Red Beans and Rice are a classic of the Louisiana cooking canon. And I assume every Louisiana cook has there own version that they would assert constitutes the only way to properly make the dish. And I’ll tell you, the same can be said of me. No, I am not from Louisiana and I don’t have roots there, but I love the food and I cook my own version of red beans and rice – the … [Read more...] about Red Beans and Rice – My Way
Soup
Potato Kielbasa Chowder with Gouda and Dill
Sometimes, good recipes don’t make good photos. They are just hard to make pretty. This is one of those recipes. I have tried for a while now to photograph this soup, to make it look like a magazine spread, to make it so perfect, your mouth-waters just looking at it. But I can’t. My meager skills are not up to it. But that doesn’t mean this isn’t a delicious recipe – I … [Read more...] about Potato Kielbasa Chowder with Gouda and Dill
Pear and Stilton Soup
I think the chilly winter is a great time to host a real, grown-up dinner party. The holidays are over, school is back in session, everyone has had a chance to take a breath, and frankly, the social scene is a little slow. During the holidays, I see virtually everyone I know, at parties and celebrations, but generally only briefly, for a quick catch-up and greeting. There … [Read more...] about Pear and Stilton Soup
Smoky Bacon and Onion Soup
I spend most of my time in the kitchen. It’s my favorite space in this house, a house my father has always called a kitchen with a bedroom attached. It’s a large, open space, with a fully fitted kitchen, lots of counter space and a den attached where I do most of my work on the computer. The den opens on to a sunroom with huge windows so the light pours in. That’s where I … [Read more...] about Smoky Bacon and Onion Soup
Fontina Cheese Toasties
Melty cheese and crispy bread are the perfect pairing for soup, creamy or brothy. And this may be the ultimate soup sidecar. If you are fan of the classic croque monsieur, this is basically just the top. A creamy, cheesy béchamel sauce browned until bubbly on a good piece of bread. I like it plain, but feel free to alter it to suit your soup – before you melt in the cheese … [Read more...] about Fontina Cheese Toasties
