Saturday, August 29, 2015

The Saints Are Coming

Remembering Katrina

              (Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)


10 years ago today hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast.

Katrina...  labeled as "the storm that never stopped", it was the most devastating and deadliest storm in history.  $100 billion in damages and over 1800 lives lost, mainly in New Orleans caused by drowning. Over 300,000 left New Orleans to relocate throughout the country.

But there is cause to celebrate... New Orleans population is almost back to where it was before the storm. And... pre Katrina there were 800 restaurants in the city. Today New Orleans has over 1200 restaurants.

Not to mention that former Mayor Ray Nagin was indicted on more than a dozen charges of corruption after the storm.

Today we're celebrating with Oysters Mosca, music that "came out of the storm" and of course... a Hurricane.

The pots are on!

The Plate... 

Oysters Mosca


Love this traditional dish made famous by Manale's and Mosca's restaurants in New Orleans. 


What you need... 

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
1 tsp salt and pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp dried oregano and basil
12 freshly shucked oysters, drained
2/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

What you do...

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large black skillet. 
Add the green onions, parsley and garlic.
Cook until they are soft.
Blend in the rest of the seasonings, bread crumbs and Parmesan.
Arrange the oysters in one layer in a baking dish.
Sprinkle with the seasoned crumb mixture.
Bake for about 15 minutes, until bubbly and hot.





The Playlist... 

The Saint's Are Coming

A lot of great music and benefits came out after Katrina. Some songs written pre-Katrina hit the nail right on the head. Check out John Hiatt's "feels like rain"... awesome song. 

Also love Marc Broussard's "Home"... not everybody has made it back. Vince Vance sums it all up with "I am New Orleans". 

And then we close out with "I Feel Like Funkin' It Up"... cause it's time to celebrate all those that survived and remember those that we lost. 



 The "Playlist" runs on Spotify- Click on the link to listen to The Saints Are Coming





The Bar... 

The Hurricane

Of course we had to make a traditional Hurricane. So here you go... the recipe for Pat O's original "Hurricane".

What you need... 

2 oz light rum
2 oz dark rum
2 oz passion fruit juice
1 oz orange juice
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1 tbsp simple syrup
1 tbsp grenadine
Garnish: Orange slice and cherry


What you do...

Mix all ingredients in a shaker and mix well.
Fill 26 oz glass with crushed ice.
Pour mixture in glass and garnish with orange and cherry.







    Forgotten But Not Gone!

    Still So Much Left To Do.





    The Saints Are Coming!






    Please... Day Drink Responsibly 

    Keep On Cookin'!







    Saturday, August 22, 2015

    Splish Splash Bash

    Dive In...

                 (Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)


    And we're back, and headed to the pool!

    It's a summertime affair... Sun and fun in the atmosphere! Join us as we celebrate the end of summer with a pool party bash. Swimming, drinking, snacking and partying... that's what it's all about. 

    Today we're partying in the pool with some Watermelon/Mango salsa, Caprese skewers, Mango mojitos and a "Splish Splash Bash" playlist. 

    Come on in, the waters fine and...

    The pots are on!


    The Plate... 

    Watermelon/Mango Salsa & Caprese Skewers



    Going with something a little lighter today. I mean hey, you're at the pool. No time to get bogged down with a lot of cooking. Although a little grilled chicken would be nice to go with the Caprese skewers. 

    First a little chips with a cool and spicy salsa followed by the perfect "summer time" snack. 

    Watermelon/Mango Salsa


    What you need... 

    3 cups seedless watermelon diced small
    1 mango peeled and diced
    2 ripe nectarines pitted and diced
    2 jalapeƱos seeded and diced
    1 tsp fresh cilantro
    1/4 cup white onion diced
    Juice from 1 lime
    1 tbsp olive oil
    1 tsp salt
    Your favorite chips

    What you do...

    Add the fruit, cilantro, onion and jalapeƱo to a large bowl.
    Add the lime juice, olive oil and salt.
    Toss to coat all the ingredients.
    Cover and refrigerate for about an hour to allow the flavors to blend.
    Serve with your favorite chips, maybe some grilled chicken or tuna. 



    Caprese Skewers


    What you need... 

    Mozzarella balls
    Cherry tomatoes
    Fresh basil leaves
    Olive oil
    Balsamic vinegar
    Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste


    What you do...

    Thread a small ball of mozzarella, basil, and cherry tomato on a skewer.
    Drizzle balsamic vinegar and olive oil. 
    Nice option- add a little watermelon and grilled chicken as well. 




    The Playlist... 

    Splish Splash Bash

    Grab your cocktail and head to the pool. We've got you covered with the tunes. As usual we've got some old, some new and a couple of covers. Check out Shaggy's version of "In the Summertime". Also check out Los Straitjackets version of "California Sun". These guys are out of control... love it!

    Whether it's Shaggy or Mungo Jerry, everyone agrees that summer is the time for sun and fun. 

    And it doesn't matter if you're in the "California" sun or Georgia... it's all good. 


                  The "Playlist" runs on Spotify- Click on the link to listen to Splish Splash Bash



    The Bar... 

    Mango Mojito


    The perfect companion for a day at the pool...

    What you need...

    2 oz Cruzan Mango rum
    3 oz club soda
    1/2 ripe mango
    1/2 lime
    6 mint leaves


    What you do...

    Pour the rum into a shaker and add mint.
    Muddle the mint.
    Buzz up the mango in a blender until smooth and add to the shaker.
    Add ice and shake.
    Pour into tall glass and add club soda. 
    Garnish with chunks of Mango and Mint. 







    Life's For Livin'...

    Yeah, That's Our Philosophy!






    Please... Day Drink Responsibly 

    Keep On Cookin'!