Visiting New Orleans- Xavier University Chapel and the Height of Tourist Season
Attending the dedication of New Orleans’ Xavier University’s (my mother and father’s alma mater) newly built Katharine Drexel Chapel, at the height of tourist season
read moreLunching at Angele, Shopping at Rancho Gordo and Recipe for Pasta e Fagioli
A splendid lunch at Angele, on the riverbank in downtown Napa, then off to visit Rancho Gordo for heirloom beans.
read moreVisiting Erickson Ranch- and the Best Blue Cheese Dressing
A visit to Erickson Ranch, just a couple of miles- and light years away, from Highway 80 in Fairfield, CA, plus a recipe for the very best blue cheese dressing.
read morePeach Ice Cream
Got an abundance of peaches on a hot summer’s day? Make my grandmother’s favorite- peach ice cream.
read moreThree Farmers- a Tour of Central California
I had the opportunity to meet 3 very different farmers on a recent farm tour of Central California, and gain a new appreciation for those who grow the fruit I consume.
read moreThe Grand Tasting at New Orleans Wine and Food Experience 2012-with Crabmeat Donut Recipe
Just wanted to share a few pics with you from the Grand Tastings at the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, which took place at the Morial Convention Center a couple of weeks ago. Among so many items, some that stood out to me were Crabmeat Donuts (I’ve shared the recipe below), which I found amusing and unusual. But then I was in a Thai restaurant in So Cal a week later and saw little Shrimp Donuts on the menu – who knew??? Seafood Muffelattas – well, that’s different – muffelattas, the New Orleans sandwich invention that’s always included a selection of salume between the bread– go figure… And then there was the deconstructed Crawfish Boil. Well, it’s certainly easier to eat without all those pesky tail shells to bite and heads to suck, although maybe not as much fun. Enjoy the pics – and the recipe for Crabmeat Donuts with Crab and Avocado Shooter is below the slideshow… Crabmeat Donuts with Crab and Avocado Shooters Crabmeat Donut 1 3/4 cups flour, plus some for rolling 3 tablespoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon blackening seasoning 2 eggs 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for frying 4 tablespoons lump crabmeat 2 tablespoons water Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. In a separate mxing bowl, mix the eggs, oil, water and crabmeat together, then slowly fold into the dry ingredients. Knead to from dough, and roll out to 1/2 inch thickness on a flour dusted board. Cut with a 1/2 inch donut cutter. Fry in heated oil for about 1 minute each. Avocado Shooter 1 large avocado, peeled and pitted 2 tablespoons sour cream 1 1/2 cups chicken stock 1/2 teaspoon coriander 1/4 teaspoon cilantro, chopped 1/4 teaspoon cumin 2 tablespoons lime juice Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste Blend all ingredients together in a food processor, and refrigerate until chilled. Crabmeat Garnish 1/3 cup lump crabmeat 1 tablespoon diced tomato 1/4 teaspoon cilantro, chopped Creme fraiche for drizzling Mix ingredients together and chill until ready to use. Fill a shot glass 3/4 full with the avocado shooter mixture. Fill the top of the glass with Crabmeat Garnish, and top with a skewered Crabmeat Donut. Drizzle with Creme...
read moreLunch at Cochon Butcher-Again
A trip to New Orleans always includes a must stop at Cochon Butcher for me.
read moreOysters Rockefeller, Escargots and Barefoot Wine
Lunch with Barefoot Wines at Antoine’s in New Orleans, home of the original Oysters Rockefeller
read moreThursday at The New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
As I mentioned in my last post, I have been in the Crescent City, enjoying the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience (NOWFE), a 5 day long epicurien blow out. NOWFE celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, as a fund raiser for several regional organizations fighting hunger and supporting culinary education. The feasting began on Tuesday evening with the Ella Brennan Award Dinner, and various of the city’s best known restaurants continued through Wednesday and Thursday by hosting a series of wine dinners. For me the festivities began on Thursday, with a welcoming media reception at the Carousel Bar of the historic Monteleone Hotel. The bar (and yep- it’s called Carousel because that’s what it is) has had a face lift since I peeked in at it last August while attending IFBC NOLA. Not only was the bar quite impressive, but the excellent food, wine and wonderful service we received there were standouts, too. Some of my fellow attendees included Liz Williams (Founder and Director of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum), and Ron Ben-Israel, renown cake decorator who flew in from New York to participate, and as you can see jumped right into the spirit of New Orleans. Then we took to the street for the Royal Street Stroll. Rue Royal, the traditional “main drag” of the Vieux Carré, is filled with antique shops and boutiques (who opened their doors to us), and perhaps more ornate ironwork than any street in the Quarter. On Thursday night, it also was full of food and drink vendors eager to share their taste with us. And since it was New Orleans, there were also great street musicians, too. My favorite – The G-String Orchestra. My favorite bites- the Barbecued Oysters from Drago’s (grilled on their very own hook and ladder truck) and the Shrimp with Stone Ground Grits from The Pelican Club. Oh, and what would any New Orleans celebration be without a krewe marching through the streets. For tonight- who else- The Krewe of Cork, along with The Cork Poppers Marching Band. ...
read moreArriving Just in Time for the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
I arrived in New Orleans last night. I’m here to attend the New Orleans Food and Wine Experience. Trying to get back on good footing after Hotwire.ocm completely screwed up my car rental reservation. I spent an hour or so on the phone with their customer service last evening, but in spite of her help and profuse apologies, they seemed unable to get me a car- a glitch in the computer system she said. Oh well… So I made a reservation this morning at Budget- let’s hope they get it right and will be going to pick up my car in an hour. But back to the Wine and Food Experience (NOWFE). It’s their 20th anniversary. I know some of you may not have heard of it- I regret to say I had not really been aware of it either until tipped off by my online friend and editor at OKRA (the online publication of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum-I’m going to visit there this afternoon), Stephanie Carter, who suggested I request a media access pass. Thank you so much, Stephanie, and thanks to NOWFE for granting me a media pass. Here are some of the great events I have to look forward to in the next few days. Tomorrow evening Things kick off with a little reception at the Monteleone Hotel before we head off to the Royal Street Stroll. Rue Royale in the French Quarter will be open to foot traffic only so that participants can stroll the antique shops there, enjoy live music, watching the Krewe of Cork parade all while sipping wines and enjoying tastes from some of the city’s finest restaurants, like Antoine’s (my cousin, Raoul tells me this is one of the oldest eateries in the country). The Bombay Club, Drago’s and The Pelican Club. Royal Street Stroll Friday afternoon I head off to a seminar on Rosé wines (you all know how I feel about them) at the Marriott. And then Friday and Saturday evenings are devoted to the Grand Tastings at the Convention Center-samples of wine from more wineries I can begin to mention here, and offerings from New Orleans’ finest chefs. Grand Tasting Oh, and just for a little bonus, Barefoot Wine invited me to a champagne luncheon at Antoine’s Friday afternoon. I’m a lucky girl, right? You can read more about my time at NOWFE at the following posts: Thursday at The New Orleans Wine and Food Experience The Grand Tasting at New Orleans Wine and Food Experience 2012 Oysters Rockefeller, Escargots and Barefoot...
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