More often than not, a cast of thousands enjoys most Christmas feasts. At least that’s how it was, and sometimes still is, with our family. Years ago when it was simply Mama’s father, her siblings (wh..

CAJUN DESSERTS, WARM FROM THE OVEN The people of south Louisiana are very frugal. They waste nothing. Day-old bread is used to make bread pudding. Leftover rice is the basis for rice pudding or calas ..

Serve the fricassee with white rice and accompany it with an apple salad---refreshing to the palate. Makes 6 servings 1 roasting chicken, about 4 pounds, cut into serving pieces Salt and cayenne 2/..

I’ve decided that late afternoons on these long summer days are perfect for inviting the neighbors over for a cocktail hour now and then. Mama and Papa often had these impromptu get-togethers years ag..

During the summers of my childhood, the highlight of many hot afternoons was sipping homemade lemonade, root beer or tea. What fun we had under the oak trees at Aunt Belle’s slurping the beverages chi..

Makes about 8 servings 1/3 cup shortening 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup Steen’s 100% Pure Cane Syrup 1/3 cup boiling water 1 large egg

When cooler weather arrives in south Louisiana, I can’t think of anything more inviting on a cold winter night than a hearty soup, gumbo or stew. When the wind is blowing out of the north and the damp..

A few years ago, a journalist asked me to list a few things I like about summertime in the South. I confess that the summer is my favorite season and I can never get enough of ice cold watermelon, sno..

And another suggestion, get out your Christmas gift-giving list and place your orders NOW for everyone on your list. We can make up gift baskets to include just about anything---pickled okra (great to..

RED BEANS, MAMA'S WAY This recipe for red beans makes a lot but do as I do and store whatever is left over in the freezer to pull out when time is short and you yearn for a bowl of steaming-hot red be..