It's been rainy this week and I'm sick of it, but I have to say our flowers, herbs, and pepper plants are loving it. I swear they grow several inches every day, and the jalapeño pepper already has tiny peppers on it.

In an effort to get rid of some of the pandemic pudge we've been paying close attention to what we eat--calories in vs. calories expended does work, after all--but this weekend the weather's going to be better and we're having friends over for a pizza fest. I make a great Neapolitan-style pizza dough and plan on having one for each guest to top as their heart desires. I'm thinking I'll put together one for me styled after a chicken Caesar salad, then sneak a sliver of someone else's cheese- and meat-laden feast.

For this week's recipes, I selected an easy seafood-stuffed bell pepper dish that transports well for potlucks if you're planning a Memorial Day get-together; a crawfish-filled bread pudding that makes a spectacular brunch centerpiece; and a weeknight staple, roasted chicken and potatoes. Enjoy the recipes below, stay safe and healthy, and, as always, let me know what's on your mind. 

Best regards,

Susan Ford, Publisher and Editorial Director
Louisiana Kitchen & Culture

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In the Mail:

Seafood-Stuffed Bell Peppers

For this recipe, we halved the peppers lengthwise and stuffed them rather that cutting off the top and stuffing the whole pepper; they'll cook faster this way, plus you get more browned crunchy topping. What's not to like about that?

Crawfish Bread Pudding

This is an easy recipe that can be mixed up the night before and refrigerated, then baked for a spectacular brunch (it will take a little longer to bake if refrigerated) or served with a crisp green salad for a light supper. It's also a great option for a potluck.

Lemon-Oregano Roast Chicken and Potatoes

This is an easy recipe that requires nominal prep work and is then roasted in the oven for just over an hour. Easy enough for a weeknight meal, it's tasty enough for a dinner party, plus you're left free to entertain your guests rather that be stuck in the kitchen.