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The Perlow’s have been in New Orleans this past week and Jason is really doing some great posts over at Off the Broiler. They’ve featured a number of great restaurants with wonderful pics and podcasts.

They’ve run into some interesting people on their trip, including Leah Chase and Mayor Ray Nagin, both interviewed on podcast. One of my favorites interviews he has done so far though, is with Chef CJ of Casamento’s, I loved hearing how many sacks of Oysters he goes through in a week and that sort of thing. Great stuff over there, be sure and check it out.

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Here is a pic of today’s Muffuletta Olive Salad. I’ve had a taste for it recently, but I’m going to use it on something other than a Muffuletta, details to come later today, as soon as I figure out what I’m going to do. By the way, here is my recipe:

Muffuletta Olive Salad Recipe

More recipes and pics to come later today!

Check out my ever growing Index of Creole & Cajun recipes!

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I was tagged by Carolyn at 18thC French Cuisine with this kitchen invitation meme in October and forgot about it until I was reading through her wonderful site today. Sorry Carolyn, better late than never I guess. :-0

I guess this is kind of like the food bloggers version of MTV cribs, so come on into my humble kitchen. Here is the view of most of the kitchen, nothing fancy, just well organized and clean. We have a pot rack over the fridge to utilize that space:

This is my main work station for cutting, prepping etc., right next to the stove of course. Also my favorite kitchen tools, good sharp knives, I’m also very fond of my hand held immersion blender (not pictured). I installed a large fluorescent light underneath the counter, I go crazy working in a kitchen with no light:

My pantry cupboard with all of my little bottles and jars of this and that, I love collecting spices and such:

Finally, my favorite ingredient. My Andouille Sausage, this one is from the batch I made awhile back. I make a large batch then vacuum seal it and freeze for later use:

I would like to tag my friend Bill Moran at Texas Chef to carry on this meme with the following rules:

1) Show us your kitchen (a picture) and tell us what is it about this place that reflects your own personality.
2) Open a cupboard (the one you feel to open), take a picture and tell us what we see.
3) Present us your favorite kitchen-based electrodomestic tool.
4) Take out the ingredients you like the most, the ones you always keep stored.
5) Present us to your favorite cooking/baking receipient.

I also owe B’Gina from Stalking the Waiter a meme as well, I will do that one next.

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It looks like Baumer Foods, makers of the Crystal line of products, may be staying in New Orleans after all! They were in talks of moving out of “the area.” Here is the latest article from the Times-Picayune, and the thread on the topic at Mr. Lakes Non-Pompous New Orleans Food Forum.
It will be very good news if they stay, I love their products.

Here is the article that said they were leaving.

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I hope everyone has a very happy holiday season spent with family and friends, and good things to eat! Merry Christmas!

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My recent find here in the Detroit area, go figure. It was a new shipment as well, my only guess is that they were in transit before the disaster, or in a warehouse. I’m going to squirrel away this last batch and just pull one out on a rare occasion.
The word on Dixie Brewery is still not official, but apparently there are big problems with their insurance.

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I heard through the grapevine over at Mr. Lake’s that Central Grocery had reopened. I just called to confirm, they are in fact open for business. Central Grocery is, of course, famous for their Muffuletta, which IMHO, is the best one in the city. Very good news.

Here are some of my Muffuletta related recipes:

Muffuletta Sandwich Recipe
Muffuletta Bread Recipe
Muffuletta Olive Salad Recipe

Also, check out these pics at Egullet, to see why Central Grocery is the best.

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**Update** November 11, 2005. It’s confirmed, here is a tribute at the Times-Picayune:

Katrina Lives Lost – Joseph Casamento Jr.

I’ve learned Mr. Joseph Casamento Jr., proprietor of Casamento’s Restaurant on Magazine Street passed away on the night Katrina hit. I found out via Mr. Lake’s Nonpompous New Orleans Food Forum, who found out via, author Poppy Z. Brite’s blog Dispatches from Tanyanyika.

Another huge loss to New Orleans. How is it possible that this is the first we’re hearing of this??!! Their website doesn’t say anything regarding his passing, although it does say they are slated to reopen between November 15th andNovember 22nd. We can only hope it’s not true, about his passing, but that’s wishful thinking.

The above photo is of Joseph Casamento Sr. and his son Joseph Casamento, Jr. from the Time Life book, American Cooking: Creole and Acadian. Mr. Joe Jr. is pictured in the right foreground, taken around 1971.

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