Mardi Gras is around the corner again, believe it or not, so I am dusting off one of my favorite classic New Orleans dishes – Barbecue Shrimp. Now, as a born and bred Memphian, I am very particular about what is and is not barbecue, and by that reckoning, this is not. No slow cooking, no smoke, no grill, no tomatoes or molasses in the sauce, just juicy shrimp in a deeply rich … [Read more...] about New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp
Mardi Gras
French Quarter Breakfast Puffs
I like a little silliness in the Mardi Gras season. Lots of sprinkles and glitter and fun. I have taken a classic recipe for what I have always called French puffs (I hear they are now sometimes called duffins for donut/muffin) and added a Mardi Gras twist with colored sanding sugar. The muffin is simple, vanilla scented and not too sweet, but a dip in cinnamon sugar gives a … [Read more...] about French Quarter Breakfast Puffs
Cajun Smothered Shrimp with Green Onion Rice
I can’t get near Mardi Gras season without whipping up several Louisiana-inspired meals. Sure, I make gumbowith a roux, slow cooked red beans and rice, fabulous party food like savory crawfish king cake or crab remoulade cheesecake and desserts like tarte a la bouille and king cake bars. But it’s nice to have a simple, weeknight … [Read more...] about Cajun Smothered Shrimp with Green Onion Rice
Tarte à la Bouille (Cajun Custard Pie)
Years ago at some restaurant in New Orleans, I honestly cannot remember where, I had a dessert of Tarte à la Bouillie . I ordered because I was intrigued by the name and that it was billed as a creole custard tart. I like to order anything that smacks of a local specialty. That one was fanicied up with fruit sauce and whipped cream and what not. It was lovely, … [Read more...] about Tarte à la Bouille (Cajun Custard Pie)
Sardou Dip (Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Hollandiase)
The inspiration for this dip is a menu. I don’t remember where or when, but some menu I saw online – either Instagram or researching restaurants or something a friend sent me - had a Sardou dip. I didn’t eat at the restaurant, but the dip idea really appealed to me, so I started from scratch. Eggs Sardou is a New Orleans brunch classic in the benedict vein, an artichoke bottom … [Read more...] about Sardou Dip (Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Hollandiase)