Foodbuzz 24×24: New New Orleans Classics, Recreated

Posted on July 25, 2010 by

I was thrilled to learn that my Foodbuzzz 24×24 proposal had been selected this month … and truly honored to be part of the group celebrating the richness of the Gulf Coast culinary history and scene. In addition to  a great excuse to gather together for a party and eat delicious food, Foodbuzz generously donated $250 on our behalf to the Greater New Orleans Foundation for the fishermen and their families affected by the Gulf oil disaster.

I recently returned to New Orleans for my high school reunion. While I was there I visited some of my favorite restaurants. My dinner party concept was a progressive dinner based on recreating dishes from a few of them, a different course from each restaurant. Continue reading →

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Restaurant Review: Jacques Imo’s (New Orleans)

Posted on July 25, 2010 by

Jacques Imo’s is one of my very favorite New Orleans restaurants. It reflects the city in so many ways … it is outrageous, the food is over the top sublime and it is always packed with people having a good time. Continue reading →

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Bananas Foster

Posted on July 25, 2010 by

My favorite dessert in the entire world – bar none – is Bananas Foster. Being raised in New Orleans, it was something we were treated to on special occasions and I’ve always loved it.

Of course, the Brennan restaurants in New Orleans make the best, most authentic bananas foster. And I enjoy it almost every time I’m in town, usually at the Palace Cafe.

I adapted this recipe from Cooking Up a Storm, a wonderful cookbook edited by Marcelle Bienvenu and Judy Walker of the New Orleans Times Picayune. The editors compiled the recipes to help replace the recipes that residents lost during Hurricane Katrina. It is a great collection. Continue reading →

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Blackened Catfish with Tabasco Buerre Blanc

Posted on July 25, 2010 by

The inspiration for this dish came from a meal I had at Jacques Imo’s in New Orleans. They serve a blackened redfish with a chili crab hollandaise that is one of my favorite items on the menu. (for more about Jacques Imo’s, see my review here)

I made several adaptations to the dish. First, redfish are not readily available on the West Coast at any time. Their habitat is the marshes of South Louisiana so due to the oil disaster, they are even harder to come by now. I substituted catfish which is also great blackened.

Then I changed the cooking method. Blackening is traditionally done indoors in a super heated cast iron skillet. It creates a heavy smoke spicy smoke that will set off smoke alarms and make breathing quite difficult. Instead I covered the outdoor gas grill with foil and heated it to high. I cooked the fish right on the foil. Continue reading →

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Arugula Salad with Watermelon, Cucumber and Feta

Posted on July 25, 2010 by

This is the kind of thing that sounds weird, but it is delicious. If you like putting salt on watermelon, you’ll love this salad. It’s bright and fresh and beautifully summery.

The salad comes from Susan Spicer’s restaurant, Bayona and is featured in her book Crescent City Cooking. Continue reading →

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Smoked Duck “PBJ” in Puff Pastry

Posted on July 25, 2010 by

One of Bayona‘s most well known dishes is an amazing Smoked Duck “PBJ” sandwich. I’ve adapted the recipe from Susan Spicer’s Crescent City Cooking. In this appetizer I’ve encased smoked duck breast, wilted red onions and homemade cashew peanut butter in puff pastry packets and served it with a hot pepper jelly dipping sauce.

Continue reading →

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Cajun Spiced Pecans

Posted on July 25, 2010 by

These slightly sweet, slightly spicy pecans are fantastic. They are from Susan Spicer‘s (owner and Executive Chef of Bayona in New Orleans) Crescent City Cooking.

Continue reading →

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Classic Lime Daiquiris with a Twist

Posted on July 25, 2010 by

New Orleans is well known as home of the cocktail and New Orleanians have created many unique contributions to the world of artisan (and not so artisan) mixology.

This week the city is hosting Tales of the Cocktail, a week dedicated to the art of the cocktail. It features tastings, competitions and culinary events. Continue reading →

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Liberté, égalité, fraternité

Posted on July 15, 2010 by

Our very simple but oh so lovely Bastille Day dinner.

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Asian Noodle Salad with Gingery Garlicy Cashew Dressing

Posted on July 13, 2010 by

The July 2010 Daring Cooks’ Challenge was hosted by Margie of More Please and Natashya of Living in the Kitchen with Puppies. They chose to challenge Daring Cooks to make their own nut butter from scratch, and use the nut butter in a recipe. Their sources include Better with Nut Butter by Cooking Light Magazine, Asian Noodles by Nina Simonds, and Food Network online.

Continue reading →

Posted in Daring Kitchen, Food, Recipe | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments