Remembering a Local Legend
Family, community mourns the loss of barbecue pioneer Thomas Bessinger Special to West Of Free Press It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thomas Bessinger, Sr., fondly known as “Tee,” to those who know him well. He peacefully entered into eternal...
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Fear and Loathing in Denver
A trip to the Great American Beer Fest with West Of's Beer Snob by Lorne Chambers | editor Long before the “craft beer” movement hit Charleston, West Of was running a beer column in its dining section. At first many thought a beer column was an odd thing for a...
Beer Snob Honors
Chocolate Rain (The Bruery) Possibly the best chocolate beer at the fest, and there were a few. This ran out every session and FAST. Chocolate double stout! Brandy-barrel Aged Impreial Pumpkin (Lakefront Brewing) Lots of pumpkin ales, few pumpkin lagers, and only one...
The Proof is in the Soup
As rainy days and cooler temperatures become the norm, a hot bowl of soup sounds evermore inviting. How fortunate that, in Charleston, it’s hard to be anywhere without local soup chain Ladles nearby. Jeff Biran and Kim Dover recently opened West Ashley’s second...
The Dark Pumpkin
We are now well into October, the bewitched month, a time of year when fall has generally arrived, and the rich hues and smells of autumn are everywhere. As in recent years, but in higher numbers, pumpkin products are rampant. From coffee to candy, baked goods to...
Barbecue historian Visits Home Team
Lake E. High Jr., president of the South Carolina Barbeque Association will make a pit stop at Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ from 6 to 9 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 11. High is a former stock broker-turned historian/author/BBQ enthusiast. He's the former chairman of the South...
Creamy Pumpkin and Chorizo Bisque
Ingredients • 1 lb cooked pureed pumpkin • Medium yellow onion, diced • ½ pound Chorizo ground sausage • 2 pints half-and-half Directions 1. Sauté the chorizo and onions until cooked. 2. Add pumpkin and half-and-half. Simmer. 3. Whirl with immersion blender...
Amazing Chili
Ingredients: • 2 pounds ground pork • 1/2 cup finely chopped bacon (about 5 ounces or 4 to 5 standard grocery store slices) • 2 cups chopped onion (about 1 medium onion) • 1 cup chopped celery (about 3 medium stalks) • 1 cup chopped green bell pepper (about 1 bell...
French Onion Soup
Ingredients: • 2 quart Julienned onions • 1 cup cabernet red wine • 2 tbsp beef base • ½ tsp thyme • 1 quart water • Salt and pepper to taste • Toast points • Swiss cheese Directions: 1. Caramelize onions 2. Add in remaining ingredients except toast points and...
Smoked Chicken Chili
Ingredients: • ¼ lb. butter • ½ qt. yellow onion , medium dice • ½ qt. red, yellow, green bell peppers , medium dice • 2 oz. chili powder • 2 oz. cumin • 2 oz. paprika • 1 large (#10) can stewed tomatoes , crushed (by hand) • Large (#10) can white beans, drained and...
Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients • 2 fl. oz. diced canned Jalapenos • 1 cup diced Red Onions • 1/2 cup diced Celery • ¾ cups diced Roasted Green Peppers • 1 #10 can stewed tomatoes – chopped with juice • ½ cup green chilis • 1 gallon pre-mixed Chicken stock • 10 Chicken tenders – grilled...
