Louisiana Flava

Sweet Summer Sounds

Festivals throughout the summer time will fill the air with the sweet sounds of the Louisiana standards. 

My recent trip to the New Orleans Jazz Festival left me anxious to hear more of the New Orleans blues sound. Myself and some friends of mine who flew in from Colorado took a walk down Frenchman's street which led us into a funky little bar called the Hookah. A couple of Bourbons on the rocks made this place a keeper. It was a wonderful surprise to get a menu that offered a lobster enchilada and goat cheese medley.  We took one last bite and headed back to the quarters for more exciting sounds from the Louisiana Music Factory. 

Our apartment was located over the House of Blues and by that evening we were ready to listen to the sweet sound of Etta James singing Like sugar on the Floor.  This was a weekend that will be right up their with another 100 things to do again and again, before I die.

Blue Heron

 

Foggy Bridge

Spanish Lake

JELLY

A friend, a companion, a problem, a christmas gift. I must have lost all reasoning for this one.  He is a keeper and we will adjust I keep telling my self.   

Shadows Along The Teche

Todays trip brought us to the Shadows on the Teche in New Iberia.  The Weeks Antebellum home was the site of a re-enactment of the Civil War encampment from many moons ago.  Ladies dressed in satin with hoop skirts and bonnets strolled along the bayou while youngsters hid behind live oaks taking aim with their cap pistols.

All Saint's Day

Visiting with family that have crossed over to the other side, as they say, always seems like such a lonesome task, but once you begin to walk thru the sparkling white tombs it seem comforting in some  way.   My pilgrimage to the cemetery this year included my first cousin Gwendolyn, aka PooPay, and my sister Dawn Lyl, aka Joe.  As we were guided to a who's who tour by PooPay I noticed the beautiful French names that are listed on the marble head stones.  Names like Admar, Amaille, Favie, Inez, and Nadege. I thought it sad that these beautiful names would be saved for only the older generation, but then I learned that my younger generation cousin Curt had named one of his little girls after her grandmother Nadege.  A Cajun tradition for the next generation, I love it.   

Rocky Mountain Road Trip

Our trip took us to the Southwest and after reading so much about the Turquoise Trail we just couldn't resist this adventure.  We experienced a city full of history in Santa Fe and after driving over the purple mountains of Georgia Okeeffe's Ghost Ranch, New Mexico seemed just like a gift of poetry given only to us.  The winding road to Telluride Colorado with it golden Aspen trees peaking thru let us know that fall will soon be here.    As our travels continued It took just about all the nerve I had to make it over MC Clures Pass in a wind driven thunder storm. VIsions of a 1000 foot drop down a mountain's edge had my Louisiana soul crying out for land at sea level.  We arrived at our destination and after we began cooking a pot of crawfish etoufee It seemed to calm the hurry in me to return home.  The beautiful Mount Sopris greeted me with her first dusting of snow and I was once again happy that I had come to spend some time with my dear friend. Traveling home just had to wait a couple of days.   

RIPE FOR THE PICKING

The best way to enjoy the summers bounty on those cool crisp fall mornings is by sampling crusty french bread topped with sweet sugary figs.  The Celeste figs are in season and I jumped at the opportunity to can a few jars.  The mixture of cane sugar and figs makes this southern favorite irresistible.

I've never actually seen a fig tree as big as the one in our yard. It actually towers 20 feet high.  Our free range chicken have made it their own personal roost and I just assumed that has a lot to do with its growth.                              As the fall leaves begin to turn golden I' ll be thankful for the time invested in these delights.

FIG PRESERVE CAKE

2 c. flour, 1 tea. salt, 1 tea. soda, 1 tea. cloves, 1 tea. cinnamon, 1 1/2 c. sugar, 1 c. vegetable oil, 3 eggs, beaten, 1 c. buttermilk, 1 tea. vanilla, 1 cup fig preserves, chopped, 1 c. nuts

Sift together the first 7 ingredients.  Add oil and mix well. Add eggs. Add butter-milk gradually. Add vanilla and fold in preserves and nuts. Pour into a greased and floured 9x13x2 pan.  While cake is hot pour sauce over cake in pan.  cool. Cut in squares and serve.

SAUCE

1 c. sugar, 1/2 c. butter or margarine, 1 tablespoon corn syrup, 1/2 cup butter-milk, 1 tea. vanilla    Mix all ingredients in small pan.  Bring to a boil over medium flame and boil for 3 minutes. Pour over hot cake while sauce is hot.  Recipe provided by Joy Blanchard

Jazzed Up

I spent a great weekend with good friends down in New Orleans. The Jazz Festival had us rocking to the sounds of Nora Jones, Tab Benoit, and so so many more. A Bloody Mary breakfast started our day and a Crawfish Po boy held us through lunch.  As the Louisiana sun beat us down, a welcomed cab ride back to Jackson Square was just what we needed.

As we headed down I-10 we made a quick stop at Copeland's Bistro for a wonderful meal of crab cakes smothered in oyster sauce.  Can't get more New Orleans than that.  A decadent raspberry white chocolate cheese cake with chicory coffee brings an end to a wonderful weekend filled with good friends, great music, and glorious Louisiana food.

You should be so lucky!  Pack your bags and come visit the Big Easy. You can be a part of her rebirth .