Blog Archives
06
Nov 2010
Nov 2010
Got a craving for crawfish? My husband does. And this time of year when live crawfish are not running (out of season) one of the only ways to satisfy his craving is with frozen Louisiana crawfish tails. In New Orleans, frozen crawfish tails are a heavily relied upon convenience food. Many folks outside of Louisiana are unaware of this great product, but it’s available in the frozen seafood department of most supermarkets across the country.
Now as much as I love the usefulness of frozen crawfish tails, their taste and texture take a small but noticeable hit during the freezing process. [ ... ]
Category: Crawfish, Main Dishes, New Orleans Classics, Roux, Seafood
Tags: cajun, crawfish, creole, New Orleans Recipes, Roux, Seafood 10 Comments
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 [ ... ]
31
Oct 2010
Oct 2010
If you’ve ever wondered what sets New Orleans food apart from the rest of the world, it’s the layers of flavor that go into each dish. Two of the most important layers are the roux and the stock. I’ve already posted a bunch about the roux which you can read here:
What’s a Roux?
How to Make a Roux
Top Ten Tips For Mastering a Roux
Now for the stock. This is yet another back-to-basics cooking skill worth the effort.
Making stock from scratch is easy, it just takes a little time. It’s best to plan ahead so you’ll always have a stash of seafood, [ ... ]
Category: Beef, Chicken, Gumbo, Stock
Tags: Beef Stock, Chicken Stock, Homemade Stock, Roux, Seafood Stock 11 Comments
05
Oct 2010
Oct 2010
Truth be told, I didn’t learn how to make a dark, rich roux from my family. My relatives, who are all incredibly talented and passionate cooks, prepare meals with a heavy Creole hand. So their sauces and gravies generally rely on butter-based white and blond roux. My mom’s Seafood Gumbo, a recipe handed down from my great-grandmother, also follows Creole lines. The gumbo is thickened with a light roux and okra and is flavored liberally with tomato sauce. I was a young adult before I associated the rich, smoky flavors of other gumbos, étouffées and dark gravies with a roux. [ ... ]
Category: Gumbo, New Orleans Classics, Roux
Tags: Gumbo, New Orleans Recipes, Recipe, Roux 3 Comments
02
Oct 2010
Oct 2010
There are many schools of thought on roux-making. Some cooks prefer the traditional and time-consuming approach of combining the flour and fat at room temperature then gradually increasing the heat until the mixture reaches the proper color and consistency. Others start their roux on the stove top and finish it in the oven. There are also folks who make it in the microwave or cook it dry by browning flour in the oven without any fat. I, on the other hand, have adopted the quick cook method described in Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Louisiana Kitchen.
The quick cook [ ... ]
01
Oct 2010
Oct 2010
“First you make a roux” is that ubiquitous phrase associated with classic New Orleans and South Louisiana dishes. It’s written about in many cookbooks, debated in lots of food circles and feared by many professional and home cooks. But what exactly is a roux (pronounced “roo”)? Well, a roux is nothing more than fat and flour cooked together to a desired color and thickening capability used to enhance stocks and other liquids. The concept is simple, but the flavor, texture and color a roux lends to a dish is anything but!
Since roux is the cornerstone of New Orleans cooking, learning [ ... ]
02
Aug 2010
Aug 2010
In our community, school starts today! Yes, this is quite early for some but perfect for our family. Because after eight weeks of unstructured endeavors, my kids stop appreciating their time spent with me and Dad and each other. Swimming is no longer enjoyable because the pool‘s refreshing chill has been replaced by the warm, and rather gross, feeling of bathwater. Playing outside is also a challenge because the heat index routinely hovers above 105 degrees. It’s also around this time that I realize the money tree should have been cut down a month ago!
Back-to-school prep, I’m sure, is no [ ... ]
Category: Breakfast, Snacks
4 Comments
