An expatriate of New Orleans – and professional chef – who has lived in Los Angeles since her childhood, blogs about the journey from New Orleans to Los Angeles back to New Orleans, and points along the way.

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A Little Bread Pudding for Lundi Gras

Posted by on Mar 7, 2011, 2:13 pm in Food and Drink, Holiday Entertaining, Recipes-Sweet | 1 comment

Bread pudding was one of the few desserts regularly served in the New Orleans families which I have been a part of. In time for Lundi Gras parties, and Mardi Gras brunches I am sharing my recipe for this special New Orleans treat.

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A Bridal Shower Menu of Comfort Food with a Citrus Rose Hibiscus Punch

Posted by on Mar 7, 2011, 10:28 am in Food and Drink, Recipes-Drinks, Small Pleasures Catering | 4 comments

A wedding shower featuring a menu of comfort foods with a Citrus Hibiscus Rose Punch

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Calás-the Search for a Lost Food Tradition

Posted by on Mar 2, 2011, 10:05 am in Food and Drink, History, Recipes-Sweet | 11 comments

Calás, a traditional New Orleans rice beignet, were a dish in danger of dying out completely, until post- Katrina, when it began enjoying somewhat of a comeback, as New Orleanians sought to preserve their traditional foods.

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Important Tips for a Successful Cocktail Party

Posted by on Feb 25, 2011, 5:55 pm in Books, Food and Drink, Party Planning Tips, Recipes-Drinks | 3 comments

If you are planning a cocktail party, there are a few essential things to remember. Here are some important tips for ensuring that your cocktail party is a tremendous success.

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Welcome to Wedding Season-Celebrate your Engagement with a Spring Cocktail Party

Posted by on Feb 19, 2011, 5:02 pm in Celebrations, Food and Drink, Party Planning Tips, Recipes-Savory | 8 comments

Feature the early produce of Spring at a cocktail party to celebrate your engagement.

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A Chocolate Fest for Valentine’s Day

Posted by on Feb 11, 2011, 4:59 pm in Food and Drink, Recipes-Sweet, Seasonal Celebrations, Small Pleasures Catering | 0 comments

A Chocolate Fest for Valentine’s Day

Any Valentine’s Day Chocolate Fest would be happy to include this Chocolate Truffle Torte.

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Welcome, Halima- and the Very Best Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Posted by on Feb 10, 2011, 1:02 pm in Celebrations, Family Celebrations, Food and Drink, Recipes-Sweet | 3 comments

When our family met recently for Halima’s christening, I made this ultimate sour cream coffee cake (I had been searching for the “ultimate” recipe for a long time) for the post-baptism brunch.

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A Trio of Winter Vegetables- and a Recipe for Cauliflower in Brown Butter

Posted by on Feb 2, 2011, 2:28 pm in Food and Drink, Recipes-Savory, Small Pleasures Catering | 0 comments

A Trio of Winter Vegetables- and a Recipe for Cauliflower in Brown Butter

For Christmas dinner this year, I served a big platter of three winter vegetables, each pan roasted with slightly different ingredients- the brussels sprouts with cream, garlic and mixed herbs, the broccoli with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest and rosemary, and this lovely cauliflower in brown butter.

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Winter at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market- and a Recipe for Braised Leeks

Posted by on Jan 19, 2011, 4:19 pm in Food and Drink, Recipes-Savory | 7 comments

Preparing winter vegetable dishes may take a little more time and imagination than the quick sauté of summer squash, or tender green beans, or a drizzle of balsamic and olive oil on heirloom tomatoes, but the cooking is often long, slow cooking that can be left on its own, and rewards are just as wonderful.

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Sweet Potato and Shrimp Cakes- Part 4 in a Series on Sweet Potatoes

Posted by on Jan 17, 2011, 4:46 pm in Food and Drink, Recipes-Savory | 1 comment

These Sweet Potato and Shrimp Cakes feature two favorite ingredients of the American South, and there’s a good chance you’d find them along our Gulf Coast now, where there is a vibrant Vietnamese community.

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