Author: Debbi Covington

What are small plates? They are unpretentious bites of robust and intense flavors, more substantial than a cocktail snack, but not as hearty as an entree. They are ideal for diners who are curious about flavor, adventurous about taste, and who want to vary their dining experience as mush as possible in one sitting. Small plates are a relaxed style of entertaining and dining. There is no stress in trying to get all the courses on the table at the same time because they are served as prepared.

Earlier this month, a group of our friends came over to help Vince and me test some new recipes. Local photographer, John Wollwerth, joined us and took these great photos! Thank you to our models Mark and Audra Alexander, Mike and Kim Clark, Steve Danko and Vince Covington.  And, a special thank you to Sue Merrill for the beautiful flowers! I had so many recipes and photographs that I’ve had to share them in two parts. If you missed the last edition of Lowcountry Weekly you can read ‘Mexican Fiesta – Part I’ right here.

Earlier this month, a group of our friends came over to help Vince and me test some new recipes. Local photographer, John Wollwerth, joined us and took these great photos! Thank you to our models Mark and Audra Alexander, Mike and Kim Clark, Steve Danko and Vince Covington.  And, a special thank you to Sue Merrill for the beautiful flowers! I have so many recipes and photographs that I’m going to share them in two parts. Be sure to pick up the next edition of Lowcountry Weekly to read Mexican Fiesta – Part II.

Keep it fresh! Good salads are only made with good ingredients and freshness is all-important when it comes to purchasing salad greens. Let your eyes guide you. Fresh greens look fresh. They won’t have any leaves tinged with brown nor will they be wilted or slimy. Take a look around the produce section and you’ll see leaves in many colors and textures ranging from pearly, pale Belgian endive to bright red and white radicchio. Greens also have a variety of flavors from robust and peppery arugula to sweet, nutty and mild lamb’s lettuce or mache. 

Friday night is Steak Night at our house. We love to invite our closest friends over for a casual evening and then fire up the grill! A juicy rib-eye steak served with mashed potatoes and a fresh green salad is a delicious way to start the weekend!  When you’re in the mood for something a notch above your usual steak and baked potato, whip up these delicious and simple steak marinade and mashed potatoes recipes. The tasty marinade comes together in no time and flavors the meat beautifully without overshadowing it. The steaks can be grilled inside or out, or can be quickly seared to medium with a mere two or three minutes per side under the broiler.  Add a classic lettuce wedge salad,  dressed-up crescent rolls and grilled fresh South Carolina peaches to complete your meal. Enjoy!

“Watermelon, watermelon, how it drips, how it dripsUp and down your elbows, up and down your elbowsSpit the pits! Spit the pits! “ -sung to “Frere Jacques”It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! Look the watermelon over. You’re looking for a firm, symmetrical watermelon that’s free from bruises, cuts or dents. Lift it up. The watermelon should be heavy for it’s size. Watermelon is 92% water, most of the weight is water. Turn it over. The underside of the watermelon should have a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.

This is the second summer that Vince has planted a complete herb garden in our yard. It’s so wonderful to walk out back and harvest fresh herbs for our meals every evening. This week’s recipes all feature fresh herbs. If you don’t have an herb garden you can usually find them at your local supermarket or better yet – at one of our many farmers’ markets. Enjoy!Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Called the “royal herb” by ancient Greeks, this annual is a member of the mint family.  Fresh basil has a pungent flavor that some describe as a cross between licorice and cloves. 

Beaufort County is blessed with an abundance of delicious produce!  There’s nothing tastier than a fresh-picked tomato from St. Helena Island or a juicy ripe South Carolina peach.  How lucky we are to have a great place to shop where we can purchase this locally-grown bounty!  I’m talking about our wonderful farmers’ markets.  The markets – open Wednesdays in downtown Beaufort, Friday afternoons at Habersham, Saturday mornings in Pork Royal, Thursday afternoons in downtown Bluffton, and Friday mornings at Honey Horn on Hilton Head – are great places to shop for the freshest fruits, vegetables, home-baked breads and plants. 

Nothing says “sunshine” like a lemon!  The lemon is a symbol of tart refreshment; its color and fragrance lift our spirits before we even taste it.  Lemons, like salt, bring out the flavors of other ingredients and make everything taste fresher and brighter.  They work wonders in savory dishes and truly shine in desserts. Just a squeeze of juice, a paper-thin slice, or a curl of zest adds a piquant zing, a tart edge and a lovely aroma.  Lemon tastes good with almost everything!  It marries well with all sorts of herbs and spices, berries and other fruits, spirits and liqueurs, and even edible flowers.  There are three types of lemon: common, rough and sweet. 

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.  True Southern hostesses are always prepared with sweet tea and a “little something to eat” to offer their guests.  This week’s menu highlights some old Southern favorites with updated twists.  The meal begins with Fried Chicken Breasts with Honey-Pecan Sauce.