This year is the year to not go crazy worrying about holiday dinners and parties. This year, make the foods you love, that make you happy, and forget about being new, elegant, showy or impressive. I have taken the oath…
Sometimes things are hidden in plain sight. And when asked to describe those hidden things, it is always a surprise that someone not from Louisiana knows about them. That is what we will be exploring in these recipes — the…
It’s hot. There is no getting around it. So if you are water skiing or hanging around a swimming pool or out fishing, you probably want to have delicious meals without heating up the house. That means that it is…
Louisiana, ever resilient, has been been hit by a number of disastrous events in the recent past. There have been wildfires, floods and snow, on top of our usual hurricanes. But both the people and the landscape have been working…
Louisiana food is naturally surf and turf. We often stuff our vegetables with seafood and sausage or ground meat. We top a steak with crab meat or crawfish. No one has to cajole us into the special flavors that form…
This can be made with frozen blackberries that have been thawed. Using frozen fruit doesn’t seem to diminish the flavor of this cordial. This drink is so right in Louisiana. Whenever I drink it, I feel…
Makes about 8 servings 2 large eggs, separated 1/4 cup sugar 8 ounces mascarpone 1/2 cup cold, strongly brewed coffee 2 tablespoons brandy About 20 ladyfingers or the equivalent of sliced cake 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, coarsely grated IN A…
Makes 12 ears of corn 1/2 cup mayonnaise 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablespoons cilantro, mince 2 tablespoons ground cumin 2 tablespoons olive oil 12 ears of fresh corn, shucked Salt and pepper for the table PREPARE you fire so…
Makes about 1 quart 2 red apples, such as Fuji (about 1 pound) 1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1 cup whole milk 1 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons Calvados PREHEAT over to 350 F. Core…
Serves 4-6 1 pound dried Louisiana red beans 2 tablespoons bacon fat 1 medium onion, chopped 1 bell pepper, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 large ham bone with a bit of meat on the bone 2 cups ham, diced…
Makes 3 pints 1 1/2 pounds of small, fresh okra 3 large garlic cloves, peeled 3 bay leaves 15 peppercorns 1 cup distilled cider vinegar 1 1/2 cups water 2 tablespoons salt 3 pint jars MAKE sure that your jars…
Serves 4 to 6 4 tablespoons butter 1 bay leaf 1 large onion, diced 1 rib celery, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon thyme 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne…
Serves 4 4 filet mignon medallions Salt 1/4 cup whole black peppercorns 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 thyme sprigs 1 medium garlic glove, minced 1/2 large shallot, minced 2 tablespoons brandy or cognac 3/4 cup chicken…
Makes 1 quarter 2 pounds fresh Louisiana strawberries, de-stemmed and cut in half 1 tablespoon sugar 1 pint whipping cream 1 can sweetened condensed milk PREHEAT oven to 325 F. SPRINKLE the strawberries with sugar. Place the strawberries on a…
Makes 8-10 popsicles, depending on the size of your forms 3 cups fresh blueberries or cut up strawberries, divided 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 can (14…
Makes 4 servings 2 large yellow squashes, cut into halves Salt and pepper 2 cups of cornbread crumbs 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese PREHEAT…
Makes about 40 cookies 1/4 pound unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 egg grated zest of 1 lemon 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 cup blanched, finely-ground almond flour 1 cup…
Makes 2 to 4 servings depending on the size of the ribeye steak 1 ribeye Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons peanut oil or other high smoke point oil 4 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons rosemary leaves SELECT your ribeye. Salt and…
Makes 6 to 8 servings DRESSING 1/2 cup good mayonnaise 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon chopped capers 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 1 teaspoon chopped fresh lemon balm Salt and pepper SALAD 1 pound…
Makes 6 servings SHORTCAKE 1 1/2 cups flour 1 cup masa 2 tablespoons sugar, more for finishing 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into a dice 2/3 cup whole milk…
Makes 4-6 servings 1 de-seeded cucumber, chopped 2 1/2 pounds ripe Creole tomatoes, chopped 1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped 1/2 cup chopped onion 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley, plus more for garnish…
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Forget about the Christmas table — I am all about Thanksgiving. When I was growing up, my parents always had the same thing for Thanksgiving dinner, but they also included Thanksgiving orphans. The orphans were…
Even though you have to prepare, having a holiday open house at your own home means that you don’t have to travel from house to house in order to see friends and family during the holidays. They will come to…
This is tailgating season — the time when we gather for football games. There are two ways to look at tailgating. Traditional tailgating takes place in parking lots and other empty spaces where people gather before games, professional and school…
