Broadway at the Beach Blog

October through December are peak harvesting months for the delectable pecan, a nut so nutritious and delicious that it's been an essential part of dessert and candy recipes for hundreds of years.

The state of Georgia produces about 100 million pounds of pecans a year. The nut is so beloved that it has its own month-long celebration each November called "National Georgia Pecan Month." Much of Georgia's bountiful crop ends up glazed, candied and in all manner of baked goods from pecan pies to Hummingbird Layer Cakes right here in Myrtle Beach.

Many of the tastiest pecans that come to Myrtle Beach are lovingly merged with ingredients to produce timeless traditional recipes at River Street Sweets at Broadway at the Beach. Born in Savannah, Georgia where the people have a deep affection for pecans, River Street Sweets came to Broadway at the Beach five years ago. It brought an international reputation for creating outstanding sweets and baked goods, as well as its luscious recipe for sweet, buttery pralines made fresh daily using cream, butter, sugar and fresh Georgia pecans.

At the Broadway shop, the best pecans to come out of Georgia are offered in all kinds of ways. Pecans cooked in a salty, slightly sweet glaze, then separated by hand on a large marble slab become mouthwatering Glazed Pecans. There are Sugar & Spice Pecans, Roasted Pecans and Chocolate Pecans. Fluffy nougat is melded with warm, creamy caramel, then topped with fresh pecan pieces to produce pecan divinities and log rolls that simply melt in your mouth.

It's hard to resist getting these special snacks by the pound for yourself. But don't forget that the shop also offers gourmet nut gifts. Combo tins make great gifts for the special people in your life. And you'll put a smile on the face of any hostess when your arrive at a holiday party with a gift from River Street Sweets.

Incredible sweets made from timeless recipes owe their popularity to the humble pecan. But for pecan lovers and health enthusiasts, the pecan brings so much more to the party than flavor and crunch.

Pecans have antioxidant properties said to protect the body from diseases. They have even been found to help lower cholesterol. A good source of protein and fiber, pecans are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium and the B vitamins — and they are rich in potassium and phosphorus.

Celebrate National Georgia Pecan Month the way those in Savannah do. Stop by River Street Sweets at Broadway at the Beach and sample the delicious confections created with the help of the great Georgia pecan.

The holidays are fast approaching.

When we gather together, it can be a treat to share a bottle of special wine as an aperitif, or a complement to a dinner of hearty holiday foods. Or, when a day of celebrating is over and it's time for some quiet reflection, it's sometimes nice to end the day by sipping a glass of wine in front of a roaring fire.

As you do your holiday wine shopping this year, be sure to check out the small and welcoming wineries at Broadway at the Beach where you may be pleasantly surprised to discover some of the most extraordinary wines anywhere.

At Boardwalk Winery near Landry's, you can find traditional red and white wines. But what makes this micro winery special is its fruit-blend wines, from dry to sweet. Boardwalk Winery says their libations can take your mind and tastebuds back to warm and sunny days on the beach, delivering "a vacation in a bottle." Sipping a glass, it's easy to be transported by varieties with labels like Endless Summer, a half and half blend of mango and peach that's available in sweet, medium or semi-dry. If you're favorite vacation time is during the crisp and cool days of fall, drop in for a tasting of Boardwalk's rich Blackberry wine with the bold taste of fresh berries or limited-edition seasonal wines like their deep blue Elderberry.

At this small, gourmet winery, you can also find unique wine-related gifts for the wine lovers in the family. The gift shop offers Carolina handmade pottery, custom-designed clothing, wine accessories, and more. And for the gourmet, Boardwalk has salsas, dressings, jams, jellies, marinades, and chutneys.

Coastal Carolina Winery on the South side of Broadway is dedicated to the notion that a good bottle of wine will enhance any meal with friends or family. This is where the emphasis is on the fun of exploring and discovering wines that speak to your individual tastebuds. You can try just one wine or take part in a wine tasting with their knowledgeable staff.

Many different, award-winning wines with unique styles and characters are offered. Whites and red, blushes and ports, and even fruit wines are hand-crafted and bottled with Coastal's distinctive labels. Whether you need a special bottle for a romantic evening or just want a nice wine to enjoy when you kick back and relax, you can find it here.

Not in town? Both our wineries ship, but some restrictions do apply. Shipping information can be found on the Boardwalk Winery and Coastal Carolina Winery websites.

Do you love soup?

People have been enjoying the liquid delight since roughly 20,000 B.C., according to historians. In America, the earliest colonists started boiling up the stuff almost as soon as they hit the shores. One hundred years later, the first official Colonial cookbook was assembled with several recipes for soups and bisques.

Soup has proven itself to be a meal with real staying power. We love them all, from chowders and gumbos, to bisques and broth-based soups, to thick, creamy recipes served steaming hot, and fruit-based delights served chilled. We even celebrate soup with festivals and make it the centerpiece of fundraisers.

And if you're a fan of soup, mark your calendar for just such a celebration on Sunday, November 13th, where a plethora of Myrtle Beach's finest varieties of this great liquid food will be served at the 21st Annual Souper Supper at Broadway at the Beach.

From noon to 3 p.m., servers will be ladling out tastings of some of the yummiest soups imaginable. Cool beverages and fresh-baked items by Benjamin's Bakery will also be served, and restaurant-related vendors will be on hand offering some of their best. While dessert lovers will be treated to live demonstrations of cupcake decorating by students from the Academy for Technology & Academics.

This day of soups is guaranteed to delight your tastebuds, while helping to raise funds to support Red Cross efforts to provide Hurricane Matthew relief.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.MyrtleBeachACF.com (adults $12; children 12 and under, $7), and for more details, please visit www.facebook.com/MBACF.

Save the date and join us under the big tent in front of guest services for three hours of souperior deliciousness on Sunday, November 13th!

Grab your wand, your cape and your trick or treat bag, we've got goodies at our doorsteps.

From prizes for costumed adults to sweet treats for the smallest ghouls and goblins, Broadway at the Beach will be Myrtle Beach's Halloween Central again this year. Whether you're a kid in search of sugary treats or an adult dressed in your own creative costume in search of a bewitching prize, we invite you to join the fun!

On October 29^th, you'll howl with delight when you come to Broadway's very own version of a Monster's Ball. Our annual Halloween Bash and Costume Contest in Celebrity Square is a steaming cauldron of fun. Join us on Saturday, starting at 8 p.m., for all the hocus pocus. That night, we'll be welcoming all kinds of zombies, poltergeists, wizards, and vampires. Anyone in costume gets free admission to participating clubs throughout the night. So dress to impress, because prizes are $2000 for first, $1000 for second, and $500 for third!

Monday, October 31^st is the day when the littlest members of your family are invited to Trick or Treat around Broadway. Our merchants are already trembling with anticipation and are ready to hand out treats to all the little ones disguised as superheroes, cartoon characters, pirates and more.

At 8 p.m. on October 31st, we'll light up the Halloween sky with fireworks for a hair-raising finish to a fun weekend for everyone.

You'll be making a ghastly mistake if you don't take advantage of the Halloween fun at Broadway this year!

Hey y'all! When the weather turns cool and the days begin to shorten, there's no better way to lift spirits than with delicious homemade comfort foods.

If you love soups, stews, casseroles, and juicy roasts, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get cooking. At this time of year, comfort food is a major contributor to the joy and camaraderie around a dinner table filled with family and friends.

Some comfort foods are timeless recipes from cherished aunts or grandmothers. But during the months that lead us to springtime, there's also a lot of time to try out some new recipes from other trusted sources. For memorable Southern meals, there's no better cook to turn to for guidance than Paula Deen. Thumb through the pages of her Southern Cooking Bible, and you'll find Paula's down-home blueprints for creating unique soups like Sour Cream, Bacon And Split Pea Soup and Charleston Okra Soup. Consider whipping up Fried Beef Tenderloin With Grits & Gravy or Cheeseburger Meatloaf. And what better way to communicate warmth and coziness on a chilly evening than by serving piping hot servings of Paula's special recipe Southern Chili In A Biscuit Bowl?

Love the sound of those kinds of comfort foods but want to tighten up on the calories? Paula has a book for that, too. Check out Paula Deen Cuts the Fat: 250 Favorite Recipes All Lightened Up. You'll discover delicious versions of your favorite comfort food recipes — but with fewer calories.

Whipping up memorable comfort foods takes not only good ingredients, but also the appropriate cookware, cutlery and dinnerware. Paula has the answer there, too. At The Paula Deen Store at Broadway at the Beach, you can browse through her cookbooks and select from several assortments of beautiful pots and pans, knives and dishes. Stylish collections with names like Savannah and Riverbend offer the options you'll need to prepare and serve your best comfort food recipes.

Often, little things can make a big difference in cooking. So, don't forget to strap on a well-fitting and durable apron, reach for reliable pot holders, and use those specialty gadgets that can make food preparation so much easier. As any cook knows, the proper tools are essential to reach culinary excellence.

It has been said that comfort food's real power is in the minds of those who can associate foods with positive family relationships, happy times and childhood memories. Nearly everyone has experiences of sharing homemade dishes that lifted spirits and built camaraderie among family and friends. For some, the very smell of favorite recipes warming on the stove triggers memories, soothes and calms after a challenging day when the weather has been cool and rainy.

So, as fall takes us into winter, stop by The Paula Deen Store at Broadway at the Beach. There's no doubt you'll discover numerous ways to make your culinary way through dreary days with great recipes, cookware and more.

And when you do, The Paula Deen Store just might become your very own "Comfort Food Central."