Nigerian Jollof Rice Meets Low Country Red Rice|Hibiscus Mule – Lowcountry Cooking with Charleston’s Chef Jolie

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HIBISCUS MULE

  • 1 1/2 oz    vodka
  • 1 oz           hibiscus syrup (I used hibiscus flowers in syrup)
  •  Juice, 1/2 lime
  • 1-2 oz      ginger beer
  • Fresh mint & lime for garnish

Add ice to a shaker with vodka, hibiscus syrup, lime juice, and ginger beer. Shake until ICE COLD!  Pour into a copper mug, garnish with mint, and lime, and enjoy!

If you can’t find Hibiscus flowers in syrup like is used.  Try this recipe

NIGERIAN JOLLOF RICE

Serves 4

  • 2               medium red bell peppers, seeded and roughly chopped
  • 1               small yellow, rough chopped (medium dice the 1/2 onion)
  • 3 c            meat stock (use 1 cup for blending the pepper sauce)
  • 1-2            scotch bonnets or habanero peppers
  • 1 c             vegetable oil
  • 1/2 c        butter
  • 1               6 oz can tomato paste
  • 1 Tbsp     curry powder
  • 1 Tbsp     dried thyme
  • 2 Tbsp     A Dab A Do Ya!
  • 1 Tbsp     Maggi or Knorr chicken base
  • 2               bay leaves
  • 1/2 Tbsp  minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 c     parboiled rice

METHOD

1.  In a blender, blend the chopped peppers, 1/2 of the other onion (remember to save the other 1/2 onion for frying), and scotch bonnet peppers with 1 cup of stock.

2.  Once blended, put in a saucepan on low to boil out the water/stock.  This should take about 20 mins.  The pepper sauce will be thick once done.

3. Once the pepper sauce is done, preheat a medium sized pot over medium heat for  2-3 minutes.  Then add vegetable oil and heat for 1-2 mins. Next, add the butter. Once the butter is almost completely melted add the onions.  

4. Fry the onions for 2-3 minutes, then add the boiled pepper and onion mixture and continue frying for an additional 2-3 minutes. Then stir in, curry powder,  thyme, A Dab A Do Ya!, and Maggi/Knorr seasoning.  Continue stirring allowing the seasonings to cook into the mixture.

5. Stir in tomato paste and until well incorporated. On medium-low heat continue frying the mixture for 10-15 minutes.

6. Add stock, stir and bring the mixture to a boil.  Stir in rice, bring to a low boil and cover for 10 minutes to allow the bottom of the rice to get crispy. (creating the crispy bottom of the rice is optional).

7. After the first 10 minutes of cooking, remove the top, add bay leaves and garlic. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly with foil and lid.  Cook for 25 additional minutes. 

8. Uncover, fluff, remove bay leaves and enjoy with fish, chicken and your family!

LOWCOUNTRY RED RICE

Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 c  long grain white rice, uncooked
  • 2 c  smoked sausage, cut in ½ circles
  • ½ c  yellow onion, medium dice
  • 2 Tbsp  vegetable oil
  • 3 ½-4 c  tomato sauce 
  • ¼ c  water
  • 1-2 Tbsp A Dab A Do Ya!
  • Pinch  white sugar
  • Pinch  cayenne pepper
  • 2 Tbsp  unsalted butter 

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Preheat skillet on medium high heat for 2-3 mins

3. Add vegetable oil and heat for 2 mins.

4. Add onions and sauté for 2-3 mins. Then add sausage and sauté for an additional 3 mins.

5. Next add tomato sauce, water, A Dab A Do Ya!, sugar, and cayenne pepper.  Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.  Allow tomato mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes, and stir occasionally.

6. Spray a medium casserole dish with non-stick spray and add rice.

7. Using a colander, separate sausage and onions from tomato sauce.

8. Add the sausage and onion mixture to the top of the rice. Then, add about 3 cups of tomato sauce onto the rice and stir. Add butter and cover with plastic & foil and bake in a 350-degree oven for 25-30 mins.

9. After 25-30 minutes, uncover, stir, and determine if you need to add more tomato sauce.  If so, add more liquid, recover and continue to bake in 7-10 min. increments.  Rice should be soft and fluffy when finished.

Dr. Tonya Matthews discusses The International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, SC (New Video Interview)

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Who’s on the Move presents a discussion with Dr. Tonya Matthews inside the new International African American Museum set to open in late 2022.

About the Video

Set to open in late 2022, IAAM will honor the untold stories of the African American journey from Charleston, S.C., at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf and beyond.

Downtown Charleston’s “Under The Almond Trees” Celebrates Five Years – Cinco De Mom-O

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Under The Almond Trees Charleston’s premier downtown baby boutique, invites guests to celebrate their five-year anniversary by joining for their Cinco De Mom-O party on Thursday, May 5 from 4-8 p.m. benefitting Florence Crittenton Programs of SC.

Location: 190 King Street, Charleston, SC

Guests are invited to shop from 15 local vendors in and around the store, eat delicious bites from Papi Chulo food truck, a raffle, and silent auction.  Florence Crittenton’s mission is to provide hope, safety, and opportunity to pregnant, parenting, and young women in foster care to instill self-worth and self-sufficiency. The nonprofit values the right of every young woman to obtain the education, skills, and support needed to have a healthy start in life – for today and tomorrow

For more information, please e-mail info@underthealmondtrees.com

Gillie’s Seafood on Charleston’s James Island – Felt Like Grandma’s House with Chef Sean Mendes – New Video

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New video from My Ancestry Chronicles with Di Shawn J. Gandy

On our first day in Charleston, S.C. we made sure we made our way to Gillie’s Seafood on James Island.

The Award-Winning Chef, Sean Mendes who’s been featured on the Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, and the Food Network has created what he calls an “ode to his grandmother, LaReese Gilliard.”

Chef Sean with his family serves up that Low Country-inspired food with that Gullah/Geechee hospitality that makes you feel like you’re at Grandma’s house.

If you’re ever in Charleston, S.C….be sure to pay a visit to Gillie’s Seafood, and bring your appetite and some free time, especially if Uncle Teddy’s there, to hang out and experience Gillie’s.

www.gilliesseafoodandsoul.com/

Regional Public Transportation Statement Regarding Federal Mask Mandate – Mask Requirement Suspended Effective Immediately

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NORTH CHARLESTON (April 19, 2022) — Today, Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority and TriCounty Link Executive Director Ron Mitchum released the following statement regarding the Federal mask mandate

“In accordance with guidance from the Federal Transit Administration, effective immediately, CARTA and Tricounty Link have suspended mask requirements on all vehicles. Masks will continue to be made available to riders, as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that riders wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.”
ABOUT CARTAThe Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is a public transportation system dedicated to providing affordable transit in the Charleston, S.C., community through local fixed routes, on-demand paratransit, and express commuter service. For the latest on CARTA, visit ridecarta.com, like us on Facebook, or follow on Twitter at @RideCARTA. All customers are encouraged to plan rides and track buses with the CARTA-endorsed Transit app.

ABOUT TRICOUNTY LINK

The TriCounty Link system is composed of nine regular fixed routes and six commuter routes providing services to rural residents of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. The current fleet consists of 60 vehicles seating from 14 to 32 passengers.

All TriCounty Link vehicles are ADA compliant and include wheelchair lifts, and on average, two wheelchair tie-down positions per vehicle. For the latest on TriCounty Link, visit www.ridetricountylink.com and like us on Facebook.

Eli’s Table is looking for patrons to volunteer for a photoshoot (There is free food)

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We need your help! Our marketing team is looking for patrons of Eli’s to participate in a photoshoot for our social media platforms. What better way to spread the word about Eli’s than showcasing our regulars?

In exchange for your time and smiles, we will be offering some free food to all who participate. Couples, families, and friends are all invited to join. Let’s have some fun together! 

If this interests you, please click the button below to fill out the form and get started.

Click Here to Register

The Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS) Commits an Additional $14 Million to the Ashley River Crossing Project

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Regional Planning Organization Approves Funding Increase

NORTH CHARLESTON (April 18, 2022) – The Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS) policy committee today committed an additional $14 million in infrastructure funding to the City of Charleston’s Ashley River Crossing project. The planned bike-ped bridge will connect West Ashley and Downtown Charleston – and more than 100,000 residents – by establishing a safe route over the Ashley River for non-motorists where one currently does not exist.

City and Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Government (BCDCOG) officials worked directly with SCDOT Secretary Christy Hall to secure the allocation, which will arrive through the regional “guideshare” funding program. BCDCOG, which administers the CHATS metropolitan planning organization, or MPO, leveraged federal and state money earmarked for Transportation Management Agencies.

“Our state-level partners recognized the regional significance of the Ashley River Crossing and the excellent plan in place for the project,” said CHATS Executive Director Ron Mitchum. “That was followed today by unanimous regional support from our board. The entire process is a textbook example of the collaboration and consensus we seek to build in these types of projects.” 

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said, “At a moment when our citizens are rightly demanding expanded transportation alternatives, Ashley River Crossing is a true game-changer for choice and mobility throughout the region. And on behalf of our city, I’d like to thank Secretary Christy Hall, Director Ron Mitchum and Charleston City Council for their ongoing and critical support of this vital project.”

Secretary Hall said the funding was intended, “to make things happen and get things done,” during Monday’s board meeting. The move comes as SCDOT plans to increase the resources available to COGs and MPOs across the state for projects that have been prioritized locally.

When combined with a variety of local and federal funding sources already in hand, this CHATS allocation brings the city within reach of the project’s estimated $41.2 million price tag, with just $1 million still needed. 

MPOs such as CHATS are responsible for carrying out urban transportation planning processes. CHATS is staffed by BCDCOG, which facilitates the MPO’s programs and initiatives across an 800-square-mile study area.

Also at Monday’s meeting, Charleston County Councilman Herb Sass was voted in as CHATS chairman, succeeding Dorchester County Councilman George Bailey. Hanahan Mayor Christie Rainwater was selected by the board to take over for Sass as vice chair.

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ABOUT CHATS

The Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS) is the region’s designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which is responsible for carrying out the area’s urban transportation planning process. CHATS is staffed by BCDCOG, which facilitates programs and initiatives across an 800-square-mile study area, and is governed by a Policy Committee Board representing governmental and transportation-related organizations from throughout its coverage area. Learn more about CHATS by visitingbcdcog.com/transportation.

The Folly Boat and Folly Community Support Ukraine

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By Mark A Leon

Folly Beach has always shown its commitment and support during times of need from loss to hurricane relief. This weekend, their love went international with a benefit to support the families of Ukraine held at The Washout on Saturday.

One of the most pronounced symbols of Folly and the Lowcountry since Hurricane Hugo continues to be our beloved Folly Boat.

Showcasing the beautiful gold and blue of Ukraine, the boat is now for the moment a symbol of our continued support for all those suffering in Ukraine.

Here are some images: