Category: Southern Food

  • No Bake King Cake

    Have you ever wanted to make a Mardi Gras king cake but were turned off by the complicated yeast bread recipes?  Here’s a quickie recipe with beautiful results – and no cooking necessary. I attended a presentation today given by Cindy Pagragan of Cindy’s Sweet Sensations.  She showed us slides of her exquisite novelty and…

  • Comfort Food Cook-a-Thon

    I’ve been craving simple, home cooked food lately.  I’m still paying for the eating excesses of the Christmas holidays, and the less than nutritious fare of parade parties is just around the corner.  I devoted a dreary Sunday afternoon to restocking my freezer. I’m sure the gourmands are rolling their eyes right now.  I’d love…

  • Mardi Gras Gumbo

    It’s been pretty rainy around here for the past week. The perfect time for gumbo. Okay, really any time is the perfect time, but today, it chased away the gloominess from the sky and helped restore the Mardi Gras mood. Okay, so I took a few shortcuts on the gumbo. Don’t judge me for being…

  • Cabbage…lots of it!

    Every fall I plant broccoli.  It does quite well in pots on my patio – container gardening is a trade off in the city for a nicely landscaped yard.  In New Orleans transplants are generally available in early October, with harvest right around Thanksgiving.  I was a bit surprised to find transplants at a big…

  • Wreaths and Garlands and Doors . . . Oh My!

    I took a walk down State Street here in New Orleans. It is a lovely tree lined street with beautiful homes and gardens. I want to share the doors with their festive wreaths and garlands and bows.

  • New Orleans Red Beans and Rice

    It’s Monday and I was in the mood for red beans and rice.  Just like my grandmother used to do, I put the beans on early so they could cook themselves while I worked.  Except I was sitting in front of the computer all day rather than doing the laundry. Red beans and rice is…

  • Chargrilled Oysters!

    Oysters – an interesting little mollusk. People eat them raw, fried and yes, chargrilled (or charbroiled). I have often wondered, who was the first person to open an oyster and think, “Hmmmm, wonder what this tastes like?” Traditionally, oysters are said to be best during months that end with an “R.” With refrigeration, oysters are…

  • Easy Southern Gumbo

    One week to Mardi Gras! Can’t wait. We love gumbo around here, however on a weeknight, it is a bit much to get it all together. So, we take a shortcut! With a little help this gumbo in a box from Luzianne this can be a really tasty dinner! We start with some andouille sausage…

  • Southern Valentine’s Dinner

    So, Valentine’s Day is upon us. I’m thinking this would be the weekend to celebrate. Are you planning something special? Shrimp, lobster, steak? I’m thinking the best plans would be reservations! Let someone else do the cooking! Maybe a steak. Or maybe lobster. And, of course, you must have dessert! Sounds delicious! Of course, you…

  • Southern Snow Day

    It started snowing here this morning and is still steadily snowing at mid-day here in my neck of the woods in Arkansas. Got some pics to share with you as well as a recipe! I love asparagus. Of course, we usually cut off the top part and throw the woody part away. I’ve always seen…

  • Southern Warm Up

    While the snow is over (for now), it is still a bit chilly here. Time for some comfort food! Onion soup is yummy and the version I’m sharing today is Creole Onion Soup and the recipe is from Brennan’s New Orleans. I love the traditional French onion soup but honestly, the mozzarella is just a…

  • Southern Snow Day

    Yesterday was our first snow of  Winter! It was only a light dusting but enough for the schools to close. Even though I was busy working, I still love snow days. Snow days always remind me of how exciting it was to get to stay out of school and stay home to “sled” and build…

  • Autumn Salad

    Oh, it is good to be back. Can’t tell you all how much I have missed blog-land while our business has been soooo busy. It is really good to have a busy business, but I really like it when we are busy and I still have time to spend with my blog friends! One of…

  • Southern Evening

    Oh, how I love these cool fall evenings! The sun is slanting at a different angle and there is just a hint of coolness in the air! How about a little bite to eat on the porch for Oh, how I love these cool fall evenings! Sorry to be so lax about posting lately. Life…

  • Southern Trip to the East (Southeast)

    We are so happy to have business to the East of us in Jonesboro, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee. Here are some pics form our recent early September trip to these lovely places. The lake as we are leaving Mountain Home, Arkansas had a light fog over it. As we pass through the small town of…