Crab and Sausage Stew aka Gumbo
When the temps dropped last week, it was time for gumbo – this time John Besh’s Crab and Sausage Stew, basically a variation of gumbo.
read moreCrawfish Boil at the Home of John Besh
A crawfish boil, a beloved springtime event in southern Louisiana, at the home of Chef John Besh, where he talks about his foundation’s work.
read moreMeet Alon Shaya
Meet Alon Shaya, who happens to be having a great year. Now, I’m looking back 10 years, when he and John Besh re-entered New Orleans right after the storm.
read moreDomenica – to Soothe a Frazzled Traveler
Domenica’s rustic Italian, wood fire oven cooked food was just what this frazzled traveler needed.
read moreLa Provence and Chef John Besh’s Little Pig Farm
Having a fine Sunday brunch and visiting the Mangalista pigs at La Provence in La Combe, LA.
read moreSalad with Grilled Figs, Blue Cheese and Spiced Pecans
Grill the versatile and sensuous fig, which so perfectly carries us from summer into fall, and mix it into this sweet and savory salad.
read moreSitting Down with John Besh-Part 4-Continuing the Traditions and Moving Forward
Chef John Besh shares his thoughts on the value of New Orleans, its cuisine and restaurants.
read moreSitting Down with John Besh: Part 1-Syrena and Café Reconcile
After feasting on an incredible lunch last August at Restaurant August, I sat down to chat with Chef John Besh. He started out by sharing a favorite project, Cafe Reconcile, with me.
read moreMeeting John Besh, Eating at Restaurant August and Recipe for Brown Butter Fig Tart
John Besh, Barnaby Dorfman of Foodista, and future foodie (Photo courtesy of Foodista) Although everyone I mentioned it to, leading up to my interview with John Besh, said he’s such a great guy, I still wasn’t prepare for how completely impressed I would be with him. He’s charismatic, warm and thoughtful, and (icing on the cake) tall with boyish good looks tempered by a tiny bit of gray that’s beginning to touch his temples. Chef Besh spoke to the attendees of the International Food Bloggers Conference after our Saturday night wine pairing dinner at the Monteleone. I had a chance to observe him out in the hallway before he took the stage. Everyone wanted to greet him. Women hugged him, the men shook his hand, he was even kissing babies. When I got the chance to speak with him at his flagship Restaurant August, the Monday after the conference, I said to him, “You should run for mayor. You’re such a natural.” “I’ll leave that to Mitch,” he said, laughing. “He’s doing a great job. And Ray. I really liked Ray, too.” And such a diplomat, too. My cousin Paul, who luckily called me just as I was preparing to go to lunch, and I decided on the 3 course pre-fixe lunch for only $20.11, an incredibly great deal, but as we looked over the menu perusing our options, our server came to the table, and said, “Order lightly. The chef is going to send out several items for you to taste.” We were served an incredible array of amazing food. When we were finished-more like when we just couldn’t eat any more- Paul looked at me and said, “I have never had a meal like this!” We began with two amuses bouches- the first a Fish Mousse (served in a delicate eggshell) with Truffle Sabayon and Bowfin Caviar, the second an Asparagus served (again) with Truffle Sabayon and a (barely) Poached Quail Egg. Asparagus with Truffle Sabayon and Poached Quail Egg Then we were served the first course of our prix fix menu- for Paul, a Salad of Grilled Chilton Peaches, Aceto Balsamico, Basil Pesto, Bacon Crisp and Whipped Ricotta. For me- this luscious Pâté de Campagne of La Provence (Besh’s own hog farm) Pork with Pickled Wild Mushrooms and Seasonal Marmalades (I especially liked the peach), served with thick slices of toasted Brioche. Then 3 hot appetizers- a Green Curry Bisque with Gulf Shrimp, Potstickers and local Heirloom Chile Peppers (Paul pronounced this his favorite dish), a Sweet Corn Agnolotti with Chanterelles, Petit Tomatoes and Field Peas, and a handmade Potato Gnocchi tossed with chunks of Blue Crab and Black Truffle. Truffles- again! I thought of my L.A. food blogging buddy and truffle junkie, Erika Kerekes, knowing she would love eating here. Corn Agnolotti And now for our entrées: Pan Seared Gulf Sheepshead with Silverqueen Corn Custard, Succotash (that’s what the menu called it, but I saw all sorts of yummy and unexpected things like black eyed peas, summer squash and figs in the mix) and Tomato Vinaigrette; Crispy Mangalista Pork Belly with Creole Cream Cheese Malfatti (a kind of gnocchi), Mustard Greens (Paul said -these are not your mother’s mustard greens), Tomato Confit and Sauce Blanquette, and Pan Seared Louisiana Blackfish with Tarragon Pistou (which...
read moreFish Friday- Crawfish Etoufée
Crawfish wasn’t always a New Orleans Creole thing, but a Cajun country delicacy. You’ll find crawfish etoufée (and other crawfish dishes) all over New Orleans now, though.
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