Author: Emily Gautreaux

Restaurant-Style French Toast Recipe

Anyone who has attempted to recreate the quality of french toast that you find at the town’s popular brunch restaurant at home can attest that it can be tricky to replicate, yet the following high-quality, delicious recipe from the popular food blog Let’s Delish Recipes certainly comes closest to whipping up a restaurant-caliber breakfast in your own kitchen.

Even when supplied with the best intentions, sometimes fate intervenes and you’re left with a disappointing breakfast entree in the form of the less-than-ideal plate of soggy french toast. One of the best ways to prevent this from happening is to pay attention to what type of bread you’re using. The best results can come from utilizing the thickness of bread like French bread, Challah bread, or at least any type of bread that is sliced at least 1-inch thick. This makes all the difference, so be sure to spend the extra time deciding at the grocery store.

One of the best parts of the following recipe is that all of the french toast will be ready at the same time, meaning that there isn’t the annoying tradition of the chef standing at the oven’s skillet with the next piece while the rest of the family enjoys their meal. This is thanks to the method of placing your French toast onto a baking sheet and popping it in the oven for about 15 minutes before serving. With this method, you’ll ensure that each piece will come out crispy every time.

Everyone has an opinion when it comes to what toppings, garnishes, and fixings are best atop a slice of french toast, but the most popular choices have to be maple syrup, fresh fruit, whipped cream, and powdered sugar. Try and have a combination of all four to see which flavors are accentuated by which topping.

Ingredients

  • 2 fresh eggs
  • ½ cup of milk
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg
  • A pinch of salt
  • 6 slices of French bread or Texas Toast, each 1 inch thick
  • 1-2 tablespoons of butter

Recipe

  1. Begin your breakfast of champions by preheating your oven to 400°F. While you’re waiting for it to reach 400°F, you’ll want to take out your cooking instruments and cookware.
  2. In a large skillet, melt your 1-2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Then, in a large, shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk together your eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. At the same time, prepare your slices of 1-inch thick bread nearby.
  3. One at a time, place your bread slices into the egg mixture and ensure that you coat each piece fully on both sides. Be sure to turn each piece of bread in the mixture and let it stand for a few seconds so that each side is coated well.
  4. You’ll cook the french toast in batches to ensure good individual quality. Working in batches, brown the bread slices in your skillet of butter for 2-3 minutes per side. Hold each side until it’s golden brown, and then transfer the bread to a large baking sheet when finished. Depending on how many people you’re serving, you’ll want to keep a clean skillet and steady procedure for browning the individual slices of bread, so pay attention to the individual browning times.
  5. After each piece of bread has been browned on both sides and transferred to the baking sheet, place the sheet tray into the 400°F oven and bake the batch until the bread pieces are crispy and slightly puffed. This should take about 12-15 minutes.
  6. The method in which you serve and garnish your french toast is up to you, but try to keep the serving size to a moderate amount. Many prefer slices of fresh fruit or maple syrup with their french toast pieces, as the texture of the toast compliments the sweetness of the toppings and garnishes excellently.

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Homemade Shrimp Étouffée

A year-round culinary staple in the South is a freshly-prepared bowl of shrimp étouffée, and whether you’re enjoying it on a Friday afternoon during Lent or surrounded by guests at a Saturday night dinner table, the delicious tastes and accompanying aroma of a classically cajun serving of shrimp étouffée are always appreciated. Thanks to this tried-and-true shrimp étouffée recipe from Little Spice Jar that features the authentic addition of homemade roux and shrimp stock, you’ll be all set to enjoy this culinary staple of the south.

Ingredients

2 pounds of fresh shrimp, peeled

Homemade stovetop roux

1.5 tablespoons of cold butter

1 large onion, minced

2 green bell peppers, minced

2 large celery ribs, minced

3-5 sprigs of fresh parsley and thyme

5-6 cloves of garlic, chopped

5 bay leaves

Tabasco hot sauce, to taste

2 tablespoons of cajun seasoning

Peppercorns & salt

Recipe

Shrimp Stock

  1. While you’re more than welcome to use store-bought seafood stock for this recipe, it’s certainly elated by preparing your own stock with the discarded shells of the shrimp you’ve peeled for the étouffée. To make the stock, simply combine the shells of at least 2 pounds of shrimp with 3 cups of water, a few sprigs of parsley, a few sprigs of fresh thyme, 2 cloves of garlic, a few peppercorns, and a sprinkle of salt.
  2. Combine the above ingredients in a large stockpot, letting it all simmer for 30-45 minutes. Strain the contents, and you’re set!

Stovetop Roux

  1. The roux is the heart and soul of any proper étouffée or gumbo recipe, and though it’s slightly intimidating at first, it can truly make-or-break your meal if done correctly. For this meal, start by heating a “high heat oil” such as peanut, corn, or vegetable oil or butter in your heavy bottom pot and add in your flour, whisking it until all lumps have been worked out.
  2. From here on out, it’s 22-27 minutes of constant stirring. In the beginning four minutes, you’ll begin to see a blond roux, which is used for béchamel sauces transition into a slightly colorful roux at the five-minute mark. At this point, it’ll be akin to a cream color.
  3. At about 10 minutes of stirring, the roux reaches a color that is similar to light almond butter as it begins to smell like buttered popcorn to some people.
  4. At about 15-22 minutes is when the roux begins to retain the color of peanut butter, and many cooking an étouffée will make the mistake of stopping here as this type of roux will still retain ample thickening qualities, but a darker roux is needed in this case.
  5. Within the 23-37 minute mark is what this recipe’s author calls the “magic spot” with the roux showing a deep brown coloration with a slight red undertone. While it’s possible to continue cooking until the 28-34 minute mark and make what’s called a “black roux,” you often run the risk of burning your roux, and as any cajun chef who makes their roux by hand can agree, you don’t want to start the process over again.

Shrimp Étouffée

  1. To transition into the cooking of the actual étouffée, you’ll pour in your Cajun and Creole “holy trinity,” which is your minced onions, bell peppers, and celery into the heavy pot with your roux. Stir it all together and add in your garlic to simmer for about 30 seconds.
  2. Add in your shrimp stock, cajun seasonings, dashes of Tabasco sauce, and bay leaves. Stir it all together, making sure that you carefully submerge the bay leaves so as to not break them up in the étouffée, and bring this all to a boil. After it reaches a proper boil, lower your heat to low and allow the étouffée to simmer for just about 15 minutes.
  3. Next, you’ll add your peeled shrimp into the pot and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. At this point, when the shrimp is cooked your étouffée is officially “done,” but it definitely benefits from simmering in the pot on low for at least 10-20 minutes as you prepare the side dishes, salad, and shrimp étouffée’s partner in crime, the potato salad.
  4. Before you’re ready to serve, turn off the heat and add in a knob of cold butter so as to help thicken up the étouffée after the flour in your homemade roux has come to lose its thickening capabilities in becoming a darker roux. The cold butter in the hot liquid of the étouffée helps to thicken the dish while also adding an appreciated hint of creaminess.

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B&G Restaurateurs Donate to Nicholls State University Athletics

A sizable donation from two Morgan City restaurateurs is set to benefit over 350 student-athletes at Nicholls State University, according to a news release from the school.

Brenda and Gregory Hamer Sr, owners and operators of B&G Food Enterprises, have donated $100,000 to Nicholls State University Athletics. The Hamer family has a history within the Thibodaux and Houma region and with Nicholls State University itself, as their grandson, Garret LeBlanc, is a former Nicholls Football player.

Hillary Charpentier, director of the Colonel Athletic Association, said of the Hammers’ donation, “as the lowest funded school in the Southland Conference, donor dollars allow Nicholls Athletics to compete on the same or higher level than our peer institutions. Support like this has a direct impact on all student-athletes here at Nicholls. Our student-athletes must receive the support they need to compete and succeed at the highest level both on and off the field.”

Previously in 2021, the Hamers had donated $50,000 to the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute so that state-of-the-art kitchen and cooking equipment could be purchased and maintained for Nicholls Students. As a result, the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute’s student lounge and culinary library was named the Gregory and Brenda Hamer Family/Taco Bell Student Lounge and Research Center. Gregory Hamer Jr, the couple’s son, was in the first graduation class of the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute.

Gregory Hamer Sr. remarked to Nicholls press that he and his wife had plenty of reasons to support the university in saying, “we have one grandson who played for the football team, and we have another who plays for them now. We also have businesses in Morgan City, Thibodaux, Houma, and Matthews. It just makes sense for us to support Nicholls. We’ve been proud to support this university for years, and we’re happy to be able to help them with this incredible facility.”

As a sign of their appreciation, Nicholls Athletics has proposed that the Tight Ends Meeting Room be named after the Hamer’s grandson and former Nicholls Football player, Garret LeBlanc, and their business, B&G Enterprises, pending approval from the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

The naming within the Boucvalt Family Athletic Complex is a part of a naming campaign that began in 2020 to raise money for current and future needs within Nicholls Athletics. The campaign’s initial goal was to name all areas within the facility, and each may be named after an individual, family, or business as per the guidelines set forth by the state of Louisiana, Nicholls State University, and the Donor Gifts Agreement. Funds accumulated from the naming campaign are used as both an endowment and for upkeep and maintenance within the athletic department.

Nicholls Athletic Director, Jonathan Terrell, commented on the recent donation by saying, “every student-athlete benefits from this. For them to be able to give from the heart is incredible because of how many people it’s going to help. We have this excellent new building, and with these dollars will be able to keep it in the best shape possible.”

B&G Food Enterprises, which was initially created in 1982 by the Hamers when they opened their first Taco Bell location in Morgan City, now operates over 150 Taco Bell locations across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas and is the largest Taco Bell franchise in Louisiana. Gregory Hamer Sr. is a Trustee of the National Restaurant Associationand the past chairman of the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. Hamer Sr. also served as the president of the Louisiana Restaurant Association and was elected to the association’s Hall of Fame in 2002.

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Experiencing Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to one of the most picturesque landscapes on the planet, and with this informative travel guide from the experts over at Touropia, you’ll be captivated by the beauty of Cape Cod, MA in no time at all.

Cape Cod is a northeastern haven brimming with nautical charm in the form of a hook-shaped peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Also known as “the cape,” this area is home to several charming towns, each with its own perspective on Cape Cod’s idyllic beaches, culture-rich artistic escapes, and maritime cuisine.

Undoubtedly, the towns along Cape Cod can vary from sophisticatedly suave centers of arts and culture, such as Provincetown, to the relaxed, laid-back aesthetic and vibes associated with towns in the north like Wellfleet and Truro. No matter where you travel to, they’ll be something special to experience and enjoy.

If you wish to escape to Cape Cod to enjoy the peace and quiet often associated with the idyllic vacation rentals and bed-and-breakfasts associated with New England’s maritime environment, then look no further than the town of Brewster, which is situated on the shores of Cape Cod Bay. Brewster is located in close proximity to Nickerson State Park, the Massachusetts-owned park with 2,000 acres offering over 400 campsites.

One excellent way to see a portion of the park is by riding along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which is a popular bike path that follows a former railroad for 22 miles through the towns of Brewster, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, and Wellfleet. The Rail Trail is the ideal way to survey as much of the Cape Cod maritime landscape as it also accommodates walkers, runners, and horseback riders.

Inside the town itself, you’ll find that in addition to its expansive beaches, Brewster is also home to several old sea captains’ homes and fishermen’s cottages that have been converted into inns and bed-and-breakfasts, making for an ideal way to both stay on the cape and learn about the surrounding history and culture of the area. Though, another way to go this would be to visit the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, which is also a nature education center and steward of conservation land that displays local artifacts, hosts traveling exhibits, and offers educational programs for children and adults across its 17,000 square-foot campus.

The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History also features some 400 acres of natural habitat, including 400-plus acres of natural habitat, salt marshes, Wing’s Island, and a lovely beach area that’s located between Quivett and Paine’s creeks. Simply stated, a full day could be spent touring the museum’s many offerings and extensive art collections like the whale exhibits, nature trails, wildflower garden, and nearby beaches.

Speaking of beaches, there’s no surprise that there is always an ideal beach to be explored and enjoyed “just around the corner” once you find yourself “on Cape Cod.” One of the most rewarding ways to truly experience the landscape is by heading out to the Outer Cape Peninsula and surveying the sandy expanses of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, this stretch that is seemingly untouched by time offers its visitors a comprehensive overview of the Cape Cod area while also connecting to several hiking trails such as the Great Island Trail, which is a nearly seven-mile hike along the National Seashore in Wellfleet, MA.

Wellfleet itself is a charming reminder that Cape Cod is filled to the brim with artistry in the form of nature, cuisine, and artwork. Wellfleet contains several art galleries and restaurants that give an accurate taste of what makes Cape Cod s special, but it’s also home to a true marvel of industry in the work of Wellfleet Harbor that allows you to survey the fleets of fishing boats setting off from and returning to a dock, all set against the backdrop of the one-of-a-kind Cape Cod Bay.

Though COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to scale back, it’s always a responsible practice to check local travel advisories, city ordinances, and state mandates that may have been implemented due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Travel safely and rest assured that you’ve done your due diligence by referring to CDC travel guidelines.

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International Destinations That Won’t Break the Bank

Other than renewing or obtaining a passport, one of the biggest hindrances for Americans wanting to travel abroad is the expected cost of the hypothetical trip. For some, the assumed price tag can be so intimidating that they won’t even browse through international destinations, knowing that a domestic vacation can meet many of the same requirements, but with this guide by Travel + Leisure detailing “11 Dream International Vacations That Are Surprisingly Affordable,” you can rest easy and assured.

Though COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to scale back, it’s always a responsible practice to check local travel advisories, city ordinances, state mandates, and international travel advisories that may have been implemented due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Travel safely and rest assured that you’ve done your due diligence by referring to CDC travel guidelines.

Travel + Leisure’s Cailey Rizzo compiled the list of unexpectedly affordable international destinations with the assistance of analysts from Kayak, the American online travel agency and metasearch engine. Besides the list of the specificeleven vacation destinations, they also created some useful travel tips for those wanting to travel abroad inexpensively. One of the most rewarding tips is to travel to a country during its routine “off-season,” because despite some thinking that travelers might not get to experience the country “at its best,” many travel guides, blogs, and experts say that the opposite is true. They report that enjoying the country in question at your own pace through uncrowded tourist sites is much more optimal.

Brisbane, Australia

Located in what’s come to be known as Australia’s design capital, Queensland, Brisbane is a cosmopolitan hub for culture, artistic expression, and world-class dining. The Queensland capital is particularly heavy on old and new world charm as its residents are quite aware of the stylish and relaxing environment they live in. The riverside capital is set alongside stunning natural assets and beneath clear blue skies (reportedly year-round) amid what’s been described as a “subtropical alfresco lifestyle.” Keep your travels to the dividing perimeter of the Brisbane River to stay near the city center and enjoy the city’s offerings of open-air markets, the Roma Street Parkland, and the New Farm Park.

If you’re in the mood for educational, cultural, and/or artistic enrichment, be sure to check out the world-class  Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, which is home to SparkLab, the interactive STEM space. One of the most inviting attractions of Brisbane is the

Queensland Art Gallery/ Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) and the Institute of Modern Art (IMA), each of which is set to inspire you through the featuring of Asian-Pacific art. It’s suggested that you travel to Brisbane in May, as that is the cheapest month to travel with roundtrip flights from Los Angeles being available for approximately $700, according to Kayak.

Etyek, Hungary

Often overshadowed by the attractions and glamor of Budapest, Etyek, Hungary is located only a half-hour’s drive from Budapest but is seen as a richer chance to experience Hungarian culture in an authentic, rustic environment.Allow yourself to see the splendors and spoils of Europe amid what’s often been referred to as the “vineyards of Budapest.” This nickname is due to the fact that residents of Etyek have been producing grapes since the mid 18thCentury, likening the city to Champagne, France for its proclivity to produce excellently crisp white wines such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

If you’re a fan of the filmmaking industry, you’ll be happy to know that Etyek is home to Korda Studios, a film studio that has used the vineyards and the gorgeous setting of Etyek for such films and series as Blade Runner 2049, Inferno, The Martian, and The Last Kingdom. Though, one of the more inviting elements of Etyek is the opportunity to survey Hungarian life in its purest form. You can do this by exploring the character-rich village for yourself to get a taste of authentic Hungarian life amid the quaint tiled roof houses, beautiful Baroque and Roman churches, and rounded wine cellars. Consider renting a bicycle to breathe in the crisp countryside air in an expanse that is best traveled in October, as roundtrip flights are set at about $790, according to Kayak.

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2nd Annual Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie to be held in Downtown Houma

There’s simply no event like a proper South Louisiana Boucherie, and this year a local nonprofit is working hard to bring the second annual Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie to downtown Houma, according to HoumaToday.

For the uninitiated, a Boucherie, which is the french term for a butcher’s shop, is a cajun tradition that’s unique to South Louisiana in that it involves a community coming together over a day or weekend to properly prepare, butcher, and cook a large hog in as many ways as possible. What results is a raving good time of making delicious meals out of every part of the pig imaginable: the ultimate barbeque.

Luckily for those living in close proximity to downtown Houma, the Hache Grant Association, a local nonprofit, is organizing the second annual Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie to be held on March 12th from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Other than delicious food to enjoy, the event will also feature a variety of live music performances, a cook-off, the 2nd annual Pedro tournament, and a “bayou-themed competition called the ‘Cajun Cup.” General admission to the event will be free, and all pork is set to be excellently prepared by Bourgeois Meat Market, Cajun Meat Market, and Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse.

The “Cajun Cup,” sponsored by GATR Coolers, is an event that sees “locals compete and put their Cajun merit to the test” via a pirogue race, chicken catch, duck call competition, casting competition, 20 penny nail drive, and an axe throw. The event is also being called the Olympic trials of the event with registration fees set at $100.  Hache Grant Association President Noah Lirette said of the cajun equivalent of the Olympic games, “whether you’re participating or just spectating, it’s a lot of fun.”

Taking place at the event will be a white-bean cookoff, sponsored by Richard’s Kitchen Store. The cook-off will see participating teams compete to cook dishes centered around the delicious white navy bean. Interested persons wanting to participate in the white-bean cookoff need only sign up a team of up to four people by messaging theHache Grant Association’s Facebook Page or via email. Team registration can occur up until the day before the Boucherie with registration fees also set at $100.

Music performances for the Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie are set to last throughout the event: beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m. DJ Doug Funnie will start the event, serving as the emcee, and then MJ Dardar Music will take the stage from 10-12 p.m, No Posers from 12-2 p.m, the Dream Junkies from 2-4 p.m, Adam Pearce Music from 4-6 p.m, the Tyron Benoit Band from 6-8 p.m, and Nonc Nu & Da Wild Matous will close out the event from 8-10 p.m.

Last year’s inaugural Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie was certainly seen as a successful event for the community, and not just because of the food served or the turnout, but this is because the event also served as a fundraising event to rebuild the historic downtown Houma bandstand. As a result of the first event, the Hache Grant Association was formed with the mission and purpose of “facilitating specific, actionable and measurable revitalization initiatives to enhance Terrebonne Parish.” Association President Noah Lirette told HoumaToday that proceeds from this year’s Boucherie will also benefit such projects.

The Terrebonne Parish Council approved the Hache Grant Association’s construction of the replica bandstand in December 2021. The replica’s recreated design will be based on the appearance of the original bandstand as seen in historical photographs. Though it’s still in the building permit process, the Hache Grant Association plans to soon seek bids for the bandstand’s reconstruction this spring, with the replica being available for public use upon completion.

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