Welcome to Daufuskie Island, where time slows down and the rhythms of Gullah culture come to life. This inviting getaway off the South Carolina coast is more than an island; it’s a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Gullah people, descendants of West African slaves. These people were brought to work on the plantations of the American South and founded communities in the Sea Islands, particularly Daufuskie.
I live in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, which is about four hours away from Hilton Head Island.
When my family and I visit the island, we board a ferry from Hilton Head Island to Daufuskie, which takes about an hour. The ferry runs four times a day. Once we arrive, wandering the sandy path beneath moss-draped oaks is one of my favorite ways to explore the island. Or, you can rent a golf cart.
Today, I have a simple recipe for you to recreate a taste of Daufuskie at home!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions:
- Cook grits according to package instructions, using a mixture of chicken broth and heavy cream for added flavor.
- In a skillet, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside.
- Sauté onions in the bacon fat until softened, then add minced garlic.
- Add shrimp to the skillet, cooking until pink and opaque.
- Stir in cooked grits, shredded cheese, and half of the crispy bacon. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve the shrimp and grits, topped with the remaining bacon, and garnish with chopped green onions.
Stay tuned for the next blog post, where I’ll post another delicious Daufuskie Island recipe.
I’m thrilled that my sweet beach romance novel, Pink Coral Island, is available on Kindle Vella. I was thrilled to explore this episodic format, and I hope you’ll enjoy it, too.
I spent many months researching this book and the Gullah culture, which takes place on a fictional island off the South Carolina coast. The culture is an important part of the book, and becomes almost like another character.
Kindle Vella is available here, and the first three episodes are free! Start reading today.