This week, we're featuring a recipe for an authentic Southern comfort food: shrimp and grits from John Rutledge House Inn in Charleston, South Carolina. They kindly shared their special recipe with us.

Here's what they told us about their recipe:

Creamy grits, fresh shrimp, a dash of spice. Shrimp and grits at its finest. Food doesn’t get much more Southern than this classic dish, which we serve for breakfast at the John Rutledge House Inn.

Our Charleston inn has a legacy of Southern hospitality. Complimentary hot breakfast for our guests is among our favorite traditions. Even before this house was transformed into a historic inn, it was a place for gatherings. Original owner and U.S. Constitution signer John Rutledge frequently hosted soirees in the ballroom and afternoon teas on the piazza. We entertain in true Southern fashion, and always have. A different hot item is featured daily--when Shrimp & Grits is on the menu, you’re in for a treat. Though we serve this classic soul food dish for breakfast, it makes a wonderful dinner as well. Our recipe is delicious as it is simple.

Shrimp & Grits Recipe
Serves 4

Ingredients:

32 large shrimp
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
½ stick margarine
Lawry’s Season Salt
2 cups Old Mill Grits
6 cups water
½ stick butter
¼ cup half & half

Steps:

1. Sauté celery in margarine for 3 minutes
2. Add shrimp and season with Lawry’s to taste, cook shrimp until pink. Keep aside.
3. To prepare the grits, wash them until the water is clear
4. Place 6 cups of water in a large pan and cook the grits for 30 minutes.
5. Stirring the grits every 5 minutes, when they thicken, add butter and cook on low for 15 minutes
6. Stir in half & half
7. Put shrimp over the grits and enjoy!

By Emily Starbuck Crone

At Charleston’s luxurious, five-star bed and breakfast the Wentworth Mansion, guests are treated to a deluxe Southern breakfast at the inn’s fine dining restaurant, Circa 1886. Here, Executive Chef Marc Collins is known for weaving in traditional lowcountry elements into each of his recipes. One of the most popular breakfast items for Wentworth Mansion guests are Chef Collins’ Plantation Rice Pancakes. This recipe is a nod to Charleston’s rich history of cultivating and exporting rice hundreds of years ago. This recipe simple to make at home, whether entertaining for the holidays or cozying up on Sunday mornings in the new year. Thanks for Charming Inns for sharing this great recipe from a Charleston B&B!

Wentworth Mansion Plantation Rice Pancakes

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

• 12oz. Cake Flour
• 4oz. Rice Flour
• 2oz. Sugar
• 2tsp. Salt
• 2tsp. Baking Powder
• 2tsp. Baking Soda

Sift all of the above together into a bowl.

• 4ea. Eggs
• 2lbs. Buttermilk
• 4oz. Melted butter
• 1T. Vanilla Extract

1. Mix all of these 4 ingredients together and pour into the dry ingredients.
2. Whisk just until they all combine. There should be some lumps in the mix.
3. Heat a griddle to 375-degrees or heat a skillet/frying pan over medium heat.
4. Pour a ladle full of mix onto the hot surface; should be about four inches in diameter.
5. Wait for the topside of the pancakes to bubble, then flip over.
6. Wait for the underside of the pancake to brown, take off the heat and serve immediately.

At Circa 1886, the pancakes are served with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar and maple syrup. We recommend the same preparation for full Wentworth Mansion-like enjoyment!

By Emily Starbuck Crone

Fulton Lane Inn is a historic bed and breakfast located in Charleston, South Carolina. This gourmet recipe was created by the Executive Chef of its sister restaurant, Circa 1886. These cinnamon sticky buns are freshly baked and delivered to the rooms of the guests each morning. They’re the perfect mix of sticky and sweet and light and flaky. According to the inn, this is a marvelous recipe to try during the holidays. It's perfect for a Thanksgiving treat and Christmas morning breakfasts!

Prep time: 2 hours

Bake time: 15 minutes

Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 8oz. Water
• 1.5 oz Yeast
• 4 oz. Butter
• 4 oz. Sugar
• pinch Salt
• 1 oz. Fat-free powdered milk
• 3 oz. Eggs
• 1 lb. Bread Flour
• 4 oz. Cake Flour

Honey Pan Glaze

• 10 oz. Brown Sugar
• 4 oz. Butter
• 2.5 oz. Honey
• 2.5 oz. Corn Syrup
• 1 oz. Water

Steps

• Preheat oven to 375F. All ingredients should be room temperature.
• Add the yeast to a small amount of water. Keep this in a separate container.
• In a mixer combine the butter, sugar, salt, and  powdered milk until well creamed.
• Add the eggs one at a time until incorporated. Add in the water and yeast mix.
• Next add the flour and then the yeast mixture to the bowl and mix till smooth.
• Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 1½ hours.

In the meantime, you can create the Honey Pan Glaze:

• Cream together the sugar, butter, honey, and corn syrup in a mixer.
• Add enough water to bring the mixture to a spreadable consistency.
• Glaze the spread on the bottom of your baking sheet.

Final steps

• After the dough has risen, scale it into equal parts.
• On a floured work surface, roll each piece of dough into a 9 x 12 inch rectangle about a ¼ inch thick. Be sure to brush off excess flour. 
• Next brush the surface of the dough with softened butter and sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Roll the dough up so that it looks like a 12-inch long log.
• Cut into 1-inch circular rolls and place on a pan with the honey pan glaze.
• Bake for 12-15 or until golden brown. Allow the buns to cool slightly and invert them onto a plate to be served.

Thanks to the Fulton Lane Inn for sharing their special recipe with us!

By Emily Starbuck Crone

This week, we're featuring a tasty recipe from one of our Charleston B&Bs, Kings Courtyard Inn. Pair it with some crackers or chips, and it's the perfect appetizer for a large or small group. Read on for the recipe and more information on the historic inn.

Southern Pimento Cheese Spread

Serves 10-15 people
Prep Time: 15 minutes

You’ll need:
• 6 cups - cheddar cheese
• 2 cups - Dukes Mayonnaise
• 1 cup - sour cream
• 1 small can - pimento peppers, diced
• 1 small can - Pickled jalapeno peppers, chopped (optional for a spicy kick)
• 3-4 Scallions, diced (optional for a spicy kick)
• Dash of salt and pepper

Preparation:
In a large bowl, combine cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream. Finely dice pimentos and scallions before adding into the cheese mixture. Mix all ingredients together by hand and add a dash of salt and pepper to taste. If the spread is too thick, add more mayonnaise. If spread is too thin, add more cheese.

Variations:
For Pimento Cheese Dip: This variation calls for about a half cup less of mayonnaise. All other ingredients remain the same. Combine all ingredients and blend in a food processor before serving for a smoother consistency.

About the inn:

Kings Courtyard Inn is located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. It was originally built in 1853 as an inn catering to plantation owners and merchant guests. It has been beautifully restored, and each of the 41 rooms have a unique size and architectural details. Thanks to the inn for sharing this delicious recipe with us!

By Emily Starbuck Crone

Looking for a getaway in South Carolina? Save 25% when you stay at the 27 State Street B&B in Charleston during the entire month of January!

The rate is normally $189 a night, but you will pay just $141.75.

The B&B was built around 1814 and is conveniently just one block from great dining and two blocks from the market and Waterfront Park.

Mention this BedandBreakfast.com Hot Deal when you book. You can book online or call 843-722-4243.