Author: Stanley Dry

Call of the Wild

SPRING/SUMMER Spring and summer are the seasons seafood lovers look forward to during the cold, gray winter. Shrimp, crab, red snapper and redfish are some of the most longed for delicacies. Start dinner with crab cakes and then have red…

One Pot Dishes

Mardi Gras is early this year, which is unfortunate for bakeries since they will have a short king cake season. For celebrants, the Feb. 21 date virtually guarantees the weather will be damp and cold. In addition to booze, parade-goers…

Get Stuffed

I used to say travelers know they have reached South Louisiana when hot boudin is available at roadside gas stations. That was once a reliable indicator, but I doubt that it still is. Fields of sugar cane and crawfish ponds,…

Split Pea Soup with Ham

  Makes 6 to 8 servings 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, diced 1 medium carrot, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 pound split peas, picked over and washed 4 cups ham or chicken stock…

Smokey Pepper and Onion Stew with Eggs and Tostados

  Makes 4 servings 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 large onion, halved and sliced 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and sliced 1 serrano pepper,…

Asparagus and Sugar Snap Frittata

  Makes 4 servings 1 cup sugar snap peas 8 spears thin asparagus 6 large eggs 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon butter freshly ground black pepper PUT a medium-sized sauce pan of salted…

Pears Poached in Red Wine

  Makes 4 servings 2 cups red wine 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 2 large Bosc pears 4 ounces sour cream COMBINE wine, sugar and cinnamon in a nonreactive pan. HALVE, core and peel pears. Add pears to pan,…

Pecan Pie

  Makes 8 servings CRUST 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter 4 tablespoons ice-cold water FILLING 4 large eggs, at room temperature 1 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup cane syrup 2 teaspoons…

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

  Makes 4-6 servings 2 pounds butternut squash, cubed 2 medium onions, sliced 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock coarse salt and chipotle chile pepper to taste freshly grated Parmesan cheese PREHEAT oven to 450…

Pork Stewed with Okra and Tomatoes

  Makes 4 servings 1 pound boneless pork stew meat 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 1/2 pounds okra, topped, tailed and sliced 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice 1 cup…

Chicken and Waffles

  Makes 4 waffles FOR THE CHICKEN 4 pieces of chicken 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon hot sauce 1 cup all-purpose floor cooking oil FOR THE WAFFLES 1 cup all-purpose flour…

Grilled Okra

  Makes 4 or more servings 1 pound whole okra pods Extra virgin olive oil Coarse salt COAT okra with olive oil and cook on a hot grill, turning it as needed, until okra is softened and browned all over.…

Embracing Salad Season

These are the dog days of summer when appetites wane and sweating over a hot stove is the about last thing anyone wants to do. In other words, it’s salad season. Fill up the salad bowl, pour a cold beverage…

Baked Chicken Thighs with Lemon, Oregano and Potatoes

Makes 4 servings 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided 4 chicken thighs 1 cup water 2 pounds russet potatoes 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper PREHEAT oven to…

Shrimp Tacos

Makes about 16 tacos 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile pepper corn or flour tortillas shredded cabbage thinly sliced radishes lime…

Skillet Cornbread with Cane Syrup

Makes 4 or more servings 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3/4 cup stone-ground cornmeal 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1 egg, lightly beaten 3/4 cup buttermilk butter cane…

Turnip Greens Soup with Orzo

Makes 4 servings 2 pounds turnip greens 4 cloves garlic, chopped 5 cups chicken stock 1/2 cup orzo 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to…

Shrimp Salad with Tomatoes and Pesto

SHRIMP 1 pound boiled shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice 1/2 pound cherry tomatoes, halved pesto coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper lettuce leaves PESTO 2 cups loosely packed fresh basil 1/2 clove garlic 1/4 cup…

Chicken Breasts with Caper Sauce

Makes 4 servings 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound) 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 cup chicken stock 1/2 cup white wine 2 teaspoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons capers, drained 2 teaspoons…

Shrimp Salad

Serves 4 or more 1 pound small shrimp, peeled 2 tablespoons Cajun/Creole seasoning 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon finely-grated lemon zest 2 tablespoons…

Green Pea and Lettuce Custard Recipe

  Makes 4 servings 1 teaspoon butter 1/2 cup chopped romaine lettuce 3/4 cup frozen green peas 4 large eggs 2 cups whole milk 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees. Butter 4 10-ounce ramekins and place in…

Take Two

Gin & Tonic 1 slice lime 1 slice cucumber 1 large basil leaf 2 ounces gin ice cubes 4-6 ounces tonic water Place lime, cucumber and basil leaf in a tall glass or balloon glass. Add gin and press on…

Just Desserts

Open almost any Louisiana cookbook and you’ll find a big section of dessert recipes, a testament to our love of sweets. The recipes often include both traditional and modern desserts. As tastes change…