I can be the worst when it comes to making a major purchase. I guess you could say I definitely learned the importance of comparison shopping, but the problem is that I tend to take it to the far extreme. There always seems to be one more place I need to check before I make my decision…oh wait, perhaps I … Read More
Special Event: Saltus River Grill – Beaufort, SC
Earlier this summer I had the pleasure of meeting Pat Branning, the food editor of the Beaufort Tribune. when she came to participate in one of my classes. She’s just recently published a beautiful hardcover book that highlights many of the Low Country inspired recipes that she’s collected and created over the years. In addition to Low Country inspired recipes, … Read More
Gazpacho al Andaluz
It was another hot and steamy day here in Savannah and based on this summer’s weather patterns, it probably was where you are too. For supper tonight I enjoyed a big bowl of refreshingly cold and flavorful “Gazpacho al Andaluz”. (ok, truth be told…in true bachelor style there was no actual bowl involved, I ate direct from the plastic storage … Read More
Peaches: Georgia vs. South Carolina
Shortly after moving to Georgia just over six years ago I was surprised to hear someone say “Georgia’s known as the peach state but South Carolina peaches taste better!” Really? I probably wouldn’t have been as surprised if they had been spoken by a South Carolinian but the fact that it was a native born Georgian making the comment seemed … Read More
Okra & Tomatoes (On the Grill?)
Frequently I’m asked how I come up with new ideas for recipes and menus. There’s no particular method. Each chef is inspired in different ways, just the same that each painter or artist is going to find inspiration from different sources. Quite honestly, the ideas that I tend to like the best are those that were spontaneously generated when perhaps … Read More
Tomato Time
I figured an appropriate follow-up to the previous discussion on “TomatoLand” would be one featuring what else…tomatoes! It’s mid-summer and the tomatoes are popping off the plants! If you’re not growing them yourself then try to get them from a farmstand or farmer’s market for the best flavor. Here in the Savannah area the best tomatoes (and peaches) are … Read More
Tomatoland
If you’ve ever joined me for one of my cooking classes here in Savannah or elsewhere, no doubt you’ve probably heard one of my tirades about the taste (or rather the lack thereof) of grocery store tomatoes. If you haven’t heard my “lecture”, here’s the point: Tomatoes WILL NOT RIPEN once they’ve been picked. Sure, I know you’ve set them … Read More
Tips for Healthy Cooking and Eating
Spring has sprung and is slowly creeping its way northward. Hard to believe but summer starts next month! Here in Savannah the spring visitors have been walking the squares for a couple of months already and locals have been making the most of the beautiful (and comfortable) weather by taking in concerts and celebrations in Forsyth Park. Along with the … Read More
Spring Salad of Peas, Tendrils, Strawberries & Cucumbers
The delicate flavors of young spring vegetables only make their appearance for a short period of time. Now is the time to enjoy radishes, rhubarb, spring onions, and peas while they’re at their peak. While shopping the farmer’s market last week for inspiration for my Easter Brunch contribution I was excited to find pea shoots! Pea shoots or pea tendrils … Read More
Crab-Stuffed Eggs
Yesterday was a beautiful Easter Sunday here in Savannah, GA. It was sunny and bright with temperatures just right for enjoying a brunch outdoors under the canopy of big oak trees. Which coincidentally, is how I spent my Easter Sunday! How did you spend yours? I’ll be posting recipes and photos from brunch in the near future. Now that the … Read More