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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Baked Fiesta Rice (Arroz de Fandango)-Just in Time for Cinco de Mayo

Posted by on May 2, 2012, 10:57 am in Books, Food and Drink, Recipes-Savory | 2 comments

This tasty rice casserole hails from Puebla, appropriately for our purposes this week, as it was the scene of the battle celebrated on the Cinco de Mayo, when a humble army of the citizens of Puebla beat back a large and well armed fleet of French invaders.

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A Purple Season at The Farmers’ Market

Posted by on Mar 31, 2012, 9:16 am in Food and Drink, Seasonal Celebrations | 3 comments

Ever notice that a season’s produce is closely identified with a color?

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Sitting Down with John Besh-Part 3- Louisiana Locally Sourced and Recipe for Blackfish with Sweet Corn and Caviar

Posted by on Mar 28, 2012, 4:28 pm in Books, Chef Interviews, Food and Drink, Recipes-Savory, Restaurants, Travel | 0 comments

John Besh shares on sourcing locally in southern Louisiana, and a recipe for his Louisiana Blackfish with Sweet Corn and Caviar.

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Sitting Down with John Besh-Part 2-The Diverse Richness of New Orleans Cuisine plus a Recipe and Contest

Posted by on Mar 17, 2012, 9:09 am in Books, Chef Interviews, Food and Drink, History, Travel | 7 comments

John Besh displays his passion for food as we chat about the rich diversity of New Orleans cuisine-plus recipe for Crabmeat and Shrimp Stuffed Artichoke and a contest to win his newest cookbook.

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Mom’s Seven Layer Spinach Salad – First in an Occasional Series

Posted by on Feb 29, 2012, 2:27 pm in Family Celebrations, Food and Drink, Recipes-Savory | 10 comments

This Seven Layer Spinach Salad was a go-to favorite recipe of my mother’s for our extended family’s Christmas Eve celebrations.

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There’s Always Room for Improving a Roasted Chicken-Roast Chicken with Olives, Garlic and Lemons

Posted by on Feb 27, 2012, 9:20 am in Books, Food and Drink, Recipes-Savory, Travel | 2 comments

Susan Spicer introduces this recipe by aksing, “Think there’s no way to improve on perfectly roasted chicken?” I say there’s always room for a recipe like this tantalizing Roast Chicken with Olives, Lemon and Garlic.

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Stacked Crepe Cake- Part 2 in a Series

Posted by on Feb 23, 2012, 11:30 am in Food and Drink, Recipes-Savory, Seasonal Celebrations | 4 comments

This Stacked Crepe Cake is an elegant showstopper on a holiday brunch buffet, but you don’t have to wait for a party. It would be great served for an intimate supper, too.

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Bananas Foster Pain Perdu

Posted by on Feb 21, 2012, 10:37 am in Food and Drink, Personal Reflection, Recipes-Sweet | 4 comments

Bananas Foster Pain Perdu

In honor of Mardi Gras and venerable New Orleans restaurants, I’ve combined two traditional New Orleans desserts, Bread Pudding and Bananas Foster, for one decadent treat.

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