Creole Seasoned Brown Sugar Pecan Crusted Baked Tilapia

Creole Seasoned Brown Sugar Pecan Crusted Baked Tilapia.  Now that I have your attention, let me share with you this delicious recipe developed in the Places In The Home test kitchen over this past Mardi Gras celebration weekend.  In this the season of crawfish, Mardi Gras and Lent, fish recipes are in the menu spotlight.  Mama Places In The Home (my mother) picked up a 2lb. bag of Tilapia fillets at our Walmart Neighborhood Market Friday afternoon, and promptly placed her order for fish.

tilapia fillets

Dave the Builder requested potatoes in cream sauce topped with fresh parsley, and my brother placed his order for my family famous creamy coleslaw.  I do like a now we’re cooking weekend.

A bag of pecans and a bag of walnuts left over from holiday baking started the wheels of recipe development turning.  Creole seasoning is always on hand, and everything is better with brown sugar on it. Baking fish, chicken, chops, etc… is healthier not to mention I can’t stand the smell of fried foods in the house.  I contemplated soaking the fish in buttermilk, mustard and Tabasco, but will keep that flavor key exclusive to my catfish recipe.  Traditional bread crumbs, fresh lemon slices and fresh chopped parsley round out the ingredient list.

tilapia on plate (1)

Creole Seasoned Brown Sugar Pecan Crusted Baked Tilapia

Ingredients

2 pound bag (approximately 9 fillets)

1½ cups traditional bread crumbs

¼ cup brown sugar

1 Tablespoon Creole seasoning (see recipe below)

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, finely chopped

2 sticks butter

2 lemons, sliced

½ cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a baking dish, stir together the breadcrumbs, chopped pecans/walnuts, brown sugar and Creole seasoning.

creole seasoning pecans walnutsLine a cookie sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil.  Place defrosted tilapia fillets on foil lined sheet.  Melt one (1) stick of butter.  Pour melted butter over fillets to lightly coat.

tilapia

Working with one fillet at the time, dredge each fillet in dry mixture, coating each side.  Place the fillets on the cookie sheet.  Top each fillet with a lemon slice.  Top each lemon slice with a pat of butter (1½ teaspoons).

coated tilapia baking sheet

Place cookie sheet in preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.  Turn oven up to 400 degrees F.

fresh parsley1

Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and top each fillet with a generous pinch of fresh parsley.

baked tilapia1

Return the cookie sheet to the now 400 degree F oven.  Continue baking fillets for an additional 5 minutes.  Serve immediately.

pecan walnut crusted baked tilapia2

Recipe for Creole Seasoning

1/3  cup paprika

3 tablespoons dried oregano

3 tablespoons ground black pepper

2 tablespoons dried basil

2 tablespoons kosher salt

1 tablespoons cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon granulated onion

4 teaspoons dried thyme

4 teaspoons granulated garlic

In a medium bowl combine paprika, dried oregano, ground black pepper, dried basil, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, granulated onion, dried thyme and granulated garlic.  Stir to combine.  Can be stored in an airtight container for up to three months.

enjoy

 

 

 

 

 

Home Sweet Holiday Home: Our Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Home Sweet Holiday Home is all about our favorite Thanksgiving side dish recipes.

Delicious anticipation over our favorite Thanksgiving side dish recipes builds all year long, and inquiring minds and holiday appetites drive family and friends home to break bread and give thanks for these favorite Thanksgiving side dish recipes.

home-sweet-home-holidays-blog-1

Our holiday dinner menu is influenced by traditional, new traditional, and regional Thanksgiving side dish recipes.

Family is well represented through the memorable dishes found on our Southern family dinner table.

antique-silver-salt-pepper-shakers

Here’s two of our favorite Thanksgiving side dish recipes full of Louisiana flavor for the season.

inseason564-2

Creole Baked Oyster Dressing

Ingredients

2 (16-ounce) containers shucked oysters, drained, liquor reserved

6 tablespoons butter

1½ cups chopped onion

⅓ cup chopped green onion

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped green bell pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

2 garlic cloves, minced

12 ounces day-old French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

½ cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1½ teaspoons Creole seasoning

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.   Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Coarsely chop any large oysters.  Set aside.

In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat.  Remove 2 tablespoons butter and reserve.  Add onions, celery, and bell pepper; cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes.  Add sage, parsley, thyme, and garlic; cook 1 minute. In a large bowl, combine onion mixture, bread, bread crumbs, lemon juice, Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper; stir until combined.  Add oysters and 1 cup of reserved oyster liquor; stir gently.  Spoon into prepared pan.  Drizzle with reserved 2 tablespoons melted butter.

Bake, lightly covered, 15 minutes. Uncover and bake until bread is lightly browned and oysters are curled around the edges, about 25 minutes more. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Louisiana Cookin’

asparagus-with-crawfish-hollandaise

Asparagus with Crawfish Hollandaise

Ingredients

2 pounds green asparagus, trimmed

1 tablespoon canola oil

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

4 large egg yolks

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

½ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ cup butter, melted

½ (16-ounce) package crawfish tails

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, and add asparagus.  Top with canola oil, salt, and pepper, and brush evenly with basting brush. Bake until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, add water to a large saucepan, and bring to a simmer. In a stainless steel bowl, add egg yolks, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne.  Hold bowl over simmering water making sure bottom of bowl does not touch water, and whisk vigorously until volume of egg mixture doubles.  Slowly whisk in melted butter until sauce is thick and combined.  Remove from heat, and stir in crawfish.  Serve immediately over asparagus.

Louisiana Cookin’

sweet-potato-casserole-1

Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ cup milk

½ cup melted butter

Topping:

½ cup brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup melted butter

1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Combine first 6 ingredients. Pour into a buttered 1 1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish. Mix remaining ingredients together and sprinkle over top.  Bake at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes, until hot and browned.  Serves 6 to 8.

Southern Food

tees-corn-pudding

Tee’s Corn Pudding

Ingredients

½ cup butter, softened

½ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

1 package (8-½ ounces) corn bread/muffin mix

½ cup 2% milk

1 can (15-¼ ounces) whole kernel corn, drained

1 can (14-3/4 ounces) cream-style corn

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°.   In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in sour cream.  Gradually add muffin mix alternately with milk.  Fold in corn.

Pour into a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, 45-50 minutes or until set and lightly browned.  Makes 8 servings.

Southern Living

favorite thanksgiving side dish recipes

Click on the links below for full recipe

Juniper-Marinated Mushrooms and Onions

Lemony Green Beans

Mashed Sweet Potato with Melted Leeks

Simply Scalloped Potatoes

buttermilk-cornbreadLook at that crispy edge perfection- the hallmark of Southern buttermilk cornbread.

Good cornbread is the base ingredient of great dressing.

I’ve enjoyed bread dressing, oyster dressing, and sausage dressing.

All are quite delicious in their own right, but our traditional holiday turkey dinner is not complete without Southern buttermilk cornbread dressing.

Here is my recipe for the cornbread:

Buttermilk Cornbread

Ingredients

3 Tablespoons oil

2 cups buttermilk self -rising white corn meal mix

1 cup self-rising flour

½ Tablespoon baking powder

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup milk

Directions

Set oven to 425 degrees. Preheat oven while preparing cornbread mix. Mix corn meal and flour into mixing bowl. Stir in milk and eggs and mix well. Batter should be a medium thick consistency. Thin by adding additional milk until desired consistency is reached.

Grease baking pan or oven safe skillet(preferably a black cast iron skillet) with 3 Tablespoons cooking oil. Bottom of pan or skillet should be coated well but not swimming in oil.  Place pan in oven to heat oil.  Once oil is heated, remove pan from oven.

Pour batter into greased pan. Return pan or skillet to oven. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Buttermilk Cornbread Dressing

Ingredients

crumbled cornbread

¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning, optional

*We are in a sage free zone here at Places In The Home.  If you want to add this seasoning/herb to the recipe, I suggest ¼ teaspoon sage.

1 medium bunch green onions, chopped

1 cup celery, finely chopped

3 eggs, beaten

4-6 cups chicken(canned is fine) or turkey broth, or more as preferred

Directions

One skillet of crumbled cornbread will make approximately 6 servings.  For dressing, crumble cooled cornbread by hand to a fine consistency with no lumps.  Place crumbled cornbread in large mixing bowl. Add poultry seasoning, green onions, celery, beaten eggs and broth (½ cup at the time).

Mix well.

You want the consistency of your dressing to be soupy.  Pour into lightly greased roasting pan or deep casserole dish.  Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour until top is lightly browned and knife inserted in center comes out clean.

slow-cooker-recipes-Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving recipes perfect for the slow-cooker from Taste of Home.

Cheese-Stuffed Sweet Onions

Potluck Macaroni and Cheese

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast

Apple Betty with Almond Cream

 

enjoy

Flavors From Home: Making Louisiana Gumbo

Making Louisiana gumbo is what’s cookin’ in the Places In The Home kitchen today.

output_dyhnht

“Cajun cuisine is a technique-driven cuisine, because
it’s a very humble style of cooking.
It’s about what can you do with humble ingredients
like onions, celery, bell peppers, oil, and flour.
How can you intensify flavors and create meals
that are satisfying and hearty and make you happy.”

—Frank Brigsten

roux-gumbo

Roux:

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1 cup vegetable oil

Directions

Heat oil in a black skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Add flour in gradually, stirring well. Reduce heat to low.

Stir/whisk the mixture constantly until it reaches a rich brown color, approximately 30-40 minutes. You must stir/whisk constantly to prevent the roux from burning.

Black flakes indicate burned roux, and burned roux tastes horrible.  If you burn it, throw it out and start over.

Start over?

Yes. Start over.

It’s worth it.

options-graphic

karys-roux-jar

If making traditional roux from scratch is not for you Kary’s Roux in a jar has got your name written all over it.

Now, let’s gumbo!

gumbo-bowl-chopped-onions

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo 

Ingredients

8 cups water

traditional roux; see recipe below (or 8 ounces of instant roux from jar)

3 chicken bouillon cubes

3  boneless skinless chicken breasts
**Substitution: meat from cooked deli rotisserie chicken, shredded

12 ounce package smoked or andouille sausage

12 ounce bag frozen chopped onions

12 ounce bag frozen chopped bell peppers

1 bunch fresh chopped parsley, chopped

2 bay leaves

2 Tablespoons minced garlic

2 teaspoons celery seed

4 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons fine black pepper or to taste

-OR-
in place of salt and pepper season with 1 Tablespoon Créole seasoning or to taste

1  cup white wine

cooked rice for serving

Directions

Roux

Heat oil in a black skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Add flour in gradually, stirring well. Reduce heat to low.  Stir/whisk the mixture constantly until it reaches a rich brown color, approximately 30-40 minutes. You must stir/whisk constantly to prevent the roux from burning.

peppers-onions

Gumbo:

Slice smoked or andouille sausage into ½ inch pieces. Using a seasoned skillet for optimum taste results, cook the sliced sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Transfer cooked smoked or andouille sausage to plate lined with paper towels, allowing excess grease to drain.  Set aside.

sausage-chicken-onions

Place chicken breasts in gumbo or stock pot, add water, and bring to a boil.  Add celery seed, 2 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. black pepper to season.

Stir and reduce heat to medium low; cook chicken breasts until done. Transfer chicken breasts from pot to large mixing bowl. Shred chicken breasts and return to pot.

Turn heat back to medium high.  Add roux. Stir until roux dissolves. Reduce heat to medium; add minced garlic, chopped onions, bell pepper, celery, bay leaves, parsley, chicken bouillon cubes, remaining salt and black pepper (or Créole seasoning).

bay-leaves-gumbo

Carefully pour in white wine. Stir to blend and incorporate.

boiling-gumbo

Reduce heat to simmer. Simmer uncovered for approximately 2 hours, allowing all flavors to marry. Remove bay leaves and skim any fat off top of gumbo.

Add chopped green onions and continue to simmer for additional 5 minutes.

Give gumbo a taste to see if you want to add more salt, pepper, garlic, Créole seasoning or chicken broth before serving.

Serving:

Cajun-Country-rice

Serve gumbo over cooked rice.

Zatarains Gumbo File

Top with a sprinkle of ground filé, chopped green onions, and hot sauce to taste if desired.

gumbo-bowl

Gumbo is delicious on the first day, and flavor filled filé fantastic the next day.

cest-si-bon-graphic

Fair Inspired, Fall Delicious Baked Caramel Apples

When the fair comes to town so does the craving for a classic carnival sweet treat, caramel apples.

The annual parish (you all say county, we Louisianians say parish) fair is in town this week which means time to develop a recipe for fair inspired, fall delicious baked caramel apples.

caramel-apple-at-the-fairThe Might Thomas Carnivals

I don’t think you ever outgrow the love of fairs and carnivals or the classic food offerings associated with these only come to town once a year midways of amusement.

Dave the Builder gets a kick out of my proclamation “fair music!” when I hear “Up Around the Bend” by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Back in my midway days, I definitely pondered perpetual motion twirling around the Tilt-a-Whirl, Scrambler, and Flying Bobs.

My tastes in carnival rides runs along the same lines as my interior design and decorating tastes.  I keep the line moving to the center of traditional and classic and go easy on the thrills and frills.

say_ahhhhSay AHHH

No creepy clown sightings or clowning around with the prize winning flavor of a caramel apple.

red-apple

Baked Caramel Apples

red delicious apples, cored and hallowed ½ way down center of the apple

Per apple:

½ teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 heaping teaspoon Duncan Hines salted caramel frosting

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°.

Wash, core and hallow out apples about ½ way down the center.  Place apples upright in baking dish.

apple-filled-with caramel

Sprinkle the inside of each apple with lemon juice.  Dust the center of each apple with cinnamon.

Add a generous teaspoon of the salted caramel frosting to the center of each apple.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until apples are soft.  Serve warm as side dish or as a fabulous fall dessert topped with your favorite flavor of ice cream or whipped topping.

baked-caramel-apples

No need for butter or margarine with this recipe.  The salted caramel frosting pulls double delicious duty as both butter substitute and caramel flavor.

Easy.

Delicious.

Classic fall flavor.

enjoy

Pumpkin Pie Spice Sugar Scrub

Good morning, afternoon or evening, friends!

Friday is in sight or here which is always a plus.

Fall is getting its look and feel on, the small surgical procedure I had Tuesday went well, and I love the way the homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Sugar Scrub turned out.

Anesthesia is drying, and knowing this I wanted to have a hand scrub on hand.

Looking ahead to more fall decorating with the branches and cuttings soon to fill ironstone pitchers and the demijohn Dave the Builder recently found in his rounds, I quickly recalled that getting to and cutting down the aforementioned branches and cuttings do a number on your hands.

Put the pumpkin pie seasoning in the coconut (oil, that is) and treat your hands to a fabulous Pumpkin Pie Spice Sugar Scrub in the morning.

Or noon.

Or night.

You get the point.

pumpkin-pie-scrub

After a day filled with political mudslinging from every channel, network and streaming site, am I the only one who feels like a day at the spa treatment is in order?

Pumpkin Pie Spice Sugar Scrub has got you and your hands covered.

pumpkin pie spice sugar scrub

This scrub is super emollient, softens immediately, and can I just tell you- the scent is fall in a bottle.

sugar-scrub-container

Mexican vanilla and pumpkin pie spice marry together in notes of fall fragrant harmony.

For the hands:

Dampen hands with tepid water.  Apply a small amount of pumpkin pie spice sugar hand scrub and gently massage in a circular movement to exfoliate and renew skin.  Rinse well with warm water and gently pat dry.

To further promote  at home spa experience,  apply a small amount of your favorite hand cream to seal in the moisture and protect.

sugar-scrub

Taking the new mixing bowl out for a recipe mixing test drive.

Now for the recipe.

pumpkin-scrub

Pumpkin Pie Sugar Scrub

Ingredients

½ cup coconut oil; softened

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar

1½ Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

In a mixing bowl, mix all ingredients together until blended.  Store the Pumpkin Pie Spice Sugar Scrub in jar(s) with air tight lid(s).

The scrub will keep at room temperature for up to one month.

enjoy

 

 

Tasty Tailgating Recipes For Tailgating Times

Tasty tailgating recipes for tailgating times are on my mind.

Our favorite team is picked, we’ve rallied our friends, and the ideas for tailgating recipes are flowing.

Tailgating is a parking lot or stadium grounds pregame ritual based on the principle of celebrated camaraderie and good food and drink shared among home team friends and fans.

Tailgating sets the pregame football excitement in motion.

tailgating recipesFirst Tailgating- Adams State Grizzlies vs. Texas A&M–Commerce Lions

As fall and football season make their collective presence known, the party atmosphere is everywhere.

Selecting tailgating recipes takes time and thought.

Dishes pleasing to the masses and the pocketbook as well as ones that prove easy to prepare determine many tailgating menus, ours included.

Here’s the starting lineup of tailgating recipes for this season’s tailgating times beginning with the pass a good time crowd-pleaser, Cajun Lemonade.

cajun-lemonade

Cajun Lemonade

Ingredients

2 cups light rum

1 (12-oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 teaspoon Louisiana hot sauce

1 (1-liter) bottle club soda, chilled

Crushed ice & garnishes:  sugarcane sticks, lemon slices

Directions

Stir together first 3 ingredients. Add club soda just before serving. Serve over crushed ice. Garnish, if desired.

Southern Living 

Original_Abigail-Barnes-Paper-and-Cake-pub-pretzel

Pub-Style Pretzels and Beer Cheese Sauce

Ingredients

1 ½ cups warm water

1 packet active yeast

4 cups all-purpose flour (will need extra for kneading)

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

1 large egg

½ tablespoon sea salt

1 tablespoon flavored seasoning of your choice (This recipe uses McCormick Grill Mates Molasses & Bacon)

Smoked Gouda and Cheddar Beer Sauce

Ingredients
Yield: about one cup

½ cup of beer (This recipe uses Sierra Nevada for its strong taste. Use a

wheat beer or blonde ale for a milder taste.)

½ cup grated smoked Gouda

½ cup grated sharp cheddar

2 tablespoons sour cream

1 ½ tablespoons flour

¼ teaspoon ground mustard

¼ teaspoon paprika

salt & pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Place a non-stick baking mat on a cookie sheet.

In a large mixing bowl, add yeast to warm water.  Stir until dissolved.  Stir in salt and sugar.  Once mixed, add flour one cup at a time.  Mix thoroughly until dough is thick and no longer sticky.

Create a floured surface for kneading.  Knead dough for approximately 5 minutes.  Separate dough into even sections, about six.

Roll dough into ropes, making width even throughout.  Make pretzel shapes by creating a circle with the dough.  Twist ends and press down to finish shape.

On a plate, mix sea salt and seasoning together for sprinkling.  Beat egg in a small bowl and brush on pretzel tops.  Place pretzels on baking sheet, and sprinkle salt mixture on top.

Bake for 10 minutes.  After the first 5 minutes, switch to broil.  Keep an eye on them to avoid over-browning.  Remove from oven and serve warm with beer cheese dip.

Smoked Gouda and Cheddar Beer Sauce

In small saucepan, heat beer on low until it bubbles. Slowly whisk in flour, then add cheese (Image 3).  Whisk until smooth.

Add sour cream, mustard and paprika while whisking.  Add more flour for a thicker sauce, or more beer for a thinner sauce.  Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste.  Yield: 6-8 pretzels

-HGTV

green-olives-out-of-jar

Photo by Molin on Unsplash

Tailgating Olive Dip

Ingredients

8 oz. cream cheese

1  cup  olives, chopped (I use green salad olives)

½ cup mayonnaise

2  tbsp. juice from olives

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

1  teaspoon hot sauce, optional

½  cup finely chopped pecans

Directions

Soften cream cheese.  Mix remainder of ingredients.  Best to prepare the night before to allow flavors to marry.  Keep chilled during transport. Serve with pita chips or cracker of choice.

tailgating-food-ideasBetter Homes and Gardens

Imitation is the highest form of tailgating tablescapes flattery.

flamin-cinnamon-cider

Flamin’ Cinnamon Cider

Ingredients

8 cups apple cider or apple juice

1 cup red cinnamon candies, such as Red Hots brand

Thinly sliced red and/or green apples

Thin orange peel strips (optional)

Directions

In a large saucepan heat cider over medium heat until hot, but not simmering.  Add candies; stir until melted.

To serve, float apple slices on the cider mixture.  If desired, top with orange peel strips.

-Better Homes and Gardens

 

Home Essentials Copper-Finish Mixing Bowls, Set of 3

Football.

Fall.

paper cone

Rustic Hammered Copper Cauldron

Halloween.

Thanksgiving.

Bacon Popcorn Drizzled with Creole-Spiced Butter

Bacon Popcorn Drizzled with Creole-Spiced Butter- Photo by Eugenia Uhl 

From September to November, you’ve got a lot of themes to work with.

caramel peanut popcorn snack mix

Southern Living-  Photo by Greg Dupree

Caramel Peanut Popcorn Snack Mix

Ingredients

15 cups popped popcorn (about 3/4 cup kernels)

vegetable cooking spray

1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. firmly packed dark brown sugar

½ cup butter

½ cup dark corn syrup

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts

wax paper

1 (10.5 oz.) package candy-coated peanut butter pieces (such as Reese’s Pieces)

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°.  Spread popcorn in an even layer on a lightly greased (with cooking spray) heavy-duty aluminum foil-lined 13- x 18-inch pan. Stir together brown sugar and next 3 ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; bring to a simmer, and simmer, stirring constantly, 1 minute.  Pour over popcorn, and stir gently to coat.

Bake at 325° for 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.  Add peanuts during last 5 minutes.  Remove from oven, and spread on lightly greased (with cooking spray) wax paper.  Cool completely (about 20 minutes).

Break apart large pieces, and stir in candy pieces.  Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Southern Living

corn

Corn and Black-Eyed Pea Salad aka Death Valley Salad 

Ingredients

2 cans black-eyed peas

2 cans white corn, drained

2 cans yellow corn, drained

1 bell pepper, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 medium purple onion, finely chopped

1 medium bunch green onions, chopped

1 teaspoon black pepper, optional

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup vegetable oil

¾ cup white vinegar

Directions

Chop bell pepper, celery, purple onion, and green onions, add to large bowl. Add black-eyed peas,  drained white & yellow corn.  In separate mixing bowl combine sugar, oil, and vinegar, mixing well.  Pour over salad, cover, and refrigerate overnight.

four-chile-chili

Four-Chile Chili

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 ½ pounds ground sirloin or chuck

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 large Spanish onion (1 ½ pounds), coarsely chopped

8 large garlic cloves, minced

3 large jalapeño chiles, seeded and minced

3 tablespoons ancho chile powder

2 ½ tablespoons sweet paprika

¼ cup tomato paste

2  28 oz. cans peeled Italian tomatoes, coarsely chopped and juices reserved

3 cups chicken or beef stock or canned low-sodium broth

2  19 oz. cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed

2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, seeded and minced

1 tablespoon dried oregano

pinch of cinnamon

coarsely chopped cilantro, for serving

sour cream, for serving

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a enameled cast-iron casserole.  Add half the ground beef in large chunks and season with salt and pepper.  Cook over moderately high heat until brown on the bottom, about 4 minutes.

Stir and cook until most of the pink is gone, about 3 minutes; keep the meat in large chunks. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining meat.

Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the casserole.  Add the onion, garlic and jalapeños and cook over moderately low heat, stirring often, until softened, about 6 minutes.  Add the ancho powder and paprika and cook over low heat, stirring often, until fragrant, about 5 minutes.  Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until the paste is glossy and starts to brown, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes and their juices, the chicken stock and the cooked beef and any accumulated juices.  Bring to a simmer over moderately high heat.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally.

Add the kidney beans, chipotles and oregano and simmer for 30 minutes longer.  Season with salt, pepper and a large pinch of cinnamon.  Remove from the heat and let stand for at least 20 minutes.  Reheat before serving.

Serve the chili in bowls, topped with a generous sprinkling of cilantro. Can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and frozen for up to 2 months.

-Food & Wine

chili-spoonsFood presentation, especially when tailgating, should be fun.

Louisiana-cutting-board

My Place Louisiana Appetizer Plates (Set of 4)

cast-iron-serving-dish

Jack-Cheese-Fondue-100134722_w

Jack Cheese and Smoky Chipotle Fondue

Ingredients

4 slices bacon, halved crosswise

¼  cup finely chopped green onion

¼  cup finely chopped red or yellow sweet pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (16 ounces)

2  8 ounce carton sour cream

2 -3 teaspoons finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

French or Italian bread, cut into bite-size cubes

Tortilla chips or tortilla chip cups

Directions

In a heavy, medium saucepan, cook bacon till crisp. Remove bacon; reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in pan. Drain bacon on paper towels; crumble bacon and set aside.

Add green onion, sweet pepper and garlic to saucepan.  Cook and stir over medium heat about 5 minutes or till vegetables are tender.  Stir in flour.  Stir in cheese, sour cream and chipotle peppers.  Cook and stir over medium-low heat until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.

Transfer cheese mixture to fondue pot over a fondue burner or slow-cooker on the low-heat setting.  Top with crumbled bacon.  Keep warm up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Serve with bread cubes or tortilla chips.

-Midwest Living

vanilla bread pudding with vanilla sauce

Vanilla Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Ingredients

For the Bread Pudding:

1 loaf (1 pound) French bread

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup half-and-half

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup Vanilla Flavor NESTLÉ Coffee-mate Natural Bliss All-Natural Coffee Creamer

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

For the sauce

½ cup butter or margarine

½ cup firmly packed brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup heavy whipping cream

¼ cup Vanilla Flavor NESTLÉ Coffee-mate Natural Bliss All-Natural Coffee Creamer

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

For bread pudding:

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 13 X 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Break French bread into small pieces; place into prepared pan. Melt butter or margarine.  Pour over bread. Combine sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract in large bowl.  Add cream, half and half, and Coffee-mate Natural Bliss; mix well. Pour over bread pieces.

Bake for 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

For the sauce

Combine butter or margarine, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cream, and Coffee-mate Natural Bliss in small saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until mixture thickens and comes to a full boil.  Remove from heat.

Stir in vanilla extract.

Serve warm with bread pudding.

-Places In The Home

pumpkin-shaped-beverage-dispenser

 

Easy Tailgating Punch

Ingredients

½  12 ounce can (¾ cup) frozen citrus blend juice concentrate, thawed

½ 12 ounce can (¾ cup) frozen berry blend juice concentrate, thawed

orange slice halves (optional)

12 liter bottle ginger ale, chilled

ice cubes

Directions

The Day Before:
In a ½-gallon insulated jug combine citrus juice concentrate and berry juice concentrate. Cover and chill overnight.

Tailgating Day:
If desired, add lemon slices, orange slice halves to juice mixture.  Tote juice mixture in the chilled jug.  Tote ginger ale and ice cubes in an insulated cooler.

At the tailgating site, slowly pour ginger ale down the side of the jug; stir gently.  Serve juice mixture at once over ice cubes

-Better Homes & Gardens

enjoy

Summer In A Jar: Fig and Fresh Mint Vinaigrette

Well, it’s fig and fresh mint vinaigrette official.

Slowly, but surely I’m becoming my grandmothers.

These two Southern women of strong convictions and delicious confections knew from trial by fire through temperatures of hellacious measure how hot a kitchen could get in the dead of summer.

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Late lunch and evening meal menus played to cold salads of potato, macaroni, Louisiana seafood and leafy greens, fresh farm to market fruits and vegetables served at room temperature (the absolute best way to eat a homegrown tomato!), crispy cold fried chicken or bacon, roast beef or thin sliced ham prepared the morning before, canned pickles and chow chow spiked with bite and flavor.

blueberries

Even in these modern central air times, when the stove and double ovens are cooking and baking at full throttle in the good old summertime, things can get hot, hot, hot in the kitchen.

I learned from the best it’s not the temperature it’s served at but the taste and presentation upon the plate.

Fig and Fresh Mint Vinaigrette

My latest summer salad series recipe, Fig and Fresh Mint Vinaigrette, deliciously fits right in with the house salad rule for summer suppers.

Dijon mustard, olive oil, Kosher salt and fine black pepper make a tasty base.

Complementing flavors of the fig preserves and fresh lemon juice bring on the zing, but two tablespoons of fresh mint chopped uber fine deliver a bright bite placing this vinaigrette in a whole new flavor category.

This fig and fresh mint vinaigrette is summer in a jar.

Simply fresh, simply delicious!

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Note the vintage serving bowl I bought on our latest antiques treasure hunting trip.

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Fig and Fresh Mint Vinaigrette

Ingredients

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

3 Tablespoons fig preserves

1½  Tablespoon fresh lemon juice

2 Tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped

Kosher salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

Directions

Whisk lemon juice, Dijon mustard and lemon juice in a small bowl until blended.  Add olive oil and whisk until blended.  Stir in the fresh mint, Kosher salt and pepper.  To guarantee extra blended goodness pour vinaigrette into a small mason jar.  Screw on the lid good and tight and give it a good shake to combine.

enjoy-hydrangea

Coconut Poke Cake

Temperatures in Louisiana hit the 90° degrees in the shade mark today. Summer is in sight and the first holiday weekend of the season is coming up.  I guess now is about as good a time as any to shine the spotlight on an entertaining summer read and a delicious summer recipe.  Two things our dinner gang does not shy away from- discussion and dessert.  The Coincidence of Coconut Cake  and a request for coconut poke cake served up a delicious course of both.

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The Coincidence of Coconut Cake

My mother requested I make a coconut poke cake for our Mother’s Day brunch dessert.  She specifically wanted me to make a coconut poke cake from a recipe she eavesdropped on overheard two ladies discussing at the beauty shop. Trying to follow her not so committed to memory bits and pieces of recipe recall about drove me coconuts.  “They said something about poking holes and coconut.”  Gee thanks, Mother.

cake-on-a-plateGoogle supplied the general outline, but a couple of ingredients adjustments and culinary interpretation fined tuned the overall taste.  My mother was so pleased with how my coconut poke cake turned out she asked me to make another one for the next meeting of our dinner gang. My idea for choosing The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert as our required read was no coincidence at all.

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Coconut Poke Cake

Ingredients

1 box white cake mix

1 cup coconut milk

3 large eggs

¼ cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons good vanilla

1 can (15 oz) Coco Lopez cream of coconut

2  8 oz frozen Cool Whip Extra Creamy whipped topping, thawed

1 8 oz package shredded coconut

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F.  Grease and flour the pan(s).  I like to use about 2 heaping tablespoons of the dry cake mix to flour my pan. You can use a rectangular pan, two round cake pans or a bundt pan.

Prepare cake mix substituting the coconut milk for the water and adding vanilla. Beat for 2-3 minutes on medium speed until all ingredients are well blended.

Pour cake batter into prepared cake pan(s). Bake according to package instructions. Remove cake from oven and while cake is still hot poke holes all over the top of the cake using a the handle of a wooden spoon.
Slowly pour the entire can of cream of coconut over the top of the cake. making sure the cream of coconut soaks into the holes.  Allow cake to cool completely. Generously frost top (and sides) with the extra creamy whipped topping and finish by topping the cake with the flaked coconut. Cover and keep refrigerated.

enjoy-hydrangea