Two Party-time Recipes For Your Mouth

I love throwing a good party. The most important “part” of the “party” equation is tasty snacks. You know they talk about you otherwise, right? Yes, well, they do. 

The first recipe became a standard just a couple of years ago. My husband is a book editor for The University Press of Mississippi and we went to a Book Friends party launching You Are Where You Eat: Stories and Recipes from the Neighborhoods of New Orleans by Elsa Hahne. This is a lovely book combining heartfelt stories, history, photographs and recipes from several New Orleans neighborhoods.

So imagine our joy when we arrived to find the hostesses serving a slew of the recipes from the book!  (FAB idea by the way for all you future/current cookbookers.)

We had Alligator Shooters (it was really just made from avocado), Sour Cream and Onion Pie, Mother-in-Law Meatballs, desserts and more. One menu item really stuck out to me, though, and that was the Pecan Tapas. Part of the attraction was the name and the other part was the sweet and spicy flavor coating the roasted pecans. They will be a favorite at your house, too, if you allow them space in your little heart.


This is, of course, meant as a teaser because you really do need this cookbook in your collection. You can buy it through the Press or at Amazon. Trust me.

Pecan Tapas is a fun recipe to play with because you can add spices to suit your palate, experiment with flavored honeys and/or syrups or choose a different kind of nut altogether.


*Please note I don't have accompanying photos with my recipes (shameful, I know- but I will make more soon and post them)


Pecan Tapas

1 lb. pecan halves (or nuts of your choosing)
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of cayenne (red) pepper

1 teaspoon of black pepper

1 teaspoon oregano or thyme (or both)
1/3 cup of honey or honey/syrup combination

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat, add spices and then honey. (Turn the eye on AFTER you have added your spices to the oil. Don’t add the red and black pepper spice mixture to the hot oil. It will run you – and your significant other – out of the kitchen coughing and hacking!! Not that I would know from personal experience but a friend of mine told me that it happened to her……..)



Stir and simmer over low heat for a few minutes. You are trying to get rid of some of the water in the honey but not cook it so much that it will clump instead of coat the pecans. (If you choose to use syrup, it doesn’t need to cook as long. That same friend of mine ran into this problem when she used Delta Cane syrup.)


Fold pecans into mixture, coating well. Transfer pecans to oiled cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 15 – 20 minutes until darker, reddish brown. Take out and leave them on stovetop or heat-safe surface while they cool.

 Stir pecans periodically until they cool, or they will cling to each other and the cookie sheet. (Sometimes, that’s not always a bad thing in this case because you can break them apart later)

For those of us who live in humid locales, don’t despair if your Pecan Tapas is a little sticky or slick to the touch once you set them out at your party. That’s what happened to me – I mean – my friend on our unseasonably warm New Years Eve.

These are a great and healthy go-to snack in the party off-season, too!


As in every situation, there must be a balance. Good outweighs the bad, pecans going head to head with Hot Cheese Puffs. Oh yes, we have a winner.


This recipe came to me from a bridal shower eons ago and it’s only just now that I took the plunge. Let’s just say, it was a hit. Nary a cheese puff left at the end of the night. That’s when you know you’ve hit the nail on the head. I would label this one…a party saver. If you have a faltering shindig, bring these out for an immediate shot in the arm result.

When I looked at the recipe, it seemed a little complicated – I used a make-shift double boiler and I was wary about the end result. Oh, me of little faith!


This is a recipe I promised to post for The Runaway Spoon. So here goes!


Again, this is another recipe you can play with for varied taste results. In my case, I used sharp cheddar and not Monterey Jack, and also added red pepper to it for a little zing. Internally, I balked at the use of cream cheese but it wasn’t as overwhelming as I imaged – it just heightened the cheese intensity.  By the end of the night, these were gone!

Hot Cheese Puffs


(Makes 5 – 6 dozen puffs)


1 Loaf of French bread (you won’t use all of it)
8 oz. of Monterey Jack Cheese
½ cup of butter
3 oz. of Cream Cheese
2 egg whites, room temperature

Cube bread into 1-inch cubes. Melt cheese, butter, and cream cheese in double boiler (in my case I used a metal bowl over water boiling in a saucepan. Worked like a charm).

Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into cheese mixture. Dip bread cubes into cheese mixture and place on cookie sheets.


At this point you can either:


1. Freeze them. Place in plastic bags and store up to 3 months.


Or


2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake for 10 minutes. Serve immediately.


Let me know how it turns out and if you tinker with the recipes, what you did! Have fun wowing the crowds!


p.s. *My “To be Continued: Cleveland” post will be here before you know it. *

p.p.s. Can you believe I was asked this week to be involved in another chicken cook-off after my last experience?! haha Guess how long it took me to say, "I will NOT eat any chicken!!"

Memorial Day in the Quarter

Once my camera arrived, I purchased a lovely 1960s tweed train case from fruitsaladvintage on Etsy, took out the insides of my camera box (until I can get the thing fitted with foam) and voila! I have a camera case. It was great for travel, heavily protected and easy access to the goods.

Its first real trip was to New Orleans over Labor Day weekend. It was a highly anticipated trip for a few reasons: #1 the last time I was in New Orleans was during a trip with my Mom and sister. I was 13. #2 tagging along was my sidekick in the form of my new camera. #3 it was a special romantic weekend with QB...I had a sneaking suspicion that I might get a little "token of affection."

[Especially since it slipped out one night a few weeks before. ~ hee hee ~ We had been talking about marriage and all of a sudden over chips and a margarita buzz, we both got teary eyed and he was talking more seriously than he ever had. Before I knew it, we were engaged (in our favorite Mexican restaurant, no less)!]

We had such a great time in New Orleans and ate a lot of yummy food. I was on the mend from a bout of strep throat, so my stomach wasn't as tolerant of fried food and hot sauce as usual - very unfortunate! (those fried oysters were so totally worth it, though)

The thing I noticed about the area itself is that after driving through the Pines and flat land of Southern Mississippi the landscape begins to change and you are in a totally different world. It's interesting to me how that happens so quickly. Both sides of the interstate are surrounded by bayous, swamps and wetland plant and wildlife. Then the city of New Orleans is very tropical with Palm trees on Canal Street, much more humid and very European in style and atmosphere, naturally with all the Spanish and French influences.

It's a perfect getaway that isn't very far and especially helpful if you're on a budget. (Taking the train is a good option, too, for the budget conscious)

The sky was fairly dark with some ominous-looking clouds but the rain passed over the city.After we checked in to our hotel on Canal Street, we walked on the outskirts of the French Quarter for a late lunch. My camera was in tow around my neck and I couldn't help but want to take pictures of everything!!

How very European, no?

Lunch was at Napolean House on Chartres Street. A lovely restaurant, so full of character. I'm absolutely in love with all the buildings with the interior courtyards.

Below taken by QB...mine turned out dark.

For an appetizer we tried the charcuterie plate that came with a few different types of meats, mustard, foie gras and hearty french bread. We washed it down with a Pimm's cup.

The pictures below taken with his camera, I believe.

This one is mine.

(QB kept laughing at me because I constantly forgot to take my lens cap off. Throw a girl a bone!)

Then the main course arrived at the table. A Muffaletta. It was too good for words. My old boss at Malaco, Wolf, has raved about the Muffaletta's at Central Grocery for as long as I was there (4 yrs) - the original home of the Muffaletta. Next time, I want to try the original, although Napolean House is considered first-rate in its own right. After lunch, we wandered around the French Quarter. The shot below is of some buildings in the Quarter. Every time QB and I go to a city, we always imagine living there for a while and wonder how much it would cost to rent a cool apartment.

After seeing a really fun street show, we took in the view of the Mississippi River. QB was right when it's a strange feeling to see that the River is higher than the city itself. We walked over the cable car tracks and looked out at the River for a bit.

Of course, we had to visit Cafe Du Monde, a New Orleans institution and no-brainer. It's a veritable free for all dining experience - one that's memorable and full of character. The air is filled with the smell of fried dough and coffee. The tables and floor are covered with powdered sugar. It's a little bit of heaven.

It took us a few minutes to spot an empty table and once we did, made a beeline for it and sat ourselves down. I realized the menu was on the side of the diner-style napkin tins. A few minutes later a waiter came by and took our order. QB told me that he refused to share his beignets and that I had to get my own order.

So I did.

It was really warm and humid, so I got an frozen cafe au lait and was it good! Strong coffee is always a plus in my book so I was glad to find that it wasn't one of those wimpy frozen coffee concoctions. It was strong and delicious and hit the spot. My stomach could only handle one and a half beignets but I soaked up the experience, people watching and listening to the street musicians performing for the crowd. I never got tired of hearing bands play "When the Saints Go Marching In." It might get old if you lived there and heard it constantly but it was fun to hear it.

After wandering around in the Quarter for another few hours, up and down Bourbon Street and beyond, we went back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. QB made reservations for us at the Court of Two Sisters but rescheduled for Sunday night in favor of Jacques-Imos, since it wasn't going to be open on Sunday.

Jacques-Imo's is Uptown on Oak Street. Don't be deterred by all the road work going on there right now. Park and walk to it. QB told grand tales of eating there in April for his conference, but unfortunately it was closed. There was a sign on the door that said the employees needed a break. Can't blame them for that, but our taste buds were sorely disappointed - especially when I'd heard about the fabulous bouillabasse. Instead, we drove back to the Quarter and looked for a restaurant where we could get our seafood fix. By this time it was around 9 p.m.

We decided on the Palm Court Jazz Cafe on Decatur Street, especially since there was a Dixieland Jazz band playing. What fun! Here is where I admit my fried food overload episode of the trip. Everything sounded so good, especially after being on a diet of Saltine crackers and Gatorade.

So began my overload.

I ordered the fried crawfish tails appetizer and QB got a cup of gumbo. They have so many wonderful options on the menu it was difficult to chose but I finally decided to get the fried oysters. QB got Crawfish Nantua. Mine was delicious and the oysters came with steamed veggies and this incredible pesto type butter. Divine. QB's was really tasty.

It all was.

So continued my overload.

The Jazz band was so much fun, we watched a couple dance their hearts out and we soaked up the music.

We stopped ourselves at dessert...there was really no way anything else would fit in our stomachs.

I'll skip the part where I woke up at 5 a.m. thinking I was going to lose my supper.

The next day, Sunday, we went to Cafe Beignet and met a friend for breakfast. QB had a buttery Belgian Waffle and fruit and I had some kind of Hashbrowns delight that was a combination of sausage, home fries, green peppers and onions...against my better judgement, I added a little hot sauce. Luckily, my stomach agreed with me. We shared an eclair just for the heck of it. The food was very good. The only thing about the place was the humidity. They kept the doors open and it stayed really warm inside.

There were some other friends nearby having brunch at the House of Blues. Part of me wished we'd gone there just because it is supposed to be really good, though a bit pricey ($40/each so maybe it's a good thing we didn't go).

After breakfast, we met our friends at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

It is an impressive museum - absolutely gorgeous - with three floors worth of galleries and displays. The girls and guys split up and my friend and I explored the modern art, a few other galleries of pottery and glass work, then wandered around in the sculpture garden.

We were amazed at all the lizards in the trees, bushes and scurrying across the sidewalk. (We found out later they are actually skinks.) There is a beautiful lagoon with bridges and flowers in the garden, along with some interesting modern art sculpture. My friend and I picked up the pace because we thought it was about to rain! (It didn't)

Below is a very cool piece outside the Museum store.

It was early and we were hungry but had dinner reservations a good bit later. So, we stopped by a sushi restaurant - Sekisui - and got a few appetizers. It was SO GOOD! It was fun to try a few different things other than sushi rolls. We wholeheartedly recommend the Gyoza and the Eel Sundae (eel, avacado and crushed macadamia nuts with balsamic vinegar sauce - I swear it had some crab in there, too). It was a perfect afternoon snack to hold us over until dinner. Cheap and delicious!

QB and I went back to the hotel, rested a bit and then got ready for our dinner reservations at The Court of Two Sisters.

We'd initially asked for Courtyard seating, though since rain kept threatening the sunny weather, they closed it off. They gave us a lovely table by the window looking out onto the Courtyard. It was a beautiful, airy interior.

After looking through the menu comprehensively, both of us decided to order the Prix Fixe menu. It had most of the food items we wanted to try.

Turtle Soup au Sherry started us out. It was delicious. This was the first time I'd had real turtle - honestly, I always thought turtle soup was a euphamism for something else. The sherry gave the soup a strong, almost tart flavor. Yum.

Next we had a salad, where I got the House salad and QB decided to get the Caesar salad, prepared tableside. The waiter prepared the dressing there in front of us - with egg, anchovy, oil and spices. It was incredible. I'd never had it before and wished I'd gotten the Caesar instead, although my salad was nothing to sniff at.

For the entree, I had Veal Oscar (baby white veal cutlets sauteed and covered with lump crabmeat, tasso hollandaise and fresh asparagus spears. Need I say more?!)

The real fun of a dinner like this is being able to share, needless to say! You get the best of both worlds during a sit-down. QB ordered Char-broiled Tenderloin of Beef, which came covered in marchand de vin and bearnaise sauces and vegetables.

The dinner was unbelievable. Decadent and rich; and, we haven't even touched on dessert yet.

After being teased the entire dinner by watching the waiters prepare bananas foster at everyone else's table, it was my turn! Buttery, brown sugary banana goodness over vanilla ice cream. That alone was enough to set me straight for the night. By this point, I could barely eat half of it. At one point, I felt a straw was necessary because it had all melted into a conglomeration of buttery yumminess. QB had bourbon pecan pie which he said was very good. I would never know since my eyes were transfixed on my own bowl.

Over dessert, it was then we began talking and QB surprised me with a beautiful engagement ring! I did more than get a little teary! It was so touching and special and sweet. He's the dearest. Ever. I mean it. Ever.

We dragged ourselves back home via taxi (I wore a pair of high heels that weren't condusive for walking long distances...how do other women do it?), we rested our stomachs and our bodies and talked into the night...and slept in!

Monday, it finally did rain. We checked ourselves out of the hotel and made our way back to the Quarter to explore one last time. We brought out the umbrellas and decided to go back to Cafe du Monde for a repeat performance of a good show (that would be the beignets and powdered sugar show!)

The street musicians were performing again, there were a different set of people in the cafe and it was so much fun to watch everyone (probably like they were watching us).

The ring looks so natural in a habitat of powdered sugar goodness.

We wandered around the Quarter a little more and by that time, it was time for lunch. Felix's - apparently where Ellen Degeneres used to shuck oysters and tell the patrons jokes.

The lunch was alright but not great. My stomach was reaching its limit of rich food as it was. They were out of chargrilled oysters (?!?) and so I set my sights on trying the blackened alligator. It was pretty good, kind of gamey in taste and very chewy. Overall, I liked it. It didn't taste like chicken...just like, well, alligator, I guess.

QB got jambalaya and I got red beans and rice. Everything could have used more seasoning honestly, but it's probably best for my stomach that it wasn't. A friend met up with us after lunch and so we wandered to Pirates Alley, got a drink and did some catching up.

We got in the car and headed back to Mississippi, out of that special world of New Orleans. We had such a great time exploring the city, one of our favorite things to do. The air was permeated with smells of fried dough and powdered sugar, chicory, spices and hot sauce. What a special place.