
Lowcountry Pan-Seared Flounder
Best with: Flounder
A simple, elegant preparation that lets the delicate flavor of fresh flounder shine. Serve over creamy grits for the full Lowcountry experience.
Ingredients
- 2 flounder fillets (6-8 oz each)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Creamy grits for serving
Directions
- 1Pat fillets dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Old Bay.
- 2Heat butter and olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- 3Place fillets skin-side up and cook 3-4 minutes until golden.
- 4Flip carefully, add garlic, and cook 2-3 more minutes.
- 5Squeeze lemon juice over the fish and garnish with parsley.
- 6Serve immediately over a bed of creamy stone-ground grits.
Blackened Red Drum Tacos
Best with: Red Drum
Red drum's firm, mild flesh is perfect for blackening. Wrapped in warm tortillas with a tangy slaw, this is pier-to-plate perfection.
Ingredients
- 1 lb red drum fillets
- 2 tbsp blackening seasoning
- 1 tbsp butter
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup mayo mixed with sriracha
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro
Directions
- 1Coat fillets generously with blackening seasoning on both sides.
- 2Heat a cast iron skillet to smoking hot. Add butter.
- 3Sear fillets 3 minutes per side until a dark crust forms.
- 4Let rest 2 minutes, then flake into large chunks.
- 5Warm tortillas and fill with fish, cabbage slaw, and spicy mayo.
- 6Squeeze lime over the top and garnish with cilantro.
Fried Spot with Hush Puppies
Best with: Spot
When spot run in the fall, this is the classic Grand Strand preparation. Whole fried spot with crispy hush puppies and coleslaw is a pier tradition.
Ingredients
- 8-10 whole spot, cleaned and scaled
- 2 cups yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- Old Bay seasoning
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Lemon wedges
- Tartar sauce
- Coleslaw for serving
Directions
- 1Heat oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or heavy pot.
- 2Mix cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, and Old Bay in a shallow dish.
- 3Score each spot with 2-3 diagonal cuts on each side.
- 4Dredge fish in the cornmeal mixture, shaking off excess.
- 5Fry in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy.
- 6Drain on paper towels, squeeze lemon, and serve with tartar sauce and slaw.
Grilled Spanish Mackerel with Herb Butter
Best with: Spanish Mackerel
Spanish mackerel's rich, oily flesh is ideal for grilling. The herb butter melts into the fish for an incredible flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 Spanish mackerel fillets
- 3 tbsp softened butter
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil for the grill
Directions
- 1Mix butter with dill, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- 2Oil the grill grates and heat to medium-high.
- 3Brush fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- 4Grill skin-side down for 4-5 minutes without moving.
- 5Flip and grill 2-3 more minutes until fish flakes easily.
- 6Top with a generous pat of herb butter and a squeeze of lemon.
She-Crab Style Sheepshead Chowder
Best with: Sheepshead
Sheepshead has a sweet, crab-like flavor that makes it perfect for this Lowcountry-inspired chowder. A hearty meal after a day on the pier.
Ingredients
- 1 lb sheepshead fillets, cubed
- 4 slices bacon, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 potatoes, cubed
- 4 cups fish stock or clam juice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Old Bay, thyme, bay leaf
- Sherry (optional)
Directions
- 1Cook bacon in a Dutch oven until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- 2Sauté onion and celery in bacon fat until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 3Add potatoes, stock, Old Bay, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
- 4Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- 5Add sheepshead cubes and cook 5-7 minutes until fish is opaque.
- 6Stir in heavy cream and a splash of sherry. Season to taste.
- 7Serve topped with crumbled bacon and oyster crackers.