Author: Emily Gautreaux

Beef Wellington Is What’s For Dinner

Looking for a more difficult recipe? Try Food Network’s Beef Wellington. It is for sure to work up an appetite and is worth every bit of the effort it takes.  It’s also sure to please a crowd.

What’s needed for your Beef Wellington:

  • 2 pounds of center-cut beef tenderloin, make sure it is tied up, the fresher the better
  • 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, but it needs to be thawed, a 17.3 ounce package
  • 1 pound of button mushrooms
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 shallot, make sure it is minced
  • 1 ½ tablespoons of prepared horseradish
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped up finely
  • 2 tablespoons of dried breadcrumbs
  • 4 tablespoons of butter
  • 3 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons of heavy cream
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Kosher salt
  • Flaky sea salt, used for sprinkling
  • Flour, used for dusting

Utensils and Tools

  • Large skillet
  • Food processor
  • Parchment paper
  • A baking sheet

DIRECTIONS FOR BEEF WELLINGTON 

The first step is to season the tenderloin. Use the freshly ground black pepper and salt to season both sides of the tenderloin; don’t be afraid to use a decent amount. Once the tenderloin is seasoned, take 2 tablespoons of oil and place in a large skillet.  Place the heat on high to start heating up the oil. Place the tenderloin in the pan and sear it on all of its’ sides. This will take about 8 to 10 minutes Once the searing is done, place the tenderloin on the baking sheet so it can cool. This should take about 20 minutes, but make sure the tenderloin is completely cooled.

The next step is to set up the food processor, add half of the mushrooms needed for the recipe. FInely chop the mushrooms by using the pulse setting. Place the chopped mushrooms in a bowl and then repeat the same process for the other half of mushrooms. Place this on the side to be used later.

Using a large skillet and medium to high heat, heat up the rest of the olive oil and the butter. Once the butter is melted and starting to foam, place the shallots in the skillet. They need to be softened and this should take about 4 minutes. Once they are soft, add in the mushrooms. The mushrooms need to be sauteed for about 10 minutes to release all of the moisture. Once the mushrooms are dry, add in the heavy cream. Continue to simmer the ingredients until the cream begins to thicken, this will take about 2 minutes. After the 2 minutes are up, turn the heat off. Add in the parsley and the breadcrumbs. Remove the mushrooms and place them in a small bowl and allow them to cool. Then place them in the fridge so it can chill for an hour, at least. It should look like a paste by now.

Place the horseradish and Dijon in a small bowl; mix them together. Take the cooled tenderloin and cut off the twine that is tied around it. Discard it and then begin to cover the entire tenderloin in the horseradish and Dijon mixture. Once it is covered, place it in the fridge for an hour so it can chill.

The rack in the oven should be in the center and it should be preheated to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Place the parchment paper on the baking sheet.

The next step is to prepare the puss pastry. Dust the area you will be rolling it on with flour and crack the egg into a bowl. Beat the egg until it is smooth. The puff pastry needs to be rolled out 6 to 7 inches wider than the tenderloin and 4 inches longer. Use the beaten egg and brush it on the edge of the pastry, 3 inches to be exact. Place the mushroom mixture on the sides and top of the tenderloin. Place the beef onto the middle of the puff pastry with the mushroom mixture placed down and cover the exposed sided with the rest of the mushroom mixture. Fold in the sides of the pastry and place it seam down onto the baking sheet. Take the egg wash and cover the pastry in it. 3 slits should be cut into the top and sprinkle the flaky sea salt on top.

Roast the beef for about 40 minutes, when inserting the thermometer make sure it reads 120 degrees farenheit before taking the tenderloin out. When you finally remove it, let it rest for about 20 minutes and then slice it. 1 inch thick pieces are the perfect size.

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Louisiana Beaches Worth Visiting

Louisiana is located on the gulf coast but the beaches seem to often be glanced over. They might not have the prettiest water, but that isn’t the only thing that Louisiana beaches have to offer.  Louisiana Travel explores the multiple beaches Louisiana has hidden away. Here is a list of beaches located in our great state that are worth exploring with both family and friends alike.

Grand Isle

This tiny town is right on the coast and the barrier island. It overlooks Caminada Bay, only about two hours away from New Orleans. Want to get out of the city for a while? Take the short drive and pack up the fishing pole. The tarpon and redfish never stop biting in Grand Isle. This beach goes on for 10 miles and feel free to check out the birds that migrate and call the island their home for a little while.

Click here for more things to do in Grand Isle.

Click here for more information on Grand Isle State Park.

Holly Beach

Just about an hour away from Lake Charles, this coastline goes for over 20 miles. You can even camp on the beach! There are also plenty of rental properties and even RV areas. You can make it more than a day trip for sure. Famous for crabbing, this beach is known for many “Cajun getaways”. So why not check it out for yourself?

Rutherford Beach

Looking for a more rustic beach scene filled with shells to collect? Look no further than Rutherford Beach, located in Cameron Parish off of Highway 82. This beach also offers camping on the beach! When you take your Louisiana beach trip, try to stop by and check it out.

Cypremort Point Beach

Cypremort Point is actually a State Park. The official name is Cypremort Point State Park; this beach overlooks Vermilion bay. Many boats often fill the water with watersports such as windsurfing and tubing. Fishing is also a big hit at this beach. It has an amazing fishing pier, so great that you could actually stay the night. Cypremort Point offers six cabins at the park so why leave when you can spend the whole weekend fishing?

North Beach

Looking for an urban beach in Louisiana? Check out North Beach located in Lake Charles. It is the only beach located between Texas and Florida that is an inland, white sand beach. It is over 20 miles away from the ocean so it makes it pretty unique in this area. It is also referenced as I-10 Beach. A boardwalk can be found that actually connects three different parks in Lake Charles. These include the September 11th Memorial, Millennium Park, and Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Fontainebleau State Park

Located in Mandeville this white sand beach is the perfect getaway. The views of Lake Pontchartrain are bound to pull anyone in. However, laying on the beach isn’t the only option. Hike the 6 mile trail or bike the Tammany Trace. You can kayak along the shore. It is the perfect spot for a day trip. Watch the sun set and enjoy the view.

Click here for more information on all of these beaches!

For more Louisiana related articles, click here.

Louisiana’s Most Famous Food

Louisiana is known for many things, but the food usually makes the top of the list. Louisiana Travel has a list of Louisiana’s most famous food and where to find them. We are sharing some of those with you!

Po’boy

What are they:

A Po’boy is a sandwich Louisiana has made their own. It’s definitely at the top of the Louisiana’s famous food list.  Usually always made up with meat like, fried seafood, roast beef, or even just regular deli meat. But the thing that makes Po’boys extra special is the bread they are served on. Traditional French Bread, which often has a fluffy center and a crispy crust. If you enjoy mayonnaise, pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce then ask for your Po’boy to be “dressed”.

Where to find them:

New Orleans holds theOak Street Po-Boy Festival, which goes on in November. A New Orleans restaurant, Mother’s Restaurant serves one of the best roast beef po’boys. Maybe New Orleans is too far, check out Chris’ Po’boys that is located in Lafayette, Louisiana. They are known to be the best in Cajun Country!

King Cake

What are they:

Round braided dough filled with cinnamon that is covered in icing. Colored sugar covers the top of the King Cake and there is even a little plastic baby that is stuffed inside. There are three colors that are presented on the top. Purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power. These cakes can also be filled! If you get the piece with the baby, that means you have to buy the next King Cake!

Where to find them:

Metairie is known to have the best at Manny Randazzo’s King Cakes. However, this amazing desert can be found anywhere from Shreveport to the cities that line the Gulf Coast. They can also be found in these pretty amazing places:

Haydel’s Bakery in New Orleans

Atwood’s Bakery in Alexandria

Daily Harvest Bakery & Deli in Monroe

Boudin

What are they:

A smoked sausage casing is filled with pork, rice and spices. It can be served in balls or links. Usually boudin balls are deep fried and served with dipping sauce. The links can also be grilled and served like that. It can be an easy snack or even a whole meal!

Where to find them:

Scott, Louisiana is the Boudin Capital of the World is one of the best places to find boudin. Or not that far down the road, Earl’s Cajun Market is known for their plate lunches and their amazing boudin. They are located in Lafayette, Louisiana. Check out these places for even more boudin options:

Billy’s Boudin and Cracklins

Don’s Specialty Meats

Gumbo

What is it:

The base of gumbo is known as a roux, which is made up of butter/oil mixed with flour. Gumbo is one of the most versatile Louisiana recipes. Everyone cooks it differently. However, there is always a protein and plenty of seasoning. The Creole style gumbo usually incorporates tomatoes while the Cajun style sticks to the “regular” roux. Gumbo is actually the official Louisiana dish.

Where to find it:

Almost every where in Louisiana offers gumbo. If you want to experience the full southern Louisiana experience, try trying some different bowls of gumbo from New Orleans. The Gumbo Shop and Restaurant R’evolution are both located in New Orleans. Want something a little more north? Check out Monroe, Louisiana and visit Warehouse No. 1 for a seafood gumbo.

For more Louisiana related articles, click here, and to read the entire article on Louisiana’s Famous Foods click here.

 

Fall Foliage Cruises for 2019

One of the most beautiful parts of autumn is the changing colors of the leaves. The beginning transition from summer to winter is short, yet gorgeous every year. Fall foliage does not stay around for long, but it is still one of the best parts of the year. The colors create a blanket where they fall, creating a calming view regardless of where you are.

Some take road trips to fully experience the fall foliage. Some take train rides. Another amazing way to have the full fall foliage experience is by cruise. Travel + Leisure has compiled a list of The Best Fall Foliage Cruises Across the U.S. Here are a few of those best cruises to help you experience fall foliage in all of its beauty.

Holland America’s Atlantic Coast Cruise

With a capacity of 1964,  the cruise ship Zuiderdam gives the option to take a relaxing cruise along the East Coast. The 11 day cruise begins in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, allowing you to enjoy the city’s rich French culture and prominent fall foliage before traveling down the countryside. The cruise disembarks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, offering a beach getaway to end the foliage journey.

The cruise boasts a price of $1099 a person. It offers modern amenities and an art and antique collection on board. There are vast options for on-board music and even a BBC Earth experience on board.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Vancouver to Los Angeles

All aboard the Seven Seas Mariner for this 12 day getaway. Begin your trip in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and watch the leaves begin changing into their yellow hue. The ship then heads upward toward Alaska, and back down to sunny Los Angeles, California. The ever-changing scenery offers a unique view of the changing seasons we have all come to enjoy. With a capacity of 700 guests, the cruise is $8,899 per person.

You can enjoy the view from your private balcony, or take a more hands on approach and go kayaking in Alaska. Either way, the classy Seven Seas Mariner offers something for everyone.

Royal Caribbean’s Fall Foliage Northbound Cruise

The Adventure of the Seas begins its journey in New Jersey. Setting sail in September, the ship’s path offers the best of the coast at the prime time for fall foliage. The ship disembarks in Bar Harbor, Maine- a prime location for watching as winter creeps in and the leaves change their colors.

The Adventure of the Seas has a capacity of 3807 and a starting cost of $689 per person. The ship offers activities from racer slides to dance classes to rock climbing to ice skating. There is never a dull moment on this Adventure.

Carnival Cruise’s Canada and New England Journey

Beginning in New York, the brand new Mardi Gras takes you along a soothing path. You will travel from New York to the coast of Portland, Maine and Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. As you navigate your way through these picturesque towns, the leaves will be turning red, yellow, and orange around you.

The Mardi Gras has a capacity of 5200 guests and prices begin at $649 per person. The ship will have water slides, an eco-friendly roller coaster, Family Feud Live, and much more. The Mardi Gras may be a new ship, but it will surely not disappoint.

For more travel related news and information, click here.

Louisiana Early Literacy Commission Created

Louisiana Believes recently released an article titled, Louisiana Department of Education to Convene Group to Study Early Literacy in which they announced Monday, September 9 marked the first meeting of the newly developed Louisiana Early Literacy Commission-a section within the Louisiana Department of Education. The Commission is comprised of state leaders, educators, and parents that will research to determine the way Louisiana can create and implement a cohesive system of reading instruction for children starting at birth and ending with the third grade. The Early Literacy Commission was formed by the Louisiana Legislature during the 2019 regular session.

The Commission will come together and meet every month. Their main goal will be to research and analyze information to assess the ways evidence-based reading is being taught in the state’s public schools and early childhood education locations. Secondly, they will assess the amount of educators that have been trained and possess skills in evidence-based reading instruction. The educators being assessed will include teachers and instructors from kindergarten to the third grade, special education teachers, and reading specialists. Lastly, they will evaluate state colleges of education and alternative certification programs to evaluate the ways in which they teach and study evidence-based reading practices. This will include programs for teachers and instructors from kindergarten to the third grade, special education teachers, and education specialists.

When the Early Literacy Commission  convenes in January 2020, it will give a final list of recommendations to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Louisiana State Legislature.

The final recommendation list will include:

  • The ways in which the state can guarantee that teacher preparation programs provide their students with the knowledge needed to teach evidence-based instruction from their first days;
  • The ways the state can help the public school systems can adopt reading programs that maximize the usage of evidence-based reading instruction; and
  • The ways in which the state can make sure it provides its educators with the evidence-based skills needed to ensure the reading proficiency its third graders.

In addition to its research and recommendations, the Commission will create a tentative timeline for increasing the third grade reading proficiency while establishing benchmarks for the near future.

The creation of the Early Literacy Commission was done at the insistence of the Louisiana State Legislature. They urged the Department of Education to create the group for the following reasons:

  1. Students that are not proficient readers by the third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.
  2. Those who do not possess a basic level of reading proficiency are six times as likely to drop out of high school
  3. Students without a proficient third grade reading level are almost two-thirds of those that do not graduate from high school on time.
  4. Early reading in childhood has a positive impact on collegiate attendance.
  5. Ninth graders that read on level as third graders are three times more likely to attend college.
  6. 85 percent of all youth that have interactions with the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate, along with 60 percent of prison inmates.
  7. The state of Louisiana spends over $270,000 a year to remediate students that read below their grade level.

These programs are the way in which the state can take action in making sure its students are literate and upstanding citizens. They are aiming to begin the foundation early in ways that have proven to be effective in other communities.

For more education related information, click here.

Louisiana Financial Aid Sets Precedent

Not only are Louisiana high school students once again setting a national standard, they are making a statement. Louisiana Believes reports that the Pelican State is currently being highlighted for its one of a kind financial aid policy. The Louisiana Financial Aid Access Policy was the first of its kind in the nation and is now serving as a model for other states that are looking to make sure all public high school students have equal access to a post-secondary education.

The Louisiana Financial Aid Access Policy requires all public school students in the state to take one of the following actions. Students must either:

* Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); or

* Apply for the Taylor Opportunity Program Scholarship (TOPS); or

* Submit an opt-out non-participation form (Students can also receive an opt-out form through the school system).

One of the aforementioned requirements, in addition to other standards, must be met for a high school senior to be eligible for graduation.

The Louisiana Department of Education also took steps to make sure that the policy is instituted effectively throughout the state. The state created the Louisiana Counselor Assistance Center. Louisiana also now provides statewide senior FAFSA completion rates within a given district. Lastly, the state offers various grants to its school systems for developing their own ways to directly communicate with parents on the top of financial planning for a student’s postsecondary career.

The state initiated the Financial Aid Access Policy because most of its high school graduates are unknowingly eligible for merit-based or need-based financial aid. FAFSA awards can be used at four-year universities, two-year colleges, and technical training programs. The FAFSA application estimates how much money a student’s family will contribute to a postsecondary education and then uses the information to determine student grants, work study eligibility, and how much a student will be offered in educational loans.

The Louisiana legislature passed the initial policy in 2015, which then took effect in 2018. Two states, Texas and Illinois, have already passed laws extremely similar to the one in Louisiana. The Michigan legislature is also considering a similar policy with Indiana and California in talks to follow.

Since the policy was instituted in 2018, Louisiana became number one in the United States of America for the amount of students that filled out and submitted the FAFSA. Louisiana is also number one in the nation for yearly growth in the amount of FAFSA applications. According to the National College Access Network (NCAN), 77.1 percent of Louisiana students submitted their FAFSA application by the priority deadline of July 1. This was a 25.9 percent increase from the year prior.

Louisiana’s increase made up 19 percent of the nation’s FAFSA completions.

This year was no different. 78.7 percent of students in Louisiana completed the FAFSA in the exact same time frame. This made Louisiana number one in the nation again for FAFSA applications completed by the priority deadline. This percentage is also a reason why more students from the Pelican State are enrolling in college more than ever before

For more education related information, click here.