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Showing posts with label Louisiana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Louisiana. Show all posts

24 August 2015

New Orleans Chef Competition Winner: Macadamia Nut Pineapple Up-Side Down Cake, New Orleans Restaurant Links

Photo by Cynthia Campbell  --  Macadamia Nut Pineapple Up-Side Down Cake by Restaurant R'evolution pastry chef Erin Swanson is the silver-medal dessert at the 2014 New Orleans Wine & Food Experience's Grand Tastings.
Photo: Cynthia Campbell

From Denny:  Louisiana is fond of food competitions and New Orleans attracts the top chefs who 
are willing to compete for charity events and industry competition too.  This tasty recipe competed in a New Orleans Wine and Food Experience competition, developed by Pastry Chef Erin Swanson, Restaurant R’evolution, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was the 2014 desserts category silver medal winner.  All those lucky tasters were found returning for seconds of this delicious simple cake!

This is  the usual easy upside down cake that bakes at 350 degrees F.  All you do is sift together the dry ingredients of flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.  Meanwhile, in a food processor pulse together the macadamia nuts and sugar until you quickly achieve a rough chop as the macadamia nut is a soft nut and easy to chop.

Like any cake just cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy,  Add the sugar and nut mixture.  Then it's time to add the eggs, one at a time.  Finally, add the vanilla extract and scrape the sides of the bowl.

Next, starting first with the dry ingredients, you alternate mixing the dry ingredients with the sour cream until well combined.  Put together the butter topping by mixing the melted butter with the brown sugar. 


Then it's the fun time of assembly:  spray your cake pan with a nonstick vegetable spray.  Put a thin layer of the butter topping into the pan.  Then you arrange the sliced pineapple on top of the butter topping.  (You are assembling the cake in reverse of what you see when it's served.)  Pour the cake batter over the pineapple slices.  Bake for 15 minutes and then rotate the pan so all cooks evenly.  Bake another 10 - 15 minutes or until the top is a nice golden brown.

The easy part?  Let this cake cool inside the pan.  When cooled, take a knife to loosen the cake from the pan so it will release nicely onto that inverted dinner plate you place over the cake pan for that "thud, plop!" sound every baker enjoys hearing when the cake has released beautifully into one piece.  If it didn't release well, don't stress out.  As my fun late mother-in-law used to say with a big smile, "No worries; it will all be eaten at our house!"  Serve at room temperature with a hot cup of coffee or your favorite hot tea.



To satisfy your foodie curiosity here's what the other medal winners were cooking and the New Orleans restaurants from which they hail are linked so you can go visit and check out their stellar menus:...

Pink Sleep Pillow Case

This fun design enlivens a girly room, easy to coordinate with other patterns!


Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Also note that I leave up all my designs from year to year so you have the security knowing that you can purchase as your budget permits to coordinate a room.

20 April 2015

Comfort Food From Louisiana: Chef Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Crawfish, Pepper Jack and Shrimp-Tomato Bisque Soup: April Is National Grilled Cheese Month



Photo provided by Loews Hotels --  April is grilled cheese month, the perfect time to make Cafe Adelaide's take on Louisiana Crawfish-Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese With Smoked Tomato-Shrimp Bisque and Pickled Charred Chile Salad.

Comfort Food From Louisiana: Chef Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Crawfish, Pepper Jack and Shrimp-Tomato Bisque Soup: April Is National Grilled Cheese Month: From Denny:  Now this is an exotic version of the humble comfort food:  the American grilled cheese sandwich.

You have no idea how hard it was when visiting Austria a few years ago when I attempted to explain how to make a simple grilled cheese sandwich to a local chef.  It was a seriously foreign concept to them.  They didn't have a clue.  Lots of delicious local cheeses yet no Austrian version of a grilled cheese sandwich!  Imagine that.

This Louisiana version comes from executive chef Carl Schaubhut of Café Adelaide in New Orleans.  Of course, as seafood, this rich sandwich is considered Lenten season friendly.  Serve by pairing it with the shrimp-tomato bisque soup. Here in Louisiana we always look for an excuse to enjoy our bountiful seafood so why not go meat free on Fridays even when it isn't Lent?  (You know, that special time that arrives after Mardi Gras and before Easter.)  Our restaurants enjoy creating Lenten season menus, always topping themselves from the year previous!...

World's Awesome Mom Woven Throw Pillow



Remember Mother's Day - Check out who is top cat in this family tree: Mom!  
Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  

* * *  Support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  


11 June 2013

Dennys Funny Quotes: Check Out Funny Business Names in Louisiana




Dennys Funny Quotes: Check Out Funny Business Names in Louisiana: From Denny:  Of the few local newspapers left in America - before they get gobbled up and homogenized by Big Business to turn a bigger profit - there are those small papers that still retain a local flavor.  Baton Rouge, Louisiana and The Advocate is one of them.

A local reporter by the name of Smiley Anders has been collecting and writing this funny column since 1979 when he first started in the business.  The public write in their true stories of funny situations that happened to them.  The public also pass on local Cajun jokes for good measure.

One day Smiley was calling out for readers to send in funny business names they have seen in their Louisiana communities.  Some of the names are downright odd and funny crazy.  Some business owners actually invested in these silly names!...



It's ALL good Bright Lights Galaxy S3 Case

It's ALL good reminds us of the sweetness in life!

* * *  Support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Thanks for your support.  You rock!

12 March 2013

A Truth Journal: FYI, Spring Fever At Our House! 6 Funny Links Too


Waterfall in Japanese Garden


A Truth Journal: FYI, Spring Fever At Our House! 6 Funny Links Too: From Denny:  Yeah, been enjoying Spring time here in Louisiana, along with the huge hanks of oak tree pollen falling at my feet.  The weather has been almost like Hawaii lately: soft warm breezes.  Soooo, have not been posting as much lately.  Too busy being downright happily sloth like and getting Pollen Head at the same time.  I'm sure you all understand. :)  My heart goes out to all of you still stuck in snow weather and Snowquester.  Should be posting tonight, if not tomorrow.  Talk about Lazy Bones here...   Throwing kisses out to you all - and thanks so much for your support on this and all my other crazy blogs!


Related articles - meanwhile, to keep you entertained...


10 June 2012

Fast and Easy Dessert: Pound Cake S'mores


Photo provided by FAMILY FEATURES  Pound Cake S'mores are a rich and delightlful twist on an old favorite.
Photo from Family Features

From Denny:  Want something fast and easy to serve for a family dessert or unexpected guests that drop by for a visit?  This is a simple one from Sara Lee.  It involves a prepared pound cake of your choice.

FYI, pound cake, even one made from scratch, freezes well so it's easy to have on hand for a last minute dessert.  When I make a pound cake I slice it when cooled and then freeze the slices separately so I'm ready to go for whatever portions are needed.

For the lovely melted gooeyness of the S'mores genre, add some miniature chocolate chips of your choice.  We like the dark 60 percent Ghiradelli chips at our house because it has less sugar and a far superior chocolate taste.

Then add some miniature marshmallows.  I'm not a marshmallow gourmet so you are on your own for a great brand on this one. :)

This recipe calls for chopped peanuts but you can substitute walnuts, pecans, almonds or macadamias to enjoy just as much.  Since we live in Louisiana we prefer the local fresh pecans found at the farmers' markets.  I'm of the opinion that for great taste pecans - or walnuts - and chocolate pair better than peanuts and chocolate.  And you don't have to be concerned about who might have peanut allergies so everyone can enjoy this easy dessert!

14 February 2012

Dennys Funny Quotes: 61 Best of Funny Mardi Gras Photos

Mardi Gras (04) - 24Feb09, New Orleans (USA)
Mardi Gras (04) - 24Feb09, New Orleans (USA) (Photo credit: philippe leroyer)
Dennys Funny Quotes: 61 Best of Funny Mardi Gras Photos: From Denny: Who said Valentine's Day had to be a bummer for the folks flying solo during this holiday? These funny Mardi Gras photos, mocking just about anything and everything that moves, will certainly bring a smile to your face.

So, if you know anyone feeling blue from this special day for lovers, send them this post full of funny photos that will have them laughing in no time.

Since it's 2012 and the whole world figures the Mayan Prophecy of the End of the World is at hand, well, we have the solution in Louisiana: party on. Our philosophy? You might as well go out in style 'cause you can't do anything about it anyway.
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07 February 2012

The Social Poets: Groundhog Day Louisiana Style: New Orleans T-Boy, Baton Rouge Boudreaux


ocnutria01096.jpg


The Social Poets: Groundhog Day Louisiana Style: New Orleans T-Boy, Baton Rouge Boudreaux: From Denny: Groundhog Day contenders are popping up all over America. Groundhogs are not native to Louisiana (because it's too hot) but we didn't allow a little factoid like that to stop us. Louisiana likes it's holidays so what effort was it to rustle up another creative idea than to draft the swamp rat nutria into the Groundhog Day?

Up in the northern part of America it's considered really bad news when a groundhog sees its shadow, foretelling another miserable six weeks of winter. But here in Louisiana it means a spring that is shorter than usual.

A short spring means summer's grueling heat and drippy humidity will return sooner than desired. So, you see, burrow-loving animals can come in handy to predict the weather both in the chilly North and the hottie Deep South.
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27 November 2011

Comfort Food From Louisiana: 2 Recipes: Coffee Cake and Apple Cake Topped with Pecan Streusel

Coffee and Cake


Comfort Food From Louisiana: 2 Recipes: Coffee Cake and Apple Cake Topped with Pecan Streusel: From Denny: Lots of tasty pecans throughout this dense coffee cake, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack with a great cup of dark coffee. Here in Louisiana we love Bergeron pecans! Find the freshest pecans you can and buy them in large pieces as they will still retain more of the flavor.

Of course, we cake folk all know how delightful it is to use sour cream in any cake or muffin. The tenderness and full flavor can't be matched by anything else except maybe a high quality yogurt.

While searching for a photo to go with this post I happened upon a Rick Bayless recipe on flickr that is so unusual you just have to take it out for a foodie spin: Apple Coffee Cake with Pecan and Bacon Streusel.

07 March 2011

Comfort Food From Louisiana: Chef Emeril Lagasse Bakers Dozen: 5 Shrimp and 8 More Recipes

Comfort Food From Louisiana: Chef Emeril Lagasse Bakers Dozen: 5 Shrimp and 8 More Recipes - I own a number of his cookbooks and enjoy every one of them. He really understands when people are pressed for time to produce a good meal but don't want to skimp on freshness or full flavor. Emeril always hits the right note, especially with his famous Emeril's Essence, with his recipe provided here too.

06 May 2009

Blogger Interviews Porn Queen Stormy Daniels While Waiting on Jury Duty

Stormy Daniels, American pornographic actress.Image via Wikipedia



From Denny: Been on jury duty since Monday and the days are getting longer so not able to post much. Maybe tomorrow will be a shorter day!

Looks like Cheeky Quote Day is sidelined for today. Will a true story of what happened to me today do in its place? I'm up for a second-degree murder case. Probably will sit around all day waiting to be rejected. That's what happened today after 10 hours of jury selection.

I did get to chat up the staff. Talked to a sheriff who the local news station had promised to interview about his time in Iraq but didn't - clearly he needed to talk about it - so as any good blogger with a journalism degree, well, I jumped on the interview, duh! He's with the Army 239th, an MP and just got back from Iraq a few months ago. He proceeded to tell me about what it was like serving over there.

Real sociable guy and it sure surprised me when he started talking but I figured it was good for him to get the stress out. I mean, how many warriors actually tell you how many kills? And worse, how many were Iraqi children, armed with hand grenades and ordered by their parents to come kill Americans? Sad but true tale.

While he acknowledged it was a tough decision to choose self-defense and claimed it didn't bother him, I figured it did upset him and that's why he was telling me all about it. Soldiers from many wars often start talking around me and I hear the most amazing stories of personal trauma.

It isn't always what people tell you as true but rather the fact that they are talking about something so horrific while claiming it doesn't bother them. Of course it bothers them, why else would they need to talk about it? I don't waste time judging, just accept and listen. Talk about a lot to process for them.

***



Now the highlight of today's jury service was going to lunch at a little eatery known as The Roux House. We noticed the local TV news crew outside, went in and there was a big commotion at the back of the restaurant. We peeked in and it turns out a new politician was announcing her candidacy.

Who was it? Turns out it's the porn queen, Stormy Daniels, who was the regular prostitute for years for Louisiana's Senator David Vitter. Yep! The former pro is running against her customer!

I found it amusing. On her way out she stopped to talk to everyone at the few tables and so I took the time to interview her about her candidacy. Turns out ABC News was there too. I asked some very easy questions to give her a chance to prove herself. I'll try to blog tomorrow about the interview. What a hoot! When was the last time you had the opportunity to interview a porn queen AND attend a bizarre event in the weirdest world of Louisiana politics? It was a definite two-fer! :)




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