Cookietreat

January Lemon Harvest

2012-01-22T20:42:00.002-06:00

I finally picked the last of the lemons off my tree today. Some of the fruit was as big as a softball. I mixed up a pitcher of lemonade for this balmy January day and froze the rest of the juice for future recipes. Making lemonade reminded me being a little girl in Mississippi and of my dear friend who was working in town this week. What fun I had talking, visiting and catching up with her like no time had passed since we had seen each other. Thank you Rachel for being my friend. I hope you come back soon! Cheers!

Cochon

2011-11-01T08:42:00.001-05:00

On a busy Saturday night, M and I were headed to La Boca and we ended up at Cochon.

Two seats at the Chef's Bar?

Yes, please!

We snacked on house made hog head cheese, marinated cucumbers . But the ham hock with quinoa, pickled butternut squash and barely cooked greens just blew us away! What a treat.

Macaroni and Cheese & Spinach with bacon

2011-09-27T22:48:00.000-05:00

Sliders, Slaw & Corn

2011-07-18T19:17:00.000-05:00

Asian Sliders

grated ginger - an inch

garlic - 2 big cloves

the zest of a lemon

salt & pepper

1 - 1.25 LB ground beef

Bite Size Stuffed Sweet Peppers

2011-07-04T22:44:00.000-05:00

Brisket or crabmeat topped with a Pimento Cheese-like variation.

Stuff and bake or grill about 20 minutes.

Spaghetti Egg

2011-06-29T22:34:00.000-05:00

How do I mage my spaghetti with red gravy a different supper from the night before? Poach an egg in the sauce. So simple and quick.

Blueberry Pie for My Sweetie!

2011-06-12T10:01:00.000-05:00

He said he likes my Pie!

9" Pie Crust - you gotta make one, or not!
I used a crust top, but a crumble would have been delicious too

Blueberries - 5 or 6 cups

sugar - 1 cup

cornstarch 1/4 cup

lemon juice

lemon zest - a little

ginger root - fresh grated - as much as you like

Get your Lent ON!

2011-03-12T09:13:00.000-06:00

$8.00 Fish Plate

Although we did not win the 50/50 (congratulations Laverne) we were delighted with our supper just off Bayou St. John and Esplanade at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Catfish, potato salad, hush puppies and fries. It's the beginning of Lent and the man in line behind us was envious of our beer (another vice we did not give up). Here's a list of other Lenten Suppers during the season

Cooking Class with My Momma

2011-01-13T20:04:00.002-06:00

We enlisted in a cooking class while on vacation in Todos Santos.
Iker from Cafe Brown was our teacher.

Chile Rellenos -- stuffed with smoked Tuna was on the menu.
Super easy and relatively quick.

roasting the poblanos

the filling: smoked tuna, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, dried oregano, olive oil

Iker showing my Momma how to make the filling

The Stuffed Chile

Supper:
The Margaritas have a splash of Damiana Liquor -- a new favorite for me!

Pasta Supper for One

2011-01-12T21:44:00.000-06:00

I used this recipe and did make a few substitutions, but what an easy, rich treat!

Really hearty for a cold night.

tacos, tacos, tacos!

2010-12-31T17:02:00.001-06:00

Visiting the Baja in Mexico means lots of roadside tacos for my husband and myself. Todos Santos always seems to have a new taco stand each year we have visited and since it is the closest town to the house where we stay, we try a new one every chance we get. Everyone is so friendly here and the food is incredibly reasonable and delicious!!

Wish you were here & Happy New Year to You!

Refried Beans and Ricely Yours,

cookietreat

Homemade Oreos

2010-12-25T19:21:00.000-06:00

Homemade Oreos

The Recipe is from Smitten Kitten -- I just love her!
Merry Christmas!

Lemon Trifle Parfaits

2010-12-24T23:12:00.001-06:00

Lemon Trifle Parfaits

layer the following:

lemon cake -- a really wet ugly one if you have it

sprinkle cake with grand marnier

sprinkle of almonds

dollop of lemon curd

dab of whipped cream

Repeat until your glass is full.

Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry

so festive!

Lemon Goodies

2010-12-24T11:43:00.000-06:00

lemon zest

lemon wreath cookies with thin glaze & sprinkles

lemon "cake" with hand whipped cream

I have a new appreciation for the Meyer Lemon.
So happy to have it in my yard and bearing fruit.
The wreath cookies are fabulously light, lemony, and sweet. My lemon cake didn't fare so well, and I am 100% responsible -- baking is a science and I was going on feeling -- not so wise.
The cake's taste, however, is spot on --- thinking of morphing it into trifle parfaits for Christmas Eve.
We'll see!

Sliced & Baked

2010-12-23T08:35:00.000-06:00

I got the recipe for these cookies in the Times Picayune, but here it is online from the Washington Post. I made some around Thanksgiving and then another batch this week after freezing the dough. The flavor seemed more believable in round two. Super cute, small, crunchy, cookie.

Root Beer Pinwheels

Sucre

2010-12-22T23:50:00.000-06:00

A must see on Magazine street.

Really! -- just melt-in-your-mouth candy.'

Holiday Lunch at Rio Mar

2010-12-16T08:45:00.000-06:00

Steamed Mussels with Chorizo

Hanger Steak with Chimichurri

Pressed Sandwiches -- one with Jamon with Manchego & another with Eggplant and Peppers

We ate and ate until they rolled us out the door -- delicious!

Here's the all tapas lunch menu.

Lemon Harvest

2010-12-14T21:24:00.000-06:00

I get a little nervous when my TV weather-gal says it's going to freeze. My precious Meyer Lemons are important to me. I harvested about a dozen last night "just in case". The lemons that remain on the tree are fine and the high is expected to be 67 degrees tomorrow.

Sugerman's Bagels

2010-11-20T12:07:00.000-06:00

Think you can't find a good bagel made right here in New Orleans?

I beg to differ!

Just shoot Laura of Sugerman's Bagels an email to place an order.

laurasugerman@gmail.com

$14 a dozen for REAL Everything Bagels. I picked up my order, but delivery is also available.

She is using the same bakery space as Pizza Delicious in the Bywater.

Sugerman's Bagels - 1 dozen Everything

Po-Boy Fest 2010 Recap

2010-11-16T22:42:00.000-06:00

You really just had to be there. Check out my photos here! Here are the same photos in slideshow view.

It is ironic that this Festival is still such a tight squeeze! By the end of the day I have to wonder; is this Festival so crowded because of the numbers of Festival goers, or because as the sun sets on Oak Street we are all a little larger in the waistline due our Po-Boy over-indulgence?

Is that irony or just odd?

Po-Boy Fest --> Tomorrow!!

2010-11-13T11:15:00.000-06:00

Get yourself ready!

Sunday, 11/14/10, 11AM - 7PM

check out their cute website here

Shrimp Po-boy

Louisiana Oysters on the Half Shell

2010-11-10T08:41:00.001-06:00

I grew up about 5 hours North of New Orleans in Mississippi and my family's first stop was almost always the Acme Oyster House for a few dozen raw and Po-Boy's. Although they are more expensive these days than ever (I think these were $18/dozen - ouch!)-- My husband and I splurge pretty much every week -- sometimes twice. I always think the best seat in the house is at the bar and if it's an Oyster Bar -- well, that's a win win situation! In my experience Oyster Shucker's almost always love to talk! Make a friend -- it's easy to do over a dozen or two!

Here are three of our favorite French Quarter Oyster Bars listed below and all three are within a couple blocks of each other, so if the line is too long at the Acme, we just move on down the list.

Acme Oyster House

Bourbon House

Deanie's

Chocolate Milkshake at Stanley

2010-10-18T20:02:00.000-05:00

A shake in old fashioned glass at a lunch counter makes me feel all nostalgic and happy. I have already professed my love for Stanley's Breaux Bridge Benedict and the their milkshake is one to surely bring all the boys to the yard -- I love you , Stanley. So in the spirit of the olden days, we're biking over to BJ's to see King James and the Special Men, 10ish. I hope I see you there.

Potato Galette

2010-10-17T22:34:00.000-05:00

Have you ever made on of these? You should. Could not be easier and so pretty.

preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Potatoes - enough to fill your skillet thinly sliced. I used russet.

garlic - 2 or so big cloves, minced. enough to sprinkle between layers

olive oil, herbs de provence & parmesan

- enough to sprinkle between layers

iron skillet - this one is 6 inches in diameter

45 minutes in the oven

serve it with a big salad. Oh! and it goes so well with a dirty martini. YUM!

I also like Kale

2010-10-16T15:15:00.000-05:00

It's 2010 and I discovered that just love kale. I like it best when cooked in bacon fat! I can enjoy it raw too, but not today:

Pasta

Bacon

Kale

Sweet Peas

Parmesan cheese

Squeeze of Lemon

coarse salt & cracked pepper

eat!

I could eliminate the bacon fat and substitute olive oil, but I don't want to!

I like Water.

2010-10-15T22:42:00.001-05:00

Mississippi River - on the Ferry in New Orleans

Water was huge a huge part of my life growing up. I was a 12 year member of the the swim team, we had a pool and our family vacations were (& still are) trips to the Beach.

Watch this: The Story of Bottled Water

Why am I posting this today? Visit Blog Action Day 2010 to find out.

Where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez

If you must purchase bottled water then at least do something cool with the bottles and I'll try too.

Lake Superior - Northern Minnesota

Thanks!

Happy Anniversary to us

2010-10-13T09:32:00.001-05:00

I married my guy six years ago this past weekend -- we celebrated with a leisurely lunch at Galatoire's. The company (& the soft shells) were divine!

In My Neighborhood

2010-10-08T11:05:00.000-05:00

Somebody's making Sun Tea

The Joint is smokin'

I'm roasting Peppers

Yesterday's Lunch

2010-10-07T10:52:00.000-05:00

Sauteed Kale

Baked Sweet Potato

Whole Wheat Biscuits

Ginger Limeade

All Homemade by me!

(My guy loved it -- yay)

Date Night

2010-10-01T09:26:00.000-05:00

We took the recommendation of a favorite Chef and biked on over to Meson 923 in the warehouse district last night. We were not disappointed.

Shrimp Ceviche

Duck Confit Papardelle

Crisp Maine Skate

Ice Creams & Sorbets

Magic bar at The American Sector

2010-09-29T18:20:00.000-05:00

I'm not kidding.....take your pen light.....really!!

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visiting Minneapolis in September

2010-09-21T12:07:00.002-05:00

Cold Cuts with Pickles @112 eatery.

112 Eatery was recommended by 2 New Orleans friends Ladies, keep 'em coming.
AND it's open late!

Fried Cheese Curd Truck at Oktoberfest

We happened upon an Oktoberfest while biking in St. Anthony Main near Nicollet Island. Although I did not have any, I always want them & am equally fascinated by cold cheese curds and the fried variety too.

View from the top of the Foshay Building

I love a skyway! -- I know ... a silly love, but I am fascinated by all things "city". I guess that comes from growing up in rural Mississippi(you know the grass is always greener).

RIP Gary -- you are already missed.

Quick lunch

2010-09-20T21:59:00.000-05:00

at Martin Wine Cellar.

1/2 an egg salad sandwich and a side of fruit.

I made Poptarts!

2010-09-17T11:14:00.000-05:00

I used this recipe at smitten kitchen.

Fig preserves for the filling and whole wheat flour for the pastry.

Chef Paul Prudhomme

2010-09-10T12:56:00.002-05:00

Here he is riding in the NFL Kickoff Parade right before the Saints/Vikings game yesterday. Go visit his restaurant, K-Paul's: http://www.chefpaul.com/site.php

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Sushi Supper

2010-09-09T09:18:00.000-05:00

a quick bite at Wasabi!

A Tainted Lady at the R Bar

2010-09-06T20:39:00.000-05:00

the R Bar is fun & you can stay overnight if you need to.

Good Little Mint Juleps!

2010-08-23T20:07:00.000-05:00

Fun at Pat O'Brien's!

3 Muses

2010-08-23T00:13:00.000-05:00

The new gal on Frenchmen Street slid right in just like an old friend! Three Muses = great food, drinks and music.

I loved the ceviche, and Ms. Moon's Korean eggrolls are a dear tribute to Miss Sophie Lee's Mother. Chef Esses has already added some new items to the menu and I've heard it will change with the seasons.

3M's signature cocktail, The Muse, is usually something I don't go for, but I am glad I did! I believe the concoction includes St. Germaine, strawberry puree, cucumbers and gin(I opted for vodka - the bartenders are quite accommodating).

And the Music -- here's Washboard Chaz's Blues Trio on opening day!

Lunch

2010-08-19T17:02:00.000-05:00

at Clancy's today with my dear friend.

I just feel special when my waiter is wearing a tuxedo, don't you?

Pictured below is 1/2 of a Jefferson salad in front and a fried soft shell crab with mango salsa.

I had a ball catching up over such a divine lunch!

Bud's Broiler

2010-08-17T23:09:00.002-05:00

This is the one on City Park Avenue -- I did not know that this burger joint is open twenty four hours of each day.

Oops!

Dumpling Soup

2010-08-16T21:26:00.001-05:00

veggie pot stickers

shrimp stock

water

diced carrots

diced celery

diced red bell pepper

chile sauce

lime wedges

mung bean sprouts

whole wheat linguini

torn cilantro

torn basil

fish sauce

soy sauce

super light, fresh & quick, quick, quick!

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

2010-08-15T16:17:00.001-05:00

What's inside? Vermicelli, boiled shrimp, mint, lemon basil, thai basil, lettuce, carrots & cucumbers that I marinated in a little mirin, and mung bean sprouts.

Super fresh and refreshing for these dog days of summer that just feel like they are going to be with us for awhile.

Fresh Gulf Seafood

2010-08-14T17:36:00.000-05:00

I made a trip to the West Bank today to the seafood stalls in Westwego -- I am going to make spring rolls soon and needed shrimp, plus it's just a cool place to visit.

While I was there I picked up a pound of crab claws. Perhaps I should be embarrassed that I ate 1/2 of the claws on the ride home -- but I'm not! They were outstanding.

Breakfast Burritos, early and late

2010-08-13T11:54:00.000-05:00

top pic: 2 eggs beaten, a handful of frozen shredded potatoes, chopped tomato, green onion and shredded pepper jack, hot sauce and cilantro for garnish. I cook the potatoes first in a little Grapeseed oil and add in the green onion when the potatoes are almost done. Remove the potatoes from the pan and set aside. Scramble the eggs in the same pan with salt & pepper and throw in the tomato when you turn off the heat -- assemble the tacos layering potatoes, eggs, pepper jack, tomatoes, hot sauce and cilantro on top!

and bottom pic: one ready to go for the early riser and wrapped up for the late sleeper!

Cutest Labels Ever!

2010-08-12T18:55:00.000-05:00

And -- they are a free, downloadable, printable transfer! Available from just something i made right here!

Oh, I'm fixing to get crafty!

Bánh mì? Yes, please!

2010-08-10T21:33:00.001-05:00

I do love to try pretty much anything served out of a truck -- or trailer in this instance. The Bánh mì, a Vietnamese po-boy, at Amy's in the French Market is a special sandwich! Super fresh AND

they run a tight ship in this little box on wheels.

She has been serving food in the French Market parking Lot for over twenty years -- it's the red one, you can't miss it. She also serves up a fresh squeezed lemonade, made to order. Mmmmmm!

Quickie Supper

2010-07-30T09:13:00.000-05:00

lettuce wraps:
iceberg lettuce, veggies, glass noodles, leftover brisket, chile peanut sauce

Brisket

2010-07-25T22:03:00.000-05:00

Continuing my quest to master the charcoal BBQ...

(I have alot of practice ahead of me)

The brisket was dry rubbed and wrapped tightly in plastic overnight. My rub was a combination of salt, black pepper, ground green chiles, red chile flakes, brown sugar and ground coffee. I mopped throughout the day of smoking with Steen's cane syrup.

For supper I added a little wedge-ette salad and a slice of white bread.

Oysters on the Half Shell!

2010-07-24T13:29:00.001-05:00

Caprese Cuties

2010-07-21T08:19:00.000-05:00

skewer

basil

buffalo mozzarella

tomato

with a drip of balsamic vinegar

Tonight's Supper

2010-07-19T19:43:00.001-05:00

I went to the Crescent City Farmer's Market Saturday and I got all of this:

Tonight's supper consisted of a few of those things I found at the market: chicken thighs with pesto, a caprese-like salad with cucumbers, steamed green beans and grilled peaches -- I'm grilling like crazy these days because it's summertime and it's fun! I was so proud to spread my homegrown pesto under the skin of these chicken thighs, but honestly I didn't even notice the flavor. Oh well ... you can't win 'em all. The grilled peaches were divine and a first for me, such a sweet and bright flavor.

I am not ashamed to admit that I am a gas grill kinda gal, but this week I have used the good old weber kettel charcoal grill ..... I'll figure it out -- eventually!

bananas and cream

2010-07-16T08:49:00.000-05:00

so wrong? nope. so right.

one ripe banana cut into coins

pour enough cold cream to suit your taste

it takes less that you think

Crabby patties? No, Salmon Croquettes.

2010-07-15T21:21:00.003-05:00

It was time to get some things out of the freezer. A piece of salmon that was inches away from its expiration date was ready for action.

I read this recipe from Saveur and then I read this recipe from Epicurious.com

I was ready to make these Salmon Croquettes:

Here is my ingredient list:
salmon one medium piece of salmon

red onion chopped

cilantro roughly chopped
mexican crema
mirin
capers
old bay
lemon juice & zest
panko bread crumbs
assorted peppers: black, white and cayenne

Take 1/4 the amount of breadcrumbs as salmon and soak in soy milk, crema and a splash of mirin for a few minutes. Combine all ingredients. Chill the croquettes for 30 minutes each. Coat each croquette in breadcrumbs, really pushing the breadcrumbs into each. Pan fry in a very small amount of olive oil over medium heat.

I made a dipping sauce out of crema, mirin, lemon juice and ground green chile powder.

They were just terrific and so easy!!

$20.10 Lunch at Antoine's -- you better GO!

2010-07-14T22:07:00.002-05:00

Our luncheon started off a little like this:

Oysters 1-1-1: Bienville, Rockefeller & Thermidor

Oh, and if you have not ever been to Antoine's ... you should.

What's stopping you? Oh right(insert sarcasm)....they also have 25¢ martinis and the cocktails are not served in a thimbles if you know what I'm saying. After we stuffed ourselves we were treated to a guided tour of the entire restaurant -- what fun!

My Pork Butt

2010-07-13T21:32:00.007-05:00

I cooked this 6.5 LB pork butt, my first time on the charcoal smoker, for about nine hours. It has a green chile rub with salt and pepper that I rubbed into the meat 24 hours prior to cooking.

Then I made chiles rellenos. (sort of , except mine had meat)From Marc Bittman's How to Cook Everything -- I used my iphone app for the cookbook -- it is THE BEST! I served the stuffed chiles over creamed corn(also from the Bittman book or app)

The next day we had shredded pork tacos.

Oh the joy of low and slow cooked meat! I was incredibly proud!

Sesame Noodle Salad

2010-07-13T21:07:00.000-05:00

I made this Sesame Noodle Salad with edamame the night I got home from a quick vacation with some fun friends!

I was hoping for this noodle dish, but I made do with what I had on hand. Sometimes you just have to, right?

I'll take you to the Candy Shop

2010-06-29T23:04:00.001-05:00

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.

Pesto Cubes

2010-06-28T20:48:00.003-05:00

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.

Tomato Pie

2010-06-27T17:49:00.000-05:00

Wondering what to do with all those tomatoes? And the basil too!

This cheesy pie was delicious!

That Pupusa is smiling at me...

2010-06-26T10:53:00.000-05:00

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!

Smoothies!

2010-06-23T13:05:00.000-05:00

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

dining in Santa Fe

2010-06-22T22:31:00.002-05:00

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!

The Shed:

Cold Red Raspberry Soup fresh red raspberries, rosé wine, lime, hint of sour cream

Makes me wish I could grow raspberries!

Stuffed Peppers

2010-06-21T22:12:00.000-05:00

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!

Caprese Salad

2010-06-20T14:10:00.000-05:00

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!

Charcuterie Board

2010-06-19T15:01:00.001-05:00

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.

Watermelon!

2010-06-12T09:59:00.001-05:00

Summertime means perfect watermelon!

Happy 45th Anniversary M & D!!

WOW!

Little and Big plates at Boucherie

2010-06-11T12:40:00.001-05:00

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

My Mother makes the Best Deviled Eggs!

2010-06-10T06:13:00.000-05:00

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

Thank you John Besh!

2010-06-09T20:00:00.005-05:00

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.

Birthdays, Guitar Cake and Gumbo, oh my!

2010-06-06T11:53:00.006-05:00

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?

Memorial Day Boil

2010-06-05T00:19:00.002-05:00

Look at the variety in this boil:

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

Picking Blueberries

2010-06-01T23:31:00.003-05:00

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.

Rosemint Tea

2010-05-29T20:34:00.000-05:00

Thanks Sweet Neighbors!!

( wish this was the smelling version of the internet, because this tea's aroma is divine )

Marti's Red Beans

2010-05-26T23:19:00.000-05:00

Something for everyone, even the midwesterners among us.

These red beans were made complete with Usinger's sausage.

I enjoy seeing the displays in the grocery stores here of Camellia Brand beans all stacked up neatly:

I do not remember ever eating red beans in Mississippi growing up -- seems hard to believe, now.

Mojitos by Barbara

2010-05-25T21:26:00.000-05:00

Muddle, muddle, muddle ... that's one of her secrets! She even used a mortar and pestle!

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Blue Cheese Potato Chips - uh huh, uh huh. (say it like Biggie)

2010-05-23T01:24:00.001-05:00

at the Globe in Athens, GA!

Late Night Snacks! - Marigny Pho

2010-05-21T11:59:00.000-05:00

My picture does not do this back barroom, late night eatery justice! The Marigny Pho is housed within the newish Lost Love Lounge. This was our second visit to snack in the back of this Marigny watering hole -- the food was fresh and light and just what we were in search of -- we tried the noodle bowl and spring rolls with shrimp. Yum Yum!

Pizza from the Hi Ho

2010-05-19T22:24:00.003-05:00

The Hi Ho has great pizza -- third pie I have tried(one dine-in and two delivery and they have not let us down!! Delivery in my neighborhood is few and far between, so Hi/Pie Ho, we thank you!!

...and if you ask nicely, they will "go the extra mile" for you too! Thank you Hi Ho order taker guy and especially Hi Ho delivery guy! We'll be calling you again.

I have made mention of the Hi Ho before -- cheers to the Skinny Colada!

There is a New SnowBall Truck in my Neighborhood!

2010-05-17T22:12:00.000-05:00

The title of this post is to be sung very loudly in a Rockin' way!

Tiger's Blood with sweetened Condensed Milk.

600 Block of Piety, Bywater

Cooking is Compromise

2010-05-16T22:25:00.000-05:00

You just want to make cookies, but everyone expects a pie. The compromise is a Cookie Pie.

Bruschetta

2010-05-15T17:23:00.001-05:00

We had this snack at Napoleon House recently with a Pimm's Cup of course(the only place to have one) -- We were able to score our

favorite table. The two top in the room behind the bar, it's a very dark room and the table sits in the window right on the sidewalk. This table is a spectacular people watching spot if your into that sort of thing.

Holly's Tamales

2010-05-15T01:11:00.003-05:00

We had the pork, 2 for $5. Maybe you will see Holly out in your 'hood this weekend. The bike cart was also offering a chocolate banana -- I do hope it is like the Hawaiian sundae -- i'll be trying that on the next time! Good job Holly -- thanks for keeping some food on the street!

Meyer Lemon

2010-05-12T21:08:00.000-05:00

I am actually starting to believe that I am a farmer.

tomatoes a-comin'

2010-05-11T22:37:00.001-05:00

I am ridiculously excited about my small potted garden.

Here come the tomatoes!!

have you ever heard Ernie K. Doe's Here Come the Girls?

Such a great tune!

Eggs - 2 ways

2010-05-11T09:19:00.000-05:00

sunny side up for her and over easy for him

the first yield - banana peppers

2010-05-09T19:17:00.001-05:00

Well, it's not much, but I do hope it is the sign of more to come.

fingers crossed!

how about the hipstamatic print? i highly recommend it!

Raw Oysters

2010-05-07T08:55:00.000-05:00

I am going to eat them until they say we can't!

My heart is breaking for the gulf coast.

chicken on a stick

2010-05-05T22:57:00.003-05:00

cut chicken into "thread-able" sized pieces
marinate for awhile - i used a combo of peanut sauce, chili sauce(the kind with the rooster printed on the bottle - locally and perhaps globally referred to as "cock-sauce"), and honey
soak skewers for 20 minutes
thread chicken on skewers
grill - i use a tiny weber gas grill that is fantastically convenient on the highest heat setting until done

*** please note: there is something new on cookietreat -- the "search cookietreat" box: try searching the word cheese!

Jazzfest Recap -- Lucky ME!

2010-05-04T22:26:00.007-05:00

I love Jazzfest and I was lucky enough to be there every day.

If you have never been to the festival, I hope you will one day.

cracklins & soft shell crab poboy/a portion of the cooler krewe/beignets/mounted nopd/jamaican chicken & caribbean fish/a view from up high/boudin balls/shrimp and grits/shrimp bun & goi cuon with peanut sauce & rosemint tea/mr. okra/fried porkchop sandwich/combo plate: jama-jama, poulet fricassee, plantains/cream puff, grilled chicken livers & pepper jelly with crowder peas & okra/alligator sauce piquante

Iced Coffee

2010-04-21T07:04:00.002-05:00

I love a cup of coffee in the morning. Hot coffee can be the best, but as the days begin to warm up down South a cold cup just hits the spot! My at home cold coffee fix, Cool Brew, is made right here in New Orleans. French Roast is my favorite because it is chicory free.

Horseman's Cafe

2010-04-14T07:43:00.002-05:00

I can't speak for other festivals, but if you work for JazzFest in New Orleans you will be fed like somebody loves you! Spicy Gumbo and potato salad yesterday, oh my!

http://www.nojazzfest.com/

Blondies

2010-04-11T19:02:00.001-05:00

I found this recipe for Sea Salted Blondies at Ice Cream before Dinner. I threw a few bittersweet and peanut butter chips into the batter as well.

Easter 2010

2010-04-04T22:12:00.005-05:00

Dyed and Deviled eggs -- Easter classics!

The Crawfish Bisque. My friend K. did the whole nine yards for Easter this year and I was honored to be invited and assist!

100 crawfish heads were cleaned after the crawfish boil. 80 LBS of live crawfish were boiled, 10 LBS of meat went into the bisque.

The heads are stuffed with the crawfish & trinity seasonings. K. learned this year to soak the heads in sparkling water for easier stuffing and less shell "crackage".

Like many great New Orleans dishes, then you make a roux.

Bisque liquid prior to adding the baked heads & additional crawfish tails.

Stuffed heads after baking.

Ready to serve.

The bowl.

After.

Dessert.

Check out what some other bloggers did for Easter:
thirty bucks a week
the martha blog
goodliver
last night's dinner
high on cooking
thursday night smackdown

It's not all fit for Eating

2010-04-01T09:10:00.001-05:00

Failure = Cinnamon Raisin Toast

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Potato Chip Maker

2010-03-30T22:37:00.002-05:00

I wouldn't mind having one of these doo-dads affixed to my countertop!

Spring time = Crawfish!

2010-03-29T09:17:00.000-05:00

mmmmmm...our feast at the Crawfish Festival.

When you go to a festival in New Orleans, you are always in for a culinary treat. Here is a list of the delicious eats served over this past weekend in St. Bernard:

Crawfish Pasta
Eggplant Pirogue with Crawfish Sauce
Crawfish Po-boys
Crawfish Potatoes
Grilled Catfish with Crawfish Sauce
Crawfish Cakes
Potato with Crawfish Sauce
Crawfish Fried Rice
Corn and Crawfish Soup
Crawfish and Sausage Jambalaya
Crawfish and Sausage Gumbo
Crawfish Eggroll
Crawfish Sherrie
Crawfish Etouffee
Crawfish Bread
Soft Shell Crawfish and Crab
Artichoke and Crawfish Dip
Crawfish Quesadillas
Crawfish Remoulade
Shrimp Wrap with Crawfish Sauce
Crawfish Bisque
Crawfish Spinach Bread Bowl
Crawfish Beignets
Crawfish Pie

Oyster Plates

2010-03-26T09:29:00.002-05:00

Some people say that one should not eat Oysters in a "non-R" month (May - August). I have no fear and eat them year round -- quite frankly, I don't want to live if I can't eat raw oysters. Look at these beautiful vintage Oyster plates I saw on Royal Street yesterday. The Oyster Jubilee is tomorrow at 11AM in the 300 Block of Bourbon.

Angelo Brocato's

2010-03-24T23:38:00.000-05:00

Some days call for Coconut Macaroons at Brocato's...

Cheers!

2010-03-23T22:10:00.000-05:00

This lady knows how to have a good time!

Cheers to you Miss M and Thank you so much!