So many Mardi Gras memories from 2019! The popularity of the Endymion parade makes it now necessary to camp and keep vigil over our favorite spot on Canal Street days in advance of the Saturday Mid City Parade. For over 50 hours we took shifts at “the spot” but it was worth it! Beautiful night […]
Some people’s idea of romance is getting flowers. We love getting spices. Portland and NOLA are in on this challenge. For Portland, “You had me at one pan.” This 20-minute prep dinner gives you a whole hour to take a nice walk, pour a glass of wine on return and it leaves only three things […]
We continue to sort through our favorites from the 2018 Winter Fancy Food Show. Dazzling task! Thank you, Runamok Maple Syrup for aging your maple syrup in whiskey barrels, making it the perfect match for the slightly bitter flavors of the humble and much maligned brussel sprout. Maple-Glazed Brussel Sprouts Recipe by Andie Ellis 1 […]
We had a blast at our first Fancy Food Show in San Francisco last weekend! Among the celebrities, it was a thrill to meet our purveyor of fine brie, Christel from La Fromagerie Henri Hutin! We continue to find ways to enjoy our brie—in our Portland kitchen, Andie made brie bites! These delicious bites were […]
Heading to San Francisco this weekend with the Bake This Day team to enjoy the Winter Fancy Food Fest. Don’t worry, I’m bringing a king cake as my boarding pass. On the advent of this gargantuan Specialty Food Association extravaganza, I’ve been contemplating “What is fancy food?” Must it come from an exotic place? Must […]
The holiday season is always a little more metallic here in New Orleans. Also, it is the end of the NOLA Tricentennial! Last week KP and I had Swamp Solstice, a charity bicycle ride, and this time our theme was Queen “I Want to Ride My Bicycle!” We had toasts, Freddie Mercury impersonations, dance-offs, bratwurst […]
It’s the Mooooosssstt Wonderful Tiiiiiimmme of the year! All I want to wear is velvet and roses. New Orleans is full of gorgeous glittered and trimmed pine boughs, giant gingerbread houses and the smell of magnolia. This recipe is for beef short ribs, but I have discovered this marinade tastes pretty good on practically any […]
My hens bring me joy. Sometimes I lounge in the yard with a plan to read a book, and then spend the hour watching chickens dodder by, top-heavy, clueless, burbling like a slow stream. They bring me laughter and peace, and every day, warm and smooth round gifts. We love to give our ladies oats […]
Happy Halloween to Mid City New Orleans—where the porches are well-stocked, the costumed are dedicated, and the spirit of celebration buzzes like hummingbird moths in the open mouths of butterfly ginger blossoms. So many smells, so much joy. We had our annual fete, this year a masquerade ball in the theme of Phantom of the […]
Zeal for costuming is a common thread that runs deep in the fabric of New Orleanian culture. It is [one reason] why I love this city. By October, it has been nearly half a year since our last masquerade and we yearn to hot glue, glitter and feather together something to parade. In Mid City, […]