with herbal raspberry tea almost all of the time these days. It’s so important to stay hydrated in this intense Lowcountry heat. My recipes this week are personal favorites photographed by three of the best photographers in Beaufort. Hope you enjoy them!  (Photograph of “Sangria! Sangria!” by Paul Nurnberg)

The weather is beginning to get warm (downright hot some days) and no one wants to spend a lot of time in the kitchen! The recipes this week are all short, easy and delicious! Whip up a pitcher of Sweet Dreams to sip while you put together this simple supper. (Be careful, there’s a reason why they’re called Sweet Dreams! Too many of these potent beverages and you’ll be in la-la land!)

I didn’t grow up eating lamb. In eastern North Carolina we regularly dined on fried chicken, barbeque and chicken and dumplings. In fact, Vince and I had been married for several years before I tasted my first lamb at a restaurant in Charleston, SC. It was love at first bite!

What’s more fun than a Friday night with girlfriends? Jodie Miller and I put together a Movin’ & Shakin’ party over the weekend to celebrate the move of Plum Productions and Susan DeLoach Photography to new locations. We invited some of our favorite moving and shaking friends to join us downtown to sample a few of my new hors d’oeuvres and to have a cocktail or two.

May is the perfect month for dining al fresco in Beaufort! The steamy heat isn’t quite as oppressive as it’s going to be in the ultra-hot summer months of June, July and August. We still have a few more weeks to dine outside in the fresh air. Why not take advantage of this great weather to host a delicious brunch in your garden?

And they’re off! More than just a horse race, the Kentucky Derby is a wonderful reason for hosting a gathering. This year the 139th Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday, May 4. Since the race only lasts for about two minutes, Derby Day food and drink will be needed to make your party a grand success.

… and yummy salads to help you fit the fashions!It’s that time of year! The 10th annual Friends of Caroline Hospice Fashion Show and Fundraiser will be held at 11:30am on Wednesday, April 24th at The Shed in Port Royal. The theme for this year’s event is Emerald Elegance. The festivities include a luncheon catered by me (Catering by Debbi Covington), a live auction announced by the lovely Deanna Bowdish, entertainment by Music to Go and lots of door prizes.

Easter Brunch after the Sunrise Service Awaken this spring to all things new, to gardens revived and friendships revisited. Easter, also called Pascha, is the most important religious feast in the Christian liturgical year.

Everyone’s a little bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! There’s no better time to sample a few favorite Irish recipes and raise your glass to all things green. Erin go braugh! Ireland forever!   Spinach SaladThe piquant flavor of the vinaigrette makes this beautiful salad a show-stopper!