Andy's Kitchen is familiar comfort food

 

 

 

Culinary Thrill Seekers, let’s dive into 2026 with vigor! If you’re resolving to eat more healthy, know that this can   an exciting challenge. Try new ingredients, new restaurants and dine with friends! I recently tried Andy’s and wonder why it took me so long.

       It’s kind of like “Cheers,” but with eggrolls, soup and crab Rangoon. Familiarity of flavors and aromas is what I find comforting at Andy’s Kitchen Chinese Restaurant. Like Cheers where everybody knows your name, Andy’s knows what you crave in a good chicken, pork or seafood dish. Super-red sweet and sour sauce, soup as yellow as the sun and greens of broccoli fill platters at this restaurant on Jimmy Johnson Boulevard in Port Arthur. Andy came to my table to ask how everything was, and he got my two thumbs up. Maybe it’s the fortune cookies, but I love Asian food this time of year.

Toast the New Year with Tequila – I had no problems watching a couple of mini movies from the makers of Pezuña Blanca. A beautiful woman in silver jewelry enjoys her stunning horses. Later there is surely this tequila in the works, poured from a unique, off center bottle inspired by earthenware and Brutalist architecture. It is “concretely” a positive experience. Hoof it to this organic Tequila Blanco and other varieties in this line, where even the water used has a higher calling. It’s really more high class than the joke I could not resist. The name means “hoof” and the site recalls this saying regarding horses:

 “One white foot, buy him; two white feet, try him; three white feet, look well about him; four white feet, go without him.”

I say it’s delicious. Makers say “Pezuña Blanca, inspired by the legend and good fortune of a horse with a single white hoof, reflects the resilience and heritage of the charros who embodied the spirit of Mexico. Born in the volcanic, red soils of the Amatitán Valley and crafted under at the NOM 1480 distillery, Pezuña Blanca celebrates rich tradition and artisanal excellence.” www.pezunablancatequila.com

Pancakes are Back on the Menu – Because of my GF friend, I’m into trying gluten-free products. Eban’s Bakehouse announces pancakes are back on the menu. Flip some yourself or try some of this line’s ready-made goodies. A loaf of Flaxseed Oat drew me in with the little seeds on top. There’s oat and seeded loafs and cinnamon raisin for breakfast. These are dense and heavy. I don’t know if that’s the proper baking term but I like that hefting a loaf feels a bit like holding a baby. Bring on the sandwiches!

As for their cookies: Crispy Pecan Shortbread, Peanut Butter, White Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal and Cranberry Walnut Coconut Oatmeal hit all the spots.

Ready to get Eban’s into your own kitchen? I made a nice pancake with the “no gluten, no regrets” all-purpose flour blend. I think a quick bread will be next. www.eban'sbakehouse.com

Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who will join in those who welcome 2026 as a positive new beginning. Reach her via panews@panews.com

Santa may like these. I would.

 

Santa may like these. I would.

 

It’s late in the game to talk “stocking stuffers,” but Southeast Texans are not nearly done with the holiday season. Port Arthur has a new Rao’s Bakery, a new James Avery store and DoughliciosAF bakery. Time to Treat Yo’Self and others.

     DoughliciousAF on Jimmy Johnson Boulevard is “bringing it” with colossal cookie concoctions in signature and rotating flavors sure to wow Santa and your guests. If you haven’t experienced the Dubai chocolate craze, try it at this cute shop. The friendly staff will guide you through selections, and that’s a tough task. Go to www.doughliciousaf.com to find out what the “af” stands for.

     That's Just Swale! - I learned all kinds of new words in Brandy Hall's new book, "The Complete Guide to Home Permaculture: How to Transform Your Yard into a Thriving & Productive Ecosystem." This is a method of using what you got to make a better garden and landscape to fit in with your actual climate, etc. It does the earth and the soil and soul good. So one new word is swale, a long, shallow vegetated ditch or depression to guide water runoff. Sure I want to live in the spaces photographed for these books. I want the little insects and birds to come enjoy the floral and herbal show with me. Here's some stuff this book will teach you to do:

• Grow mushrooms on a log
• Make a compost tea
• Create a grapevine wreath and adorn it with vegetation and seeds to feed the birds (and look pretty).
• Fashion a greenhouse from reclaimed windows.

     Shake Well, Taste Power – This header reflects the suggestion on Projo Power Coffee, cans of mocha and vanilla flavor with 25 grams of protein and 225 mg of caffeine. Is that a lot of caffeine? I don’t have to do the math. The tiny coffee cup icon on the label indicates I’m getting 2.5 cups of coffee with grassfed collagen peptides. It’s on the go good stuff that is a motivator to get moving. I love the flavor, from www.idrinkprojo.com

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie savoring the flavors of holiday gatherings. Share your family faves with her via panews@panews.com.

In search of the fancy cherry

 

I've been chasing cherries for several holiday seasons. Not real hard, mind you, but I caught the one I was seeking. I'd seen a customer at a package shop purchasing a jar of beautiful red jewels and we chatted about his Luxardo Maraschino Cherries. He noted they are pricy, but worth it. Billed as The Original Cocktail Cherries, they're an Italian thing, dark red, soaked in thick marasca syrup. There's a big-deal candying process for a "delightful crispness" and "signature taste." 

A year later I noted a jar of these at a hotel bar that was closed. It was tempting to reach over and get the bottle, but that would not be nice. Got to stay on the "nice" list. 

Another year I forgot the name and did a search for "expensive cherries" and Luxardo came out on top. Jars ranged from $24 to $99.99. I mean, I like cherries, but... 

So this season I'm at a function and run into Greg Rosenberger, who gave me his card for his services as a bartender/waiter. I've seen him at many area events. I simply mentioned his jar of Luxardo cherries and he very generously gave me a sample. He says it is part of his personal stock and worth every penny to make a proper old fashioned. He carries them with him. Guess what, these were some exceptional cherries. Like others online, I would say it would be hard to go back to the cherries I used to know. If you'd like to know more, ask this bartender, via greg9247243@gmail.com 

 

Purple Pride, Outside - Are you a Port Neches-Groves area resident who loves purple? In a region where residents and fans support their school colors, consider a garden of Purple Pride. Ever heard of the Purple Teepee Bean?

Trust me that Sandra Mao of @sandra.urbangarden covers a range of topics in “Vibrant Harvest: Cultivating a Kaleidoscope of Colors in Your Vegetable Garden with Heirlooms, Modern Hybrids, and More.” I’m stuck on the purple pages.

Adorn your property with the glow of foods listed in the index. There’s purple asparagus, purple basil, purple bell peppers and purple bok choy. Let me save space by eliminating the word purple and guiding you toward these other crops that are also purple: Brussels sprouts, cabbage, dragon carrots, kale, kohlrabi, sage and snap peas.

More Please? Go for Purple Lady Bok Choy, Purple Magic Broccoli, Purple Majesty potato, Purple Mustard greens, Purple of Sicily cauliflower and Purple Passion Asparagus.

 

Peace Out – I’ll never own a home where a wall of windows and stone fireplace provide an a-ha moment for guests who realize “dropping down” into deep Montana powder is a few steps away.

“Peace in the West: The Rustic Luxury Interiors of William Peace” is a coffee table book bringing as much nature into the home as architecture. Rooms are fashioned from felled trees, a chimney mimics a mountain view and horseshoes and mounts go with wheel chandeliers and even gunrooms feature leather and wood looks of exclusive men’s clubs. I’m imagining being a guests in one of these spreads and living in a remote wooded area. One beautiful setting, which seemed like a showcase any nature lover would aspire to, was something like the extra guests house for when friends overflowed from the big house to the first guest house. Dream on, but the inspiration in this book is for anyone at any time. Because Peace is inspired by nature. Can’t get enough of those rocky, snowy, soaring views. Here’s an observation for any home: many stacks of books, often with a small bowl or sculpture on top, are all about these areas.

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie wishing foodie readers the happiest of holidays. Share with her via panews@panews.com

Holiday treasure hunt

 

     You hear about shopping local for the holidays. Port Neches Avenue, the downtown of it all, has some fun options, and you can refuel at Avenue Axe Sports Bar and Redbird BBQ Cafe. On the avenue, you can also EXPLORE local. I stumbled into Treasures Untold and found some characters. Some were for sale. 

     I love a good mannequin and one greeted me at the door. She was nestled by a coffee pot and gazing toward some vintage drinkware. Options for a Culinary Thrill Seeker. I’m not sure the place was open for business when I visited, but I got a sneak peek and notice of an upcoming sidewalk sale.

     This place was jam-packed with items. A fellow at the door suggested I speak to Lyle and called out to him a few times. He then asked me to cover my ears and tooted an airhorn.

     "That'll get him coming," he said.

     It did, and Lyle Tanner introduced himself and guided me toward the extremely full warehouse. It's packed, but he assured, that is how you dig for treasures and find the good stuff. He had turned up a jar of teeth for one shopper,  and still has a denture mold on the shelves. A ladder full of shoes and other surprises fill this shop. Mr. T is planning a sidewalk sale to liquidate much of his stock. Look out for the rest of the mannequins all about the place. 

 

Santa may like these. I would.   

Manta – Sleep has never eluded me and I’m an earlier-than-many riser. Tips include a dark room and relaxing music and my Manta, which just got an upgrade. The new Manta Sleep Mask SOUND V2 is an improved version of a product I already loved. It’s the sound right in your ear, the adjustable eye cups that let you blink and the dreamy darkness that comes together for a great night. I’ll bet Santa has one of these to rest up for the big night. My sleep goes deep. Makers believe naps beat coffee hands down. Here's a link and tidbits of how makers describe this Manta: https://mantasleep.com/products/manta-sleep-mask-sound-new-gen

 

·        100% Blackout for Deeper Sleep — Just a pinprick of light can disrupt REM and deep sleep, leading to post-sleep tiredness. These keep you in the dark, in the daytime.

·        Infinitely Adjustable for Personalized Fit — Manta’s eye cups' position, angle, and strap tightness are adjustable to your unique face.

·        Soft, Breathable, Durable Materials

·        Zero Pressure on Eyes or Lashes — Deeply molded eye cups for complete comfort in every position. Side, back and stomach sleepers, you’re good.

·        100% Machine Washable for Easy Care —Use cold water, place the mask (eye cups and all) in the included carrying pouch, which doubles as a handy laundry mesh net, and then lay it flat to air dry.

 

Graasi, You’re Welcome – When you say Graasi, it’s a vibe of saying thank you. If you haven’t tried organic barley water, start with lemongrass ginger and flow through cucumber lime and citrus mint. They’re newbies from a South Carolina company and “give” vitamin C, D and zinc.  Some travel influencers first handed me a bottle of this stuff and it replenished me on the spot.

 

This barley is harvested at the peak of chlorophyl. Learn about the good taste and good-for-you survival story and how creators overcame factory closings to promote local jobs at www.graasi.com

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie savoring the flavors of holiday gatherings. Share your family faves with her via panews@panews.com.