A Garden City Beach favorite- the Boiled Peanut!

In keeping with the theme of recipes and summer favorites, I would like to spend this post talking about a southern delicacy that many have probably never heard of- the illustrious boiled peanut!

What exactly is a boiled peanut, you may ask? It is, in fact, a peanut in the shell, boiled in salty water. And it is delicious! This is a true southern staple, and has been consumed since the 1800's. Here's a little history about the boiled peanut:

Boiling peanuts has been a folk cultural practice in the south of the US since the 19th century, where they were originally called goober peas. In late August, when the peanut crops would come in, unsold and surplus peanuts would be prepared in a boiling, and extended families and neighbors would gather to share conversation and food. Like a fish fry, peanut boils have been organizing principles for social gatherings. Like okra, black-eyed peas, collard greens and pork barbecue, boiled peanuts are symbols of southern culture and cuisine.Flavorings such as ham hocks, hot sauce, Cajun seasonings or beer can be added to the boil.
The resulting food is a very soft peanut in the shell, invariably quite salty. The softened peanuts are easy to open. Often small, immature peanuts (called "pops") are included, which have even softer shells and can be eaten in entirety. These tend to absorb more salt than the larger ones.
Uneaten peanuts should be stored in a refrigerator, as they can become slimy or moldy quite quickly without refrigeration. Boiled peanuts can be frozen, and later reheated in a microwave for out of season consumption.
Boiled peanuts can also be canned.


Raw peanuts in the shell are put in a large pot of very heavily salted water and boiled. This can be done inside on the stove or outside on a propane burner for a larger volume. Depending on the locality, some cooks use rock salt or standard table salt, or both. The boil can go on from four to seven hours or more, depending on quantity and the age of the peanut (green "raw" peanuts cook faster and tend to be better tasting), and the boilings will most often be of several gallons of water. Boiled peanuts are popular in some places where peanuts are common. Fully mature peanuts do not make good quality boiled peanuts; rather raw or "green" ones are used. "Raw" denotes peanuts in a semi-mature state, having achieved full size, but not being fully dried, as would be needed for roasting or peanut butter use. After boiling they take on a strong salty taste and become softer with the length of cooking, somewhat resembling a pea or bean, to which they are related. The most flavorful peanuts for boiling are the Valencia type. These are preferred in the United States, being grown in gardens and small patches throughout the South. Green Virginia type peanuts are also sometimes used.

Got all that? On your next trip down to our area, be sure to grab a bag and try out some boiled peanuts! You can find them at produce stands and in the grocery store!

Fried Green Tomatoes: A Garden City Beach summer staple!

Welcome to the first in the Southern Summer Recipe Series! Every week, we will be featuring a favorite recipe from one of the Garden City Realty staff, in hopes that you might be able to bring a little piece of the Beach back to your home!

Our very first recipe is a southern summer staple: the fried green tomato! For those of you unfamiliar with this delectable summer treat, here is your chance to experience it. But first, a brief note about the green tomato!

Green tomatoes or "greenies" as they're known around here, are simply unripened tomatoes of any variety. This is also why they're a summer staple: one can't get green tomatoes until tomato growing season begins in late spring and summer.

You can use any type of unripened tomato, but the larger ones, such as beefsteak and heirloom seem to work the best (plus, there's more to eat!) Now you might be asking why you can't just use regular red tomatoes, and the answer is that the regular tomatoes are simply too soft, and won't hold up to the frying process. The green tomatoes have a wonderful crunch to them, as well as a tangy sweetness that's completely different from a ripened tomato. And now, for the recipe! Serve these tomatoes outside with a glass of iced tea one summer night and enjoy the sunset with someone you love!

Southern Fried Green Tomatoes


Prep Time:
5 Min Cook Time:
15 Min Ready In:
20 Min
Servings (Help)

Original Recipe Yield 4 servings

Ingredients

4 large green tomatoes
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
Directions

Slice tomatoes 1/2 inch thick. Discard the ends.
Whisk eggs and milk together in a medium-size bowl. Scoop flour onto a plate. Mix cornmeal, bread crumbs and salt and pepper on another plate. Dip tomatoes into flour to coat. Then dip the tomatoes into milk and egg mixture. Dredge in breadcrumbs to completely coat.
In a large skillet, pour vegetable oil (enough so that there is 1/2 inch of oil in the pan) and heat over a medium heat. Place tomatoes into the frying pan in batches of 4 or 5, depending on the size of your skillet. Do not crowd the tomatoes, they should not touch each other. When the tomatoes are browned, flip and fry them on the other side. Drain them on paper towels.

There are also plenty of ways to dress these up. I like mine was a little blue cheese on top. They are also great with a sprinkle of hot sauce, and my personal favorite, some cream or marscapone cheese in between a few stacks and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Enjoy!

Note: ALWAYS be extremely careful when cooking and frying with oil. Be sure to have an extinguisher on hand, as oil can heat rapidly and catch fire if unattended or spilled.

Great weather is here! Now is the time to visit Garden City Beach!

Spring has officially arrived in the Garden City Beach and Surfside Beach area! The weather is sunny and breezy, with temperatures in the mid to upper 70s. Locals and visitors alike are breaking out the bathing suits and gassing up the boats in what is predicted to be the nicest Spring the Grand Strand has seen in quite some time. If you haven't visited the beach during this time of year, then you are truly missing some a great vacation opportunity. This time of year offers great incentives, with lower rates, a vast selection of condos and homes and less traffic (ALWAYS a plus!) Plus there are a host of activities and events taking place in the upcoming weeks.

This weekend is Easter, where one of the most popular events is the Sunrise Service on the beach in Garden City at 6:45 am. Taking place 2 miles south of the Garden City Pier, this service is an absolute must for anyone who wants to experience the true majesty of a beach sunrise. Parking is extremely limited, and the service is standing room only, so be sure to get there very early to ensure a spot.

There will also be an 11am service at the Garden City Chapel, located a block west of the Pier. This too, is always a favorite of both locals and visitors, so be sure to get there early.

Happy Easter everyone, come out in play in Garden City! Stay tuned for more upcoming events and fun activities taking place in this area!

Spring is the perfect time to visit Garden City Beach!

Spring has arrived and there is no better place to enjoy it than in Garden City Beach and Surfside Beach, South Carolina!
After what has been an atypically cold and dreary Winter for us here on the Grand Strand, the sun is finally shining and the cold is on its way out! We've already had quite a few sunny weekends where there's not a cloud in the sky and the temperature is up to 70 degrees- perfect weather for strolling along the beach, golfing, fishing, boating and all of the other activities our beautiful area has to offer. And NOW is the time to book your Spring vacation here with us at the beach, we are currently offering special rates and discounts for spring, with the best selection of condos and houses available. This time of year is also perfect for beating the summer crowds and traffic, and still being able to enjoy all of the great activities, shopping and world class dining that the Grand Strand has to offer. What are you waiting for? Leave the cold, wet weather behind, and come thaw out in Garden City Beach!

Grand Strand's First Snowfall in Ten Years!

We had a pretty interesting event happen this past weekend: it snowed here on the Grand Strand! We usually get a few flurries in January or the beginning of February, but nothing more (the excited saying "I think it's sticking!" can always be heard when these flurries start). In fact the last time it snowed and stuck was January of 2000, almost exactly 10 years ago. So you can imagine our surprise and skepticism when they began calling for snow on Friday morning in the amount of 3-5 inches. Sure, we would believe it when we saw it.

HOWEVER! For once, the weather people were correct! Around 6pm on Friday, it began coming down in huge flurries. AND IT WAS STICKING! And it continued to come down all throughout Friday night and into Saturday morning. So all of us Grand Stranders awoke to a sight that hadn't greeted us in a very long time...a winter wonderland! Actual snow that you could run through, play in, throw at people and build snowmen with. And although the temp went back up to around 45 degrees by early afternoon, and every last trace of the snow was completely melted by that night, it was definitely something we'll all remember and hopefully not have to wait another 10 years for.

** Disclaimer: I am aware that to all you folks in the Northern part of the country, this paltry 3-5 inches is laughable, especially with the incapacitating amounts of horrible winter weather you have been getting. But hey, this is the BEACH. And now, we're ready for the cold to go away, everything to warm up and everyone come visit us here in Garden City and Myrtle Beach!

Garden City Realty is upgrading!

Hello everyone! It's a new year and Garden City Realty is starting this one off right. Throughout the years, Garden City Realty has undergone many different changes, but for the most part, our building has remained the same (the exterior, at least). This year, Garden City Realty has freshened things up a bit. We now have a lovely new roof in our perfect shade of blue, as well as some landscaping that features lots of South Carolina's state tree, the Palmetto. See how we've grown!

Stayed tuned for many new features and blogs from Garden City Realty. We will be discussing weekly everything from the weather and top ten things to do in the area, to recipes from the Garden City Realty family.

Best destination for coffee and art in the Myrtle Beach area!

The expresso machine steams as patrons lounge on comfy couches and chairs, sipping their java and reading, or tapping on their laptops. They are surrounded by artwork, pottery, jewelry, sculptures and a laid back, coffeehouse vibe. Does this sound like a scene out of a big city coffee shop/gallery? Think again! Right here in Murrells Inlet is a hidden treasure known as Ebb & Flow Coffee!

Ebb & Flow is more than just an art gallery. They are forum a for local expression; an informal place where you can relax, sip some great coffee, catch up on your reading, listen to good music, surf the Internet, or just hang out. They feature fresh ground locally roasted beans as well as creative espresso drinks and an array of homemade baked goods. They are also committed to a green business operation by using products that are 100% biodegradable..
Wikipedia defines Coffee houses as "centers of social interaction: [they] provide a place to congregate, talk, write, read, entertain one another, or pass the time, whether individually or in small groups." The idea for the coffeehouse evolved from the realization that the coffeehouse is a natural centerpiece for highlighting local Art & Culture. The coffee shop provides the perfect place to sit awhile and admire the skill of the artists. Relax, enjoy the art, and maybe ponder on a purchase with no pressure.
This funky coffee house offers an eclectic atmosphere to meet, chat, work and enjoy a great espresso, latte, or cappuccino. Ebb & Flow is owned and operated by Artists and is a hub for the local artists and musicians. Ebb & Flow is committed to providing Murrells Inlet with a cultural destination for everything from art, to music, to philosophy.
Ebb & Flow Art Co-op is a gallery in Murrells Inlet that boasts a hefty array of local talent. The unique art and furniture is created by established artisans that have been working in the area for years as well as some fresh new talent.
Ebb & Flow Art Cooperative is many things but mostly it is a place for the inspiration, collaboration, and expression of its members. We provide a venue for local artists to display and sell their artwork as well as a place for the local community to view and acquire what artists in there area are creating. Members work in a wide variety of mediums and styles. These mediums include everything from traditional canvas, painted furniture, driftwood art, custom furniture, wood turnings, a silversmith, beaded jewelry, carved decoys, pottery, and many more.
For those unfamiliar with the concept of a cooperative gallery, it is managed, manned and maintained by artist members who show their work, staff the gallery sales desk, and handle the display, lighting, and jury of artwork. Normal Galley fees are around 50% and by cutting those fees the Artists as well as the purchaser profits. Ebb & Flow Art Co-op is made up of four main artists: Lee Arthur, Gaston Locklear, Keels Culberson Swinnie, and Ted Watts.
Sometimes you just want an excellent cup of coffee. Wouldn't it be great if that wonderful cup of coffee came with live music? Now you don't have to go to a bar to enjoy great music by fantastic local musicians. Head Ebb & Flow, every Thursday evening from 7- 9P.M., order a cup of coffee, a cappuccino, or sip a glass of wine, and enjoy the music of Phyllis Tanner Frye, Steve Russell, and other local musicians!
Top local musicians are featured in a comfortable, non-smoking, friendly setting where the listeners are also treated to gourmet desserts, coffee, and wine. We’re a place for everyone, students and business types, musicians and poets, moms and dads, neighborhood groups and community clubs.
The Gallery is also available for rent for private art shows, parties, or any other small gathering. The gallery and coffee house will now be open Tuesdays- Saturdays, 8:30am - 6:00pm. Ebb & Flow is located on Hwy 17 bypass in Murrells Inlet, across from Thomas Supply, right before the Wachesaw Road intersection.
*For more information visit www.ebbandflowartco-op.com or call us at (843)651-2386.