Scratch-baking a batch of strawberry muffins sounds like a lot of work for a fruit that is so easily consumed simply piled high atop a scoop of ice cream or morning bowl of cereal, but there is a reason. When baked, Louisiana strawberries take on a deeper and richer taste–a syrupy sweet depth of flavor. …
Watermelon Bread
Watermelon stands lining the side of the rural parish roads are an especially Southern thing. Truckloads begin arriving as the temperature soars, and there is no better way to cool down than a slice of ice-cold watermelon on the back porch steps. Or maybe there is: Watermelon Bread – hot out of the oven. I’ve…
Strawberry Shortcake Jars
In the South, strawberry shortcake and the 4th of July just go hand-in-hand. There’s no better way to top off a backyard holiday barbecue than with fresh seasonal fruit topped with whipped cream. These Strawberry Shortcake Jars are the simplest recipe that delivers crowd-pleasing results every time. So, how can we improve upon perfection? I grew…
Sweet Dough. Sweet Life.
Blackberry Sweet Dough Pie with delicate pastry focuses on the burst of juicy flavor from sweet blackberries picked fresh. It is a dish that brings me back to a time long ago and the flavors I long for. Among my fondest memories of growing up in the Deep South are picking pails of fresh blackberries…
I Found My Thrill: Blueberry Cream Pie
With words reminiscent of immortal Louisiana bluesman Fats Domino, I found my thrill on this hill of blueberries piled high on a mountain of cream. And one bite of this easy-to-assemble Blueberry Cream Pie will make you sing the blues, too. Who knew that a magnificent Blueberry Cream Pie recipe could be so easy? My…
Apple Gateau with Calvados Crème Sauce
My Apple Gateau with Calvados Crème Sauce balances tart fruit with sweet creaminess against the delicate crumb of a perfectly baked cake. The French liqueur adds elegance that makes this a special occasion for any dinner. Plus, it’s simple to make. If you were to ask me why I love this Apple Gateau with Calvados…
Singin’ the blues with my Blueberry Basil Pastry
Fresh blueberries rock my world. And when jammin’ with sweet basil and stuffed inside a crispy pastry, I just can’t get enough. I can assure you this Blueberry Basil Pastry will rock your world, too. You might call these turnovers, tarts, or even a hot pocket, but by any name, they are the perfect breakfast…
Strawberry Cobbler with Chambord Whipped Cream
Nothing beats fresh strawberries in season, and here in South Louisiana, we are blessed with an abundance of the crop. I like them chilled over a bowl of corn flakes, crowning a big ol’ biscuit topped with ice cream, or whole berries dipped in chocolate—there’s no end to the ways I enjoy strawberries. But here…
Les Oreilles De Cochon – Pig’s Ear Pastry
I love hometown cookbooks. You know the kind I’m talking about. Not the glossy, full color, celebrity chef-endorsed titles that scream from the shelf of the big box bookstores. No, these are the quiet, little regional books–usually comb-bound with no photographs–tucked neatly in rows far from the main displays. These are the cookbooks that define…
Rum-Soaked Coconut Bread Pudding
Recipe inspiration can come from just about anywhere at any time. A long, lazy Saturday with family and friends by the pool sipping frozen pina coladas and chowing on cheeseburgers doesn’t always spark an idea. But, a stack of leftover hamburger buns, an unopened can of pina colada mix and a half spent bottle of…