New Orleans Trip 2013

I really have to share.  I'm still digging New Orleans, you guys!  Obviously, I have to blog about it.  I took a ton of pictures and figured I should share some here.  Let's just say that I went to all the most-talked-about-and-important places.  Naturally, a lot of them are food-related, because heck, a girl's gotta eat sometime.  So let's get this party rolling.

Warning: This is a pic-heavy post.  It's mostly my fault because I should just make collages to make the photos more compact, but it's a long story and I can't do anything about that now.  Just so ya know...

Chocolate Palmiers

I just returned from a pretty bangin' trip to New Orleans.  I want to go back straight straight straight away.  I recently developed an affinity for jazz music and a slight obsession with the Big Easy.  I blame the Preservation Jazz Hall Band.  You see, I went to see them at City Winery in NYC back in February.  Halfway through the concert, I came to the conclusion that these talented men seemed to live pretty happy and rich lives down in New Orleans.  So clearly I had to go check it out!

Now I don't usually do this.  You can be certain that I am not much of a traveler, but I figured I should probably work on changing that up.  I like to travel, but there always seems to be a reason not to go just-this-second.  I switched up the game this year.  In 2013, we will travel more!

So anyhow, I went to NOLA and ate my face off, while listening to a ton of jazz music and making new friends along the way.  I did it up right.  However, I have now developed an addiction to pralines.  This cannot lead anywhere good.  I know it. I just recently weaned myself* off these chocolate palmiers and I already have another replacement!

*Disclaimer: I have not actually weaned myself off these palmiers, but I did run out of them.  I have been holding myself back from making another batch so that I don't scarf them down all at once.

Asparagus, Tomato & Basil Couscous

 

About this gorgeous weather that we've started having...Thank you.  I am completely on board with Mother Nature doing a 180 and finally realizing what time of year it is.  And this "change of heart" is perfectly timed with the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.

Since spring is finally springing, I guess I should stop showing you recipes with chocolate, huh? (The correct answer is: No.) Never, ever fear.  There is chocolate in the quite immediate future, but for now, we will have fresh vegetables, mixed with some couscous and cheese.  Who can hate on that?

This quick and easy dish came to me from one of my favorite blogs, Shutterbean.  Tracy never fails to find just the right thing to make at the right time.  When I saw this post last week, I knew I had to get the ingredients and make it.  Here's a note, though.  I had very few of the ingredients already, but once I subbed out a few items, it turned out that all I needed was some asparagus.  

Me - 1, Dead zone where my perishable food goes to curl up and die - 0.

S'mores Cookies

I know I'm doing something that is just so rude.  Please don't despise me for it, Erin.

It's Secret Recipe Club time again and this month I was paired up with the Wholesome RD blog.  Hi, Erin!  Um, this is awkward, but I'm totally renaming your Campfire Cookies.  Let me tell you why.

Anytime I hear of a combination of chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallow, I immediately hone in on smore's.  I mean, it's only natural.  The entire time I was making these cookies, I kept referring to them as s'mores cookies.  I couldn't help it!  I finally stopped fighting it.  They will be called S'mores Cookies.  So sorry.

By the way, these are fluffy, delicious little things!  I may have taste tested quite a few of them.  It was necessary though.  Since my big move, I haven't yet realized exactly what I'm missing from my cooking/baking stash.  What I found out this weekend was that I lack a second baking sheet.  You may not think that is a problem, but when a recipe makes 3 dozen cookies and you can only bake 8 - 10 per baking sheet....you have a long afternoon ahead of you.  Alright, it wasn't that tragic, but you get my drift.

Back to the deliciousness. These cookies weren't as sweet as I thought they would be, which is probably a good thing given that I taste-tested 1-2 cookies per batch.  (If you don't want to do that math, I made 4 batches of these cookies, sooo...)  One thing that I would love to experiment with is doubling the amount of chocolate, graham crackers,and marshmallow mix-ins.  I know I just said I loved the taste, but as one of my favorite YouTubers always says "Why be subtle?"

Egg Salad Sandwich with Avocado

Remember when I said I had something "egg-y" for you?  Nope.  I didn't forget about it.  I just wanted to show you a good taco pasta time before cinco de mayo.  Cause you never know when taco pasta needs to happen.  Most likely it needs to happen sometime around a Mexican-themed holiday which is not really a Mexican holiday.  Think about it.

So now that I have your attention, let's talk about a breakfast/lunch/dinner sandwich situation that I think you should get into.  I'm usually not one to eat many eggs if they're not in a cookie or a cake.  I have been known to enjoy an omelet but usually only if someone else makes it for me.  If I have to make breakfast, then we're probably looking at a mug of coffee and maybe an avocado toast if I'm feeling fancy.

The other day, I figured I'd go out on a limb and try to expand my egg repertoire.  You have one of those too, right?  An egg repertoire.  I mean, who doesn't?  Let's expand together.  I present to you, an egg salad sandwich.  Oh, and make sure to throw some avocado on there for good measure.  All the cool kids are doing it nowadays.

Taco Pasta

When I moved to my new apartment, I knew I was moving across the street (literally!) from my favorite bar in Hoboken.  What I didn't know was that the N'Orleans-style restaurant next to my favorite bar was being renovated into a Mexican cantina!

Clearly, the gods know that Mexican food is one of my staple food groups.  I scoped out the details about the new restaurant from some inside sources.  There's supposed to be a tequila bar, amazing food, and an outdoor courtyard with a fireplace.  Obviously there will be margaritas.  Sign me up now.

I also found out it was supposed to open in April.  Hmmm....It's now May and from the boarded up front windows, it's not looking like this place will be open in time for one of the best holidays of the year: Cinco de Mayo!

I guess I'm just going to have to make my own Mexican food until my new favorite Mexican place decides to grace us with its presence.  I can wait.  (No I can't, but I don't really have a choice here, do I?)