Subscribe to Feed
Showing posts with label Louisiana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Louisiana. Show all posts
Thursday, February 5, 2015
I can smell the barbecue pork that’s already smoking on the
pit as we meet at the KC Hall, 503 E. Highway 90, in the town of Iowa,
Louisiana, around 9 a.m. to pay our $10 fee to ride in the parade.
 |
| Smoked meats like sausage and tasso are popular in Cajun Country. |
Everyone is
milling around in their Courir de Mardi Gras costumes made of rags and visiting
as final preparations are made with the decorations on the trailers.
 |
| Cory Cart and Lysa Allman-Baldwin enjoy the festivities atop bales of hay in the back of a trailer on the parade route! |
We are in the small town of Iowa, Louisiana for the Iowa Chicken Run on Mardi Gras Day. The parade rolls at 10 a.m.
 |
| The parade stops at a member of the community's home while Zydeco music is played and everyone dances. If the family approves the dancing skills, they donate ingredients for the gumbo. |
Right as the captain stops the parade at a particular home and blows his whistle, he tosses a chicken in the air and the children in the parade chase the chicken! There is a lot of whooping, hollering and dancing that takes place during the process! It’s quite an honor to catch the chicken.
 |
| Children chase the chickens in Iowa, La. |
 |
| Lee Peck with KPLC-TV interviews the child who caught the first chicken. |
It’s a family affair. Rodney Victorian, Berline and Kimmy Bellard welcome us with open arms. There’s no pomp and circumstance or sequined costumes. This is a true, Cajun Country Mardi Gras with laughter, festivity and music that gets your adrenaline pumping.
 |
| Berline Bellard encourages the cook stirring the gumbo pot. |
My favorite part about the Iowa Chicken Run is how it cuts through the lines of age, race and socioeconomics. There is no king or queen. The chicken run exemplifies true community spirit and living life to the fullest.
For more information on the Iowa Chicken Run, click here.
Monday, January 12, 2015
.jpg) |
Boiled shrimp by www.monsoursphotography.net
|
My three-year-old son, Banks, is a pretty picky eater! His favorite foods all involve loads of
sugar, but there is hope for him yet! Banks loves shrimp. He eats fried shrimp,
boiled shrimp (if I peel it for him), shrimp gumbo, but his favorite is shrimp
stew. So for this cold night, I’m making
shrimp stew for dinner!
From visiting Big Easy Foods in Lake Charles, I’ve learned
that Gulf shrimp are notorious for their robust flavor profile and better yet –
they are really healthy! Shrimp are a
good source of protein, omega-3, selenium and vitamin B12.
Big Easy Foods has a great selection of Louisiana shrimp in
the freezer section at your local Wal-Mart or grocery store, but if you are
visiting Southwest Louisiana, try cast netting along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road to catch your own!
 |
| My brother, Blake Monsour, castnets for shrimp. Photo by www.monsoursphotography.net |
Find some of the most popular shrimping spots and a checklist of the things you’ll need, like a fishing license, here.
Click here for the best shrimp stew recipes I’ve come across from Louisiana Kitchen & Culture Magazine by
Karlos Knott. It’s what I’m making for dinner!
 |
| Shrimp Stew Photo by David Gallent for Louisiana Kitchen & Culture |
Watch this video on where our famous, Louisiana shrimp come
from and why they are the best!
Monday, December 1, 2014
 |
| Southwest Louisiana Marsh by www.monsoursphotography.net |
To me, there’s nothing more peaceful and beautiful than
watching the Southwest Louisiana sun rise in a duck blind with a cup of hot
coffee sitting next to me dad. My dad,
who is also a photographer, always told me that Southwest Louisiana has the
most gorgeous sunrises than anywhere else in the world! Who’s gonna argue with that?!?
Duck hunting has been a strong family connector in the
Monsour household. I’ve been hunting
with my dad since I was two years old.
We’d have father-daughter duck hunts at the camp in Johnson’s Bayou for
as long as I can remember.
 |
| A father teaches his children to call ducks. Photo by www.monsoursphotography.net |
My dad would always have a string of calls around his neck,
but my favorite was the old wooden Faulk’s call. It just looked more rustic than the synthetic
calls, and I’m sure it sounded better!
Faulk's Game Calls was
started by Clarence "Patin" Faulk. Patin was a local guide and a
trapper in Big Lake, Louisiana. He made duck and goose calls at his home
starting in the mid 1930s. His son Dud Faulk learned about call making from
him. In 1951, Dud created a full line of calls and started going to trade
shows. Dud won the International Duck Calling Championship once and the
World Champion Goose Calling Championship twice. He continued to grow the business
with his wife Rena at his side.
Today, Dud's wife Rena,
daughters and grandchildren assist in running the business in Lake Charles, LA.
Faulk's Game Calls is still producing quality, hand tuned calls with the same
attention to quality calls that they started with in 1951.
A Few Duck Calling Tips from Canaan Heard with Faulk’s Game
Calls:
- Don't
over call. - Call when the ducks are flying away from you or are passing in front of you.
- Don't call when they're flying at you.
Check out this video of avid outdoorsman Hal McMillin during teal season. To learn more about duck hunting in Southwest Louisiana and to find guide services, go to www.visitlakecharles.org/hunt.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Keeping it local during the Christmas season is what I’m all
about! No Black Friday crazy lines at big retail outlets or camping out for
door buster deals for me! Some of my
favorite memories Christmas shopping were with my mom going to the Cottage Shops, sniffing yummy candles and sampling the wassail at the Christian Book
Store.
I enjoy supporting our local businesses. Plus, they have all
of the Louisiana-centric gifts that my friends who live out of state enjoy so
much this time of year! You can find
locally made art and food products all over Calcasieu Parish.
Here’s a quick video of some of the unique Louisiana
products that might be great Christmas gifts ideas for some of those on your
Christmas list!
Don't forget about all of the great Christmas Events happening in the area. Click Here to check them out!
Monday, November 17, 2014
By Elizabeth Eustis
.jpg) |
| Photo by Lindsey Janies Photography |
.jpg) |
| Photo by MonsoursPhotography.net |
There are just so many wonderful activities going on this season, including some beautiful performances like The Nutcracker (Dec. 11-14) and The Little Drummer Boy (Dec. 13); so there is no reason to sit at home. Also, stop by the Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive, to view the entries for the annual Gingerbread House contest (Dec. 6-30). Be sure to vote for your favorite creation!Plan your Christmas fun by visiting www.visitlakecharles.org/cajunchristmas for a complete listing of holiday events throughout Southwest Louisiana.
Friday, September 12, 2014
I don't know why, but
sometimes there are things that I really want to do, but it takes me way too
long to get around to doing them. One example is the relatively new rum
distillery down the road (I-10) from Lake Charles. Louisiana Spirits opened
over a year ago. Touring the facility has been on my to-do list since then. My
husband Bob and I finally made the trip to Lacassine recently.
This increasingly popular rum
has been flying off the shelves at liquor stores and local establishments for
several months.
 |
| Photo by Angie Kay Dilmore |
Rum is made from sugarcane,
which is one of Louisiana's primary crops. So it’s surprising to me that
Louisiana Spirits is the
only rum distillery in the state. They call their product "America's
Rum" because they only use ingredients made in the United States. Most of
the ingredients are locally grown and produced. They use unrefined granulated
cane sugar and molasses from the Louisiana sugar mill, Patout and Sons, founded
in 1829, making it the oldest family-owned sugar refinery in the United States.
The distillery offers tours,
where you can learn all about the history of rum making in Louisiana (It
started with the Jesuits in the 1700s) and the modern day process and methods
of the present facility. They don't allow photo taking on the tour, but we
could take pictures through this glass wall.
 |
| Photo by Angie Kay Dilmore |
.JPG) |
| Photo by Angie Kay Dilmore |
I learned things like rum is
required to be at least 80 proof. And their production line can fill 22 bottles
in a minute.
They do allow photo-taking in
the gift shop. Prior to August, Louisiana Spirits sold only two varieties of
rum -- Silver (plain) and Spiced. Their newest product is a Satsuma rum. Wow,
is it yummy! We brought a bottle of that home with us. It is 60 proof, which
makes it technically a liqueur. For non-Louisiana readers, a satsuma is similar
to a mandarin orange and is native to the state.
 |
| Photo by Angie Kay Dilmore |
They have a fourth rum in the
works -- it's an aged rum. It ages in oak bourbon barrels from Kentucky for one
year, so it won't be ready until December.
Naturally, at the end of the tour, there is tasting. Bob and I love the Spiced Rum.
Naturally, at the end of the tour, there is tasting. Bob and I love the Spiced Rum.
.JPG) |
| Photo by Angie Kay Dilmore |
.JPG) |
| Photo by Angie Kay Dilmore |
One of the highlights of our tour was meeting Oscar, a one-month old raccoon who was rescued by the gentleman in the photo, Randy Harrah. Randy works at the distillery and calls himself the chief executive janitor. Oscar is as tame as a baby cat or dog. For now, anyway.
 |
| Photo by Angie Kay Dilmore |
If you haven't yet been to
Louisiana Spirits, it's worth the trip. Learn more on their website here.
To read more of Angie's adventures, check out her blog, angiekaydilmore.blogspot.com.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
 |
| Stop by the Welcome Center for Louisiana souvenirs, 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles |
Summer is a hot travel season here in Southwest
Louisiana. It’s the time of year for
leisure travelers and weekend warriors to explore the beaches on the Gulf of
Mexico, see the alligators along the Creole Nature Trail and hit up the casinos
and live concerts.
When visitors are
looking for something authentic from Lake Charles to bring home with them,
there are a few spots around the area they can shop for souvenirs.
 |
| Cottage Shops located on Alamo St. |
- The
Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau gift shop has
Louisiana art, Mardi Gras regalia, Lake Charles t-shirts, post cards, Cajun Ben’s
Alligator Heads and Necklaces, magnets, cookbooks, Tabasco Jelly Beans, home decor
and more.
- LeBleu’s Landing in Sulphur sells hot sauces,
Louisiana culinary gift items, children’s toys, books, aprons and other
authentic Southwest Louisiana items.
- The Cottage Shops Cultural District offers
assorted boutiques offering Louisiana art, jewelry, coffee and local souvenirs,
as well.
- The Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail brochure features several locations who ship frozen boudin across the country.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Summer is a wonderful time! It means sunny days, family vacations, water parks, 4th of July, and cookouts. But if you have children, it's inevitable that they will get bored and start to drive you out of your mind. Here's where the Lake Charles Children's Museum comes in; it has 3 floors of fun activities for kids.
Click here to learn more about the Children's Museum in Lake Charles.
Benefits of going to the Children's Museum:
- Kids will have fun!
- They might learn something.
- It's indoors and air conditioned!
- You won't go prematurely bald
Thursday, June 26, 2014
In Louisiana, meals are meant to share. We enjoy the dining experience from the shaken specialty cocktails, to the fresh vegetable sides, and most importantly, the company that gathers at the dinner table. Memories are made at the dinner table.
 |
| The Cable Car from Ember |
As we adapt our meals at home to the seasonal vegetables and
warmer weather, restaurants do as well.
I was able to get recipes of a few of my favorite summer selections from
the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel’s Otis & Henry’s and L’Auberge Casino Resort’s Ember Grille and Wine Bar.
Ember Grille &Wine Bar
Recently, I shared a memorable dinner at Ember listening to the soulful John Guidroz singing with Kevin Lambert playing piano while I sipped on the old Ember classic Cable Car.
Recently, I shared a memorable dinner at Ember listening to the soulful John Guidroz singing with Kevin Lambert playing piano while I sipped on the old Ember classic Cable Car.
I’ve attempted to make the Cable Car at home many times – even for my Pokeno group – but since I don’t have a little blow torch, it just isn’t the same.
John T. Edge, an esteemed Southern food writer and founder
of the Southern Foodways Alliance, once said, “What intrigues me is how food in
public is everyday theatre.”
 |
| The Ember Prime Tamahawk |
As the mixologist dramatically melted sugar with fire for my
Cable Car, the servers at Ember were definitely in the midst of a performance
when they brought the main dish to the table.
The Ember Prime Tamahawk, a 40 ounce rib eye for two, was carved
tableside and was as high quality as it gets.
Although it comes with your choice of two sauces, my dad always told me
that you never want to cover the taste of good piece of meat with sauce. The quality of the meat, simply prepared with
salt and pepper, spoke for itself.
 |
| Ember's New Banana Nut Honey Churro |
As a side dish, we shared the Truffled Mac n’ Cheese, an
adult version of the childhood staple.
Cheesy, rich and delicious, this nostalgic Southern dish brought me back
to my mom’s kitchen in the house where I grew up. (They also offer Crawfish Mac n’ Cheese that
is packed with flavor!)
For dessert, award winning Pastry Chef Bill Foltz prepared
a banana nut honey churro.
For an affordable lunch date, my husband and I love going to Otis & Henry’s
at the Isle of Capri – especially on Saturdays and Sundays when they have live
music. (Check out the Events Calendar to see who's playing.) The bartenders are always
crafting their specialty martinis that are fun to try. It’s like being at an island oasis!
Otis & Henry’s Shrimp Cocktail is making a splash on
their summer menu and is an outstanding appetizer choice. It just doesn’t get any better than flavorful,
Louisiana seafood!
 |
| Otis & Henry's Shrimp Cocktail |
I enjoy the Cajun Rib Eye (medium plus please!) that is
always seasoned just right and expertly prepared. We always split the Bourbon Pecan Pie for
dessert. It’s made from scratch and tastes
pretty close to my great grandmother’s recipe.
On Sundays, the Otis & Henry’s has their Blues Brunch
that is an option for live blues music and delicious food.
Check out a few of these recipes to try at home this summer.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
By Cory Cart, http://seemybackyard.com/
Crispy,
juicy and often salty - and when prepared correctly, nothing satisfies me like
fried food. In fact, I sometimes only eat fried food when I travel.
While I’m not a food expert, I did grow up in a household that traded in their
Fry Daddy for a Fry Pappy (a larger model of the popular Fry Daddy – in case
you weren’t aware) and never felt the pantry was full unless you had Crisco on
hand. So I guess you could say, I know my fried foods.
Getting
older, I’ve learned you can’t eat fried foods for every meal, so it with a
discerning group of taste buds that I seek the finest fried foods. I’m
not into the “frankenfried” concoctions that lure people to the nearest state
fair – you can keep your fried bananas, Snickers, Twinkies and peaches. I
want the real McCoy.
I
have logged the tens of thousands of miles driving around the country eating at
diners, roadside food stands and sometimes dripping grease on fine white table
linens. There have been times the soggy, reheated and fresh from the
freezer fried foods have been piled high in a red plastic basket only to
disappoint. But I trudged forward knowing I’d be rewarded one day with
fried food magic.
Then
two years ago, I discovered the Holy Grail of fried foods. It wasn’t one
restaurant, it wasn’t one dish, but it was an entire city! Sure I’ve written
about Lake Charles before, but never in such a blatant and open way. I
think part of me wanted to keep this spot a secret. But the softer side
of my heart tells me that isn’t fair. While I try to make regular trips
back to savory these goodies, I am still no where near as regular of a visitor
as I aim to be.
So
without further ado, here are my five favorite fried foods in Lake Charles,Louisiana.
- Boudin Balls – No two boudins
are exactly alike although they are all mostly rice and pork. When
you roll it into a ball and fry it, well - something magical happens.
After sampling many, my favorite boudin balls are found at Steamboat Bill’s on the Lake.
.jpg)
Fried Boudin Balls - Fried Oysters - Have you ever
tasted a fried sponge? Well that’s how I find most fried oysters to
taste. Oysters are my favorite fried food of all-time, and I’m
picky, picky, picky about fried oysters. Again, Steamboat Bill’s on the Lake didn’t disappoint. I’d freely suggest these piled high on a
Po’ Boy or alongside a steaming hot heap of fries.
Fried oysters by Cory Cart - Pistolettes – I’m pretty sure
there were some nervous oysters as I took my first bite of a crawfish
pistolette. I literally saw stars dripping with grease as I savored
this Cajun favorite. The fried bread is cupped in the center and
holds a rich, savory crawfish (or shrimp when crawfish are not in season)
mixture. It’s still up for debate if this will move into the #1 rank
as my favorite fried food of all time. Where do you find these you
ask? Well …Steamboat Bill’s on the Lake of course!
Pistolette by Cory Cart - Fried Shrimp – How many fried
shrimp have we all had? It’s a standard staple on most menus that
serve anything fried. But one Lake Charles eatery has mastered the
art of frying shrimp. Big Daddy’s Sports Grill and Restaurant knows
how to bread ‘em, fry ‘em and keep ‘em tender and juicy. There will
be no dried out frozen fried shrimp here. (Psst – If you are on
fried food overload, the grilled shrimp are just as good.)
Fried shrimp poboy by Cory Cart - Beignets
– Who can travel to Louisiana without eating a beignet? No
one. I know most people think they must visit New Orleans for a
great beignet, but that isn’t true. My two favorite beignets are in
two other Louisiana cities, one being Lake Charles. Again, Big Daddy’s Sports Grill and Restaurant takes the prize.
Beignets by Cory Cart
Thursday, March 13, 2014
I
f you're a local, more than likely you appreciate Seafood Palace. If you're not from Southwest Louisiana, the outside might not look like much, but we all know it's what's on the inside that counts.
What will you find on the inside?
Good people, sizable portions and, of course, great food!
What will you find on the inside?
Good people, sizable portions and, of course, great food!
If you're looking for some great Cajun cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere, look no further! If you're craving seafood but can't make it to the restaurant, try out their Cream of Crab Soup Recipe!
(Click Card to Enlarge)
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Oohs Aahs and Ooh La
La Along The Creole Nature Trail
By the end of February, halfway into the six weeks of remaining winter the groundhog forecasted for northerners, the winds begin to shift from north to southerly along coastal Louisiana. And with the winds come weary travelers from Mexico, Central and South America.
Spring is the perfect time, as birds that winter in this paradise are leaving for their summer homes to the north and others are coming in like cosmopolitans from foreign lands. The skilled birder can see over 100 different species in a day when conditions are right. But, for my wife and I, it’s not about the numbers, but about the spectacle.
The Creole Nature Trail does include terrestrial creatures like the ubiquitous alligator Louisiana is known for. But visitors to the region may also see deer, raccoons, and otters.
Their
destination isn’t Houston or New Orleans International, nor are they carried
inside the bellies of jet-propelled steel machines. No, they lift off from
places like the tropical forests of the Yucatan, the hills of Chiapas, and
beaches of the Antigua crossing the Gulf of Mexico under the power of their own
wings. With a make or break passage their terminals are the safe harbor of the
marshes, prairie and few remaining oak cheniers of Southwest Louisiana.
We enjoy the “ooh la la” regalia of neotropic songbirds and roseate spoonbills, the odd looking caracara, and the clown-like ibis. Always a surprise is a cinnamon teal or vermilion flycatcher too far east. And when a flock of blue-winged teal rises from a roadside pond with a group of males marked with moon shape crescents on their cheeks, no one can hold back an ooh and aah.
By John K. Flores www.gowiththeflooutdoors.com
 |
Roseate Spoonbills are abundant in Southwest Louisiana.
This picture was taken during a Grosse Savanne Eco-tour.
Photo by John K. Flores
|
By the end of February, halfway into the six weeks of remaining winter the groundhog forecasted for northerners, the winds begin to shift from north to southerly along coastal Louisiana. And with the winds come weary travelers from Mexico, Central and South America.
Spring is the perfect time, as birds that winter in this paradise are leaving for their summer homes to the north and others are coming in like cosmopolitans from foreign lands. The skilled birder can see over 100 different species in a day when conditions are right. But, for my wife and I, it’s not about the numbers, but about the spectacle.
The Creole Nature Trail does include terrestrial creatures like the ubiquitous alligator Louisiana is known for. But visitors to the region may also see deer, raccoons, and otters.
 |
Cameron Jetty Pier is a good place to see brown
pelicans. Photo by Christine Flores
|
Each
year on my birthday, which happens to coincide with the peak of the spring
migration, my spouse and I travel the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road.
Starting in Sulphur, we travel LA-27 to Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, to
Johnson Bayou and Peveto Woods Bird Sanctuary on LA-82. And from there it’s
again on LA-27 to Cameron Prairie NWR, LA-14 to Lacassine NWR and as many back
roads of agricultural fields in the region we can fit into our two-day trip.
Perhaps
nowhere else in the country is the communication between spouses limited
to, “Ooh-ooh-ooh,” or “Aah – did you see
that? Stop the car! Look, look, look! You’re blocking traffic!” Indeed the
Creole Nature Trail is full of excitement for birdwatchers and nature
lovers.
 |
The prothonotary warbler is a neotropic songbird that arrives
each spring across the Gulf of Mexico and can be seen at Sam
Houston Jones State Park. Photo by John K. Flores
|
The hospitality of
Southwest Louisiana awaits those from around the world and Lake Charles offers
cuisine and comfort with numerous places to stay overnight. It’s up to you to
find the oohs, aahs and ooh la la of Southwest Louisiana. And, you don’t have
to go far down the Creole Nature Trail, All-American Road to find them.
 |
The northern parula is a friendly neotropic
songbird that spends summers in coastal
Louisiana. This picture was taken in swamp area
teeming with willow trees. Photo by John K. Flores
|
 |
Snowy egrets feeding their chicks are a special
treat in Southwest Louisiana when you stumble
upon a rookery. Grosse Savanne Eco-tours offers day
trips where nature lovers can enjoy these birds.
Photo by Christine Flores
|
 |
This hooded warbler was caught feeding at Peveto Woods
Bird & Butterfly Sanctuary off of LA-82. Photo by John K. Flores
|
 |
The rose-breasted gros beak only stops
long enough in coastal Louisiana to eat and
get its strength back to head north. Picture
taken at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge.
Photo by John K. Flores
|
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)