"No Reservations" in Charleston

Did anyone catch the Anthony Bourdain "No Reservations" segment on Charleston? Although it was filmed last spring it only aired recently. If you didn't see it the first time around - watch for it in reruns. Bourdain visited Crosby's Fish and Chips, Sweatmans BBQ, TW Grahams, Jestine's Kitchen, and Gullah Grub. Here are some behind the scene pixs. South Carolina BBQ expert Lake High (yes, that is his real name) escorted the film crew to Sweatman's while discussing the four types of sauces in South Carolina etc. - great segment, but even more fun when I came across his daughter's blog. And thank you Ted and Matt Lee for pouring the champagne into appropriate glassware during the oyster roast! Next airing on the Travel Channel is November 19, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. - set your TIVO/DVR!

Pass the Cheese...and Truffles?

I found it! Split Creek Farm home to 400 goats is located in Anderson, SC. They recently brought home more awards than any other competitor from the American Dairy Goat Association's national cheese competition. The farm's newest gold medal winner, a goat milk truffle, is made using the farm's milk and butter and is hand dipped by CocoBon Chocolatier (also in Anderson). P.S. they also make darn good fudge.

They will be holding a holiday open house on Saturday, November 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST.

I also came across this South Carolina iMix, which was great fun to listen to during the drive...

Artisan Goat Cheese and Fried Pickles

A friendly South Carolina foodie gave me the heads up that there is a goat dairy in the western part of the state that makes amazing artisan goat cheese. I'm planning my quest for this weekend.

Must mention that Southerners do like to fry things...and I had my first fried pickle recently. My gramma taught me how to make homemade sweet and dill pickles (yep, using a crock and changing the brine) and that is the way Terra makes their homemade dill pickles too. But they take it a step further, coating pickle slices in a cornmeal breading, deep frying, and served with a chipolte mayo dip. I admit it took me a couple of glasses of great wine to consent to try a basket of their "bar snack," but it was pretty good. It certainly made for interesting table conversation! Terra's is a friendly place near the Congaree River in West Columbia (100 State Street). They have terrific brick oven pizzas and a dynamic view of downtown Columbia. If you are in the area - try it!

Blue Cheesy

Had to attend a business dinner recently and luckily landed at Mr. Friendly's in the Five Points area of Columbia, SC. Their signature dish is a perfectly cooked filet mignon topped with what they call "French Quarter Pimento Cheese." It is made with blue cheese and roasted red bellpeppers - yummy! The blue cheese was a perfect match for the steak. It was such a rich, luscious dinner that I had to walk back to the hotel!

During dinner, I learned that Clemson University in upstate South Carolina produced some of the best blue cheese - so, obviously, I had to take a road trip! The cheese is only available in the Hendrix Student Center. The cheese is fabulous (as is their ice cream - try the Tiger Rag) but I was surprised that the cheese came with an interesting history. It was originally aged in the Stumphouse Tunnel near Issaqueena Falls.

Guess what I'll be grilling next weekend! I'll let you know how it turns out.

Sublime Pimento

I had the good fortune to dine at Peninsula Grill in Charleston recently. As our group was chatting, our server placed a “gift from the chef” before each of us – an amuse bouché of pimento cheese!

I readily admit that I did not grow up in a southern household. The only pimento cheese that I knew about came from a little glass jar from the grocery store and as I would try to spread it on a slice of white bread, it tore big out chunks which could be “glued” back together when smushed together with another slice of white bread. Did I mention that it also stuck to my teeth when I bit into it? Not a great experience, nor appetizing and certainly one I never thought I ever repeat.

So imagine my horror when, here, in this elegant and highly rated Charleston restaurant, I was served a pimento cheese amuse bouché. But being the adventuresome diner that I am – I pushed my childhood memory aside and took the bite.

Who knew that pimento cheese could be fashioned into such a sublime bite? The texture and the flavors signaled that I was tasting real pimento cheese for the first time. Boy, have I been missing out on a real southern treat.

So for those of you who can still enjoy the pleasures of cheese – here is my attempt to recreate Chef Carter’s tantalizing tidbit.

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
½ cup mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons of sour cream
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
1 dash of Tabasco sauce
2 Tablespoons pimento
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix together (I used a pastry blender to cut up the grated cheese into finer pieces) and serve on warm, deep fried triangles of pita bread.

Welcome!

Welcome to the new Savor South Carolina blog – it’s all about the cuisine and culture of South Carolina – with a few “insider” trips to special places in the Palmetto State.

In honor of full disclosure – yes…the authors on this blog are state employees – but we are big foodies too! And who better to guide you to some of the lesser known, but great spots within the state! We want to write about our food experiences (we pay our own way – no freebies) and we pledge to be honest. For example, Beverly wants to tell you about her favorite road side stands and when is the best time of year to get peaches. Jason, a die-hard USC fan will be touring some of the best tailgates in – and out of – the state. Chaunte has a new winery that she wants you to know about.

But more importantly, we want to start a dialog with you, our readers. Where have you taken your grandkids for their first taste of Calabash seafood? What is your latest restaurant discovery? Do you have a favorite boiled peanut stand? Tell us about it!

If you haven’t had a chance to visit our new website http://www.savorsouthcarolina.com/ please check it out. We’ve got a list of food festivals, surprising information on some of our famous flavors, and my personal favorite – our Chef profiles – we have some incredible talent here. We have a shopping section where you can purchase South Carolina products such as Carolina Plantation Rice and American Classic Tea.

We’ve changed the video section monthly, offering tips from Celebrity Chefs such as Sara Moulton and Ming Tsai that have come to South Carolina recently for special events.

And don't miss Ms. She-Crab who made her debut. You’re all invited to her ball (beach ball, that is)!