Happy New Year, and Happy Carnival! Today is the first day of the 2023 Carnival season, and king cakes are being consumed all over the state. In case you can't get your hands on one locally, I've provided a link to a recipe below; I had good intentions for making one today, but the time got away from me. Maybe this weekend, or maybe I'll just buy one.

In addition to the king cake, I've got a link for the local delicacy, Italian baked oysters; a good friend has just discovered that she seems to have finally gotten rid of her allergy to ALL shellfish, and this is one of the dishes she's looking forward to trying. And finally, Italian Arancini. This recipe has a ground beef filling, but honestly, let your imagination roam. Anything that's good with rice can be tucked into these rice balls, breaded, and fried; just make sure you prepare a sticky rice, not a light and fluffy one, so the grains can be formed into a compact ball.

Enjoy this week's recipes, stay safe and healthy, and, as always, let me know what's on your mind. 

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Susan Ford, Publisher and Editorial Director
Louisiana Kitchen & Culture

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Italian Baked Oysters

If you have oysters, you can make this recipe. Plenty of people keep oyster shells on hand, washing them thoroughly after each use, but you can bake them in small ramekins, or even cupcake tins. They're delicious; have hot French bread on hand for serving.

Arancini

This Italian delicacy can be served as an appetizer, or larger portions for a full meal. Feel free to customize the filling to your liking; be careful shaping the rice balls, as any excess sauce on your hands will stain them. They'll still taste good, but they won't be as pretty.

King Cake

Carnival 2023 is here, or, as some say, King Cake Season. It's considered to be in serious bad form to eat king cake before January 6, but you can bet they'll be flying out of the stores today. If you don't have a local bakery to source one from, this is a simple yeast dough, adapted from Emeril, to make one for yourself. Don't forget the baby!