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Tailgating Throwdown

05 Monday Nov 2012

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A couple weekends ago we attended the Tailgating Throwdown at the farmer’s market downtown. It’s a cooking competition open to everyone, but competitors must use locally sources ingredients from the market. You buy tasting tickets and vote for your favorite team. All the proceeds benefit the Farmer’s Market, which is organized by BREADA.

Farmer’s Market

I didn’t take the best pictures, as I was volunteering at the event. But here are some snapshots. Teams made dishes such as Callas, Zucchini and Squash rolls, Catfish on a stick (batter made with pork rinds) with some cane sauce (pretty delicious), and Butternut squash soup, just to name a few. They also had Mimosas and Bloody Marys for sale and live Zydeco music.

Tailgating Throwdown

Overall, we had a lot of fun. It’s a nice way to spend your morning, especially on a beautiful day. They also had events set up for the children, like their very own mini farmer’s market. Oh and before I forget, the winner this year (decided by the judges) was LSU Press and their Calas dish.  People’s Choice Award went to Forum35 and their Butternut Squash and Andouille soup.

LSU Press

French Wine Dinner

05 Friday Oct 2012

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A couple of weeks ago a group of us went to the French Wine Dinner at Beausoleil. As soon as we walked in the door, we were greeted with a glass of Domaine del Sol (so refreshing after working all day) and hors’ oeuvres, which were, smoked oysters. We proceeded to our seats, which featured the dinner menu and many many wine glasses! The “premier plat” was a grilled seafood sausage with pickled fennel and a buerre blanc. It was amazing! You could clearly see the lobster in the sausage. Normally, I don’t like fennel but pickled it was delicious.  Who doesn’t like anything pickled? The seafood sausage was served with a crisp 2007 Mommessin.

Grilled Seafood Sausage

Unfortunately, the next dish I forgot to photograph. It was so delightful that I became so immersed in it and before I knew it was gone! Chef Nathan served a Lapin Au Vin (rabbit stew) with a house made fettuccine. C’est Marveilleux! Served with a Chateau Artix. I tried to ask for another serving so I could take picture (of course!) but the chef was already on to his next dish. The main entrée was pan roasted lamp chop satin potatoes and rosemary veal reduction served with a smooth Chateau Hoyt Bordeaux. The meat was tender and the potatoes were so rich and creamy. I wanted to lick the plate!

Pan Roasted Lamb Chops

The grand finale was a black cherry and walnut strudel with a white chocolate whipped cream and a vanilla brandy sauce. I don’t know how I managed to eat it all, but I did, including the Clos Sainte Anne Bordeaux I washed it down with. Everything was magnifique. Now, I am not a wine connoisseur, I just enjoy it. But everything at Beausoleil that evening was fabulous. We really enjoyed it and appreciated the fact that the chef came out to talk with us at our table and explain the menu. Can’t wait for the Beer Dinner this October!

Black Cherry and Walnut Strudel

Exploring the Natchez Trace

18 Wednesday Jul 2012

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So I know it’s still hot and only July but all this heat has me thinking of the fall. Autumn is my absolute favorite season and if you love it like I do, you will appreciate this post. I didn’t think the fall existed in the deep south, but last November proved me wrong. My boyfriend and I traveled to Natchez, Mississippi to see Angels on the Bluff (really great experience) and the following day we began the Natchez Trace.

Natchez Trace

It’s a pristine road that takes you from Natchez to Nashville. We only had time to go to Jackson and that took the entire day.

First Stop on the Trace

There are a great many stops and detours along the way, and if you love history like I do, you will want to see them all. It was a beautiful day, the air was crisp and the foliage was lovely. Some of the stops along the way included Mount Locust. One of the oldest structures in Mississippi.

And the Windsor Ruins which I think is a must see! It’s like you are visiting an ancient Greek Ruin. At one time, it was the largest Greek Revival antebellum mansion in the state.

There is also a ghost town known as Rocky Springs (after the spring dried up, it was just rocky). Many of the structures have disappeared but the old church is still there and functioning.

Along the way you can also see areas of the Sunken Trace.


And if you aren’t interested in history at all, you can still take the drive. It’s beautiful in the Spring and Fall and great for motorcycle riding.

Lastly, because I can’t go anywhere without talking about food, we happened to stop at this restaurant for lunch voted best fried chicken by Food and Wine magazine. Two Sisters Kitchen located in Jackson, MS is really delicious!

Hello world!

27 Wednesday Jun 2012

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On August 13, 2011 after countless visits and constant internet searching, I moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was a full moon. Never in my life did I imagine myself living in the Red Stick City. Yet, almost a year later, here I am!

The purpose of this blog is not to write about why I am here (A Yankee from New England) but it is about what I’m doing here….A lot of eating!

Soft Shell Crab

I used to travel mostly outside the country but now that I reside in the Deep South, these days I’m either flying home to Rhode Island or whisking away for short weekend trips to cities I have never seen.
Natchez

And I also want to reach out to my fellow Yankees in the South who want to share their experiences, positive or negative, good or bad. Everyone’s experience is unique and different so I would love to hear from people who have transplanted. Please don’t be shy!