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Pimento Cheese, Caviar of the South! and Carolina Pickled Shrimp Recipes courtesy "Shrimp, Collards & Grits: Recipes, Stories and Art from the Creeks and Gardens of the Lowcountry," by Pat Branning, www.mycarolinacooking.com
Pat Branning's "Shrimp, Collards & Grits: Recipes, Stories and Art from the Creeks and Gardens of the Lowcountry" is a cookbook, an art book and a story book. It is also an inspiring, deeply touching compilation of memories, reflections and invaluable kitchen tips amassed by a charming, gracious lady whose memories of childhood meals in her grandmother's North Carolina kitchen are as splendid as those spent at oyster roasts and southern barbecues in the lowcountry - the culturally rich coastal area of South Carolina, which includes the central and southern counties of Georgetown, Charleston, Colleton, Beaufort and Jasper. With a deep reverence for both the land and sea, the traditions of the past, in particular the Gullah culture and its direct connection to West African slaves, "Shrimp, Collards & Grits" presents many authentic regional recipes for dishes such as Louise Miller's "Mullet Stew," Dye Scott-Rhodan's Gullah-style "Old Country Pound Cake (Suga Cane)," and "Gullah Lowcountry Shrimp Pilau," by Anita Singleton-Prather, aka Aunt Pearlie Sue, who has a Gullah culture website you surely won't want to miss at www.knowitall.org/gullahnet/. Besides more than 200 fine recipes, the book also contains 150 full-color plates of paintings by regional artists such as Joe Bowler, John Carroll Doyle, Ray Ellis, Nancy Ricker Rhett and Betty Anglin Smith, to name but a few. Branning's background as Women's Editor for WSB, Atlanta, and hostess for South Carolina ETV had her literally rubbing elbows with great chefs from around the country, an experience, no doubt, as gratifying for them as it was for her. Currently working as a freelance writer, cookbook author and food editor for the BeaufortTribune.com, Branning can be located via her website at www.mycarolinacooking.com, where she is pleased to share more recipes, art, stories and how-to-purchase information for one of the most beautiful cookbooks I have ever experienced.
Sue Ade is a syndicated food writer with broad experience and interest in the culinary arts. She has worked and resided in the Lowcountry of South Carolina since 1985 and may be reached at kitchenade@yahoo.com.
