Cookbook Review: Taste Of Tremé - Creole, Cajun and Soul Food From New Orlean's Famous Neighborhood of Jazz, By Todd-Michael St. Pierre

I received a copy of Taste Of Treme - Creole, Cajun and Soul Food From New Orlean's Famous Neighborhood of Jazz, By  Todd-Michael St. Pierre.

Taste of Tremé captures all of the amazing Creole and Cajun flavors of Tremé, the culturally rich New Orleans neighborhood that was the birthplace of Jazz and is the subject of the critically acclaimed HBO show of the same name.

If you've been to New Orleans and are missing the flavors, you've got to get this cookbook. 

Creole Tomato Jambalaya (photo from Louisianaboy.com)

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Things You'll Need
Breaking The Past
Getting Da Taste Buds Goin'
Entreés
Desserts
Cocktails

You'll find mouthwatering recipes for Po' Boys, Muffulettas, Gumbos, Fried Catfish, Hushpuppies, Crab Nachos and more!

About the Author:

Todd-Michael St. Pierre, a Cajun and Creole foodie and New Orleans native, is the author of several popular cookbooks and children's books.  he has served as a judge for the Reading Rainbow young Writers and Illustrators Contest and has developed recipes for Cooking Light Magazine.  His boks have been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Denver Post, and on AOL Food.  His is also a contributing writer to elementary and middle-school textbooks published by Oxford University Press.  For more, visit his website Louisianaboy.com.

Taste Of Treme - Creole, Cajun and Soul Food From New Orlean's Famous Neighborhood of Jazz, By  Todd-Michael St. Pierre is available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, and your local bookseller.  It is also available on Kindle and The Nook.


Lola's Diner Disclaimer: I was given the cookbook Taste Of Treme - Creole, Cajun and Soul Food From New Orlean's Famous Neighborhood of Jazz, By  Todd-Michael St. Pierre to review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this book review.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2012

Cookbook Review: "Modern Flavors Of Arabia - Recipes and Memories From My Middle Eastern Kitchen" By Suzanne Husseini

A while back I received a copy of Modern Flavors Of Arabia - Recipes and Memories From My Middle Eastern Kitchen By Suzanne Husseini.

I love Middle Eastern food, but in the area where I live, there just aren't any restaurants in the area.  This book solved my craving for all my favorites.  It offers the secrets of creating perfect falafel, shawarma, hummus, tabbouleh, spinach filled filo triangles, baklawa and so many more dishes I can't wait to try.  Just flipping through the book looking at the fabulous photographs will make your mouth water.

Recipes are arranged by Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert, and Mezze.  Mezze translated from Arabic means sharing.  Small plates, similar to Tapas.  There are also Conversion Charts, a dictionary of Arabic ingredients and tools.  The book is full of the author's stories and ideas about how to serve each dish.
The hummus and tabbouleh recipes were fantastic.  I can't wait to plan an entire meal.
 
From Amazon.com:

About the Author

Suzanne Husseini was the host of one of the most popular Arabic cooking shows in the Middle East. She is a regular contributor to several publications around the world and frequently travels internationally as a featured food presenter. Suzanne lives in Dubai and Ottawa with her husband and three children.

You can find Modern Flavors of Arabia at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com and your local bookseller.  It is also available on Kindle.  This would make a great stocking stuffer for your favorite cook.
 
Lola's Diner Disclaimer: I was given the cookbook Modern Flavors of Arabia to review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this book review.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2012

Gluten Free Thanksgiving Feast

I had a very labor intensive menu this year, and since I did it virtually by myself, I had to pare it down as it got later and later, because I just didn't have the time, and I was fading fast.

This was the planned menu:

Pre-cooked Turkey courtesy of the local food pantry (sadly no giblets for the stuffing.)
Gluten Free Stuffing made with Udi's Gluten Free Bread
Mashed Potatoes courtesy of the local food pantry (lumpy, definitely not my Mom' Mashed Pototates
Lola's Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole
Cranberry Sauce (whole berry style.)
Lola's Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Lola's Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie
Lola and Mom's Gluten Free Pineapple Cheesecake

The 2 items that got scratched were Lola's Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese and the Roasted Brussels Sprouts because the stuffing was very time consuming.

Lola's Gluten Free Stuffing
3 loaves of Udi's Whole Grain Bread (that's all Meijer had, so I had to go with it.)
1 loaf of Udi's White Sandwich Bread (from my freezer)
Diced Onion
Diced Celery
2 large cans of Chicken Broth
Cooked and diced giblets (the turkey had none, so this year's stuffing was no meat and it was missed.)

As usual I skip the butter my Mom used to add to save on calories.  I also skipped the eggs that most stuffing recipes have, but I think next time I will use eggs because the stuffing was very dry and grainy.  I think the eggs will improve it greatly.

Lola's Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole
Progresso Vegetable Classics Cream of Mushroom Soup (Gluten Free)
2 pounds of frozen green beans
1 onion sliced and caramelized
Sprinkle of Crushed Tortilla (Gluten Free) (or crush your own corn tortillas)

Defrost the green beans, dump in a casserole dish or aluminum baking pan.  Dump in the entire can of Progesso Vegetable Classics Cream of Mushroom Soup (Gluten Free) (do not add anything, the soup is complete in the can.)
Mix.
Add carmelized onions (reserve part to add over the top of the casserole.
Spread the mix evenly in the casserole dish or pan.
Sprinkle reserved caramelized onion over the top.
Sprinkle Crushed Tortillas (Gluten Free) over the top for some crunchiness.

This turned out fantastic!  (I couldn't take a photo before everyone dug into it!)  The Caramelized Onion was my son's idea.  The Crushed Tortillas (Gluten Free) added just the right crunchiness missed by not having the Fried Onions.

Lola's Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie
1 small can Libby's Pumpkin Pie
Honey Nut Gluten Free Chex Cereal (pulverize in your food processor or blender) About 3 cups worth after pulverizing.
Gluten Free Bisquick about 1 Cup.
2 tablespoons melted Butter
2 eggs

Mix ingredients together.  The dough should be slightly moist and clump together.  Press dough into 9 inch pie plate.  Press dough up the sides of the pie plate and even out the dough.  Prepare the filling according to the Libby's label and pour into pie plate.  If you have any excess dough and filling, grab a few ramekins and press dough into the bottom and add filling.  Bake according Libby's label instructions.  Be sure to use a pie ring to prevent the top of the crust from burning ( I forgot this part.)

Lola's Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie was a big hit.  The Gluten Free crust tasted cookie like and was the perfect match for the pumpkin filling.

Lola and Mom's Gluten Free Pineapple Cheesecake
1 Box of Jello No Bake Cheesecake Mix (remove the Graham Cracker crust packet and toss, or save for a recipe for the members of the family who are not allergic to gluten.)
Honey Nut Gluten Free Chex Cereal (pulverize in your food processor or blender) About 3 cups worth after pulverizing.
6-8 Tablespoons melted Butter
1 small can Crushed Pineapple (squeezed and drained.)

Mix the pulverized cereal with the melted butter and press into 9 inch pie plate.  (Just as you would have done, had you used the Graham Cracker Crust Packet).
Prepare Cheese cake filling according to package directions.
Add the drained Crushed Pineapple and mix to distribute evenly throughout the filling.
Pour filling into prepared pie plate.  Smooth out the top of the pie evenly.  Add whole Chex Cereal pieces on top for decoration if desired.

OMG!  Was this a hit!  Everyone loved this.  Just the right amount of pineapple, and just the right amount of sweetness in the crust.

I will be preparing Lola's Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese sometime over the weekend, and I'll put the recipe up then.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! 

If you have any Gluten Free recipes to share from your holiday, please put them in the Comments.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2012

Sunday Stealing Social Meme

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme. Let's go!!!
Today we ripped off a blogger and one of our players named Kwizgiver  from the blog What if this is as good as it gets. It's 33 questions, we did edit it to make the right amount of questions. She states that she got it from Bev. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

1. Where was your profile picture taken?  For facebook?  In my room in front of my computer, using the cybercam.

2. Name someone who made you laugh today.  My son always makes me laugh.

3. Do you believe exes can be friends?  Yes!  But not if the person in the new relationship is too insecure and jealous.  Unfortunately, speaking from experience.  This is how I lost my bff.

4. How do you feel about Dr Pepper?  I like it.

5. Who was the last person you took a picture of? Probably my son.  He's always goofing when I start taking pics with my phone.

6. Are you upset about anything?  Yes, money and lack of it for Christmas.
 
7. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it? Yes, always.  I've learned that people that come into our lives come into it for a reason, and I've always found this to be true.
 
8. Are you a bad influence?  Oh yeah!  I definitely can be!
 
9. Night out or night in?  It's been night in for as long as I can remember because we don't have the funds to go out.  Last weekend we had an opportunity to double date with friends of ours, but had to cancel because I had $700 in unexpected car expenses which really killed an already sad budget.
 
10. Has anyone ever called you perfect before? Hardly.

11. What song is stuck in your head? I don't really have one right now.

12. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be?  A friend.

13. Do you think too much or too little?  I think way too much.

14. Ever been kissed under fireworks?  Oh yeah...cuz I'm cheesy like that.  Fireworks show, moonroof, gf sitting next to me in my SUV...fireworks!

15. When was the last time you cried really hard?  Earlier this week when my gf's Mom cancer was diagnosed.

16. What items could you not go without during the day?  Cellphone, SUV.

17. How do you feel about your life right now?  Sad...profoundly sad.

18. Name something you have to do tomorrow.  Go to work.

19. Wanna have grandkids before you’re 50?  Noooo!  I'm already 51 and my kids are still teenagers.

20. Do you smile a lot?  Around my kids and gf, yes.

Thank you for playing this week on Sunday Stealing! Please leave a comment or link when you have posted. Stop back and visit other player’s posts. That is really what this is all about, making new friends! Have a great week. See you next Sunday!

Lola's Diner ©2008-2012

3 day Black Weekend

Or should I say 4 day, if you count Thanksgiving Day?

It really is a Black weekend.  Very depressing.  I have not stepped foot in a store, except for a trip to Walgreens on Thanksgiving to pick up Dishwasher Detergent.

As it stands now, I don't see any way possible to do any Christmas shopping.  I'm behind on my mortgage, and have a payment agreement to make one and a half payments each month, which leaves me no money for even food.  Any spare money goes for utility payments when I get shut-off notices and for medical co-pays that are supposed to be paid by someone else, but they are not paying them, and they are not answering their phone.  Hmm...who could that be?

I've had depressing Christmases before, and I've been able to pull something off for Christmas, but this time it seems different.  It seems much worse.  The reason I think it seems much worse is because I have 2 kids now with a mental illness.  Almost every night my son asks if he can open a Christmas gift early.  He seems fixated on it, and each time I have to say I don't have any Christmas presents now.  It's like a dagger in my heart every time.  The other reason is that my gf's Mom just got diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that has spread to her liver, on top of that she has a very bad flu (one that there isn't a vaccine for this year) and pneumonia.  Her Mom is very weak, so weak that she cannot begin the aggressive chemotherapy that is needed for this cancer.  My gf's Mom is at peace with the prognosis, "when God says it's your time, it's your time", but it's very hard on my gf, she has never lost anyone close to her and she's in the anger stage now.  Why, with all the doctor visits and blood tests in the last year, was this not caught sooner?  I can understand the anger, but it's not doing anyone any good and it's just adding to her stress level.  I've told her how lucky she is to have this opportunity to spend this time with her Mom and say goodbye.  I never had that chance with my Mom, as she died suddenly with no warning of illness, nothing.  I know it's not much consolation, but when the news is bad, you have to find a positive and hold onto that.  Please send prayers and positive energy to us at this very difficult time.

If I am fortunate and receive any denomination of Visa gift card at my work holiday party, I will be spending it at GoodWill to make my money go further.

If you're fortunate this year and would like to donate to Lola's Diner, or would like to purchase an ad, please click on the link at the top of the blog. Anything would be much appreciated.

Thank you!


Lola's Diner ©2008-2012

Cookbook Review - Dadgum That's Good Too! By John McLemore

I received a copy of John McLemore's DADGUM That's Good, Too!  The only thing missing at my house is the Masterbuilt Smoker.  OMG!  These recipes are fantastic!  If you own any of MASTERBUILT's products, you've got to get this cookbook.  Even if you don't own one of their products, you can makeshift your gas grill with smoker boxes like I do.  I'm probably not getting as much smokey goodness as their smokers, but I'm working with what I've got, and the recipes are still mouthwatering good.  I'd love to do a review of one of their Electric Smokers.  Hint! Hint!
 

 

I've seen Mr. McLemore on QVC many times, and every time I swear the whole family is drooling from watching him take his completed dishes out of the smoker.

This is the cookbook you want for smoking, grilling, frying, steaming and boiling.  It contains 135 mouthwatering recipes with full-color photos.  Most recipes even suggest which type of wood is best to use.  You're going to find recipes for some items you've never imagined smoking...Nancy's Smoked Mac & Cheese, Corn Chowder, Beef Jerky, and more.  The Smoked Boston Butt is delicious.  (Bad blogger!  It looked so good everyone was digging in and I totally forgot to snap a photo.)

The book's Foreword is written by Paula Deen. 

The Table of Contents is as follows:

Introduction
Meat and Seafood
Smoking Times and Temperatures
Direct Versus Indirect Grilling
Most Common Woods For Smoking
Dadgum Good Flavors and Such
Our Story
Smoked
Fried
Grilled
Acknowledgements
Recipe Index

John McLemore Bio

John McLemore is the co-owner and President/CEO of Masterbuilt Manufacturing, Inc.  Masterbuilt manufactures indoor and outdoor consume cooking products and automotive aftermarket accessories.

As a leader in the industry, John is not afraid to take risks and keep pushing himself harder.  With faith in God and a lot of hard work, he continues to face challenges without fear.  He has traveled the world over and learned a lot of lessons about life, and food, along the way.  Everywhere he goes, he has requests for recipes, tips and secrets for his meals.  Always a solution-maker, he knew it was time to share his family story and recipes in a cookbook, Dadgum, That's Good! is much more than just a Southern phrase and the title of his cookbook, it's the summation of a life's work in creating delicious food with world-class cooking products.

This would make a great gift!

Dadgum That's Good Too! is available at Amazon.com and Barnes And Noble.com, as well as your local bookseller.

Lola's Diner Disclaimer: I was given the cookbook Dadgum That's Good Too! to review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this book review.

Lola's Diner ©2008-2012

How to take time for yourself

This is always a tough one...taking time for yourself.  Whether you are a parent of healthy children, or a parent of children with special needs or, in my case, a parent of children with mental illness, or an adult who is a caregiver for a parent.

Taking time for yourself is key to staying healthy yourself.  Sometimes it can be the most difficult thing if you have no family members or friends who can be your back-up when you want to take some time for yourself.  Whether it's an evening out with your significant other, or with friends, a day to spoil yourself at the spa, or even just an hour of "you" time, it can be incredibly difficult to find that time.

Other than finding that time, you may feel guilty for taking that time.  Even though it may be difficult to not feel guilty, you have to understand that you need that time to re-energize yourself to be able to be a good parent or caregiver.

It's really sad that in most communities there is no respite care, that is someone who can provide you with a respite from taking care of your family member.  There are so many people that are in a position where they are a caregiver for an ill parent, or parent of a special needs child or someone with a family member with a mental illness.  One would think there would be, or SHOULD BE a respite care network where people in that position can trade off an evening to give someone else some much needed time for themselves.

I have a bit of a commute each day.  About an hour to an hour and a half each way, depending on traffic and weather conditions.  I use this time as my time for myself.  Sometimes I'm just pre-compressing before I get home.  Kind of a de-compressing in advance for what I expect when I get home.  Kind of a brain-storming session in my head to figure out how deal with what I am coming home to, depending on how the children are doing with their illness.  Other times, I will stick my bluetooth in my ear and phone a friend.  Sometimes it's a friendly chat, catching up on things, other times it can be vent session where I'm really hoping my friend can make a suggestion or two, other times, it's their vent session.  Lol!

My other time for myself is Sunday mornings, if I can get up early enough, I will watch Sunday Morning on CBS...by...myself and enjoy a cup of coffee before everyone else wakes up.  Occasionally one of my kids will walk in on my special Sunday Morning and I will shoo them back to bed, or let them stay if they promise to watch the show and not talk...at all.  Lol! 


Lola's Diner ©2008-2012