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
tomatoes
Simple French Style Tomato Tart
When you have been writing recipes for as long as I have (12 plus years of blogging, 3 cookbooks, countless freelance projects), the search for something new and innovative, different, a twist or a “hack” gets difficult. And in that constant search for a spin, sometimes I overlook recipes that are really simple – so simple they aren’t really even recipes. But man, are sometimes … [Read more...] about Simple French Style Tomato Tart
Bloody Mary Shrimp Platter Salad
The early days of summer are a perfect time for a big, beautiful salad. Bountiful enough for a meal with make-ahead elements that just require some last-minute assembly. I love to serve these platter salads outside with everyone gathered around to mix and match their own perfect meal. From the hearty Steak House Platter Salad to the sophisticated Lyonnaise Style … [Read more...] about Bloody Mary Shrimp Platter Salad
Slow Roasted Zucchini with Fennel and Tomatoes
I am always so intrigued by the adorable little baby zucchini I see in the farmers market, but I’ve never been sure about what to do with them that preserves their sweet size. I’ve cut them long ways and grilled the halves, but it always seems a shame to just slice them as you would a full size version. A few years ago, I read in a magazine about slow roasting these babies and … [Read more...] about Slow Roasted Zucchini with Fennel and Tomatoes
Salmorejo (Chilled Spanish Tomato Soup) with Frozen Olive Oil
Salmorejo is gazpacho’s simpler cousin. It’s a fresh, chilled tomato soup without the added peppers, cucumbers and other business found in gazpacho. I’m not a huge fan of gazpacho, because it varies so wildly and people seem to put all kinds of crazy ingredients in it. You never know what you are going to get. But Salmorejo is right up my alley. I first … [Read more...] about Salmorejo (Chilled Spanish Tomato Soup) with Frozen Olive Oil
