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De la cuisine: Fare Play

When it comes to holiday menus, my family is all over the table. When I was a youngster, we had the usual baked turkey, roast pork, rice dressing (or eggplant dressing), some kind of sweet potatoes, green bean bundles and…

Hearty Fare

Supremes are sections of acitrusfruit with all of the pith and peel cut away. Once sliced, you can usethem in salads (and ceviche) or for garnishes. Since the bitter pith and peel are removed, you get…

De la cuisine: Savory Salmon

Redfish, speckled trout, flounder and red snapper — longtime Louisiana favorites — are getting harder and harder to come by unless you have the luxury of either catching them yourself or have friends who share their bounty with you. Like…

De la cuisine: Classic Elegance

Since childhood, summer has been my favorite time of year. What better time to enjoy lolling in a hammock staring at the clouds, and maybe a having a quick dip in a cool swimming pool. In my adult life, a…

De la cuisine: Casual Repast

Can it be that the days are getting just a bit longer, perhaps imperceptibly so, but longer just the same? As spring approaches I watch for telltale signs like the pale green leaves sprouting on the towering pecan trees in…

De la cuisine: Conversation and Canapés

For years, I’ve bounced through the holidays attending every party, initiating impromptu gatherings and hosting several family celebrations. The day after New Year’s, I’m ready to take to my bed but hey, it’s Louisiana and Carnival season begins a few…

De la cuisine: Cozy Nights

When a blustery cold front slides into south Louisiana, my husband and I know the drill. Light a fire in the fireplace in our party house living and dining area that looks out over Bayou Teche. Invite a few friends…

De la cuisine: À la Minute

Tableside service (the preparation of a dish by a server at your table) went out of vogue for a while, but according to trendspotters, it’s becoming popular once again. Having an entire meal, from soup to dessert, prepared tableside is…

De la cuisine: Simple Supper

My summer vegetable crops are winding down but not before I harvested several beautiful eggplants (also known as aubergine or brinjal). To celebrate, I made a large batch of caponata, a Sicilian dish of eggplant, olives and onions seasoned with…

De la cuisine: The Herbalist

This is the time of year I plan meals around what I can find in my garden or at local farmers markets. Fresh herbs — sweet basil, mint, thyme, rosemary, oregano, chives, lemon balm — are flourishing. Creole tomatoes are…

De la cuisine: Mardi Gras Munching

Mardi Gras is late this year — March 5. The latest it can be is March 9 and the earliest it can be is Feb. 3. Every year, no matter on what date is falls, it’s either “early or late.”…

De la cuisine: Autumnal Feast

PICTURED, ABOVE Rather than offer dinner rolls, you can opt to garnish the soup when serving with crispy croutons. These may be stored in an airtight container (after cooling completely) for up to 2 days. If there are no fresh…

Think Cool

While everyone is cursing the high temps and humidity, I’m as happy as a clam at high tide. I agree August days can be as hot as Hades, and the mere thought of cooking can certainly make one break out…

Summer Repast

Abundant, sweet tomatoes are ripe for picking and eating alone or in a meal

Herbal Bouquet

Elevate sweet and savory dishes with fresh herbs

A Lent-Approved Valentine’s Day Menu

There will be leftovers of the soup and dessert, which can be served again at another meal. Valentine’s Day this year is the day after Mardi Gras, which is Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), declared by the Catholic…