Serving Up Georgia Shrimp

Fresh shrimp with cocktail sauce

As frequent visitors to the Georgia and North Carolina coasts, our family devours shrimp in many forms – cocktail, fried, grilled, scampi and more. But in my land-locked hometown of Charlotte, finding shrimp to equal the “fresh off the boat” variety presents quite a challenge.

After buying a funky-tasting batch from the other side of the world, I vowed to cook only with shrimp caught in the United States. I can usually find decent Gulf Coast shrimp at our local Harris Teeter stores, but the best find is Georgia shrimp occasionally available at Whole Foods.

During our recent trip to Brunswick, Georgia, we decided to bring home a stash from the city once known as the “shrimp capital of the world”. Shrimp still flourishes on the South Georgia coast, though Mazatlan, Mexico currently holds the aforementioned title.

Shrimp thrive in the South Georgia marsh and ocean

My mother-in-law brought me to stock up a cooler at City Market, her go-to spot for seafood near downtown. Operated by the same family since 1948, City Market sells fresh shrimp caught by local fisherman and delivered to their packing house on the Brunswick River. I picked up four pounds of large Georgia shrimp for $9.99 per lb., medium shrimp sold for $6.99 per lb. We refrigerated the shrimp until our trip home, then packed up a cooler with ice and placed in the freezer upon arrival.

We defrosted a batch to make shrimp scampi at home the following week, marveling at the superior taste of the Georgia specialty. You don’t have to make a pilgrimage to the Golden Isles to buy some of the best shrimp in the country - City Market ships via their online store at: http://www.citymarketseafood.com/

We always follow and highly recommend this Tyler Florence recipe for shrimp scampi from FoodNetwork.com. And of course for a favorite Southern dish, nothing compares to the Crook’s Corner recipe for Shrimp and Grits via Southern Living.

To learn more about Georgia Shrimp, visit: http://www.wildgeorgiashrimp.com/

Sources: http://www.citymarketseafood.com/, http://www.wildgeorgiashrimp.com/

Azaleas Spring in South Georgia

Azaleas in Brunswick, GA – photo courtesy of Dave Kaufman

My mother-in-law worried the azalea blooms might not last until our trip to Brunswick, GA last weekend, but we woke up to a symphony of colors on Friday at my husband’s family home. The thermometer nearly reached 80 degrees later in the weekend, inviting the first shorts and flip-flops of the season.

Azaleas in bloom – photo courtesy of Emily Thomas

Curtains of Spanish moss drape from ancient trees around the property, filtering the afternoon sunlight.

Spanish moss shades azaleas

One of the few places where our dog Savannah can run around leash-free, the secluded spot extends to a lazy creek flowing into the Turtle River. Two chairs sit on the pier year round, providing a comfortable perch for a drink by the water. Spiky palm trees overlook the creek and stand guard around the property, adding a touch of tropical greenery to the landscape.

Palm trees by the creek

The azaleas will soon wilt in the heat of spring in South Georgia, captivating even more with their fleeting beauty.

Azaleas bloom in South Georgia

Wildcat Charm in Davidson, NC

Chambers building at Davidson College

During a recent trip to Davidson, North Carolina, I strolled down Main Street across from the campus of my alma mater Davidson College. Locals often greet each other by name along the red brick sidewalks, pausing to exchange pleasantries en route to the post office or beloved Soda Shop. Happy to extend my excursion in the quiet town, I checked out Wildcat gear at the new bookstore and picked up an iced tea at Summit Coffee.

Soda Shop in Davidson, NC

Davidson lies only about 20 miles north of my home in Charlotte, but the stretch of highway seems to span time as well as distance. Even though I’m well aware of the decade plus since my graduation, I half-expected to run into one of my college friends who now live in Chicago, New York or somewhere else far outside the “Davidson bubble”. Despite proximity to new shopping centers and real estate developments, the heart of town carefully preserves its insulated and idyllic feel. Just as our education focused on the classroom rather than post-graduate careers, life in Davidson revolves around the college and town rather than proximity to Charlotte.

When Stephen Curry propelled the Davidson men’s basketball team into the Elite 8 in 2008, the national spotlight also shined on the college. We relished every media appearance, every second of the three victories leading up to a heartbreaking loss to Kansas. While boosting Davidson’s reputation beyond the South, the unlikely run did not bring dramatic changes to the village off of I-77. In his article “Remembering the Davidson Basketball Moment” in the March issue of Charlotte Magazine, Davidson alum Michael Kruse wrote, “The legacy of what they all (the men’s basketball team) did in 2008 isn’t what many people think. It didn’t change the school. Davidson College is still Davidson College. And Davidson basketball is still Davidson basketball.”

Davidson alumni and fans are cheering once again this week, as the team won the Southern Conference tournament and earned a spot in the NCAA tournament on Monday night. Buying a T-shirt for my daughter to show her Wildcat spirit will be the perfect excuse for another trip.

I’m certainly biased in my affection, but think every visitor can find plenty of charm (and a sinfully good milkshake at the Soda Shop) on a walk through Davidson. Below are a few favorite spots to check out:

• The Soda Shop 
• Summit Coffee
• Flat Iron Kitchen + Taphouse
• Brickhouse Tavern
• The Village Store

Wildcat spirit on Main Street in Davidson

From City to Coast

Not quite spring snow in Charlotte

We woke up to another unexpected round of snow flurries in Charlotte on Saturday, while members of my family sipped their coffee overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway near Wilmington, NC. My cousin Nancy kindly shared the view from our favorite retreat in the photo below – the waterway especially calm without the buzz of summer boat traffic.

With just over a month until the annual North Carolina Azalea Festival, my mom reported a few bright buds emerging on azalea bushes around the property. When thousands gather to celebrate the Southern blooms at Airlie Gardens several miles away, azaleas will surround our old family home in the colors of springtime.

NC Intracoastal Waterway at Figure 8 Island – photo courtesy of Nancy Bailey

Southern Snow Surprise

Winter meets spring

Though flowers bloomed across Charlotte by early February, winter saved at least one more surprise for those of us anticipating an early spring. Despite the forecast predicting snow on Saturday, I expected yet another front of dreary rain. But when our daughter Katie woke up from her nap in the late afternoon, chunky white flakes swirled outside her bedroom window. After rushing into our jackets and shoes, a burst of thunderclaps greeted us along with the first real snow to hit the Queen City in two years. After checking out the scene from the front porch, Katie happily stomped through the thickening layer of powder on our front lawn. Though we celebrated a white Christmas after her arrival in 2010, Saturday marked her first opportunity to play in the snow.

Though several inches stacked up by Saturday evening, the winter wonderland lasted for less than 24 hours. By Sunday afternoon, the sunlight erased our foot and paw prints and melted snowmen into icy lumps. I’m grateful our city rarely requires the use of snow plows, but hope we won’t have to wait two more years for another burst of beautiful flurries.

Fun in the snow

In Bacon and Bourbon News: Southern Food Headlines

Study Confirms Health Risks of Southern Diet: In totally unsurprising news, a new study confirmed that our health does not benefit from frequent consumption of a “Southern Diet” heavy on fried food, processed meats and sugar. According to researchers at the University of Alabama, people who eat Southern staples such as fried chicken, bacon, ham and sweet tea six times per week face a 41% higher stroke risk than those indulging once per month. Thankfully, this news does not appear to raise the red flag for those of us who enjoy occasional trips to Chik-Fil-A. I love a good piece of fried chicken, but I also like to fit into my pants.

Maker’s Mark Cuts Alcohol Content in Bourbon: Maker’s Mark faces an unusual predicament in the lackluster economy - excessive demand for its high-end bourbon. As aging their signature liquor takes from five years nine months to seven years, the Jim Beam-owned company announced plans to dilute their current reserve from 90 to 84 proof. Maker’s Mark stated that even professional tasters could not distinguish between the original and weaker versions, but outcries continue from bourbon aficionados. For Maker’s Mark fans who like to ensure a maximum buzz, now is the time to stock up. Cheers!

Photo courtesy of Maker’s Mark

 

Signs of Spring

Freedom Park in Charlotte, NC

I can never remember what happens with the groundhog and his shadow to signal the end of winter, but spring seemed to arrive in Charlotte on Friday. After wishing for a heavier coat on Thursday during the chilly downpour, the storm gave way to lots of sunshine. My daughter Katie found a flock of friendly ducks during a visit to Freedom Park (one of the local spots featured in TV show Homeland), as well as an endless supply of fascinating rocks.

After growing up in the frigid weather of Massachusetts, I occasionally miss the fun of sledding, hot chocolate and snowmen. I hoped to play with Katie in the snow this winter, but may save that dream for next year after this taste of spring. As 30 inches of snow dropped on my childhood hometown of Worcester this weekend, I’m especially grateful to live in the South. We’ll surely have more cold weather before winter departs for good, but I enjoyed the preview of warmer days to come.

Our first spring flower