Crispy golden brown pastry on top, flaky piecrust on the bottom, and a velvet creaminess oozing mellow flavors spiked with the porky flavor of bacon—that’s my down-on-the-bayou, French Louisiana version of a classic baked brie. Baking a round of brie cheese in pastry has been around for decades, and I’ve been doing it for as…
Duck and Brie Pizza
The perfect pizza has been a lifelong quest. Across the world and closer to home, I’ve visited the acclaimed chefs and prowled the back alley dives for just one bite of the perfect pie. I’m not talking about your typical red sauce-laden, mozzarella-coated, pepperoni-dotted New York pizza or even your deep-dish, lasagna-like Chicago version. No,…
Boudin King Cake
There are many great reasons to live in Louisiana, but Mardi Gras has to be near the top of the list. And king cake–the most regal cake of all–makes the carnival season even more special. This sugary confection comes out of hiding about three weeks before Mardi Gras day and is obsessed over by legions…
Watermelon Bread
Watermelon stands lining the side of the rural parish roads are an especially Southern thing. Truckloads begin arriving as the temperature soars, and there is no better way to cool down than a slice of ice-cold watermelon on the back porch steps. Or maybe there is: Watermelon Bread – hot out of the oven. I’ve…
Strawberry Muffins
Scratch-baking a batch of strawberry muffins sounds like a lot of work for a fruit that is so easily consumed simply piled high atop a scoop of ice cream or morning bowl of cereal, but there is a reason. When baked, Louisiana strawberries take on a deeper and richer taste – a syrupy sweet depth…