I have never set myself the task of making a real King Cake, as I figure there are enough people who do that already. My brother used to send me delicious King Cakes from a bakery in New Orleans when I was in college. Those cakes were moist and tender with a cream cheese filling, with a brightly colored, but simple, frosting. The cake was packaged with beads and doubloons and … [Read more...] about King Cake Bars
Mardi Gras
Mardi Crawfish Spread
As Mardi Gras time comes around, I start to get a good craving for some Louisiana cooking. And what is more Louisiana than crawdads? This creamy crawfish spread is perfect for a Mardi Gras party, or any time you need a little Creole kick. I like to serve this as an appetizer or on the buffet with some thick rounds of baguette, but it ain’t bad over … [Read more...] about Mardi Crawfish Spread
Pralines for Idiots
Candy making is not something I typically try my hand at. All that talk about thermometers and stages and testing methods. Those recipes always look like the kind of thing I don’t have the patience for. Plus, once you’ve been badly burned by hot sugar, it makes you candy-shy. But this is an exception. I call it Pralines for Idiots, because it really does away with all that … [Read more...] about Pralines for Idiots
Shrimp Creole
I am surrounded by good Louisiana cooks. My brother went to college in New Orleans, my close friend went to law school there, and many of their friends from the area have migrated up to Memphis. And they love to cook up a good bayou feast. So in all honesty, I don’t cook much Cajun or Creole food – I leave it to the experts. My brother makes a mean gumbo, so I pretty much … [Read more...] about Shrimp Creole