Back to Bonnie Bell’s Bistro!

14 Friday Oct 2011

Posted by in Bonnie Bell's Bistro Lafayette, Carolyn Wright Blog, restaurants in lafayette, louisiana

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,


 

 

I have been a fan of Bonnie Bell’s Bistro www.bonniebells.com, since they first opened over 10 years ago in the building which now serves as a home to The Saints Street Inn.  They are now located in Downtown Lafayette on Jefferson Street. I can remember during water aerobics at Lourdes Health Center (yes, I did water aerobics…actually loved it and really miss my “classmates” since being a dropout!) as we were going through our exercises, we would start talking about – food…that is when I first heard about the infamous Bonnie Bell’s Crab Cakes!  Paddling around on a noodle, in the pool, talking about crab cakes…yes, I do miss this class!

Now, I have to confess, it has been a while since my last visit to Bonnie Bell’s, but something drew me back this week for lunch – A little “deja vu” moment and I was there!  And boy, was I thrilled to return…

Started with an old favorite: Tri-Colored Chips With Avocado & Tomato Salsa…Lightly fried sun-dried tomato, cheesy jalapeno and herb garlic tortillas that have just the right amount of crunchiness without being hard or dry – to dip in the creamy, bright  and “not too hot” avacado & tomato salsa.  Love it every time!

As an appetizer, we just had to have crab cakes…This incredibly beautiful dish is called Bistro Crab Pearls! Small luscious bundles of joy – crab cakes perched on a little nest of fresh sautéed spinach…They first win you over with the inventive artistic presentation – but then when the flavors hit your palate with its rich creaminess and slight crunch when you bite into these little treasures, your knees get weak! The contrast between the sweet bechamel sauce in the crab cake and the savory sautéed spinach was divine…Sinply delicious!

This is what the inside of that precious little “pearl” looks like…

The Smoked Chile’ Fried Shrimp Sandwich was my choice for the entree’…Oh my gosh!  Lightly fried Jumbo Gulf Shrimp dressed with ripe avocado & tomato with crispy fresh shredded romaine lettuce, with a softly smoked chile’ mayo – all sitting beautifully on a perfectly toasted Italian Focaccia flatbread!  Well, it was to die for…

My dining pal opted for the Shrimp Flatbread Pizza…sounds simple, right? Nothing simple about this unique twist on “pizza”! The fresh flatbread is topped with melted provolone cheese and smoked Chile’ sauce, then huge grilled shrimp are stacked on top of robust creole tomatoes, roasted purple onions and  green peppers.  If that is not enough, this dish is presented on a beautiful rustic wooden board…fabulous!

Just look what came out of the kitchen:

Dessert?  I will blame this one on my 7 month pregnant dining buddy… (Although, I never can finish a meal without something sweet!)  Banana Foster’s Bread Pudding!

This is Bonnie Bell’s freshly made bread pudding with strips of ripe bananas running throughout each piece, then topped with a warm light rum cream sauce…If you love Bananas Foster, you will love this…

As we were being served, I kept asking to meet the “artist” in the kitchen…this was one of the most beautiful meals that I have had in a while.  Every dish was so well thought out, artistic and delicious! This is what I call “Food That Works”….Can’t wait to take another trip back to Bonnie Bell’s Bistro – or maybe I should re-think that Water Aerobics Class!

“Fig Picker’s” Fall Fig Cake!

12 Wednesday Oct 2011

Posted by in Fig Cake, Figs, picking Figs, Uncategorized

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

, , , ,


Every year, I risk my life (or maybe just my bones!) climbing on a tall ladder trying to make sure that I pick every single fig on my fig tree! In South Louisiana, figs begin to ripen in early to mid July, when temps are peaking! So there I am –  on the top step of that ladder, with my head hidden by the thick leaves on the tree, sweating, swatting mosquitoes with one hand and reaching as far as my other arm can go…for that full bucket of ripe figs.  I keep telling my kids that if I don’t answer my phone during fig season,  come looking for me…(would be a terrible way to lose your moma!) But, crazy as it sounds, I love every moment – just me and my figs!

When I was growing up, it was an annual ritual – helping my mother and grandmother pick figs.  Of course, we could climb the tree back then!  And we were taught well…not to leave one ripe fig hanging. Yes, we were on a mission! Some things just stick…the joy of fig and pecan picking are two that just won’t leave me alone!

After you have a couple of gallons of figs (eating a whole lot of them fresh right off of the tree) you do what all “fig pickers” do…you cook them down with a lot of sugar, can them, give some away, then put countless jars in your pantry.  You start out eating them with everything:  on french bread, biscuits, plain white bread and even ice cream.  Then, the thrill wears off and they just sit in your pantry. Just a warning…Fig pickers tend to be hoarders with their beautiful jars of canned figs! When my grandmother died, we found closets full of jars from years past…the problem is, you can’t seem to stop the cycle of picking those darn wonderful fresh figs every year even if your closet is full!

So, my goal has become to use them in as many different ways as possible.  There are pork loins to be stuffed, sauces to be made, cheeses to be topped, cookies and pies to be baked and my favorite…Moma’s Fig Cake!

When the fall comes around, that is when I start craving the cinnamon and spices of the season…and remember moma’s wonderful fig cake…

Ingredients:

1/2 cup “real” butter

1 cup of sugar

3 eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups of all-purpose flour

1 tsp soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 cup cultured buttermilk (do not use the low fat or non-fat!)

2 cups fig preserves (if your figs are canned whole, cut them up)

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup coconut

1 cup raisins

Now to the fun part:

Combine butter and sugar and cream together with mixer on high-speed until it is fluffy;

Add eggs, beating well

Blend in the vanilla

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, soda, cinnamon and nutmeg

Start adding your flour mixture (on a low setting of your mixer), a little at a time, alternating with the buttermilk.  Mix until the flour and buttermilk are integrated and blended well.

Slowly add the figs, pecans, coconut and raisins.

Pour batter into a well-greased and floured bundt pan.

Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees or until a straw or toothpick come out clean when poked in the middle of the cake.

Let cool completely, then sprinkle generously with powdered sugar!

This cake comes out so moist with the surprise crunch of the pecans and chewiness of the soft sweet raisins.  The coconut just adds that little “lagnappe” that we are always looking for!

This cake has worked for generations and is still working for us today…didn’t last long in my house – only traces left of this fabulous Fall Fig Cake!

How About Some Chicken Soup?

08 Saturday Oct 2011

Posted by in Chicken Soup, Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , ,


It doesn’t take a cold front to give me an “envie” for homemade chicken soup…it just happens – all of a sudden that is what I want!  But, when it is cool or someone is feeling sick, then there it is…a reason to run to the store or farmer’s market for fresh ingredients and “pull out the big pot”!  Or – you can simply clean out your fridge and use all of those leftover veggies that need to be used! There are so many different ways to make a chicken soup, but the basics are always the same: a good chicken (whole or pieces), chicken stock (homemade or store-bought)  onions, carrots, celery, and your favorite pasta.

Now, I sort of obsess over keeping homemade stock in my freezer…every kind of stock!  If I peel shrimp or crabs…I start a stock with the shells; If I roast a chicken, I make a stock with all of the bones and skin; If my son or husband catch and clean fish, I ask for the heads and back bones for – stock!  No plans on a rainy Saturday – sounds like a beef stock kind of day to me;  Steamed lobster – guess what I do with the shells?  Sounds crazy?  It’s really not…almost everything that you cook is sooo much better if you add stock – trust me!

 

I love the way that Thomas Keller makes stock in his book, ad hoc at home

and…

 

 

 

John Besh’s stocks in

My New Orleans

 

 

 

 

I use a combination of the two! Oh my gosh..stocks – each type deserves its own post, another day – soon!

This is what my freezer looks like right now:


This makes me happy…imagine!

Getting back to Chicken Soup, this is the version that I came up with last week…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 whole chicken, cut up and seasoned with salt and pepper

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 cup rough chopped celery

3 medium onions, chopped

3 carrots, cut into thin rounds

1 cup green cabbage, finely chopped

2 bell pepper, finely chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

3 ears of corn – cut off of cob and scrape juice with edge of knife

1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped

4 cups fresh or store-bought chicken broth

1 cup fresh or canned tomato sauce

To Start:

Chop all of your vegetables and put in a large bowl. (Don’t try to “chop as you go”!)

Chop your herbs and have in a separate small bowl.

Brown chicken in olive oil on medium/high heat for about 15 minutes.  Turn chicken while it’s cooking.  When all sides are brown, remove and put chicken pieces on platter or tray.

Add celery, onions, carrots, cabbage, bell pepper, corn, and garlic to stock pot and cook on medium heat, until veggies are soft, but not browned. Stir almost constantly, so that they won’t burn or stick to pot.

Add tomato sauce, chicken stock and bring to a boil.

Return browned chicken back into pot, adding parsley, thyme, and enough water to cover by 2 inches.

Bring back to a boil, then lower heat so that the soup is just barely bubbling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cook until chicken is tender, approximately 1 hour. Add water as liquid cooks off…make sure that the soup does not get too thick!

Quick tip…clean the kitchen while the soup is cooking!  I always clean as I cook, but if you don’t…do it now – really!

Take all chicken pieces out of pot and place in clean platter or tray

When cool… de-bone chicken and put pieces back into soup.

Add dry pasta and cook until “al dente”

Season, to taste, with salt and fresh ground black pepper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m getting hungry for this all over again!!!

Serve with fresh warm bread and “real” butter…I promise that you will make someone feel better or at least, feel special!  Works wonders….Yes, good ole chicken soup!

Glorious Galatoire’s

05 Wednesday Oct 2011

Posted by in Galatoire's, New Orleans Restaurants

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,


When an old friend called and suggested that we meet him in New Orleans, this past weekend, for an event called “Art for Art’s Sake” on Magazine and Julia Streets we didn’t hesitate – Of course…Yes! The weather was going to be beautiful…clear skies and slightly cool temperatures – perfect!

Now, I love art, but Lord knows I love great food more!  I knew that a short overnight stay would have to include a trip to Galatoire’s…

http://galatoire’s.com

This is one of our favorite old traditional New Orleans restaurants…”pack a jacket” was my first comment to my husband!  You see, men must wear jackets in the evening and on Sunday lunches…and most guys will have a jacket  on for weekday lunches; If you don’t have one, they always have some “loaners”!  And there have been times, throughout the years, when someone forgets to bring a jacket…

Sunday Lunch was the plan!  Doors open at 11:30, so we arrived at 10:45 to get in line…you always want to sit downstairs – where they don’t take reservations (that is were all of the action is…although I will admit that I have never sat upstairs!)  As soon as the doors open, you go on in…give them your name, number in party and the name of the waiter that  you would like (and, of course, everyone knows the waiter they want – if not, just ask someone in line!)  After checking in, they send you straight upstairs to the bar where you wait and have a “morning” cocktail or two – no one hesitates, they all have their favorites…Bloody Marys, Cosmos, Champagne, Mimosa, Martinis, Old Fashions – they were all being served!  Yes, lunch at Galatoire’s had begun…

Precisely at noon, we all “mosey” down stairs and are led to your table – with your favorite waiter, of course!

The crowd is festive and lively.. you would think that there was a parade coming, but no….just another Sunday in New Orleans – you have to love it!   As I looked around the room, each table seemed as though they could have been sitting in their own dining room…young and old – sharing stories, laughing, hugging as each person arrives (even applauding some!) There were those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries.  And some were like us…simply, but clearly celebrating life!

So here we go…

We started with the Souffle’ Potatoes, that are like a secret magical puff of a potato that just seems to melt in your mouth the moment you bite into it!  Reminded me of a beignet, but potato – then a bearnaise sauce for dipping…Magical is the only word I can use!

Seared Foie Gras with Cane Syrup on Pain Perdu (French Toast) with Apricot Chutney – how in the world could I not order this?

The buttery texture of the foie gras, perfectly seared with cane syrup,  placed on top of the mildly sweet pain perdue –  paired with the fresh apricot chutney!  One of the best things ever…I will have to attempt this one at home!

Crabmeat Canape’ Lorenzo…Wonderful large puffs of sweet lump crabmeat blended with bechamel sauce, topped with thin slices of anchovies sitting on top of a piece of lightly toasted bread – Perfection!  Had to fight for the last bite of this one…

 

Oh my…(and I do mean: “my” – I LOVE this salad so much and make it at home!)

Godchaux Salad…named after Mr. Leon Godchaux, in the 1920’s.  Mr. Godchaux owned the famous Godchaux’s Department Store on Canal Street and would walk over to Galatoire’s and request this salad to be prepared just for him.  Thank you, Mr. Godchaux!! Perfect jumbo lumps of sweet blue crab and huge boiled shrimp doused lightly in a creole mustard vinaigrette, always served on crispy iceberg lettuce, fresh tomatoes, boiled eggs.  I crave this salad on a regular basis!

My “main” entrée…(Sounds like we could have swam back to Lafayette after all of the lump crabmeat and shrimp we had eaten…But please not yet! Don’t haul us away in the paddywagon yet…we must continue!)

Bouillabaisse!

So glad we continued!   A beautiful blend of slightly sweet and savoy… perfectly balanced tomato based “soup” with fresh notes of saffron, thyme, bay and garlic – Add to that,  fresh redfish, lump crabmeat, oysters and shrimp~Well…Extraordinary!  Tip the bowl and sop up every last drop with their wonderful warm garlic bread…Love!

Dessert?  Who could possibly have room for dessert?  We just couldn’t leave Galatoire’s without a “bite” of something sweet!

So…Caramel Caramel Custard Cup it was!  This has been on their menu since they first opened in 1905!  Can’t go wrong…velvety smooth creme’ caramel – Not too sweet, just a perfect end to a fabulous “extravaganza” of a Sunday Lunch at Galatoire’s!

Galatoire’s…God, I love this place! 106 years old…a tradition for generations – where strangers become friends, waiters become family, surviving Hurricane Katrina, receiving the prestigious James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant of 2005, and much more…

This is the cookbook that tells the interesting history and recipes that have been handed down from family members and their chefs.  From my point of view, worth its weight in gold!  A must have!

All of this and always staying true to the heart and soul of New Orleans. All I say upon leaving is what I always say, “I’ll be back  bringing friends”- only one way to say it…Thank you, Glorious Galatoire’s, I love you!

Lemon Fish Right off of the Boat!

02 Sunday Oct 2011

Posted by in Poached Lemon Fish

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,


Nothing is better than cooking fresh fish “that swam in the Gulf that morning”!  Growing up with family that fished regularly – I know that first hand…boy, are we lucky to live so close to the Gulf and have the Atchafalaya Basin as a playing ground! Salt and fresh water fish, anytime we want it…(Almost!)

So, when my son walked in the house with a couple a huge, fresh and simply gorgeous slabs of Lemon Fish (also known as Cobia or Ling) that he caught on a fishing trip with my brother and nephews…I was thrilled – imagine that!  Immediately started thinking about the perfect way to cook this wonderful fish.  Not an oily fish, so I knew that I wanted to keep it clean and bright tasting – wanting to bring out the flavor, not hide it in a heavy sauce or batter.  Poaching – sounds exactly what we needed to do!  After talking about it with my “side kick – food guru” son, we knew that it would be fun and delicious…

6 Lemon Fish filet “steaks”  approximately 4″ X 6″ (Any thick, firm and fresh non-oily fish would be great

1/2 cup of white wine

1/2 cup fish stock

1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Bouquet garni (dill, sage and thyme sprigs tied together with kitchen twine)

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of cayenne pepper

Pat the fish filets with paper towel.  Season lightly with salt and pepper.  Refrigerate if not cooking immediately.  Make sure that you cover your fish so they will not dry out!

Heat wine, lemon juice and stock in a large skillet until coming to a boil.  Lower fire until liquids are just lightly bubbling.

Add fish filets and bouquet garni.

 

 

 

 

Spoon or ladle liquid over fish, continuously, until tops of fish are no longer translucent (do not turn fish over and be very gentle while cooking)  The fish cooks quickly and make sure not to overcook!

 

 

Remove, lightly sprinkling cracked black pepper, a twist of lemon,and  a few sprigs of thyme and dill.  Serve immediately…

Pairing freshly fried home-made potato chips and slices of avocado and tomatoes seemed to balance the freshness and lightness of the succulent sweet fish…

Lemon Fish right off of the boat?  Works every time!

The Thrill of Night Blooming Jasmine…

30 Friday Sep 2011

Posted by in Leftover Night, Night Blooming Jasmine

≈ 6 Comments

Tags


As I walked outside late this afternoon (just to see what plants looked sad and dry!)  I knew that this was going to be a special evening!  The sweet and heady scent that ran throughout my yard, again, took me back to a time when I was young.  There was a “magical” plant in my grandmother’s yard that bloomed only at night, in the late summer and fall…my mother loved it so much and talked about it every evening it was in bloom….Night Blooming Jasmine!

So, when we moved into our home, I had to have some of this “magic” back again!  I can tell you, that it is not easy to find these plants…I went online and ordered – not one – but three!

I have nurtured these three little plants for several years now…keeping my husband from “whacking”  them back when they looked straggly!  Miracle Grow, watering, watching them freeze in the winter – only to sprout back in the spring!  Finally, in the past couple of weeks I have seen them starting to create hundreds of tight flower buds… Payoff time!

If only I could have captured the whole experience to share…sitting in our quiet backyard, with a beautiful clear sky full of stars and the strong sweet fragrance of Night Blooming Jasmine!  It was an incredible simple evening – after waiting so long for the “magic”… it was well worth it!

Reminded me of Joy Leb Nichols song:

“…Come on over to my yard
‘Cause right now heaven’s right here,,,”

So what does this have to do with food and cooking?  It’s all about planning ahead….

If you have been smart or lucky enough to freeze leftovers from all of those delicious meals – Tonight would be the night!  Always keep a stash in your freezer, for nights like this…just pull something out, heat in the oven or microwave and you have a great meal to top off a fabulous evening.  Worked for me this evening!

Mario Batali In My Garden – Pesto!

28 Wednesday Sep 2011

Posted by in Basil, Fresh Herbs, Italian Cooking, Italian Food, Mario Batali, Pesto, The Babbo CookBook, The Saints Street Inn

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,


I have loved Mario Batali, since I first saw him on Iron Chef America…or maybe longer?!

I love his style, his unique personality and, yes, his food!  I have read one of his cookbooks, Molto Italiano, from cover to cover…cooking all along the way.

But, nothing prepared me for a dining experience in his restaurant “Babbo” http://babbonyc.com in New York City, with my son,  this past August!  Of, course, then I needed the Babbo Cookbook- – which I am in love with.  Believe me, our trip (which we named “Mother/Son Eating Tour of New York City!) will be a separate entry all unto itself!  A trip to Babbo was the perfect beginning to an adventure that we will always cherish!  Not only did we eat our way through New York City (for 4 days), but we laughed, met great New Yorkers and made friends from all over the world…even at a Hookahs Bar!

But, getting back to Mario Batali in my garden…

After becoming obsessed with the Caprese Salad Sandwich from The Saints Street Inn http://saintstreetinn.com, I started seeking out “the perfect pesto recipe”.  I wanted one that wasn’t too oily and would sit perfectly on top of fresh ripe tomatoes and mozzarella cheese all within a slightly crispy cibatta roll…  Thumbing through Batali’s cookbooks – there it was – HIS recipe for pesto.

Since I have a tub of basil growing and thriving on my front porch, this would be easy!!!  And his recipe is the best pesto I have ever eaten…

 

Directions

In a food processor or large stone mortar, place pine nuts, basil, garlic and salt and blend until paste. Add cheese and drizzle in olive oil.  You can store in a jar, refrigerated, topping with a very thin coating of extra virgin olive oil to just cover the pesto.  This will keep for up to one week!   Thank you, Chef Batali!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go ahead, and get your own herbs growing!  I grow all of mine in pots on my front porch…just need part sun and a lot of water.  The more you use them, the more they grow – some will even survive winter!  It really brings a freshness and brightness to all of your dishes that you prepare.  Works?  You better believe it!  Mario Batali can sit in my garden anytime…if only…

First Weekend in Fall and a Farmer’s Market

25 Sunday Sep 2011

Posted by in Farmer's Markets Lafayette, Hub City Farmer's Market Lafayette

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


I love Farmer’s Markets!  It is so much fun to explore the local markets and see what is being grown, harvested, cooked and creatively displayed. This is what I found at  the Hub City Farmer’s Market on Heyman Blvd in Lafayette on Saturday…

Gotreaux’s (www.gofamilyfarms.com)  fresh farm eggs, green and yellow zucchini, baby (two toned) squash, small sweet watermelons, cantaloupe, tender baby okra, baby eggplants and my favorite, their lambchops!

Thibodough’s (www.thibodoughs.com) Cinnamon and raisin bread (my granddaughter claimed a loaf as soon as she saw it!), kalaches and spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and feta wrapped in a light and flakey puff pasty.

Beautiful fresh mixed flowers arranged creatively in mason jars (They also sell homemade juice popsicle that are fresh, bright and wonderful!);

Homemade peppermint soap from Acadian Rain, one of their newest soaps…smells like you just rubbed your hands through a garden of fresh mint!

And, of course, I couldn’t come home (for myself and my daughter) without  freshly roasted coffee beans from Supreme Beans Coffee Roasters!  She also sells freshly baked cookies and pastries that are always wonderful.

I particularly love the spicy homemade salsa sold by Linda Jo’s Salsa…great stuff!

Now, what in the world did I do with all of these fresh and wonderful treasures?   Having my granddaughter with me on Saturday morning, we immediately (in the car, driving home)  start nibbling on that soft, fresh, sweet cinnamon raisin bread and savory kalaches!  Then, as soon as we were home, cut into that incredibly sweet little watermelon and quickly devoured it, while a fresh pot of coffee was brewing (of course, with the fresh roasted beans!)

Since I was expecting overnight guests, the beautiful fresh flowers went into the guest bedroom!  Lamb Chops, right into the freezer for another day (and another post!)   Baby eggplants and squash will be grilled with supper tonight, zucchini will turn into a loaf of fresh, sweet and savory zucchini bread. (I have been hungry for this since my youngest daughter, who is in the Pastry Arts Program at Delgado in New Orleans, sent a picture to me of a loaf that she had made in class!) The cantaloupe went well with breakfast this morning, along with the fresh eggs.   And the soap went home with my granddaughter…precious!

Those tiny tender baby orka.. I had plans for those!  They brought back wonderful memories of what my mother used to do with the smallest of the okra that she would find when cooking a whole sack:

 

Wash and gently boil whole okra in lightly salted water until just tender (approximately 5 minutes after water comes back to a boil)

 

 

Slice 1 onion into bowl and sprinkle with 1 tsp salt and fresh ground pepper;

Add 1 cup of white vinegar

 

 

Drain okra and (while still hot) pour into bowl with onion and vinegar.

Stir and mix well.

 

 

 

Enjoy at room temperature or after chilled…great to eat alone as a snack, as a compliment to a salad or in a nice cold Bloody Mary!!

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of my favorite ways to start a Saturday (especially with one of my grandchildren in tow).  For me, this just works in so many ways…creating great lifelong memories with another generation! Well, it just doesn’t get much better than that…

The Saints Street Inn and “thoughtful” food…

22 Thursday Sep 2011

Posted by in Crabmeat, lafayette, la food blog, Louisiana food blog, restaurants in lafayette, louisiana, restaurants in south louisiana, The Saints Street Inn

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,


I have heard the expression that certain food was so “thoughtfully” prepared many times, on food shows, books and in discussions…but never quite understood (really understood) what that meant.  How in the world could food be “thoughtful”?  But, after 3 dining experiences at a new restaurant in town, The Saints Street Inn, I knew!  I finally knew what was meant by that term… I felt it in every dish that was served at our table (and let me tell you, we ate some food!).

I had been hearing about this new restaurant that opened in August, close by our house, right off of St. Mary Blvd across from Ole Tyme Grocery.  This little building has been there for years and years…last was the former site of Bonnie Bell’s Bistro, Gallaghers and numerous plate lunch cafes.   Of course, I had to try it out…So my husband and I ventured out for lunch one day to see what all of the hoopla was about…Then, I had to have my daughter and one of her best friends come with me to check it out…Finally, to make sure that we were all right about this place, I took my son (food guru) for his blessing on this great new find!  Everyone sang high praises for every dish ordered and, of course, we all had to try each other’s dishes…So here is what I loved…

When we first walked up onto the lovely covered front porch, that had plenty of tables set, (when the weather is nice, this would be a great place to enjoy it) and saw that they had a chalk board highlighting their “specials of the day”…Nice!  Walked in and was immediately seated.  Looking around, I liked what I saw…unpretentious, crisp and fresh renewal to an old place with a loads of history!  The waitresses were young and energetic with quite a busy crowd, on all 3 occasions!  You know, a large part of my dining experience is so much about the service and joy shown by the waiters and waitresses…so, yes, impressed so far! But when the food started coming, I was sold. And if ever there was thoughtful food…this was it…carefully plated, freshly assembled and you just knew that a lot of heart and soul went into the selection and preparation of every single ingredient, cup and plate presented to our precious table.  Here is what we have tried so far:

Watermelon and Cantelope Agua Fresca:  Covered my love of this in my last post! Will have a glass of this every time I visit…

Tomato Basil Soup (Soup of the day):  Sweet, yet tart enough to satisfy the longing for what a fabulous tomato basil soup should be.

Shrimp and Corn Stew ( Special of the Day):  What a delightful surprise, with a hint of roux blended into a tomato based shrimp stew!  The corn added just the right amount of crunch to the bowl and the seasoning had just the perfect amount of heat.  Loved it!

Ratatouille:  You know when all of the ingredients are fresh from the farmer’s market…you just know!  The combination of eggplant, bell peppers, onions, zucchini and yellow squash in the lovely fresh tomato sauce was spot on.  On another visit I opted for the Ratatouille sandwich with feta, homemade pesto on ciabatta…WOW!! That worked!

Stuffed Creole Tomato:  Huge fresh boiled shrimp in a very light remoulade sauce with fresh herbs…My husband wasn’t wanting to share this great dish, I promise!  I did get a little bit and yes, I understand!

Summer Crab Salad:  I saw this plate of “deliciousness” from across the room and had to ask, “what in the world is that beautiful thing”! Add their enormous boiled shrimp on top of the crab salad and THAT really works…They use a fresh creamy jalapeno and mint dressing that is so fresh and unique!

Saints Street Club:  Not just another club sandwich, I promise!  When my daughter said that it was the best club sandwich she ever had, I paid attention!  She is quite choosy about what she calls “favorites”, so I had to have a bite, of course.  She was right…They use perfect thin slices of roasted turkey, fresh avocado, sprouts, fresh ripe tomato, crispy bacon and she opted for fire jack cheese.  She will be back!

Caprese Salad Sandwich:  We weren’t quite sure about this, so we ordered it as an appetizer and had it cut into pieces…This might have been a favorite!  I have been thinking about it ever since…even made a home version of it!  It combines perfect thin slices of mozzarella cheese, ripe tomatoes and homemade pesto (that has just the right balance of olive oil, basil, garlic and pine nuts for a sandwich) on a fresh ciabatta roll…who would imagine?  I want more!

The Acadian:  Saints Streets Inn’s version of a sausage poboy, using andouille and adding fresh roasted peppers, grilled onions and…coleslaw!  The “guru” ate it all, licking his fingers along the way….I didn’t even get a bite!  And when I can’t get a bite, well, that should say it all…

House Cut Fries:  I like to think that I am a connoisseur of homemade french fries!Home fries.. takes me back to my mother and grandmother’s kitchens.  All I can say is that I know a good fry when I taste one and these were great!  Just the right amount of softness and crispiness to call my name…

Cold Watermelon Soup (Soup of the Day):  (with a topping of lump crabmeat…mmm) I love cold soups (I pretty much love all soups), so I had to try this creation!  And what a creation it was…expecting a pinkish red soup, I was quite surprised when I saw it… a bright beautiful yellow!  As I took a bite, I tasted a hint of lemongrass…a bright, delicious and creative addition to a very unique soup.  I absolutely loved it…and well, the lump crabmeat sprinkled on top…lagnappe!

Bread Pudding with Praline Sauce:  A wonderful firm bread pudding with what tasted like a deep and rich praline just melted on top of it…you know the kind of praline that your moma used to make…rich, sweet and buttery!  Melt in your mouth good.

 

This is what I call “thoughtful” food…first and maybe the only time I will use that term, but it fit!  And this fresh “farm to table” food really works,…really, really works!  I’ll be back, for sure!

Watermelon Agua Fresca and Fever!

19 Monday Sep 2011

Posted by in lafayette, la food blog, Louisiana food blog, The Saints Street Inn

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,


This is what I found myself serving my husband who was “a little under the weather” all weekend…not your typical bedside “get-well thirst quencher” and, yes, I served him in a beautiful antique crystal water goblet!  Anything for a sick husband.  We enjoyed this fresh “fruit juice of the day” so much, when we had lunch (not once, but twice), at another new restaurant… The Saints Street Inn – located not far from our house.  Isn’t that just perfect?  Another great new restaurant that uses locally grown fresh products…and close to where we live!  We were thrilled when it opened…

When we took our first sip, it immediately took us back to a time when we were on a beautiful warm beach in Belize and tasted this delicious drink for the first time.  We ordered it every day that we were there!  So, remembering this,  I figured that this would cool him off and make him feel better…Of course!  Agua Fresca is a Spanish term for “fresh water” and served all over Mexico (and Belize) from street vendors to upscale restaurants…Simple and delicious:

8 cups diced, peeled ripe watermelon

1 cup of water

2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon sugar

1. Put Watermelon in Blender or food processor and puree.

2. Stain into tall pitcher.

3. Add water, lime juice and sugar.

4. Chill for at least 1 hour.  Serve it chilled or in a tall glass of crushed ice, topping    with a slice of lime and a bit of mint.

You can use any fresh fruit that is in season…try cantelope, strawberries or honeydew.  Did this work on making my husband feel better?  Not for long, but at least I put a smile on his face for a few minutes!!