I have known Chris Robbins for as long as I can remember. We go way back to when we lived on the same block as pre-schoolers. We grew up in the same little city of Ada, Oklahoma. We have both left our little home town but, I enjoy keeping up with what is going on with him and his family on Facebook. Chris is famous for his amazing pies. He is known, by many, as the Lord of the Pies.
On the last leap year, I wrote a post telling you about taking a leap of faith and moving to New Orleans. I showed you a few of my favorite things about New Orleans. Those things haven’t changed, but I have added so much to them. This is a fascinating city that makes it hard to imagine living anywhere else. There is just no other place like it.
Here are some of my favorites from back then and some that I have added since.
Huge, old oak trees
Who doesn’t love a little lagniappe? It is always nice to get (and give) a little something extra, which is the definition of lagniappe (pronounced lan-yap). Recently, I received a lagniappe from the lovely evening out at Le Petit Salon. If you read that story, you may remember, the oysters that were shucked and served on in the courtyard of the Salon. These were served before the program and there were many left, so in the spirit of true hospitality, the wonderful hostesses insisted that we take some home. I was handed a container of at least a quart of plump, juicy, brine, freshly shucked oysters to take home! This is enough for my husband and me to make two generous meals.
First up – fried oysters on the porch (shown above) with my husband’s famous french fries.
Read more…
This morning, I ran across this story in the New Orleans Advocate about the historic, Woodland plantation in LaPlace, Louisiana going on the market. What an interesting story it is! This plantation home, built in 1793 has fallen into disrepair in recent years and is looking for a new owner, who can restore it to its past grandeur. This is a sketch of the plantation from 1871 by Alfred Waud.
The French Quarter in New Orleans has so many secret little courtyards and hidden jewels. One such jewel, that I am showing you today, is Le Petit Salon. If you have visited in New Orleans, you probably have walked right past and never knew it existed. Le Petit Salon is a ladies organization that was formed in 1924 to “keep alive the love of the old traditions of New Orleans.” The building where Le Petit Salon meets is four stories high. The top two stories are rented out as apartments and the bottom two floors are where the ladies meet.
Built in 1838 by Victor David, Le Petit Salon as it was then from the watercolor by Boyd Cruise
Recently, I was honored to be invited as a guest, along with my husband, to a rare night time event at Le Petit Salon (also referred to simply as “the salon”). It was a Valentine evening where men were welcomed.
Looking for a delicious and easy treat for Valentine’s Day? What could fit the bill better than some buttery, garlicky chargrilled oysters. Oysters are supposed to be an aphrodisiac, are they not? Okay, the garlic may cancel a bit of that quality out. But, these are delicious to share with your sweetie or even to enjoy on your own.
Serve these with some hot, crusty French bread and a salad, and you’ve got a fabulous meal.
This is also something that you and your sweetie can make together!Here is how to make them.
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Today, I’m joining Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum.
Mark Twain observed, “… I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans.”
It’s Monday morning in New Orleans and this Monday that means Lundi Gras! In the blink of an eye, Carnival will be over. In most places, tomorrow will be just another Tuesday. Here it is Mardi Gras, a major celebration. Schools will be closed. No mail will be delivered. Banks are closed. People, of all ages, will be outfitted in costumes and masks. The city is adorned with beads and doubloons and boas and funny hats and colored wigs.
We are in the full swing of Carnival here in New Orleans. The beads are flying, the bands are marching, the floats are rolling, and it is truly something incredible to behold. As I mentioned in a past post, I was lucky to get to be a part of the fabulous Mystic Krewe of Nyx when I first moved to New Orleans. Nyx will roll Wednesday night. People have asked me about that experience. So today, I am sharing the experience of being a part of a Carnival Krewe and riding in a Carnival Parade.
One of my favorite things about living in New Orleans is taking the opportunity to be a tourist in my own town. There are so many things to see and do. I also love watching visitors enjoying this unique city. One of the places that locals enjoy is City Park. It is also visited by many tourists, and it is certainly worth the short ride on the streetcar.
City Park is a 1300 acre oasis in the heart of New Orleans. The lake and bayous that meander through the park afford visitors with the opportunity to see incredible wildlife, including swans, geese, ducks and turtles. I saw all of these on my recent visit. You will see beautiful oaks dripping with Spanish moss, colorful flowers and lush, tropical green plants. The park is home to botanic gardens, an amusement park, a putt putt range, the Big Lake with paddle boats and canoes. It is also the home of Morning Call where you can rest and refresh with cafe au lait and beignets.
Don’t miss a thing.
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Just in case you haven’t had enough king cake yet, here is another helping. I saw an article on NOLA Eater the other day, discussing some of the incredible variations on king cake. There are king cake donuts, king cake floats, king cake pancakes, king cake soda, king cake vodka (yes vodka), and the list goes on. Apparently, there is no end to variations on the king cake theme. With that in mind, I searched through my own cookbooks and looked at recipes online to come up with a basic king cake dough that can be filled with any number of fillings.
When I first moved to New Orleans, I was very fortunate to be told of a new krewe that was starting by the fabulous New Orleans tastemaker, Kim Este. I met Kim through another wonderful lady, Christy Keirn. The krewe I joined is now one of the hottest, female krewes in New Orleans, known as the Mystic Krewe of Nyx.
I rode with these incredible ladies (and Kim was my float captain) for two years. During those two years, I met so many wonderful ladies and enjoyed a great Carnival experience. I also met ladies, who were not part of a krewe, who expressed their longing to be in Nyx. So many have always dreamed of being a part of such an organization. So, after two years, I decided to give up my position in Nyx so someone else could enjoy it. What a wonderful experience it was to be a part of such an great group of ladies! I learned so much and had a great time. I hope whoever took my place enjoys it as much as I did.
My husband and I at the Nyx Myx Masquarade Ball.
Mardi Gras is right around the corner, and the parades will be starting soon. Today, I’m going to answer some of the questions that I have gotten about Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Looking for a nice little bite to add to your cheese plate? I love making these tasty little cheese puffs – filled with blue cheese and herbs from my garden.
Of course, you can switch out the cheese and herbs and make this into anything you like, but you really need to try this. A simple pate a choux dough with cheese and herbs – what’s not to love?
I wrote some time ago (before I moved to New Orleans) about my bird of paradise plant. When I got the plant, it was with the knowledge that it may not bloom for up to 7 years. Sooo, I have nurtured this plant and moved with this plant (and broke the pot it was planted in during the move), and have patiently waited. I actually can’t even tell you how many years it has been, I lost count. It has probably been close to the full 7 years and now, finally, it bloomed!
These plants are tropical, so I kept it in a pot, but it apparently likes the semi-tropical climate of South Louisiana. Once the plant blooms, it will continue to bloom, with most blooms in late winter to early spring, (according to what I have read). Read more…
January decor in New Orleans means Mardi Gras (or Carnival – but that is another post). With the Mardi Gras colors of purple green and gold – which we got from Rex – we paint the town. It is sparkly, it is bright, it is colorful and it is fun. In a lot of places, the decorations of carnival, might seem too flashy or gaudy, but in New Orleans, it is just part of the normal landscape.
Doesn’t everyone have a tree like this in their yard?
Here are a few decorations around the house . . .
I call this Mardi Gras Jambalaya for a couple of reasons. One, it is Carnival time and the other is it colorful and bold – kinda like Mardi Gras. This recipe is based on a recipe by the great Chef John Folse. I first learned of the trinity (onion, celery, bell pepper) from Chef Folse when I used to watch him on PBS back in Arkansas. He has some great books that include fabulous recipes but also a great deal of fascinating history about Louisiana and it’s people.
