May 25, 2024 I conjured my mom and granny this week. I invited a dozen friends over Thursday night and made smothered pork with brown gravy and chicken cutlets with cream gravy. I made a pot of field peas with snaps; baby lima beans; smothered green beans; and a skillet of sweet corn. Buttermilk biscuits and buttermilk cornbread with chiles and sharp cheddar; a platter of sliced tomatoes and cukes, and a blackberry crumble with a cardamom cream sauce; a friend brought watermelon, and another a frozen mar ...Continue Reading

May 16, 2024 The rumor was true! I got two cases of Creole tomatoes last week; they weren't quite ripe so I had to wait a bit before slicing, but we've been eating at least two a day ever since. It's one of those things that remind me of childhood; over the summer, there was a plate of sliced cucumbers and tomatoes on the table with every meal, usually with a few hot peppers for those of us who wanted to spice things up. For the recipes this week I'm kind of all over the map. First, a seafood and artichoke d ...Continue Reading

May 11, 2024 Rumor has it that they're finally harvesting Creole tomatoes. I'm going to take myself across the river to the Becnel produce stand tomorrow morning to stock up; my favorite of all the summer fruits and vegetables. I'll slice and eat at least 5 tomatoes every week that they're in season. For the recipes this week I'm starting with an easy crawfish pie recipe Chef Darin Nesbit prepared for a cooking demonstration stage I produced a few years ago; it's easy and delicious. Next, a catfish dish ...Continue Reading

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May 3, 2024 Happy May! Beautiful weather in store as we roll in to the final weekend of Jazz Fest. I'm hosting a Cinco de Mayo fiesta on Sunday afternoon (isn't it funny that we've made such a big deal out of the anniversary here in the US while it passes unremarked in Mexico? Except in the state of Puebla) and am expecting about 20 people. I reckon I'll be making tortillas for hours Sunday morning. For the recipes this week I'm starting with a personal favorite, Creole Shrimp and Grits. Their are as many re ...Continue Reading

April 26, 2024 I am stalking the Facebook pages of the local Creole tomato growers, because I had a flat of the goodness by this time last year. The cold winter and late spring has delayed the crop, I know I'm pushing the season, but I am ready. Honestly I eat one a day as long as they're in season. I've always loved tomatoes. For the recipes this week I'm starting with a New Orleans classic that is more than appropriate for any celebration meal, Chicken Pontalba. It does have quite a few steps, but none of ...Continue Reading

April 18, 2024 Several nights each week, someone on one side or the other of our families will start a text thread, with pictures and information about what's for dinner. No surprise, everyone in our families really enjoys food! It's a really nice, and easy, way to stay in touch even on the busiest of days, and we end up exchanging recipes. This week I'm starting with an easy dish of shrimp cooked in a vodka sauce; I'll definitely serve it over spaghetti or angelhair pasta. Next up, a Cajun-spice catfis ...Continue Reading

April 5, 2024 The weather is spectacular here in New Orleans, and I intend to spend the weekend with my hands in dirt. I'm ready for peppers, herbs, and flowers. And for the oak pollen to be gone, please and thank you! We did get a little rain earlier in the week that seems to have washed most of it away. For the recipes this week, first up is a simple recipe for salmon croquettes. I'm reading everywhere that we all need to be eating more salmon for the healthty fats; this was a childhood favorite. Next ...Continue Reading

March 29, 2024 We live close to Coliseum Square Park here in New Orleans, and when the weather's nice, we get musical acts performing in the park. Wednesday night it was Piano on a Truck; André Bohren performed a full hour of classical piano pieces. What a nice way to end a weekday! This weekend I'm heading over to Mississippi for a seafood boil; my nephew's getting married. Their ask for my contribution to the potluck was my chocolate chip cookies, so I'll be baking cookies all day. For the recipes ...Continue Reading