Dear Julia,
How do you prefer to eat raw oysters, dipped in sauce or plain?
– Ralph Rein, Port Allen, La.
This is a question that raises considerations that are sensory and psychological, Ralph. Served on its half-shell, a raw oyster is a brownish-gray blob. There are no flashes of color, like a cheeseburger, and no tempting fragrance. So, for the first timer, consuming a raw oyster is an act of faith. Sloshing the oyster in ketchup and horseradish helps the timid. At least it looks better. Unfortunately, the condiment overdose also hides the taste. That’s why the raw oyster is best eaten unadorned as nature intended it. Admittedly it is an acquired taste, but it is worth the effort. A proper oyster should be served chilled and have a briny seawater taste. It can either be speared with a fork, served on a saltine or slurped from the shell.
We are lucky in that our native gulf oysters are among the best. Save the ketchup for the French fries. Or, better yet, get another order of oysters instead.
Hey Julia,
How many Saints head coaches have won the Super Bowl?
– Alex Morgan, Clinton, La.
Mmmm. This seems like a trick question Alex, but this is Julia that you’re dealing with. I know you expect me to mention Sean Payton who won with the Saints in 2010.
But, upon further review, Poydras reminds me, there were two others: Hank Stram and Mike Ditka. The only technicality is that they won with a team other than the Saints.
Stram’s victory was in Super Bowl IV in 1970 with the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the Minnesota Vikings. That Super Bowl was played in New Orleans at the old Tulane Stadium. The win put Stram on the map as a coach so that in 1976 with his career faltering and having been fired by the Chiefs he was hired by the Saints with whom he would be head coach through two dismal seasons before being fired
However, it can be said that he was a former Saints head coach who won a Super Bowl in New Orleans — only it was with the Chiefs.
And the other was Mike Ditka who in 1985 had a stellar year as head coach of the Chicago Bears. Ditka’s Bears tore through the league with only one loss. They stomped the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl (46-10), which was also played in New Orleans.
In 1997 Ditka, who never duplicated the same success of his Super Bowl year, was hired by the Saints. His ’99 squad will be remembered as perhaps the worst Saints team ever finishing the season with a 3-13 record. After that season, Saints owner Tom Benson fired not only Ditka but everyone associated with the Saints coaching staff and management. He also ran a newspaper ad apologizing for the team’s dismal season. At that point the Saints future on the field looked pretty bleak. Who would have thought that 10 seasons later, the Saints would win the big game with Sean Payton whose only Super Bowl win to date was with the Saints?
One personal note: When he became the Saints’ coach Ditka was featured in a New Orleans Magazine cover story. When speaking about New Orleans’ lifestyle Ditka was asked if he sucked crawfish heads. He gave this memorable response: “If I suck anything it won’t be a crawfish.”
Send us your questions! Poydras is looking for something to do. Send your questions to julia@myneworleans.com and be sure to include your name. For the subject line use: Julia and Poydras Question.
