The Southern Peel, Jammy Thighs, Summer Sippers and more

Fun at Bluffton Farmer's Market in Spring mode!

The Southern Peel

Image by the author, Susan Nicolai, at the Farmer’s Market in Bluffton, SC

Who goes to the Farmer’s Market for Pizza? We do! The Southern Peel is a vintage-style food truck with a wood-fired pizza oven, with a woodfired pizza oven in the back! They bring a fresh pizza experience to catered events in the Bluffton area. They are a regular at the Thursday Farmer’s Market in Bluffton, and there’s no better way to enjoy pizza than beneath the Live Oaks at the market. We always eat first, a whole pie between us, then meander through the array of vendors with typical Farmer’s market fare and, sometimes, some surprises like the Rhoot Man. But back to the pizza.

Image by the Author, Susan Nicolai

We are thin-crust people, and yes, I don’t mind doing the fold as I scarf down that delicious first bite. We go halfsies on our pies, and this time, we chose the Margherita and Buffalo Chicken. In the past, I’ve had the “Peachy,” and it was a peaches, prosciutto, goat cheese, truffle oil, and a hot honey blast of flavor. The wood-fired oven is not only charming but cooks pizza fast, so don’t worry if there’s a line; it moves quickly.

Jam-Juicy Chicken Thighs

Jam-Juicy Thighs, as prepared and photographed by the author

Maybe you’ve snagged some jelly or preserves during a recent visit to your local farmer’s market or a roadside stop, like the Davis Produce Market on Wilmington Island on the way to Tybee Beach.

I’m not much of a jelly toast person, so I found a great alternative way to bring that jam-o-lious flavor to the table: combined with yogurt in a sweet and savory sauce for chicken thighs.

Here’s what you’ll need to put together this dish:

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs with skin removed,

• ½ C whole milk Greek yogurt,

• ½ C of your favorite jam or preserves. Peach, Fig, and Raspberry are among our favorites!

• 1 TBS Minced Garlic,

• 1 TBS Honey Aleppo Pepper,

• A sleeve of Ritz Crackers, crushed,

• Kosher salt.      

Let your jam or jelly come to room temperature, then mix it with a fork until it’s smooth. Add the yogurt, garlic, honey Aleppo pepper, and two fat-finger pinches of salt.

Brush your chicken with your jammy yogurt mixture. Then coat your chicken in the cracker crumbs.

Bake on a cookie sheet with a rack at 350 ˚ F for 40 minutes or until chicken reaches 165 ˚ F.

Refreshing Summer Sipping

I recently decided to make some effort toward reducing my waistline. But how to release those love handles when I simply love food…and yes, wine too?

It always “hurts” to “give up” our favorite indulgences, right? Yeah…arms folded, pouty face.

When it comes to my habit of relaxing with a glass or two of red wine, I knew I’d have more success with a fun switcheroo than deprival.

Here’s my take on a light yet fun alternative for a patio or poolside sipper that I’m happy to adopt to achieve my goals.

The Cucumber Watermelon Fizz, ala Margarita glass. Image by the author

Cucumber Watermelon Fizz

Ladies and gentlemen, pull out your juicers and rev their engines! Remember that monster machine you shoved in the far back corner of the bottom shelf? It’s resurrection time.

You’ll also need the following:

• At least 4 ice cube trays. Try some of the silicon ice cube trays that make extra-large square cubes or big frozen balls!

• A mini seedless watermelon

• 5 good size cucumbers

• Lemon or lime juice (I piece of fruit for the juicer)

• Simple syrup (½ C sugar simmered into ½ C water until dissolved. Let cool)

• Fresh mint and basil

Juice most of your watermelon, then add a handful or two of mint to your juicer. I use the last pieces of watermelon to help push out the juiced mint. Pour this pink nectar into your ice cube tray and trot it off to the freezer.

Next, juice your cucumbers. You don’t have to peel them, but…it’s so easy to whisk them with a peeler that I choose to do so. Again, reserve the final cucumber as a chaser for a generous handful of fresh basil. Juice your citrus into the cucumber juice, and then mix in simple syrup to taste. (You likely won’t use all your prepped simple syrup.) Tray up your cucumber juice mixture and send it off to solidify into cubes, balls, or whatever fun mold shape you have discovered.

Cucumber Watermelon Fizz in a pint glass. Photo by the author, Susan Nicolai

The Next Day

Once your ice cubes have frozen solid, transfer them to freezer bags; the heavy lift is done. You’ll have enough cubes here to throw yourself a little party or get yourself and a friend through a month of Sober Sundays.

For mixing your beverage, consider the following:

• Margarita glasses rimmed in salt and tajin (flavor!)

• Blueberries, pineapple, or strawberry kabobs

• Frozen grapes

• Mint or basil garnish

• Lime wedges

For Mixing

• Seltzer Water, chilled. (Topo Chico recommended!)

• Fresh lime       

If desired, prep the rim of your glass with kosher salt or a blend of salt and tajin.

Put a generous squeeze of fresh lime in the bottom of your chosen vessel. Add a cube of cucumber juice and a cube of watermelon juice. Fill to the brim with your bubbly seltzer; ah, such a lovely sizzle!

Garnish with your choice of fancy fruit and that lovely mint or basil leaf, being sure to crush between your fingers to release the perfume.

Drink and feel refreshed and slim!

Two Whiffs of Inspo

First, I want to share a link to the Technical College of the Low Country’s personal development classes. This is a gem of an opportunity, right in our backyard, if you have an interest in the culinary world. Shout out to Carrie Hirsch, who generously gave me and a friend a tour of this beautiful facility. These 3-hour one-day classes sound like so much fun!

For your second whiff of Inspo, check out Cup of Jo’s interview with Samin Nosrat, the author of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. Maybe you’ve bought this must-have book about how to cook with your palate or seen her on her Netflix show of the same name. Anyway, I just adored her and thought you might like this interview, too.

Let me know what you like or want to see more of in Delicious Bits…click the link below!