Suvir calls himself Susie Homemaker…well, here he is. Actually, Suvir graced us with his presence and taught us that there is life beyond curry at The Floating Island Workshops last summer in Seaside, Florida. Top Chef Masters has just premiered and already there seems to be a favorite. This season’s “Masters” include Floyd Cardoz, Mary [...]

It’s no secret that I love oysters–fresh and cold, raw on the half shell with just a squeeze of lemon. The more they taste of the ocean the better. I grew up eating Gulf oysters–raw, in stews, fried and piled high onto French bread, or charbroiled. Ten years in France had me favoring Belons and [...]

There’s nothing better than eating peaches out of hand, and slurping the rundown juices from your fingers and wrists. If you want to serve otherwise, peel and slice, then infuse fresh lemon verbena leaves in a simple syrup of sugar and water cooked down til syrupy. Pour over the peaches and add a few more [...]

Crazy ice cream flavors have their place, just not in my kitchen. I can’t say I don’t enjoy a scoop of Ben & Jerry’s Fossil Fuel now and then but when I started making ice cream last year, I wanted to take pure, natural flavors and let them shine in new and interesting combinations. Buttermilk, [...]

Some of my favorite New Orleans sandwiches from Central Grocery, Casamento’s, and Parkway Bakery and Tavern.

I’ve been working all week with talented (and hungry) writers in Seaside, FL at the Floating Island Writers’ Workshop. Aside from my editing duties and acting as Camp Director, I’ve been making sure all are well fed. We’ve been able to appreciate fresh local Gulf seafood from Goatfeathers; thankfully, this part of the Gulf hasn’t [...]

I’m into the final testing of recipes for Tupelo Honey Cafe and their upcoming cookbook. Today, I had a kitchen full of grits–McEwen and Sons stone ground grits, quick-cooking, yellow, blue…Here are some shots from today’s testing: fried green tomatoes and basil goat cheese grits. A dash of Tabasco green pepper sauce is always a [...]

Many of you have emailed me about Catie’s King Cake Recipe. It’s here (below). To cheer on the Saints in the Superbowl, we had a big gathering. Among many delicious bites, we had Essington’s “I Guess I’ll Go On and Be Tender Now” Ribs, Muffalettas w/Central Grocery Olive Salad, Martha’s Bourbon Pralines, Indian-Spiced Wings, flaky [...]

More recipe testing for the upcoming Tupelo Honey Cafe Cookbook. And Brian’s Tomato Pie (think almost Pimento cheese in a shell) was the hit among taste testers…Cookbook coming soon. Thanks to Beau for the photo.

Earl Grey-Cranberry Relish, Roast Turkey with Prunes and Kumquats, Grammy’s Cauliflower Gratiné, Straight-Up Cornbread Dressing, Sweet Potato Yeast Rolls, and more… photo Dan Schumacher. FOR THOSE who have asked for some of the recipes for this meal, the Sweet Potato Yeast Rolls came from Epicurious.com. We found the honey butter recipe could be cut in [...]

I don’t know how books help but sometimes they do make us feel a little less alone… I’ve been very fortunate to participate in many Book Club meetings where readers have gathered to discuss Trail of Crumbs. The book lends itself to lots of good food and drink and some soul searching. It’s amazing how [...]