The Daily South

The Southern Minute with Chef Thomas Keller

2013-05-23T20:03:49Z

We’ve got a sneaking suspicion that everyone has a hint of the South in their soul. When legendary chef Thomas Keller popped into our Test Kitchen last week, our theory panned out. See what Keller says about drinking wine with BBQ, fried chicken, and bow ties in our first-ever installment of The Southern Minute:

Anything you want to ask the chefs who visit our Test Kitchen? Let us know in the comments section below, and we’ll add your question to The Southern Minute.

Filed under: From the Test Kitchen, The Daily South Tagged: The Southern Minute

The Best Drinks in Savannah

2013-05-23T13:34:37Z

Photo courtesy of Cedric Smith

In our Savannah Summer in the South Guide, local fashion designer, stylist, and blogger Brooke Atwood told us where to sip a refreshing libation this summer—no matter what your drink of choice is.

For a Good Cocktail hit up happy hour at The Jinx for the signature bloody mary garnished with string cheese, pickled okra, and a Slim Jim.

For a Good Brew Crystal Beer Parlor, one of the oldest bars in Savannah, prides itself on serving good ole’ American beer and delicious bar fare such as jalapeño hot wings and pulled-pork nachos to accompany it.

For A Good Brain Freeze Leopold’s Ice Cream lets you cool off with a Cola float. This local institution, owned by Hollywood film producer, is also home to the annual “I Pledge Ice Cream” campaign—kids who can recite the whole Pledge of Allegiance get a free scoop of ice cream every Monday in July.

For more of Brooke’s picks, including which local restaurant is worth the buzz and where to find the best vegan food on the go, check out our Savannah Summer in the South Guide.

Filed under: The Daily South Tagged: City Guide, countdown to summer, drinks, Savannah, Summer

Plant A Smaller Crepe Myrtle This Year

2013-05-20T15:23:34Z

Why do people murder crepe myrtles? No, it’s not too much Neanderthal DNA. It’s that the variety of crepe myrtle they planted got way too big. Here’s a guide to which crepe myrtles won’t outgrow your house or yard, so you won’t have to chop them grotesquely each year.

What Went Wrong

Crepe murder — the grisly rite of chopping crepe myrtles into ugly stumps — really got a shot in the arm about 20 to 30 years ago, when the first mildew-resistant hybrids with native American names (‘Natchez,’ ‘Muskogee,’ ‘Tuscarora,’ etc.) were introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum. Growers didn’t know how big these crepes would get, because they hadn’t been out long enough. So they guessed — and almost always guessed wrong. Crepe myrtles they said would grow 10 to 15 feet tall ended up growing 20 to 30 feet tall. Which meant that many crepe myrtles grew too big for the spots they were in and homeowners started chopping off their heads every spring.

(To see how to correctly prune a large crepe myrtle, click right here.)

What Went Right

Gardeners and growers both saw the need for smaller, more compact crepe myrtles that didn’t need annual pruning. Growers created new selections of semi-dwarf (12 feet tall or less at maturity) and dwarf (less than 4 feet tall at maturity) types that bloomed well, resisted disease, and were hardy. Let Grumpy introduce some of his favorites, all of which are available at garden centers now.

Semi-Dwarf

‘Acoma’ — That’s it up top. White flowers atop an arching, sculptural small tree. Grows about 10 feet tall. Great in a large container.

”Burgundy Cotton’ — Upright tree to about 12 feet. White flowers appear atop foliage that changes from wine-red in spring to burgundy-green in summer.

‘Delta Jazz’ — Combines bright-pink flowers with spectacular burgundy foliage that doesn’t “green” in hot weather. Grows 6 to 10 feet tall. Part of our Southern Living Plant Collection.

Early Bird Series — Comes in three colors — lavender, purple, and white. Long-blooming plant starts flowering in May. Grows 5 to 8 feet tall. Part of our Southern Living Plant Collection.

‘Hopi’ — Medium-pink flowers on a spreading, bushy plant 7 to 10 feet tall and wide.

Magic Series — Rounded, bushy plants 6 to 10 feet tall and wide. Colors include coral-pink, fuchsia-pink, and purple. Foliage emerges reddish and then changes to deep-green.

‘Pink Velour’ — Neon-pink flowers with wine red foliage that doesn’t fade. Nearly seedless; blooms for a long time. Grows about 12 feet tall.

‘Red Rooster’ — Brilliant red flowers. Foliage emerges maroon and changes to green. Flowers may show white or red flecking. Grows 8 to 10 feet tall.

‘Rhapsody in Pink’ — Combines soft-pink flowers with purplish new growth. Nearly seedless; blooms a long time. Upright grower to 12 feet.

‘Siren Red’ — Dark-red flowers on a rounded plant 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. New foliage emerges wine-red and then changes to dark-green.

‘Tonto’ — Red flowers and maroon foliage. Grows 10 to 12 feet tall and wide. Handsome bark.

‘Velma’s Royal Delight’ — Intense, purple-magenta flowers and deep green leaves. Cold-hardy to well below zero degrees. Bushy plant grows 4 to 6 feet tall.

‘Zuni’ — Medium-lavender flowers on a vase-shaped, spreading plant 6 to 10 feet tall and wide. Long bloomer, cold-hardy, handsome bark.

Dwarf

‘Centennial’ — Bright-purple blooms on a rounded, dense mound, 3-5 tell and wide. Quite cold-hardy. The best purple dwarf.

‘Pocomoke’ — Bright-pink blooms and deep green foliage on a mounding shrub that grows 2 to 3 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide. Great in pots.

Razzle Dazzle Series — Mounding shrubs 3 to 4 feet tall and wide come in a wide range of colors. Do great in containers. Grumpy recommends ‘Cherry Dazzle,’ (red blooms), ‘Berry Dazzle’ (fuchsia-purple blooms and burgundy new foliage), and ‘Strawberry Dazzle’ (neon-rose flowers). ‘Raspberry Dazzle’ doesn’t bloom well.

‘Tightwad Red’ — Dark-red flowers on mounding plant to 4 feet tall and wide. Seedless.

‘Victor’ — Deep-red flowers. Grows 5-5 feet tall and wide. Cold-hardy.

Take These Little Guys Home

‘Pink Velour’

‘Early Bird Purple’

‘Rhapsody in Pink’

Photo: http://www.fast-growing-trees.com.

‘Tonto’

‘Delta Jazz’

‘Burgundy Cotton’

‘Red Rooster’

‘Velma’s Royal Delight’

‘Strawberry Dazzle’

Photo by John Vining.

‘Pocomoke’

So the Final Question You Need to Ask Yourself Is….

….do you want your crepe myrtles to look like this?

Or do you want them to look like this?

Filed under: The Daily South, The Grumpy Gardener Tagged: Crepe Myrtle, Gardening, Timely Tasks, Trees and Shrubs

Another Reason Nashville is Hot (And Yes, There is Some Taylor Swift)

2013-05-22T19:58:26Z

The hit TV show Nashville has its season finale tonight and Husk Nashville is opening on Thursday, but there’s another reason we’ve got our eye on this city. (Nashville can’t help it–it’s on a roll.)

This week Nashville’s Music City Center opened, and we were there for it. The 2.1-million-square-foot building is at the heart of South of Broadway’s (SoBro) revitalization. Yes, it’s a convention center, designed to attract visitors from all over the world, but it’s not the standard boxy, unimaginative meeting space. Instead, the light-filled building boasts architecture as dynamic as the Music City. Plus, with wide open spaces inside and out, it’s designed to be a meeting place for locals. This one dropped by the grand opening concert, which was free to the public. (One of many we hope!)

Photo: Erin Shaw Street

Located between Fifth and Eighth avenues, between Demonbreun and Franklin streets, the building is infused with Nashville style. Just look at the roof:

Photo: Erin Shaw Street

We appreciate the way that Nashville’s heritage is reflected in the 4 acres of grass on the rooftop planted to resemble Tennessee Hills (the grass also helps collect rainwater for recycling). The state’s musical roots are infused throughout the massive building, from the carpet decorated with patterns that resemble sound waves to the art on the walls:

Photo: Erin Shaw Street

Did we mention that there’s also a lot of light in the building? There is.

Photo: Erin Shaw Street

The Music City Center is the first of three major projects dramatically changing the SoBro area. Directly across the street is the Omni Hotel, scheduled to open September 30. The hotel, with a biscuit bar (yes, a biscuit bar) and downtown views (see: rooftop shot above), will also connect to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Current construction at the Country Music Hall of Fame will more than double this landmark, providing more space for its one-of-a-kind collections and hands-on visitor experiences. This will include the new Taylor Swift Education Center, featuring special exhibits for children to learn about the roots of country music and educational programs for students to interact with songwriters.

It’s good stuff. We’ll be back.

Filed under: The Daily South Tagged: Nashville, Tennessee

Summer Shopping in Charlotte

2013-05-22T13:41:09Z

Photo by Laurey W. Glenn

In our Charlotte Summer in the South guide we tapped interior designer Barrie Benson for tips on the best shopping spots in Charlotte. If it’s a great deal you are after, Barrie recommends going to Hong Kong Vintage & Recycled on Central Avenue for chic accessories and breezy sundresses.

To splurge on lust-worthy designer pieces such SUNO dresses, Nina Ricci skirts, and Lizzie Fortunato baubles, hit up Capitol Charlotte run by the ever-stylish Laura Vinroot Poole (find Laura’s Southern style essentials here).

Find more of Barrie’s picks, including where to stock up on summer wines, where to go on a Sunday drive, and what flavor Italian ice to try at Atherton’s Market—in our Charlotte Summer in the South guide .

Filed under: The Daily South Tagged: Charlotte, Countdown Summer, Shopping, Style

Fired Up for Florida Supersweet Corn

2013-05-21T17:19:15Z

Photo by Jennifer Davick

The spring growing season for Florida supersweet corn peaks just about the time we’re firing up the backyard grill again for outdoor suppers – which is weeks before the local harvest shows up at roadside stands. Ripe with summer flavor, supersweet corn is so deliciously crisp and tender that it can be sprinkled over salads, tossed with pasta, or tucked into a quesadilla without even being cooked. Of course you could simply char a few ears on the grill and slather on some butter, but zipping those sweet little kernels off the cob is way easier (and quicker) than you might think.

For starters, shake up your weeknight routine with a stack of fresh corn cakes topped with grilled chicken and bacon, or plate up a manly Grilled Steak-Corn-Spinach Salad in just 30 minutes flat. Bonus: you can grill the chicken or steak at the same time you grill the corn, and both are hearty enough to satisfy any carnivore.

A few kernels of wisdom when you’re shopping: Peel back the husks (they should be moist and green) and take a peek inside. You’re looking for plump, shiny kernels and glossy silks. Unlike other varieties, both yellow and white Florida supersweet corn taste equally sweet, and the fresh flavor lasts up to a week after it’s picked.

Grilled Chicken with Fresh Corn Cakes

Start with a package of cornbread mix (which tops my list of versatile, quick-fix pantry favorites) and add fresh corn for a savory pancake supper that’s guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Makes 4 servings
Hands-on 15 Minutes Total 56 Minutes

3 lemons
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 tsp. salt, divided
3 skinned and boned chicken breasts
3 ears fresh corn, husks removed
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 (6-oz.) package buttermilk cornbread mix
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
8 cooked thick hickory-smoked bacon slices
2 cups loosely packed arugula

1. Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat. Grate zest from lemons to equal 1 Tbsp. Cut lemons in half; squeeze juice from lemons into a measuring cup to equal 1/4 cup.
2. Whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, next 3 ingredients, and 1 tsp. salt. Reserve 1/4 cup lemon mixture. Pour remaining lemon mixture in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag; add chicken. Seal and chill 15 minutes, turning once. Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade.
3. Brush corn with 1 Tbsp. olive oil; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tsp. salt.
4. Grill chicken and corn at the same time, covered with grill lid, 20 minutes, turning chicken once and turning corn every 4 to 5 minutes. Remove chicken, and cover. Hold each grilled cob upright on a cutting board, and carefully cut downward, cutting kernels from cob.
5. Stir together cornbread mix and 2/3 cup water in a small bowl until smooth. Stir in basil and 1 cup grilled corn kernels. Pour about 1/4 cup batter for each corn cake onto a hot, lightly greased griddle. Cook cakes 3 to 4 minutes or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look dry and cooked; turn and cook other side.
6. Thinly slice chicken. To serve, place 2 corn cakes on each plate, top with chicken and 2 bacon slices. Toss arugula with reserved lemon mixture. Place arugula on bacon, and sprinkle with corn kernels.

Filed under: From the Test Kitchen, The Daily South Tagged: Recipes

The Best Biscuit Sandwich in Nashville

2013-05-21T13:33:17Z

Photo courtesy Kristine Barlowe

We love Holly Williams. She inherited all the talent of her father Hank Williams, Jr., and grandfather Hank Williams (listen to her latest album The Highway if you want proof), she is charming and stylish, and she loves food as much as we do. She’s that cool Nashville friend you want to have.

Luckily, Holly was happy to share her favorite city spots in our Summer in the South Nashville guide, where she covers everything from rooftop bars, to fashion, and off-the-radar country spots. We can’t wait to try her recommendation for the best breakfast sandwich in town: The East Nasty from Biscuit Love, a from-scratch-biscuit food truck roaming around the city (follow @BiscuitLuvTruck on Twitter for locations). The East Nasty comes with buttermilk fried chicken, Kenny’s Farmhouse cheddar, and sausage gravy—a combination Holly promises is “slap yo momma good.”

Photo courtesy Biscuit Love

Check out our Summer In The South Nashville guide to get more of Holly’s picks, including where to go tubing, how to spend a perfect day in the city, and the best happy hour in town.

Filed under: The Daily South Tagged: Celebrities, City Guide, countdown to summer, Food, Nashville, Summer

500 Miles and 1000 Biscuits Later…

2013-05-20T20:03:42Z

Our road trip to Knoxville for the Southern Food Writing Conference and International Biscuit Festival was as delicious as we dreamed it would be. We talked about the future of Southern food with writers like Sheri Castle, Francis Lam, Liz Thorpe, Kat Kinsman and Cynthia Graubart and ate biscuits in every flavor imaginable from Erin Carlini’s “Kimchi Bulgolgi Biscuit” to Jackie Hardin’s “Lemon Lime Pecan Sticky Biscuit.” Here are more highlights:

1. Being wooed by poetry-speaking, googly-eyed biscuits

Photo by Angela Camp

2. Our executive editor, Hunter Lewis, judging the Biscuit Bake Off. Congrats to Christopher Lowe of Johnson City, Tennessee, who was named Grand Champion for his “Fire on the Mountain Biscuit.”

Photo by Angela Camp

3. Rubbing elbows with author Julia Reed and pork legend Allan Benton

Photo by Chadwick Boyd

4. Serving over 1,000 buttermilk biscuits to festivalgoers (we ran out of our supply in 2 hours….next year, we’ll double our batch).

Photo by Chadwick Boyd

5. Amazing 5-year-old kids competing in the Biscuit Bake Off

Photo by Angela Camp

Congratulations to the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant in Sevierville, Tennessee for taking home the People’s Choice award for their Andouille Shrimp and Grits Biscuit. We’ll be gunning for that award next year!

Filed under: From the Test Kitchen, The Daily South

5 Southern Bands that Rocked Hangout

2013-05-20T19:03:15Z

All eyes were on the South this weekend as musicians and music lovers descended on Gulf Shores, Alabama, for the 4th annual Hangout Music Festival.

With one of the most eclectic lineups of summer, Hangout had acts to suit every kind of musical taste. Crowd favorites included Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Roots, Bassnectar, Stevie Wonder, and Ellie Goulding. But it was the Southern bands that really caught our attention. Here are the up-and-coming groups that rocked Hangout.

Photo by Servin Lainez

1. Delta Rae
Hailing from Durham, North Carolina, this 6-piece band blends country, soul, pop, and folk in a way that is cohesive and energetic. Different members take lead vocals depending on the song, but MVP has to go to Brittany Holljes; her powerful wails during “Bottom of the River” (recently featured in the new True Blood trailer) sent chills down the spine.

Listen To: “Bottom of the River”

Photo by Leslie Ryan McKellar

2. Shovels and Rope
You can’t find onstage chemistry better than this husband and wife duo from Charleston, South Carolina. Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent’s debut album, O’ Be Joyful, released last summer is getting all the right kinds of of attention (they lead nominations for the 2013 Americana Awards) thanks to their homegrown harmonies and engaging performances.

Listen To: “Birmingham”

Photo by Jeff Gentner

3 The Kingston Springs
For anyone who was fading by Saturday afternoon, The Kingston Springs provided the perfect wake-up call. The Tennessee band delivers a style that ranges from blues to folk to rock. They kept the crowd entertained right up to when vocalist/bass player Alex Geddes stripped down to a speedo for the final number.

Listen To: “Weight of the World”

Photo by Will Morgan Holland

4. Wild Cub
Prior to Hangout, this Nashville, Tennessee, band performed at New York Fashion Week Fall 2013, SxSW, and opened for fellow fest performer, Ellie Goulding—not bad for a group that dropped their first LP, Youth less than a year ago. Their fluid electronic-pop sound wasn’t what you’ve come to expect from Nashville, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it.

Listen To: “Thunder Clatter”

Photo by Timothy Ariel

5. Luella and the Sun
If you didn’t get down to Gulf Shores early enough on Friday afternoon to see this buzzy Nashville, Tennessee, band, you definitely missed out. Draped in a costume of soda can fasteners, lead singer Melissa Mathes led the 4-piece ensemble in a powerful set with her hypnotic and raw vocals.

Listen To: “Fly So Free”

Tell us, who were your favorite performers at the Hangout?

Filed under: The Daily South

The Birmingham Bands You Need To Know

2013-05-20T16:57:20Z

Photo courtesy Jason Wallis

Birmingham, Alabama’s music scene is blowing up: Homegrown bands are playing major music fests such as Banditos at this weekend’s Hangout Music Festival, while a new music venue, Iron City, is bringing bands such as Neutral Milk Hotel to the city.

To get the low-down on the top emerging talent from Birmingham, we asked one of the city’s biggest music advocates Duquette Johnston (whose new album Rabbit Runs A Destiny drops tomorrow) to rattle off some off his favorite comrades. Per Duquette’s recommendations, add these bands to your summer playlist: Sanders Bohlke, The Green Seed, Shaheed and DJ Supreme, Preston Lovinggood, Dead Fingers, and BEiTTHEMEANS.

For more of Duquette’s picks for making the most out of summer in Birmingham—including where to find the best jukebox, the secret watering hole to cool off at, and the best new restaurant in town—get our Summer In The South Birmingham guide.

And check out this video, in which Duquette talks about his new album and the importance of the Birmingham community.

Filed under: The Daily South Tagged: Birmingham, countdown to summer, Music