Southern Charm.
In Charleston last spring, we were treated to a fantastic dinner. Our hosts knew how much I love good food, and thought Vivian Howard’s restaurant, Lenoir, would be the perfect place to show off creative Southern cooking.
Everything about the meal was outstanding: the ambiance, the service, the food, and — of course — the company. We ordered several sides to share, including sautéed greens and rice and peas.
To this northern-raised Southwest transplant, rice and peas didn’t sound interesting, but I trusted our hosts as they order them whenever they come to the restaurant. I’m so glad we listened and got them, too. The rice was not Carolina rice but my favorite — jasmine. To this, Chef Howard had added black eyed peas, cannellini beans, bacon, scallions, butter, and cream.
Her dish was rice and peas on steroids. I honestly thought I was in Heaven, and could have sat there all evening eating bowl after bowl. Sadly, I didn’t walk away with the recipe but I have come up with imitative homage, to share with you. I served my Creamy Southern Rice and Peas with mushroom-and-truffle-stuffed pork chops and roasted okra. In continuing my celebration of International Grenache Day (September 15), I paired my meal with Christina’s Outlier from Acquiesce Winery. It was a perfect match!
~ David
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Mad Dog
September 16, 2023 at 5:51 amRice an Pea with mushroom-and-truffle-stuffed pork chops. I think I’d choose your restaurant!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 16, 2023 at 6:36 amWe’d be honored to have you at our table!
Kirsten Honeyman
September 16, 2023 at 7:47 amLooks and sounds delicious, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 16, 2023 at 7:59 amThis dish is utterly addictive, Kirsten! We have to be careful only to make it when we have guests! Otherwise, we eat the whole thing.
Mimi Rippee
September 16, 2023 at 8:44 amI could definitely eat this! Fabulous! I can see why it’s addictive.
Cocoa & Lavender
September 16, 2023 at 9:49 amThanks, Mimi! Everything in it just makes us keep spooning it onto our plates!
Jill W Becker
September 16, 2023 at 10:55 amLooks delicious!!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 16, 2023 at 11:05 amIndeed it is!
angiesrecipes
September 16, 2023 at 11:09 amWhat a mouthwatering meal! I love that rice bowl too, David.
Cocoa & Lavender
September 16, 2023 at 1:29 pmThanks, Angie! The rice and peas went perfectly with the pork. And I love that bowl, too!
Jeff the Chef
September 16, 2023 at 4:17 pmYou’ve really piqued my interest with that, it looks delicious. I trust your opinion. But it also has that something extra look.
Cocoa & Lavender
September 17, 2023 at 6:43 amOh, there’s a lot extra in there Jeff! I really think you will love this for one of your sides.
Eha
September 16, 2023 at 4:51 pmAlways keen to learn Southern cooking on your pages I slightly twitched my nose reading ‘peas’ of which I am not overly fond! But the recipe states ‘black-eyed’ ones uncommon here . . . You loved it, well I would like to try also in spite of the cream 🙂 ! Shall tell you after . . . !!! Love the story!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 17, 2023 at 6:44 amI did not know that about you and peas! Funny things that we can pick it out as we get older. I do think you would like black-eyed peas, though. They are a very special legume.
sherry
September 17, 2023 at 1:05 amLots of great ingredients here David but yes on first look, it doesn’t sound exciting 🙂 But cream butter and bacon? You can’t go wrong, can you?
Cocoa & Lavender
September 17, 2023 at 6:45 amThese are definitely more exciting than they look, Sherry. I wouldn’t have given him the time of day, but now they are a favorite!
Ron
September 18, 2023 at 2:55 amDavid, you touched my roots with this one. My great-grandmother (we called her Gango) made this type of dish and I loved it. As soon as I can find some blackeyed peas this one is going to get in my belly.
Cocoa & Lavender
September 18, 2023 at 5:50 amI always forget you are from the South, Ron. I would love to know what you think of this dish and how it differs from Gango’s. Not being from the South, I have no comparison.
Ronit
September 18, 2023 at 6:26 amThis dish is comfort food at its best. Adding the beans, bacon, cream to simply steamed rice is brilliant. Now that the colder days are (finally!) here, I will no doubt give it a try soon. 🙂
David Scott Allen
September 19, 2023 at 8:40 amIt really is so flavorful! But definitely a special occasion dish!
Gerlinde de Broekert
September 25, 2023 at 9:27 pmI never had anything like this, but I think I would love it. David, your come up with the most interesting recipes,
Cocoa & Lavender
September 26, 2023 at 1:22 amThanks, Gerlinde! I really enjoy finding new recipes from all over the world!
Raymund
September 27, 2023 at 4:25 pmYour experience at Vivian Howard’s restaurant, Lenoir, sounds like a true culinary adventure! It’s amazing how a seemingly simple dish like rice and peas can be elevated to something extraordinary with the right ingredients and a creative touch.
Cocoa & Lavender
September 27, 2023 at 4:50 pmThat is an understatement, Raymund. And it’s why I wouldn’t have even thought of ordering the, so I’m glad our friends insisted!
Valentina
October 2, 2023 at 8:44 pmWell this most definitely takes rice and beans to a whole new level of deliciousness! And what a beautiful ceramic bowl to serve it in. 🙂 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
October 3, 2023 at 9:11 amI will have to share all the bowl compliments I have received with the friend who gifted it to me. It was the best way I could think of to make a creamy-white/beige dish look interesting!
2pots2cook
October 4, 2023 at 6:05 amMy oh my, double batch for me please; these mushroom-and-truffle pork chops must be heavenly tasty!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 4, 2023 at 8:46 amBoth dishes were really special! Thanks, Davorka!
Judee
October 7, 2023 at 4:22 amI’ve been to Charleston and agree there are some wonderful places to eat. This Southern rice and peas dish looks so comforting and delicious.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 7, 2023 at 7:57 amThanks, Judee — we were really smitten with the city and its cuisine. Can’t wait to return! I’m glad you like the recipe.
Christina Conte
November 5, 2023 at 12:04 pmHoly cow, all that lovely cream! No wonder you were in heaven! I’m a cream lover, so I would be, too! Sounds lovely, as does your mushroom and truffle stuffed pork! YUM!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 6, 2023 at 2:05 pmIs it really too much cream? I could’ve added more… The whole meal was pretty special. But I definitely think you should try this rice and peas. Welcome home!