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…
Summer is a time when we go to the beach, take picnics on boats and in parks and above all, avoid heating the kitchen by baking or roasting! Even standing over a hot grill outside can be taxing for whoever…
There is nothing like the rich taste of beef steak. It is a treat when you eat it. And there are many classic dishes that have been developed to bring out its goodness. With classics, knowing what you like and…
LOUISIANA (press release) – On the 40th anniversary of Chef Paul’s seminal "Louisiana Kitchen" cookbook, Magic Seasoning Blends is offering a special one-day promotion that commemorates the book’s original release date. On Wednesday, April 17, "Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Louisiana Kitchen" can be purchased for just $19.84.…
Although everyone has their favorite places and their favorite dishes, there is really no place in Louisiana that doesn’t have good food. Let’s face it – Louisiana tastes good. My grandparents lived in Natchitoches when I was a child. And…
Although some people complain about not having four seasons in Louisiana, I still look forward to spring. I’m not talking about little birds tweeting and the breakthrough of crocuses in the melting snow. For me, it is about the food.…
Often listen to music when I cook. Lately, my choice has been “The Complete Million Dollar Quartet,” an impromptu jam session that took place at Sun Records in Memphis on December 4, 1956, with Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee…
As the holiday season approaches, we’ve already started making plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Those big family celebrations are wonderful, but we also look forward to small seasonal meals with close friends. Here’s a menu loaded…
Since ice cream knows no season, this is a good time to enjoy some of autumn’s fruits and nuts in frozen form. Pecans, persimmons and apples, three fall favorites, can be turned into delicious ice creams. There are an infinite…
The scientific name for the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) means “tasty (or savory) beautiful swimmer,” and that is a most fitting description considering how delectable crab is and how many ways it can be prepared and served. The sweet…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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,…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
