Low Country Soup Recipes

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.

LOW COUNTRY SHRIMP CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the scallion whites, celery and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Add the flour and Old Bay Seasoning and cook, stirring, until the flour is lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Add the milk, 6 cups water and the rice. Bring to a rapid simmer, then reduce the heat to medium and cook until the rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Add the corn to the pot and cook 3 minutes. Stir in the shrimp and cook until they curl and turn opaque, about 3 more minutes. Season the chowder with salt and pepper and stir in the sherry. Ladle into bowls and top with the scallion greens.

LOW-COUNTRY BOIL

Steps:

• Fill a 7-gallon stockpot halfway with water (or use 2 large pots and divide the ingredients between them). Add the seasoning and bring to a rolling boil. Add the whole potatoes to the pot. Allow the water to return to a boil and cook 5 minutes. Add the onions and sausage. Bring the water back to a boil and cook 15 minutes. Add the corn, bring the water back to a boil and cook 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are done.
• Add the shrimp, bring the water back to a boil and cook until the shrimp turn pink, about 3 minutes. Drain through a colander; discard the liquid. Serve on newspaper or a platter.

WINTER COUNTRY SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat; saute sausage with pepper and shallots until browned., Add kale; cook, covered, until kale is wilted, 2-3 minutes. Stir in all remaining ingredients except orzo; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes., Return to a boil. Stir in orzo. Cook until pasta is tender, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

LOW COUNTRY CREAM OF CRAB AND SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a 1-gallon pot and saute the carrots, onions and garlic until onion is transparent.
• Add the pepper flakes and squash and cook until squash is tender.
• Add the crab base and water and mix well.
• Heat to a simmer then add the crab meat.
• Heat through and taste the soup. Add more water if it seems to strong or salty (since soup bases vary in strength).
• Whisk together the flour and a little of the milk to make a paste.
• Whisk in the remaining flour and half-and-half. Add the mixture to the soup.
• Cook, stirring, until the soup thickens, but try not to let it boil.
• Add salt to taste, if needed.
• Garnish with chives to serve.