Tasty Tuesdays: Red Wine Risotto with Chorizo

I mentioned yesterday that my parents joined Mark and me for lunch at Crescent Pie and Sausage Co. on Saturday.  It was an absolutely delicious meal!  The menu is varied and very creative, and what I appreciate most is that the sausage is prepared in house.  What a talented bunch of chefs these guys are!  

I had the MERGUEZ: Moroccan Lamb Sausage, Harissa & Yucca Chips.  The sausage was incredibly flavorful and very moist.  Mark had the boudin, and boy oh boy was it delicious.  I could have eaten an entire plate of that!  My mom ordered the Chaurice (a spicy Cajun pork sausage) with corn maque choux and roasted okra.  The spicy sausage paired with the creamy corn and toasty flavors of the okra was perfection.  Perhaps my favorite dish was my dad's choice - the Redneck Brisket.  This brisket was OUTSTANDING!  It was flavorful and tender and very lean!  If you're in the market for a great meal in New Orleans that is affordable and tasty and prepared with love, I would highly recommend trying this hotspot.

I love to cook with sausage.  There are so many varieties - Italian, green onion, andouille, smoked, chicken with apple.  A few years ago, I bought some Chorizo at the Julia St. Farmer's Market and couldn't wait to find the perfect recipe in which to use it.  I did a search on the Food Network's website and found this recipe for Red Wine Risotto with Chorizo.  It was such a wonderful recipe and the dish was absolutely delicious!  I mean, how could it be anything other than wonderful when it contains red wine, chorizo, and Mancego cheese!!!!  I hope you try this sometime soon.  You'll love it!

Ingredients

• 1 cup minced chorizo
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small white onion, minced
• 2 cups Carnaroli rice or Arborio, if not available
• 2 cups red wine
• 4 cups chicken stock, warmed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups grated Mancego, plus more, for garnish
• 1 cup peas, frozen, fresh, or canned
• Chopped parsley, as a garnish

Directions

Render chorizo in a saucepan that is large enough for risotto. Remove chorizo but leave fat in the pan. Add the olive oil and cook the onions until translucent.

Add the rice. Stir for about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the wine and cook down. Start adding the stock, two ounces at a time, keeping the heat on low.

Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until cooked, should be al dente. Finish with butter, cheese, peas, and chorizo.

And the Winner is........

There were 139 entries in my Candy Shop Vintage Crackle Glass necklace giveaway, and based on a random number generated from random.org, the winner is number 39... 

Jessica from Kitchen Belleicious

Congratulations, Jessica!!!  I know you will look just fabulous in your new necklace!!

Thanks to everyone who entered!  I am planning another giveaway next month.  Expect something with a very New Orleansy theme!

Weekend Recap and FINAL DAY FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

We had an absolutely wonderful weekend!  Friday, we had a relaxing evening at home here in Beaufort.  I went to the gym, we had a home cooked meal, we packed our bags for our mini-trip to New Orleans, and we watched a little tv.

We got a very early start on Saturday and arrived in New Orleans around 9:30.  By that point it was hard to contain my excitement about seeing our new house.  Seeing pictures was one thing, but in a few hours, we'd be seeing it in person!  We figured the best way to pass some time would be to grab a drink and some lunch, so we headed to Crescent Pie and Sausage in Mid-City, and boy oh boy was it delish!  I'll tell you all about our meal here tomorrow, but a little preview, it started with a drink called the Blueberry Fizz!!

As soon as we approached the block that our new house is on, I just knew this was the right place.  It is that quintessential New Orleans neighborhood where streets are lined with wrought iron fences and oaks trees.  It's a quiet little area within walking distance to so many lovely things: the park, shops, restaurants, coffee houses.  I envision pulling into the drive on a Friday and not using the car again until Monday morning. 

When we walked into the house, I couldn't believe how perfect it was.  It is certainly not a large house, but it is warm and open and wonderfully inviting.  It has high ceilings and fireplaces and French doors - all of the architectural elements that make old New Orleans homes so unique. 

What's even better is the house is absolutely move-in ready.  I think the only improvement we'll be making is painting the interior.  I have a few colors in mind, but I'd love to know if you have any favorite hues or shades.  Or any painting advice???

 

This weekend was also filled with happy moments made possible though our little blogging world.

I had the chance to tailgate with my sister and her BF, my hubby, and my fabulous friend LSU Melanie and her hubby.  We had so much fun eating oysters at Drago's and toasting to a new season at Fulton Street and soaking up the incredible energy in Champions Square.

 

Trish sent me a sweet little e-card!!

And Julie and I had a great little chat yesterday afternoon!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  And don't forget, I'll be choosing a winner for the Candy Shop Vintage necklace this evening.  Click HERE to find out how you can enter to win!

S is for

S is for Saturday 

 

S is for Sunshine

S is for Summer Days

 

S is for Sweet Beginnings

S is for Saints Football

Mark and I are in New Orleans today to look at our new house!!!  While we're there, we'll be able to enjoy a little summer sun and some Saints football!  Woohoooooo!!!  Who Dat!  Two Dat!

I hope you all have an amazing weekend.

Don't forget, I will choose a winner for the Candy Shop Vintage necklace on Monday!  It's never too late to enter.  Find out more here.

There's No Place Like Home

We haven't been home since the middle of May, and I have been needing a dose of New Orleans for weeks now. 

I want to walk through my parents neighborhood and listen to my mom and dad tell me about all of the new things they have done with their garden.

 

I want to have a nice little lunch with them, maybe at Lilette, topped off with a delicious glass of champagne.

 

Because I want to celebrate that we put an offer in on a house and it was ACCEPTED!!!!! 

 I want to go home and sit on the porch of our new little nest and take in every bit of the good fortune that has come our way.

 

And since I'm in the mood to celebrate, I want to head down to the Superdome to see the Superbowl Champions take to the Dome for the first time since their big win.

I want to click my heels three times and be in New Orleans, because there really is No Place Like Home!

Oh, Dorothy!  That trick really does work!  We'll be home tomorrow before you know it and in plenty of time to do all of these things!

Anybody else going to the Dome tomorrow?

REMINDER - I will draw the winner of MY GIVEAWAY (CLICK HERE) on Monday August 23rd.  Enter to win this gorgeous necklace.

Pink and Green Thursday: Cute As a Button

First, make sure you enter my giveaway, hosted by Candy Shop Vintage, so you can win this fabulous necklace.  Isn't this shop just "cute as a button?!"

Do you use that expression?  I find myself using it all the time.  Our dog Beignet is as cute as a button.  A baby girl in a ruffly bathing suit is as cute as a button.  I could go on!  Sometimes I use expressions without ever really knowing what they mean and where they originated. I mean, really, a button?  I wouldn't ordinarily describe a button as cute.  Which makes me wonder - how'd this phrase come about??

Well, I found two varying opinions on the matter. 
The first says, "The origin of the phrase “cute as a button”…actually has nothing to do with a button as in a button on a shirt. The button quail is a very small gray super, super fluffy squishy looking (or ‘cute’ if you will) bird. People used to say “cute as a button”, meaning “cute as a button quail” b/c the bird was considered so adorable."

The second is that "“Bright as a button” was a popular phrase for a long time and could refer to personality or intelligence. “Cute” originally came from “acute” and meant “shrewd, clever, sharp”.  Shiny buttons produced “bright as a button”. “Bright” meaning “clever” was synonymous with “cute” so “cute as a button” appeared but the shininess was lost. The modern meaning of “cute” is very different from the original so “cute as a button.”"

I'm not sure which one I prefer to believe, all I know is that in this case (as proven by the pictures below), buttons are pretty darn cute, in the modern sense of the word...
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

What's your favorite common phrase to use???

Head on over to Trish's blog here and play along with her on this Pink and Green Thursday!

GIVEAWAY!!! Candy Shop Vintage Necklace!

I don't know about you, but there is nothing I love more than a jar full of candy.  Well, that's not exactly true.  I think I love a jar filled with candy topped off with dazzling eye candy just a little bit more!

This past Saturday, my friend Lauren hosted a Candy Shop Vintage trunk show, and as I walked into her home, I was surrounded by pastel sweets in all sorts of colors - purples and pinks, blues and greens.  There were lollipops and cupcakes and glasses filled with lemonade.  It was the perfect setting to view all of the lovely pieces of eye candy Deirdre, the purveyor of this edible and wearable sweet shop, had to offer.

I left the show on the highest of sugar highs.  Not only had I eaten way too many cherry lollipops, but I had a bag full of fabulous loot.  I am now the owner of a beautiful set of gold bangles (one of which is made of sparkling rhinestones), a lovely black and gold tassel necklace (perfect for Saints parties), a stunning vintage rhinestone bracelet (a la Betty Draper), and an adorable necklace made of gold that has a little bow which hits just at my collar bone (it reminds me very much of Carrie Bradshaw's "Carrie" necklace).  I told you - it was a fabulous loot!

After discovering that we both had our own little corners of the interwebs, Deirdre generously offered to giveaway one of her very special treats!  One lucky winner will be able to call this beautiful  Vintage Crackle Glass necklace your very own. 

Here are some other beauties you'll find at Candy Shop Vintage.

Filigree Dome Ring

I fell in love with this ring Saturday!  It's feminine scalloped detail makes it such a beautiful and unique choice.

Gold Knot Pin

 This pin captures the elegance of a loosely tied satin bow.  Deirdre says that it "looks great on a blazer or scarf."  Perfect for fall!!

Classic Elegant Oval Pearl Earrings

I agree that "these classic earrings are very Jackie O!" In perfect condition, they are the ideal accessory to complete any ladylike ensemble!

 

Gold Enamel and Rhinestone Zebra Bangle

You can always tell when Saints season is here because I am drawn to all things black and gold. This bangle has so much character!  It's sassy and very fun!

 

Three Strand Beaded Filigree Bib Necklace

Bib necklaces make such a fabulous statement.  This one is no exception.  Pair it with a plain white tee or a little black dress - either way, it'll add that something special to your look!

There are sooooo many ways to enter to win! Just leave a comment telling me which ways you entered!

1. Follow my blog
2. Follow Deirdre at her blog HERE
3. Follow me on Twitter HERE
4. Follow Deirdre on Twitter HERE
5. Post about this giveaway (you get two entries for this!)
6. Tweet about this giveaway (you get two entries for this!)
7. Leave a comment describing which piece of jewelry in your collection is your very favorite and why!

I'll be drawing a winner next Monday, August 23rd!!!