I had a wonderful Spring weekend, starting it off Friday night at Bachanal Wine with friends. Bachanal Wine is located along the river in the Marigny of New Orleans. They sell a variety of wines and cheeses and offer two menus: deli and tapas. We started off with toast points with black eyed pea hummus topped with julienned brussel sprouts. Next we had grilled shrimp in some sort of pita and completed our meal with braised short ribs over a fingerling potato salad. We finished off our meal with some cheese and crostinis. And we ate under a canopy of little trees and Christmas lights, with a carpet of dead leaves at our feet, surrounded by a hipster crowd and entertained by a local band. I was so immersed in my joyous night, that I failed to remember to take photographs :(. But, I did want to tell you about the great night and give Chef Joaquin props for such an enjoyable meal.

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Although I’m an American and have lived in the United States my whole life, there are just local regional differences that find me and leave me in awe. As some of you may already know, I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. I lived in NYC for two years before moving to New Orleans. I’ve enjoyed the different experiences in various states that I’ve visited, which only makes me long for world travel even more. And just when I think I’ve seen it all in the South, it’s the little things that remind me how special and unique this area is - new orleans, Louisiana - and the different parts that make up this country as well.

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A program called Power Ties allows eigth-grade students to connect with professionals in different industries. Emeril’s Test Kitchen had students from Samuel L. Green Charter School come by today to speak with the Test Kitchen Staff about what we do. The Emeril Lagasse Foundation hosted the “career day” and took the students through Homebase and Emeril’s restaurant.

 For a news clip and more information, follow this link

http://www.abc26.com/videobeta/48096401-3c78-47d7-90b1-87fdaa1cbf9b/News/So-what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up-Today-students-from-the-New-Orleans-Charter-School-Samuel-J-Green-got-to-shadow-some-professionals-.

 

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Picture 1 from 4: A variety of herbs and spices for in mis en place bowls for a guessing game for the students.

My boyfriend and I went to a little dessert shop called Sucre last night to fulfill our sweet tooths. They were just so beautiful - I wanted to share them with ya’ll.

 

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Hi Everyone!

Hope you all had a great Valentine’s weekend! Here in New Orleans, we not only had a great Valentine’s, but a great Mardi-Gras and a fabulous Superbowl Championship to kick-start the festivities! WHO DAT?! Needless to say, it’s been about 10 full days of partying here.

But in between the celebrations, part of the culinary team went with Chef Emeril to the Home Shopping Network to help him sell some of his awesome products. I’ve included some photos for you to see what happened behind the scenes this past trip.

 

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Picture 1 from 9: Prep work commences Wednesday, as Chef prepares to go on air the next day.

I finally made it back to New Orleans and now have a chance to share some photos with you from my Christmas trip to California.  

 

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Picture 1 from 15: My usual first stop in California is right when I exit Oakland Airport - In 'N Out Burgers. I try to steer away from fast food, but this is probably one of the best fast food burgers (to me).

Hey Ya’ll!

I’ll be en route to the San Francisco Bay Area tomorrow (my hometown) to spend time with family and friends for the holiday season. But while I’m there, I hope to share some of California’s culinary finds! So, keep on the look out and have a happy holiday!

 ~Angela

I think everyone has a favorite holiday cookie or confection. Perhaps it’s your great aunt’s peanut butter fudge, mom’s sugary spiced pecans, or chocolate truffles. For me it is pfeffernüsse, a holiday cookie reminiscent of gingerbread and spice cake. I discovered pfeffernüsse when I lived in New York. There is a German confectionery on the Upper East Side that always has beautiful holiday chocolates and candies.

I have since discovered that pfeffernusse is of Dutch origins and its name translates to pepper nuts. Pfeffernüsse is a spice cookie which is either glazed or dusted with powdered sugar. According to tradition these little cookies when first baked are like biscotti, slightly hard and should be dunked in coffee or tea. After a few days they soften up and can be eaten on their own. The spices seem to differ with each recipe, some include clove and anise others have cinnamon and cocoa powder but they should all include pepper.

Starting in early December I buy pfeffernusse cookies whenever I get the chance, you can usually find them in gourmet shops and specialty stores.  I have never actually made these adorable little pepper nuts but I think I may give it a try this year. Photos and a recipe to come.

I had heard of a peanut butter burger concoction on a menu at a restaurant in the French Quarter, but I just couldn’t remember the name of the place. I continued on with life knowing, in the back of my mind, that one day, I would be able to sample the curious combination of some of my beloved foods: creamy peanut butter and a beef patty sandwiched between two pieces of sesame buns. What could be wrong about that?

 

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Picture 1 from 3: Located in the French Quarter, you can stop by Yo Mama's Bar & Grill for a casual night of unique burgers and libations.

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Last week, I got an unexpected yearning for French Macarons. I began to obsess over the lovely, hamburger-shaped cookie that comes in a variety of brilliant colors and flavors. I Googled them and scanned through a wide array of images, as thoughts of urgently devouring them ran through my mind; biting into that delicate shell, through the soft meringue, plunging into a creamy filling and coming together in a chewy mound. Yum.

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