50 States; 50 Meals: South Carolina

I definitely needed a food dictionary for this state. Hoppin John, Perloo, Frogmore Stew, it wasn't easy to make a choice.

What we had for dinner:

Frogmore Stew

Commonly known as Low Country Boil, this dish gets its name from St. Helena Island aka Frogmore, SC.  It traditionally includes redskin potatoes, corn on the cob, kielbasa and shrimp.  I love all the ingredients in this dish except for the Old Bay.  If anyone has a recipe that doesn't require Old Bay please pass them on.  This is a great summer family get-together meal.
Try this recipe from My Recipes.
Ingredients
5 quarts water
1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning
4 pounds small red potatoes
2 pounds kielbasa or hot smoked link sausage, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

6 ears fresh corn, halved
4 pounds unpeeled, large fresh shrimp
Old Bay seasoning
Cocktail sauce
(I added a fresh squeezed lemon juice)

Directions

Bring 5 quarts water and 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning to a rolling boil in a large covered stockpot.
Add potatoes; return to a boil, and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes.
Add sausage and corn, and return to a boil. Cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Add shrimp to stockpot; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Drain. Serve with Old Bay seasoning and cocktail sauce.
Note: For testing purposes only, we used Hillshire Farm Polska Kielbasa.
 

Love Old Bay? Pair your Frogmore Stew with a Flying Dog Dead Rise

 

Dictionary:

Hoppin John - Black-eyed peas and rice
Perloo - One pot rice dish similar to jambalaya 

 

Next State: South Dakota

What's for dinner?: July 27 - August 2

Here's what we are having for dinner this week:

Sunday: Pizza Hut Big Dinner Box with Friends

Two medium pizzas and two sides or a third pizza.  Great deal!!

Monday:  Mojo Chicken on the grill, Corn, Potato Salad

Tuesday: Vermont State Dinner - American Chop Suey

Elbow macaroni, ground beef, tomato sauce and veggies


Wednesday: Shrimp Po Boys, Chips and Cole SlawFind the recipe here
I will be making full sandwiches instead of the sliders.

Thursday: Chicken Tostadas with Avocado Salsa and Refried Beans
The original recipe uses a rotisserie chicken.  We are using the left over Mojo chicken.  Find the recipe at My Recipe. 

Friday: Out to dinner

Saturday: Dinner with Friends.  I'm bringing Fruit Salad.  I can't wait to make this fruit salad by FirstYum.

50 States; 50 Meals: Rhode Island

What we had for dinner:

I lost my picture! This one is courtesy of whatscookingamerica.net

Johnnycakes

No, these are not pancakes.  Johnnycakes, also referred to as Journey Cakes, are made from corn meal.  The ingredients include cornmeal, sugar, salt and water.  Top them with butter, maple syrup or applesauce.  We choose syrup.

I used this Martha Stewart recipe because others have you grilling the cakes in bacon grease. 

Ingredients

1 cup stone-ground white cornmeal

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups boiling water
Unsalted butter, for griddle

Directions

Preheat an electric griddle to 380 degrees. or place a griddle pan or large skillet over medium-high heat.
In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, sugar, and salt. Add boiling water, and mix to combine. The batter will be thick. Using a tablespoon, drop the batter onto the griddle 2 inches apart for each johnny cake. Let cook for 6 minutes, turn and cook 5 minutes more. 

Coffee Milk

The "Official State drink of Rhode Island", coffee milk was originally created during the 1930's.  It's made the same as way as if you were making chocolate milk with milk and syrup.  We also tried it on top of vanilla ice cream and in actual coffee too.  haha  A big thank you for my MIL for bringing this to us from Connecticut. 

Next State: South Carolina

What's for dinner?: July 20 - July 26

We are back from a week in Virginia Beach where we visited family and my daughter competed in a dance competition.  It was an exciting week and full of good summer food.  We had hot dogs, pulled pork, smoked brisket, pulled pork, tuna subs, crab legs, pulled pork, burgers.  Full on vacation food.  Have you ever gotten to a point where you just wanted the Elaine "Big Salad"?

Here's what we are having for dinner this week:

Sunday: Banana Splits for National Ice Cream Day
Yes, we are the coolest parents ever.  We were tired, it was easy and we had a "holiday" to give us an excuse.  Our splits had bananas, Neapolitan ice cream, whipped cream, peanuts, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, pineapple from my pineapple plant and a cherry on top.

Monday:  Chicken Milanese with Spring Greens and Rice Pilaf
I love making this recipe because it is kid friendly without being too kiddy. I do put ranch on the girls salads rather than the lemon dressing.  Pair it with a box of Near East Rice Pilaf (Any flavor will do.  We are having the one with almonds)
Make it even faster by buying a bottle of Lemon Vinaigrette.
Recipe from My Recipes


 

















Tuesday: Tacos with Black Beans
The walking tacos we had the other week added black beans to the ground beef.  I'm going to replicate that with our tacos.  We all really liked it.  Not sure how black beans in the tacos and on the side will go but we have been loving them over regular refried beans lately.  Have you ever bought refried black beans?  Delicious!

Wednesday: Spaghetti and Salad
Have you ever had a spaghetti sandwich?  I totally got the craving while typing this.  I think I will pass on the Texas toast garlic bread.  You just take a slice of sandwich bread, butter the bread, add the spaghetti and fold in half.

Thursday: Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Tomato Soup
My favorite sandwich from Doumar's where we visited last week. 

Friday: Utah State Dinner - Pastrami Burger, Funeral Potatoes and Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad

Saturday:  We will be at birthday party.

Have a great week!