Enjoy all of the flavor of your favorite Lowcountry dishes with these recipe ideas
Both the streets and homes of Charleston are stuffed with mouthwatering, hearty food. This fact has always remained true. Even before the booming restaurant-foodie scene, in The Grand Traditions of Charleston Cuisine, Douglas Bostick writes, “Even if times were bad and money was short, a good meal was never more than a small boat, a cast net, and fishing line away.”
Known for its simple yet robust combination of flavorful spices and hearty proteins such as prawns, fish, crabs, and grains, Lowcountry cuisine is unparalleled across the States. Although delicious, dishes like shrimp and grits, boiled peanuts, and the classic Hoppin’ John may not jive with certain dietary sensitivities. To tackle this, we’ve compiled a list of very Charleston dishes but with a lighter spin, so you can have your crab cake and eat it, too.
1. Pilau
A traditional Charleston dish (with recipes dating back to the 1800s!) Pilau is simple, yet satisfying. Plus, as long as you keep the liquid and rice at a balanced two-to-one ratio, there are endless ways to customize a meal as versatile and tasty as Pilau. Try adding chicken breast instead of duck or bacon and throw in a handful of carrots and celery for extra vegetables. To ensure this meal is packed with flavor, whip up some of Zatarain’s Gluten Free Long Grain and Wild Rice Mix—made with parboiled long-grain rice.
2. Yellow Rice Crab Cakes
With crab so easily accessible in Charleston, when aren’t crab cakes a good idea? These little cakes are certainly palate-pleasers, and when prepared with the right ingredients, they can be a wholesome treat as well! For example, consider substituting gluten-free flour to make the cakes easier to digest for those with sensitivities. This recipe from Zatarain’s doesn’t require mayo or cheese, which is good news for those who are watching their diets.
3. Baked Eggs with Pan-Roasted Mushrooms
Supporting local is important in South Carolina; so, support local by digging into some local mushrooms. You can use them in this breakfast dish, which is sure to please all taste buds. For a lighter spin, consider substituting Greek yogurt in place of the crème fraiche and swapping out the grapeseed oil for coconut or olive oil. For added heartiness, pair the meal with Zatarain’s Yellow Rice with Broccoli, which also happens to be gluten-free.
4. Shrimp, Corn and Rice Croquettes
As a staple ingredient in the Charleston diet, you can’t go wrong with anything shrimp. Case in point, these croquettes; crunchy on the outside, soft and flavorful on the inside. For those who are watching their waistlines or who have a gluten sensitivity, however, the traditional way of preparation (lots of oil and lots of flour) can be a little dicey. Follow the recipe as described, but instead of frying, bake the croquettes at 400 F for 20-25 minutes in a shallow baking sheet with nonstick foil lined with oil. For those with food sensitivities, coat the croquettes in gluten-free flour, and for extra flavor, use Zatarain’s Gluten Free Caribbean Mix.
5. Hoppin’ John
A savory blend of rice and black-eyed peas, no right-minded Charleston resident goes without some variation of a plate of Hoppin’ John—especially on New Year’s day. Recommit to your resolutions by adding some veggies like celery, spinach, and leeks into the mix. For the rice blend, try incorporating Zatarain’s Gluten-Free Brown Rice Jambalaya Mix, as it packs a punch of southern flavor and is gluten-free with no artificial flavors or colors from artificial sources.
6. Dirty Rice
Historically, Dirty Rice was eaten as a filling staple dish, as it was made local ingredients and filled up stomachs quickly. Although now it is generally eaten as a side dish, it can be easily made into a main for the whole family. Add veggies like chopped spinach and black beans and a heartier, more wholesome rice (like Zatarain’s Reduced Sodium Dirty Rice Mix). Opt for a lean sausage, like turkey, that's considered to have fewer calories and fat per serving than traditional sausage. Serve with a dollop of plain yogurt and top with diced green onion.
Charleston is known for its vibrant food; and now your kitchen can be known for it, too! Putting a lighter spin on your favorite dishes isn’t tough when you have so many aromatic flavors and local ingredients at your disposal. Simple meals can be made even more flavorful by using versatile rice mixes (Zatarain’s Cajun Chicken Flavored Rice is that plus spice), more satisfying by adding organic veggies, and better suited for dietary sensitivities by using gluten-free ingredients when possible.
