Satsuma and Tomatillo Chutney

Wow.  Here we are in 2012.  Where did the last year go?  How did the holidays zip by so fast?  Sometimes I feel like every day, week and passing month is nothing but a blur!  Next month I will have been blogging for a year, and I look back at how much I have learned over the past 11 months.

I never imagined I would Ever start a blog.  EVER.  But once I started, the writing process was so cathartic and the interaction with other people from all over the world that have become friends has been so amazing and surprising that I was hooked from the beginning.  The desire to improve my little blog and my photography and my cooking has kept me constantly moving forward, growing and learning.  It has been Wonderful!  

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Fish Tacos

Ever since eating the most delicious fish tacos in Mexico last month, I have been wanting to try them at home.  Compadres is a small cantina on Isla Mujeres that we found our last day there.  Fresh Chilean Sea Bass was perfectly seasoned and pan seared then served on a flour tortilla with pico de gallo and sliced avocado.  Delicious.

I couldn’t replicate the beach or the ocean view or find fresh chilean sea bass, but I was pretty confident I could give the tacos a fair shot.

…Not bad… (licks fingers and lips)  ;)

 

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Homemade Applesauce

The smell of fall is in the air, and I. Am. Giddy.  :)

I love everything about the changing of the seasons.  I love the way the quality of light changes and shifts. I love the sound of football games wafting over the evening breeze from our neighborhood high school. I love the way evening falls just a little earlier bringing with is a slight coolness that seemed impossible just a week ago.  And I love the smell:  inescapable, indescribable and inexplicably nostalgic.

 

 

 

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Stuffed Bell Peppers –a traditional Louisiana recipe

This Louisiana classic is one of my favorites from childhood.  I think my mother made it a little different each time she cooked it, but it was always delicious no matter what variations she made.

This recipe is a very basic, traditional version.  Easy and flavorful, it’s a wonderful reminder of years past as well as a delicious weeknight dinner solution.

 

 

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Chocolate Chips–Un-expected!

Yup, it’s Friday the 13th; but I ain’t skeerd! Especially since it’s my birthday weekend and I just received THE most beautiful, handmade gift. EVER.

 

 

 

 

 

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Tuscan Sliders

It’s been such a wonderful Saturday, I hate to see it end. I spent the first half of the day at the Natchitoches Farmer’s Market. I set up with my seasoning and my sister tagged along with her homemade amaretto. Needless to say, she sold nearly EVERY bottle she had! ☺ And all I can say about that is “Lucky People!” Because that stuff is good!

 

 

 

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Red Beans & Rice

 

Well, this IS Louisiana, after all. No native would ever confess to not being able to cook a pot of red beans n rice! It’s one of the first things I learned to cook; and after years of trial and error, I finally made it my own. Nothing spells “comfort food” like this dish, especially on a chilly evening when all you wanna do is get warm and cozy. ☺
Our weather forecast calls for 80° temps over the weekend, but for now we are enduring one last “cold snap” of the season. So here it is: my recipe for one of Louisiana cuisine’s best contribution to the culinary world. Enjoy!

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Guinness Beef Stew–a St Patty’s Day Feast

 

I got this recipe from America’s Test Kitchen newsletter and thought it looked tasty and sounded intriguing. You’ll understand when you see the ingredient list. It’s a slow cooker meal, so a great week-day dinner solution also.
I made a couple of changes to the original recipe to accommodate my needs, but I will note those below.

Happy St Paddy’s Day, Y’all!

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My Very First Soufflé

As you may well know if you’ve been reading this blog, I’m a Julia Child fan. Ever since I read her memoir “My Life in France” I’ve been so inspired to cook and to savor everything. French cooking has always seemed daunting to me, and none more so than the soufflé. Nevertheless, I bought her opus “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” and am slowly making my way through it. I’ve been eyeing the pages on soufflés for several days now and finally decided today was the day!

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Flatbread Inspiration: Season 52–Atlanta, GA

Last summer on our annual buying trip to Atlanta, my business partner and I discovered the most wonderful restaurant! Season 52 boasts a changing menu according to the season and all dishes under 500 calories! We were very anxious to try it out after reading rave reviews and seeing the summer menu online. True to our expectations, it was fabulous. So much so, we went back a second night before leaving Atlanta!
The most memorable dishes we had were definitely the flatbreads. I believe in our two meals there we managed to try every one they had on the menu. They were all delicious! I have wanted to try my hand at this dish for my husband to try but have never gotten around to attempting it. Until tonight.

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