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Amazing What a Cup of Love Can Do For Your  Event!

Last week, I had an event that made me miss home.  Why you may ask?…not because of the gumbo, pralines and banana’s Foster, but because of the hugs, kisses, and genuineness that this family had for and shared with one another.  The event marked the end of a long wedding weekend, so all were in a “loving” kind of mood already.  But this family, who had ties to Louisiana’s rich culinary traditions, simply oozed caring and love for one another as they all stood around the kitchen.  Great Aunts musing over  their now grown relatives, doting parents of the groom, Uncle “whoever” doing his best to embarrass anyone he can in contact with and an endless parade of family members and friends making their way into the kitchen to approve of the “goings on” at hand.  Now, not that all of my other gigs don’t have great families with lots of love to go around, it was just that this crew took be back to a more innocent time, reminding me of my own family as I grew up, as well as the bonds which were forged over good food, good company and family fellowship.   Lately, folks have gotten away from “family time” centered around food.  Try family dinner 1-2 times a week and make an effort to have extended family meals every month or two…you may be surprised at the bonds that are discovered, strengthened and grown over food and that secret ingredient…a cup of love!

Food Creates Community

For years, I worked in the French Quarter and have great memories of what we referred to as “Orphans” holidays.  This was when all of your friends and coworkers who may not have had family or had family that was to far away, would come together to celebrate  togetherness.  The regional American foods that would find their way onto the table were truly spectacular…Creole and Cajun specialties were de rigueur, treats from the Northeast and  Eastern Seaboard were prevalent, and international specialties were shared by those who  made their way to New Orleans from abroad.  We still practice this ritual with our new friends here in Austin, who may not be “orphans”, but with kids and jobs and just life in general, may not have the time or resources to travel to be with family, and it is still just as special.  It is not uncommon to have 30-40 guests milling about the house on Thanksgiving Day, collecting up everyone’s dining room chairs to make one giant table out in the lawn, so we can all sit together and create community.  If you find yourself in the dilemma of not being able to travel for the holiday, scrounge up some friends with dining room chairs and recipes to share and go crazy, you may be surprised at the memories you create… New Orleans style!

Get Rid of  Those Heat Stains on Cook Tops and Sheet Pans

-mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide into a past.

-coat liberally on heat stains that appear on stainless cook tops and sheet pans.

-After letting stand 5 minute  (maybe more), gently scrub off careful not to scratch stainless surface.

-Voila, enjoy the new look!

Still Got The “Envie” For Crawfish?

Crawfish Tacos (Fusion Style)

-Crawfish tails (Louisiana tail meat from the last boil or 1# bag frozen)

-Butter to saute

-2 T fresh garlic

-1 onion fine dice

-1 small red bell fine dice

-1 bunch green onions chopped

-1 chili of  your choice fine  diced

-Tony Chachere’s to taste

-Chopped cilantro

-juice of 1 lime

-Cotija cheese, diced tomatoes and avocado

-Corn tortillas (soft and crunchy)

-Saute garlic, yellow onions, bells and chili pepper in butter till wilted.  Add tail meat and Tony’s, cook until heated through.  Toss the green onions and lime juice into mixture.  Fill tortilla with crawfish mixture, cilantro, cheese, tomato and avocado…Enjoy!