Mini-Meatloaf with fresh herbs, mushrooms & vodka sauce
Mini-Meatloaf for 8
There are two working adults in my household, and that means lots of leftovers and lots of need for quick meals.
I love to cook on weekends for the whole week, freeze portions for two, then pick something fun each morning to defrost for that night’s dinner.
This is my personal meatloaf recipe. It’s moist and flavorful and full of fresh herbs. I make eight individual footballs or even some meatloaf burgers from it to mix it up. And if you’re a traditionalist, there’s no rule that says you can’t just make a big ol’ meatloaf like grandma made! Enjoy!
Sweet Italian Sausage Sandwich with Poblanos & Onions
Posted by Alice Melott in Lunch, Sandwiches on July 4, 2011
Sweet Italian Sausage Sandwich
It’s BBQ season, and I love finding those giant family-sized packages of fresh sausages, buying them in excess, then freezing them in baggies of two or four to last me for months. Cook them on the grill when you can, but they’re perfectly delicious prepared stove-top, too!
I got really lucky and found some sweet Italian links at my neighborhood Kroger recently. They have lots of fennel and a kick of red pepper heat, are freshly made with no preservatives or MSG.
Pick your favorite for this dish and get ready to get messy!
Farmer’s Market Lobster Roll
Posted by Alice Melott in Lunch, Sandwiches, Seafood on July 4, 2011
Farmer's Market Lobster Roll
When I moved to Atlanta earlier this year, I learned that I would be living just five minutes from arguably one of the South’s best farmer’s market: The Dekalb Farmer’s Market. This place is the 9th Wonder of the World, with fresh daily produce, herbs & spices, prepared foods, meats, seafoods, baked goods.
One of my first discoveries was the fresh cooked lobsters that, if I got there on Thursday morning at just the right moment, would be marked 50% off. So for about $4, I can bring home a perfect lobster, pick it, and have a lobster roll for lunch! Who’da thunk it?!?!
Here’s a tip: You can make this same salad with crawfish tails or shrimp.
Bourbon Banana Bread
Posted by Alice Melott in Breads, Breakfast, Desserts on July 4, 2011
Bourbon Banana Bread
I don’t do a lot of baking, but this spin on banana bread is so scumptuous, so idiot-proof, and so flexible (breakfast, desert, holiday gifts), that I make it all the time and keep back-ups in the freezer.
Étouffée (Crawfish or Shrimp)
Posted by Alice Melott in Seafood on July 3, 2011
Crawfish Étouffée
This recipe is a hybrid from Paul Prudhomme and my cousin Lillian Lanclos Robertson. I like the dark roux, “plunged trinity,” and the spice blend from Chef Paul, and the tangy addition of mustard from Cousin Lillian. I added the Tabasco, lemon juice, worcestershire, parsley, and green onions because they just seem right. I have also used poblano instead of bell pepper when I cooked it for Jody, who doesn’t like bells, and it added a subtle layer of flavor. Adjust the cayenne to your personal level of heat. As written, it has a slow burn, and I like it that way!
Remoulade à la Arnaud’s
Posted by Alice Melott in Sauces on July 2, 2011
Arnaud's Restaurant in New Orleans
Growing up in New Orleans, my very favorite restaurant was Arnaud’s. Not only did it have a really cool Mardi Gras museum in the back, but it had the best remoulade sauce I had and have ever eaten. This is not your typical mayonnaisey remoulade, but a fresh, cool, horseradish-laced version that should make your nose tingle and your eyes water a bit. Personally, I love when that happens!
I’ve worked for decades to get this recipe just the way I like it. It’s got a crunch that Arnaud’s lacks, so if you’re a stickler for the original, throw it all in the blender and make it as creamy as you like.
Good luck and happy eating!
What dish makes your eyes roll back in your head?
Posted by Alice Melott in Reviews & whatnot on July 2, 2011
I confess. My mother was a food star. She’s the one who taught me that life’s greatest pleasure is found in good wine, good food, and good conversation — that everything else is just filler until the next meal.
My mother, Kaki (far right), was the love child of Edith Bunker & Scarlett O’Hara, with a little Lucy Ricardo thrown in for time and place. When she died, she left a room full of recipe cards compiled from her time growing up in New Orleans, studying at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and borrowing from Cajun family and classic Southern friends.
This blog is dedicated to Kaki’s food legacy. I commit to at least one recipe a week, more when the spirit moves me. Tell your foodie friends and let’s get something started here.
So tell me: What dish makes your eyes roll back in your head?
Recent Essays- You can’t vote Republican if you love thy gay neighbor February 15, 2012
- An open letter to my conservative friends February 15, 2012
- A friend is someone who votes for you February 15, 2012
- 12 steps to health, harmony & prosperity January 30, 2012
- Seagull nation January 28, 2012
- Cyber-squeaking = not helpful January 22, 2012
- Shareholders only, please October 29, 2011
- How to get a job in 8 (kinda) easy steps July 10, 2011
- Don’t quit your day job July 8, 2011
- The Fox in the Box Case July 6, 2011
- Freedom’s just another word July 4, 2011
- If words could kill… June 26, 2011
- I am not my FICO score June 11, 2011
- The First Amendment says nothing about the right to be published May 27, 2011
- Job Search 2.0.11 May 26, 2011
- Of tornadoes & hurricanes & the uniquely qualified May 1, 2011
- Memories of Alabama, The Royals, and Alternative Weaponry April 29, 2011
- Fantasy U.S.A.: The Right-Brain Version April 23, 2011
- We pay a price to follow our call January 29, 2011
- Coming of age, embracing change January 25, 2011
