Tuesday, June 29, 2010

I'll take you to the Candy Shop

I like a praline every now and then.  These are made daily at Southern Candymakers.  If you find yourself in the quarter, be sure to pass through this little candy shop.  You will always get a big hello, a sample and a bit of air conditioning -- that goes a long way on these hot summer days.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Pesto Cubes

I made this pesto from basil, parsley and mint from my garden!  Then, I froze it in ice cube trays for storing in the freezer -- I like it on rice.


Sunday, June 27, 2010

Tomato Pie

Wondering what to do with all those tomatoes?  And the basil too!
This cheesy pie was delicious!


Saturday, June 26, 2010

That Pupusa is smiling at me...

most likely because I made him - my first attempt at this doughy treat from El Salvador!
This pupusa was made of masa, water, and boudin that was a gift from my friend, B. The boudin comes from The Best Stop Supermarket in Scott, Louisiana.  Thanks again B. for such a great treat!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Smoothies!

one banana
three handfuls of blueberries
1/2 - 3/4 Cup soy milk
a tablespoon or 2 of plain yogurt, or not
a handful or two of ice cubes
a squeeze of agave nectar
blend well!
...and a little side note, I used the (now frozen in my freezer)blueberries from my recent trip across the lake to pick my own berries

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

dining in Santa Fe



Restaurant Martin:  Tempura Blue Point Oysters:  garlic parsnip puree, cucumber radish salad, fermented black bean chili vinagrette

Blue Point Oysters were named for Blue Point on Long Island where this fine oyster was 1st discovered.  The name is now generally used for any mid-sized Atlantic Oyster eaten raw.
Very delicious!


Luminaria - the Resaturant at the Inn at the Lorreto:
Santa Fe BLT:  griddled crab cake, apple wood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, green chile cheddar roll, chipotle aioli, sweet potato fries, jicama slaw.  I liked it!  







Cold Red Raspberry Soup fresh red raspberries, rosé wine, lime, hint of sour cream
Makes me wish I could grow raspberries!





Monday, June 21, 2010

Stuffed Peppers

I sort of used this recipe, but I subbed the ground chuck with a some boudin and ground turkey my friend, B., brought me from Lake Charles, LA.  Good Idea!  Also, we made a blend of ketchup, chili sauce, BBQ sauce & cock sauce for the topping.  I just read that 10 million bottles of srirachi were sold last year!  WOW!




Sunday, June 20, 2010

Caprese Salad


Super summer salad for all those home-grown tomatoes not to mention the huge pot of basil I have going right now.  Tomatoes, fresh mozzerella, basil, your best olive oil, salt and pepper is how my friend, K., made this one. 
Just Perfect!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Charcuterie Board


I have always had a thing for a variety plate and this is the grown up version of what my Mother would serve for dinner, especially when she and my Daddy were going out for the evening.  

Prosciutto, olives, quince paste, maytag blue, chevre stuffed cherry tomatoes, honey, cornichon, french & seeded flat breads.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Watermelon!


Summertime means perfect watermelon!


Happy 45th Anniversary M & D!! 
WOW!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Little and Big plates at Boucherie

Boucherie is a great little restaurant in uptown New Orleans, the kind of place that is packed early.  They make a nice stiff cocktail and the fare is super seasonal.  Thank you to Dave & Karen for a wonderful dinner with some good old friends and a little young one too!  Ha!  Be sure to make a reservation -- I noticed that on our recent Tuesday Night visit, this tiny dining room filled up by 6:30.


top to bottom:
watermelon napoleon
watermelon 3 ways - one for everybody
scallops with green beans
grilled romaine 

Thursday, June 10, 2010

My Mother makes the Best Deviled Eggs!


I talked to her on the phone yesterday while I made these:

Deviled Eggs 
7 hard boiled eggs
a little mayo
a little mustard - use more than one -- yellow is a must
sweet or dill relish - whatever you got
cayenne
salt & pepper
makes 1 dozen deviled eggs

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Thank you John Besh!

I hope you have heard about the lunch at Restaurant August - three courses for $20.10.  Yes, that's right sister - not a typo.  A dear friend (now) from Atlanta ... visited this week and boy did we eat high on the hog.  I actually did enjoy a little bacon in my house made spaghettini (not pictured) 

Go there hungry -- enjoy yourself!  Call me and I'll go with you!































top to bottom:  amuse bouche-savory whipped egg with caviar, soft shell buster crab, lemonfish atop mango and avacado, grilled chevre and peaches, AND a great send off-almond brittle & white chocolate pistachio truffle.  That, my friends, is how Restaurant August does three courses for lunch.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Birthdays, Guitar Cake and Gumbo, oh my!

Todd was surprized!  Happy 40th!!


 The cake was fab!











Kohl made a gumbo!  Kohl always makes a very dark roux.  Perhaps he'll share the recipe?

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Memorial Day Boil

Look at the variety in this boil:

















could be the last of the season.  thank you steve & liza!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Picking Blueberries

We picked blueberries in Covington, Louisiana about an hour north of New Orleans at Ridemore Berry Farm(click on the berry farm tab).  The haul was super despite the many unripe berries.  From what we saw, these bushes are going to be in prime form in about a week.  This farm also offered, blackberries, squash, corn, onions, figs and cucumbers you can pick yourself.  Ridemore follows organic farming practices and encourages sampling!!





Our home grown tomatoes were ready to pick today when we arrived back home, too.
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