Christmas Eve Dinner at Home (Charleston, Summerville: house, organic, restaurants)

[Browsing Duo]

My husband and I will be visiting our daughter and her husband in Charleston over the Christmas holidays. It's the first time for all of us Northern folks down South for Christmas. We've always served a seafood bouillabaise on Christmas Eve up here but would like to make something very South Carolinan for Christmas Eve. We're open to suggestions as to the menus and customs you enjoy in South Carolina on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We like to cook, and we were certainly knocked flat by the phenomenal seafood and produce when we visited in June. We'll be near the Marion Square Market area if it's still open around that time. Thank you for your suggestions.

[Jim3310]

The Market will be open until the 16th, then a special Holiday market will be open.

As far as southern traditions at Christmas, I'd probably check out whatever Paula Deen is doing! Here are some ideas, I have to go eat something now.

paula deen christmas Recipe Search Food Network

[Luvsdabeach]

If you want something seafood for Christmas Eve, as a native, you can't beat fried shrimp and yellow grits. I'm not talking about those grits you get in downtown restaurants because they are not true grits. lol We use House Autry seafood breader to fry the shrimp, make sure you devein them, and Arrowhead Mills organic yellow grits. Make sure the grits don't get lumpy or too thick. I like mine where I almost have to use a spoon.

Christmas day we normally have turkey and dressing, honey baked ham, homemade mac and cheese, collard greens (make sure you put a hamhock in for flavor), green beans (for those that don't like collard greens) cranberry sauce, biscuits, rice and gravy. Oh and lots of desserts.

[Browsing Duo]

Thank you so much for the excellent Christmas culinary advice. I can't wait to get my apron on and get going on those grits.

[Jim3310]

I like the stone ground grits from the 'Flying Dutchman' at the Summerville Farmers Market on Saturday morning. He grinds them on a huge steam driven machine, right there in front of you. You can get them coarse (grits) or fine (corn flour).

I've tried about all of them & his has just the right texture.

The only question is Cheese or No Cheese?

[wesacat]

Originally Posted by Jim3310

The only question is Cheese or No Cheese?

Definitely NO cheese...at least, not in mine. I do cook the grits in chicken broth though, something my grandma used to do. Anyone else do that??

[SCDweller]

No, but my wife uses half and half mixed with water to cook the grits in and just the right amount of salt...they come out creamy and delicious! I've never heard of the chicken broth...I bet it makes them tasty! We'll have to try it.

[starbuckszombie]

Originally Posted by wesacat

Definitely NO cheese...at least, not in mine. I do cook the grits in chicken broth though, something my grandma used to do. Anyone else do that??

Yes, I think it's a must do. I use homemade chicken stock to cook the grits, keep cooking them beyond normal cooking time, keep stirring and adding heavy cream! Mmmm mmmm!

[starbuckszombie]

Originally Posted by Browsing Duo

My husband and I will be visiting our daughter and her husband in Charleston over the Christmas holidays. It's the first time for all of us Northern folks down South for Christmas. We've always served a seafood bouillabaise on Christmas Eve up here but would like to make something very South Carolinan for Christmas Eve. We're open to suggestions as to the menus and customs you enjoy in South Carolina on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We like to cook, and we were certainly knocked flat by the phenomenal seafood and produce when we visited in June. We'll be near the Marion Square Market area if it's still open around that time. Thank you for your suggestions.

I am "from" Charleston...where are you visiting from? I bet you will really like it a lot. How nice of you to cook for your daughter and take time out to think out your meal for something thoughtful. If they like shrimp and grits, that is pretty standard Charleston fare...not sure about specifically for Christmas Eve but it is a wonderful dish. I have a pretty darn good recipe I will be happy to share with you...I have made it for several guests and one of my "foody" friends says it was the best thing he ever ate. Let me know if you are interested!

[Luvsdabeach]

No cheese please. lol I love cheese but for some reason I can't put them on my grits, nor any of the other things that have been mention. Yeah I'm a picky eater. lol I just like plain ole yellow grits, not white, mixed with water. When they are done I just put a little butter and pepper on them. Yummy!

The reason I suggested shrimp and grits it's fast and easy to cook that way you can spend more quality time with each other.