Peach Muscadine Sangria
Poolside afternoons in the heat of summer are just begging for a fresh, fruity cocktail–ice-cold with just a hint of fragrant sweetness. I usually revert to a pitcher of margaritas or mojitos, but lately I’ve been thinking a lot about sangria; a recipe for Peach Muscadine Sangria to be exact. I’ll admit it: Sangria is…
Cajun-Fried Catfish Bánh Mì
For obvious reason, here in South Louisiana a bánh mì sandwich is referred to as a Vietnamese po'boy. Built upon a similar French bread loaf, it doesn’t take a great stretch of imagination to see the similarities in the two sandwiches. But delving deeper, the two have even more in common than just … [Read More...]
Fire-Roasted Red Pepper Pimento Cheese
In the Deep South, pimento cheese is the mortar that holds society together. Whether sandwiched between two slices of white bread or elegantly stuffed in a stalk of celery, no Southerner worth his salt would be without a basic pimento cheese recipe. And my recipe for Red Pepper Pimento Cheese ups … [Read More...]
Kale Salad with Sweet Dijon Vinaigrette
Beautifully bitter kale takes on a bright sweetness with an overnight marination in my flavor-infused vinaigrette. And when dressed with fruit, cheese, and nuts, this Kale Salad with Sweet Dijon Vinaigrette could be the perfect summertime salad. “Too tough, too bitter, overbearing,” these are … [Read More...]
Louisiana Shrimp Roll
When Louisiana summer heats up, Louisiana food cools down. Seldom does gumbo appear on the home dinner table when temps approach 100ºF and the clamor to escape the stifling heat includes the menu. Ice-cold watermelon, sweet-churned ice cream, syrupy sno balls and pitchers of freshly squeezed … [Read More...]
Poached Eggs over Fried Green Tomatoes with Crabmeat Hollandaise and Gouda Grits
Rise and shine: It's perfectly poached eggs oozing liquid sunshine all over two crispy cornmeal-battered fried green tomatoes topped off with a glorious crabmeat-infused hollandaise, and all served up with a bowl of creamy Gouda grits. It's weekend brunch in Acadiana. Once I decided to create … [Read More...]
The Bottle Rocket – Cherry Mint Vodka Soda
Fireworks are flying this 4th of July at the Grahams with my Cherry Mint Vodka Soda, aka The Bottle Rocket. This cocktail explodes with flavor! The ease of this recipe is that it only requires a few key ingredients, but to do it right takes an extra step. Fresh mint leaves are essential, and … [Read More...]
A July 4th Tradition: The Bluesiana Burger
The Fourth of July holiday is my favorite family holiday: no last-minute dash for flowers, no arduous trek to the mall for gifts, not even a holiday card. It’s just a leisurely American celebration of family and freedom. And it’s the perfect day to fire up the grill. I’ve always had a hunger for … [Read More...]
Lemon Meringue Pie
With a tart lemon custard, a slice of my Lemon Meringue Pie will make your mouth pucker and smile. It is a classic Southern dessert that is as easy to make as delicious. But first, a slice of history. This Deep South dish was invented in England by George Fox, founder of the Quakers during … [Read More...]
Orzo, Shrimp and Kale Salad
More and more, I see orzo pasta showing up on the Acadiana table of folks who didn’t even know it existed a few years ago. Cajun and Creole home cooks are a stubborn bunch who hold to Cajun recipe tradition more so than most cultures. But in my Orzo, Shrimp and Kale Salad recipe, this ingredient … [Read More...]
Baked Eggs in Tasso Cream features Savoie’s Smoked Tasso
Oven-baked eggs oozing their liquid sunshine and swimming in a sea of smoked tasso-infused cream is a thing of beauty and taste. I’ve made this easy breakfast dish for years, and it still astounds me how flavorful and straightforward this Baked Eggs in Tasso Cream recipe is. In my travels … [Read More...]
Louisiana Seafood Salad with Creole Citrus Vinaigrette
It's Memorial Day and time to dine on the water, and it doesn't get any fresher than this: Gulf shrimp and lump crabmeat combine with a zesty Creole dressing in this light Louisiana Seafood Salad with fresh coastal flavors. And it's easy with this simple recipe. With the summer vacation … [Read More...]
Coffee-Rubbed Short Rib Burger
Fire up the backyard grill for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend; it's time for a classic hamburger. With my recipe for a Short Rib Burger featuring a spicy seasoning with Louisiana coffee, I am out to create a new classic burger. I've done it before, and it's high time to do it again. It’s … [Read More...]
Salt-Encrusted Red Snapper
A little-known fact is that coastal southwest Louisiana right along the southern portion of Acadiana is built on a series of natural salt domes. Avery Island (home of Tabasco), Jefferson Island and Weeks Island are all built atop geological caverns that house salt formations. Over the past century, … [Read More...]
Cream of Cauliflower, Garlic and Fennel Soup with Goat Cheese Crouton
These days, home cooks are moving toward freshly prepared, light, and healthy dishes. However, Louisiana cooks don't always follow conventional wisdom. This time of year, you are just as likely to see a hearty etouffée or a platter of steak, rice, and gravy on the dinner table. But with my Cream … [Read More...]
Perfect Herb-Roasted Chicken
Roasting a whole chicken is as basic to French Acadian cooking as it is to French Provencal cooking. Although the spice blends vary and most Louisianans would be stumped at the thought of trussing a bird, the two cultures still elevate the lowly poulet to a stellar dish. It seems these days … [Read More...]