Gullah Caviar Food

LOWCOUNTRY OKRA SOUP

Steps:

• Set an 8-quart Dutch oven or similar pot over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add oil. When oil shimmers, lay in turkey necks and sear until evenly golden brown, about 4 minutes per side.
• Add 4 quarts water, smoked turkey, onion and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a heavy simmer, with the lid ajar to ensure the pot doesn't boil over. Check pot every 30 minutes to remove any scum that forms, and add water as needed to ensure that the meat is always submerged. Cook for about 3 hours or until all the meat is tender and broth is flavorful.
• While it's traditional to leave onion and bones in the soup (and suck meat off turkey neck as you eat), you can strain broth, remove onion and pick meat off bones at this point if desired, returning meat to broth. Either way, reduce broth to about 3 quarts, then stir in onion powder, paprika, cayenne and pepper, and season to taste with salt.
• Stir in tomatoes, then simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Taste, and adjust seasoning for salt, then add okra, reduce heat to low and cook until okra is just tender, not mushy, and still has bite to it, no more than 10 minutes. The okra will naturally thicken the broth as it cooks.
• Stir in corn and beans, cook for another minute or 2, then serve immediately with rice, cornbread and hot sauce. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 1 month. Return to a boil for 3 minutes before serving.

GULLAH GUMBO

Steps:

• Whisk together the oil and flour in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until the roux is the color of peanut butter, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add the celery, onion, bell pepper and tomatoes and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the gumbo file, House Seasoning, mace, garlic and bay leaves. Cook until fragrant, 1 more minute. Slowly pour in the chicken stock, seafood stock and 1 cup water, whisking until combined. Add the turkey wing.
• Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed, for 1 hour.
• Stir in the lima beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the gumbo is thickened, about 2 hours. Add the shrimp during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Remove the turkey wing. Chop the meat and return it to the gumbo. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with the parsley and green onions. Serve with hot sauce.
• Stir together the garlic and onion powders, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

COWBOY CAVIAR

Steps:

• Whisk together the vinegar, pickled jalapeno brine, honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Whisk in the oil to make a smooth dressing.
• Add the black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, cilantro, pickled jalapeno, scallions, tomatoes and bell pepper. Toss to coat in the dressing. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour to blend the flavors before serving. Serve with tortilla chips for scooping.