Archive for » April, 2015 «
30
Apr 2015
Apr 2015
I have issues with pickle relish. Under the right circumstances, I like it on hotdogs and my Creole Tartar Sauce wouldn’t be the same without its punchy kick. But that’s about it. I don’t care for relish in deviled eggs and I really don’t enjoy it in egg salad, tuna salad or potato salad. My preference for non-relish versions of these indispensable spring and summer staples dates back to my childhood. I grew up in a non-relish family and didn’t recognize the full impact of that until I began mentally dissecting other people’s food and [ ... ]
Category: Salad, Side Dishes, Vegetables
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24
Apr 2015
Apr 2015
Popcorn Crawfish, also known as Cajun Popcorn, is simply precooked crawfish tails that have been battered and deep-fried. At one point in time, Popcorn Crawfish dominated the appetizer section of local menus. These days, not so much. But I still enjoy them and the kids really love them. They’re the perfect fried seafood snack. Each morsel is small—like a popped kernel of corn—which makes them super fun and easy to eat. They’re also very addictive, again like popcorn. I usually serve them straight up. But they also take kindly to any number [ ... ]
Category: Appetizers, Beverages, Cocktails, Craft Beer, Crawfish, Finger Food Fridays, Main Dishes, Seafood
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22
Apr 2015
Apr 2015
This is the time of year when my household shifts into high gear and my calendar overflows with sports and related activities and end-of-the-year school commitments. And with the majority of those obligations taking place between five and eight, getting a proper meal on the table can be a challenge. So what I typically do during these hectic months is make one or two “Big Easy” meals early in the week and serve the leftovers again later in the week. Red Beans and Rice certainly fits within my Big Easy plan. So too does this Baked Rigatoni. I know many [ ... ]
20
Apr 2015
Apr 2015
Did you know that as of today, there are over 1,400 sit-down restaurants in the Greater New Orleans Area? Fourteen-hundred! One dash four dash zero zero! And that doesn’t include fast food joints or most national chains. Oh, and there are at least 500 bars occupying the same zip codes. Isn’t that astonishing? I’m totally amazed and so proud of this post-Katrina renaissance. But I’m also sensitive to the fact that those numbers can be quite overwhelming to anyone looking for a traditional dining and drinking experience. By traditional, I mean restaurants and bars that turn out classic New Orleans [ ... ]
Category: Book Review
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17
Apr 2015
Apr 2015
I introduced you all to this salsa last May when I was celebrating Cinco de Mayo South Louisiana-style. Remember my Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Tostadas? This salsa was one of the garnishments. But since it’s finally spring and one of the sweetest signs of spring in the GNO (Greater New Orleans Area) is the appearance of fresh, Louisiana strawberries at local farmer’s markets and grocery stores, I thought it was only right to give this salsa its own time in the spotlight. Because besides being the perfect sidekick to shrimp tostadas, Ponchatoula Strawberry Salsa is also [ ... ]
Category: Appetizers, Crab, Craft Beer, Crawfish, Finger Food Fridays, Fruit, Main Dishes, Salad, Sauces, Seafood, Shrimp
Tags: Appetizers, Finger Food Fridays, Seafood, Shrimp Creole, Snacks Comments off
04
Apr 2015
Apr 2015
Throughout South Louisiana, many families hold large crawfish boils on Good Friday then spend the better part of Holy Saturday working elbow-to-elbow preparing what is known around the region as the most time-consuming and labor-intensive dish that’s ever come out of a Cajun or Creole kitchen—Crawfish Bisque. This impressive meal is an Easter Sunday tradition for many. And there’s no better time than Holy Week to bring grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins together to share in its preparation. If you are like me, however, and don’t have an army of relatives nearby, you start [ ... ]
Category: Crawfish, Main Dishes, New Orleans Classics, Roux, Soups, Stock
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