Southern Comfort

It wouldn’t be a Culinary Issue without some mouthwatering dishes for our readers to try at home! We’ve partnered with some of the American South’s best chefs to bring you an inspired salad, two delectable entrées, and refreshing libations. Now we’re cooking!

By Chef David Bishop, Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant Seaside, Florida

On the Southern coast along the Gulf of Mexico, shrimp is pretty much king. This barbecued take on it will add spice to any meal. Serves one

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning, such as Everglades seasoning 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon celery salt 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/4 cup sliced andouille sausage 6 large shrimp, peeled, head and tail left on 2 cloves garlic, sliced 1 sprig fresh rosemary 1 cup white wine 3 ounces unsalted butter, cut into small pieces Grilled bread* for serving

PREPARATION

Barbecue Seasoning:

Mix the all-purpose seasoning, cayenne pepper, and celery salt in an airtight container.

Shrimp:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil, sausage, and shrimp. Cook for one minute, and then turn the shrimp over and continue cooking. Add the garlic and rosemary sprig and cook for another minute. Pour in the wine to deglaze, and then add the butter and a half teaspoon of the barbecue seasoning. Reduce the heat to medium and swirl the pan to incorporate the butter. Taste and add a half teaspoon more of the seasoning, if needed. (Reserve the remaining seasoning in an airtight container for another use.)

Transfer the shrimp and sausage to a serving bowl and garnish with a slice of grilled Tuscan-style bread. *Bud & Alley’s proudly serves naturally leavened artisanal sourdough bread from Black Bear Bread Co.

By Emeril’s Coastal Italian Miramar Beach, Florida

Emeril’s Coastal Italian combines the rich and diverse tradition of Italian cuisine with the bountiful variety of local fresh ingredients, and its cocktail menu is no exception. Serves one.

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces Figenza Mediterranean Fig Flavored Vodka (or any fig vodka)

1 ounce simple syrup

1/2 ounce each lemon and lime juice 2 raspberries 4–5 mint leaves Fever Tree Ginger Beer Fig slice for garnish (optional)

PREPARATION

Muddle the raspberries, mint, and simple syrup in a shaker, and then add fig vodka, juices, and ice. Shake and pour (don’t strain) into a copper mug. Top with more ice and ginger beer. Garnish with mint top and a fig slice (if in season).

By Chef Derek Langford, Firefly Panama City Beach, Florida

The traditional chop concept gets a twist with this tender and succulent veal chop recipe. Serves two

INGREDIENTS

4 double-cut milk-fed veal chops 2 pounds brussels sprouts, bottom ends trimmed and cut in half Pecan halves 1 lemon, juiced 1 teaspoon olive oil 1/4 pound pancetta, cut into lardons Salt and pepper Winter or summer truffles Veal demi-glace or au jus 2 cups red wine 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

PREPARATION

Veal: Season the veal chops with salt and pepper the night before to impart more flavor to the meat. On the day you cook them, fire up the grill to medium-high heat. Grill chops for about four minutes on each side for medium rare.

Brussells Sprouts: In a sauté pan over medium heat, add your olive oil. Let the oil get hot but not to the smoking point. Add the pancetta and render it until crispy. Remove the pancetta from the pan and drain half the fat out of the pan. Add the brussels sprouts and pecans to the pan and place in a 350-degree oven to cook until tender. Finish with lemon juice and add the pancetta back to the pan. Toss with salt and pepper to taste.

Veal Demi: Use fresh veal stock if you can; if not, use your favorite veal demi base. Add the red wine and reduce by half, and finish it with a touch of red wine vinegar and butter.

To plate, place an even amount of brussels sprouts on each plate and place two veal chops on top. Brush the demi sauce on each veal chop. With a mandolin, shave the truffles thinly over the veal and serve.

By Café Thirty-A Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Leave the traditional salad ingredients behind and get the party started with this delicious and colorful starter. Serves eight

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups pecans 3/4 cup bourbon or rum 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar 3 ounces honey 8 whole fresh beets 3 sprigs fresh rosemary 2–3 ounces fresh ginger 1 cup red wine vinegar 3 1/2 cups water 1 1/2 cups sugar 4 ounces blood orange puree 1 ounce lemon juice 1 1/2 cups Dijon mustard 2 cups olive oil 1 head napa cabbage, julienned 1 head radicchio, julienned Crumbled blue cheese to taste Salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION

Candied Pecans: Place bourbon (or rum), 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 ounce of honey into a saucepan. Burn off alcohol and dissolve sugars until clear. Toss 2 cups of pecans in liquid. Spread pecans onto a sheet pan and roast in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes.

Beets: Place beets, rosemary, ginger, red wine vinegar, 2 cups of water, and 1 1/2 cups sugar in a roasting pan. Cover and place in 350-degree oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Drain beets, set aside to cool, and then peel.

Blood Orange Vinaigrette: Place blood orange puree, 1 1/2 cups of water, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and 2 ounces honey in a blender. Add salt and pepper to taste and puree. Slowly add 2 cups olive oil until well blended.

Slaw: Toss napa cabbage, radicchio, crumbled blue cheese, and 1/2 cup pecans together with enough blood orange vinaigrette to lightly dress the greens.

Assemble the salad by placing a mound of slaw on each plate. Top with sliced beets and garnish with a little more crumbled blue cheese, pecans, and blood orange vinaigrette.