My husband, John, was raised in New Orleans and he is an incredible chef. Since my mom’s birthday fell close to Mardi Gras this year, we went all out to create a colorful, flavorful celebration in her honor!
This was actually funny. One of the early selections from Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan was for Potato Gratin. It sounded wonderful to me, and I followed the recipe, but just did not like the results. They looked good, but lacked flavor. They were a favorite of many of my fellow Doristas and we agreed to disagree.
The fabulously creative blogger, Sabrina, at The Tomato Tart immediately rallied to help earthquake victims in Japan last spring. She asked her fellow food bloggers to lend a hand, and the result was the On-line Bake Sale for Japan. As many of you know, my father was in the Navy, and I moved to Atsugi, Japan, when I was just five years old. After living in California for most of my life, the worst earthquake I’ve experienced was in Japan. Naturally, her plea touched me on a number of levels, so I signed up and offered 2 dozen of my Amazing Oatmeal Cookies which were purchased by a generous woman for some of her friends living in a rest home.
This was the first time my blog surged in number of hits and followers. It was elating to see people who didn’t know me like what I was doing. I was thrilled with how this dish turned out and humbled by all the positive support from fellow chefs and Doristas!
For my dad’s birthday, John, my brother, and I created an enormous feast featuring homemade egg rolls, four main course selections, and a Mojito Cake for dessert. Maybe I’m being sentimental, but it was a wonderful meal with so many choices – colorful, delicious, and festive! This was a meal that was as much fun to prepare as it was to eat – and we all enjoyed our time together.
I went to the Le Crueset outlet in Camarillo, CA, and apparently my enthusiasm shone through as I talked to the store manager. She offered me a job on the spot – and I really wanted to accept it! Imagine getting discounted Le Creuset products at a discount! But, alas, my husband thought one job was enough for me with all my hobbies and other interests – but, I’m still considering it as a post-retirement job! Anyway, when I mentioned that I had a cooking blog, she invited me to give a cooking demonstration! I was thrilled! She gave me a specific pan to work with and I created this recipe to use the pan in as many was as I could think of. I’m hoping to give another demonstration soon.
-
Foodness Gracious – a very talented chef, photographer & dad
-
Patty at Patty’s Food – a fellow Dorista who is a master at plating food & food photography
-
Kris at Miss Kris Kitchen – another Dorista whose posts make you feel like part of her family
-
Chris at The Cafe Sucre Farine – who makes the most beautiful salads and loves fresh ingredients as much as I do
-
Ana at Sweet Almond Tree – a fellow Dorista who cooks with fresh mediterranean flair
Cher says
What a fun post! And I love that pan you are cooking with (I have one in darker green and it has to be one of my most used pieces – next to my 5.5 Qt Dutch oven, that is…)
Kris' Kitchen says
WOW! I loved looking back and remembered fun cooking projects and wonderful projects I’ve seen on your post. Good luck on your house sale…we’d love to sell ours, however….way upside down and such as big mess on all AZ real estate. I’ll work on this “tag”…might take me a little time with the upcoming holiday, etc. But no matter what, it’s so nice to be included.
Angie's Recipes says
Some really cool and delicious recipes. Love the risotto that you created for Le Creuset the most!
Have a great weekend!
Angie
Foodness Gracious says
Great post and a whole bunch of thanks for picking me as one of your seven. I will take great care in answering the questions.
Have a great holiday weekend..
Kathy says
Susan, Loved this post! It was so much fun to go with you on this stroll down memory lane! Great job and I loved that you gave a cooking demonstration at Le crueset! How cool is that?
Pachecopatty says
I was just thinking about cool it is to share and connect with people from all over the world through the recipes, photos and stories we tell in our blogs. You are an inspiration to me Susan and I’m thrilled that you thought of me to pass on your seven link challenge. I kinda like the idea of the Le Creuset cooking demonstrations- the dish and the pan look amazing! I can see that you’re having a lot of fun with your love of cooking and entertaining- it really shows through in all your posts. I’ll give these 7 links some thought and will definitely participate, thanks again for thinking of me;-)
Lizzy says
Congrats on selling your townhome!!! Exciting news! And I loved reviewing some of your delicious older posts. I must have missed your offer from Le Creuset…very cool…and I’m sure you’ll be invited back 🙂
The Café Sucré Farine says
Hi Susan,
What a fun idea, thanks for tagging me. I will definitely put this together soon. Loved seeing all of your posts too! Thanks, Chris
Reeni says
I enjoyed looking back at all your links Susan! The Chinese feast sounds wonderful – I’m sorry it didn’t get the attention it deserved!
EliFla says
Hi Susan, nice to meet you…thanks for visiting my blog….this post is really amazing….. three weeks ago we were in LA….. I hope to come back to USA soon….hugs, and now your blog is going to be on my blogroll….ciao Flavia
kattyskitchen says
Lovely blog you have, Susan! Very nice to meet a fellow friend of Patty’s Food. 🙂 And you live in “Sideways” country–lucky lady!
Elaine says
You look right at home in that Le Creuset kitchen, Susan! How wonderful that you did the cooking demonstration! Love your dish selections. Both your mom and dad’s birthday feasts look wonderful.