Southern White’s

with Between Naps on the Porch
with Between Naps on the Porch

In Emeril Lagasse’s cookbook, Every Day’s A Party, he tells of a book called Almost Innocent by Sheila Bosworth that is set in New Orleans. In the book, tow characters, Rand and Airey, meet every Ash Wednesday at St. Louis Cathedral to get ashes, then walk to Antoine’s where they have their ” . . . annual White Lunch: vichyssoise, accompanied by vodka martinis, folowed by filet de truite au vin blanc, pommes de terre soufflees, a bottle of Pouilly-Fuisse, and for dessert, Baked Alaska. No green salad, or coffee, or cigars, in keeping with the Tout Blanc dictum.” Emeril liked that so much he devised his own menu for a white lunch.

I love the idea and can envision a Tout Blanc party.

ostrich feathers

All white decorations.

white lampshades

With touches of silver. Everyone would wear white and eat off of sparkling clean white plates with crisp white linen napkins. What a lovely story and a lovely vision.

You can see how to make the feathered centerpieces and the wine glass lamp shades at SaveOnCrafts. They have great prices and I always find lots of inspiration there.

Today’s Lagniappe: Emeril’s Vichyssiose

4 cups sliced leeks (use ONLY the white part)
4 cups diced potatoes (gold or baking potatoes recommended)
6 to 7 cups chicken stock
One and one-half to 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
One-half cup heavy cream (chilled)
1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives

Combine the leeks, potatoes and chicken stock in a heavy bottomed 3-quart saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Season lightly with salt, partially cover and simmer until the potatoes and leaks are tender, 20 to 30 minutes.  Taste and correct seasoning.

Puree the soup in a blender or food processor and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.  When ready to serve, add the heavy cream and mix well.  Top each serving with a bit of minced chives.

Makes 6 to 8 servings


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Comments

19 responses to “Southern White’s”

  1. Maryrose Avatar

    Oh so fun, I must look into this story. Love the white, I am going to be brave one day and do an all white table. It scares me a bit, and even with my fear of color I have never done one. Thanks for the inspiration.

  2. Lia Avatar

    Just beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing. -Lia-

  3. Kat Avatar

    Beautiful, and what a wonderful story about the two friends meeting each year for an all white Ash Wednesday!

    Kat 🙂

  4. Lara Harris Avatar

    Very pretty 🙂

  5. Dena Pickle Avatar

    This is just beautiful! Love it.

  6. Sherri S Avatar

    BEAUTIFUL! What an elegant table.

  7. The Southern Belle Avatar

    Well, your words caused me to bring up a memory of eating at Antoine’s too many years ago to even say. Creative setting. Thank you for sharing the “white” idea!

  8. Kathy Avatar

    This is stunning, I love those little table lamps.

  9. chie Avatar

    I adore white and silvery. This is one of my fav setting so far this early morning in Sweden.

    Thanks for sharing and have a blissful Thursday.

    Greetings from a snowy Stockholm.
    xoxo

  10. Chari Avatar

    Hi Christi…

    Oooh…so very elegant! I love it! Thanks for sharing this lovely table with us today!

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari

  11. Chandy Avatar

    I love those tables, and I think I’ll try the silver and white!

  12. Mimi Avatar

    Beautiful table, love the wine glass lamp shades.

  13. Kathleen Avatar

    Very pretty! I buy from them too.
    I hosted an all white tablescape party last summer . Lots of amazing entries!
    Come over and look around if you have time.

  14. black eyed susans kitchen Avatar

    Wow, now thats a party table! Gorgeous.
    ?, Susan

  15. Dining Delight Avatar
    Dining Delight

    White is perfect for Ash Wednesday and I love the pics you’ve shown! Heading off to attend the Ash Wed service at our church tonight and wish we would be coming back to a nice tablescape like that!

    DD

  16. PATTIE Avatar

    Love it! Absolutely beautiful!
    xoxo Pattie

  17. Martha Avatar

    Until I started visiting TT, I never realized how beautiful all white table settings are! This is beautiful.

  18. Christine Avatar

    What a pretty and stunning table! I love all the sparkles!..Christine

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