Let’s talk desserts. As in classic New Orleans desserts. Two in particular: Creole Bread Pudding and King Cake. Both have storied histories, are deeply rooted in New Orleans tradition and are equally delicious. Creole Bread Pudding is what I consider an everyday, homey dessert prepared by thrifty New Orleans cooks and restaurant chefs who have plenty of day-old French bread on hand. The stale bread is given new life when soaked in a creamy, cinnamon-infused custardy bath. The pudding is then baked plain or embellished with raisins, nuts, canned fruit salad or even [ ... ]
Archive for the Category »Desserts «
08
Feb 2012
Feb 2012
Let’s talk desserts. As in classic New Orleans desserts. Two in particular: Creole Bread Pudding and King Cake. Both have storied histories, are deeply rooted in New Orleans tradition and are equally delicious. Creole Bread Pudding is what I consider an everyday, homey dessert prepared by thrifty New Orleans cooks and restaurant chefs who have plenty of day-old French bread on hand. The stale bread is given new life when soaked in a creamy, cinnamon-infused custardy bath. The pudding is then baked plain or embellished with raisins, nuts, canned fruit salad or even [ ... ]
Category: Desserts, New Orleans Classics, Sauces
Tags: Desserts, New Orleans, Sauces Leave a Comment
24
Dec 2011
Dec 2011
Have you ever made canned biscuit donuts? It’s a fun, semi-homemade way to make donuts. We’re planning on making them tomorrow morning for Christmas breakfast. I’ll probably set up the fryer and make the icings sometime today. So tomorrow, when the grumbling of the kids’ hungry bellies finally overcomes the excitement of Santa’s arrival, I’ll be ready to roll.
These donuts can be eaten plain or decorated any which way. I’ve included quick recipes for vanilla and chocolate icings. The donuts are also good coated in cinnamon sugar. But my youngest, Blair, and the hubby insist they’re best dusted with powdered [ ... ]
22
Nov 2011
Nov 2011
A trifle is an attention-grabbing dessert typically made with sponge cake soaked in booze and topped with clearly defined layers of fruit, custard and cream. It’s prepared in a large glass dish or trifle bowl so everyone can ooh and aah over its colorful configuration and is traditionally served at Christmastime. The trifle overlaps both a “fool” and a Russian Cake (also known as a Russian Trifle or Creole Trifle) in terms of ingredients and preparation. And I would think it is related in some way, shape or form to tiramisu and our beloved banana pudding.
My Brownie Trifle is a variation [ ... ]
Category: Desserts, Thanksgiving
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04
Jul 2011
Jul 2011
Happy Fourth of July! Happy Birthday America! Happy 91st Birthday Mimi ( my maternal grandmother and the matriarch of our family )! Happy Birthday Emily ( my 9-year old niece )! There are so many reasons to celebrate today. So let’s eat cake — or Mississippi Mud Pie!
Mississippi Mud Pie is a down-home, unfussy sweet I associate with July 4th family get-togethers. There are countless variations, but our family recipe relies on a baked pecan crust and a rich, chocolatey pudding layer which represents the muddy banks of the Mississippi. It’s [ ... ]
16
Feb 2011
Feb 2011
My children arrive home from school around four o’clock in the afternoon tired and famished. And every afternoon, I’m faced with the same challenges: homework (there’s way too much of it), playtime (there’s never enough of it) and snacks (there are only so many satisfying and appealing options that won’t interfere with dinner). Enter Peanut Butter Balls. While these perfectly portioned, outrageously enjoyable treats won’t lighten the heavy homework load or extend play time, they will give my kids the extra kick they need to complete their assignments and enjoy a big game of hide-and-go-seek-tag. A couple of these hearty [ ... ]
06
Jan 2011
Jan 2011
Today is January 6, 2011. The Twelfth Night. The Feast of the Epiphany. Little Christmas. King’s Day. It commemorates the Three Wise Men’s visit to the Baby Jesus on the twelfth night following his birth. In New Orleans, today marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the carnival season. This is also the City’s first official day for King Cake sales.
King Cakes, which were originally prepared to honor the Magi’s journey, are circular or oval shaped pastries braided with cinnamon-sugar and topped with white fondant icing and tons of purple, green and gold sugar (carnival colors [ ... ]
03
Dec 2010
Dec 2010
This is a short and sweet post to accompany a short and sweet recipe (or two). Last year, my wonderful neighbor and baker extraordinaire, Lisa, turned me on to these great chocolaty muffins that she makes with nothing more than a can of pumpkin, a box of chocolate cake mix and chocolate chips. Count them: 1-pumpkin; 2-chocolate cake mix; and, 3-chocolate chips. That’s it. They’re scrumptious and super moist thanks to the pumpkin, yet they don’t taste like pumpkin. Since my daughters and I are vanilla girls deep down inside, I decided to try a similar recipe using yellow cake [ ... ]
19
Nov 2010
Nov 2010
Have you ever seen that Food Network show “The Best Thing I Ever Ate”? Each episode focuses on a different category of lusty foods that network stars and chefs eat on their days off. Anyone who obsesses over food like I do will appreciate the passion that oozes from their mouths with every tasty word. Well, Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Gooey Cake is the best pumpkin dessert I ever ate. If you’re not familiar with this yummy recipe, you really should be. And you know, while I’m all about preserving family food traditions, be forewarned. This dessert could very well replace [ ... ]
04
Nov 2010
Nov 2010
Halloween has come and gone, my little goblins (“Chucky,” “Jason” and “Hamm,” the pink piggy bank from Toy Story) have tucked away their costumes and all of the spooky decorations have been returned to the attic for another year. Yet, there’s still a ton of candy occupying valuable space in my pantry! What’s worse, I can’t help but eat a piece, or four, every time I walk in there. What’s a mom to do with all of those leftover treats? Make Halloween Candy Pastries, of course! These flaky little turnovers make the perfect breakfast sweet or last minute dessert. And [ ... ]
