Slow Cooker helps after Harvey; no time for pests

                                         Sometimes the gift of feeding is all we have. It’s most necessary.

                                         I heard second hand of a woman with a generator who collected all the slow cooker pots in a neighborhood that lost power after Harvey. She then collected food from their freezers and kept those neighbors fed as they cleaned their homes.

                                         One tip on “how to help” to help those cleaning their flooded homes is to offer to bring cooked food to a home at a specified time. Bring paper plates, etc. and serve it to the exhausted family. Then leave the leftovers or pick it all up so everyone can rest, or get back to work.

                             One Egg

                             A single egg meal has been another thing appreciated of late. Recently, the floods made finding even the most basic of foods difficult.

                             My one egg breakfast is often augmented by festive “leftovers.” We’ve whipped up an egg each for my husband and me and folded in the likes of guacamole, queso, and fruity cream cheese spreads. Leftovers are never wasted around my house. May this idea inspire you for all the rest of the mornings of 2017.

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Pesky

                     Pesky pests

H                 Harvey waters have made us prep for insects, even as concerns regarding West Nile already caught our attention.  Some southeast Texans may be in need of DynaTrap offering a green, pesticide-free solution to pest relief as we rebuild. We’ve all been outdoors a lot. IInterested? Here’s what the makers say: “DynaTrap is a technology-driven indoor/outdoor insect trap that protections against mosquitoes, biting flies, moths, wasps, and more. DynaTrap relies on UV light and CO₂ to mimic human beings and maximize predatory insect attraction, rather than pesticides or harmful sprays. Its strong yet silent fan then vacuums the insects into a retaining cage. Safe and simple, just plug-and-hang the DynaTrap 24/7 to stop the mosquito life-cycle. With no pesticides, chemicals, odors, noise, or hassle; it’s perfect for your backyard.” darraghcastillo@icloud.com

                           

Don't Mess with Class of '67, or their Amuny's

                             Port Arthur’s Amuny’s  famous sandwiches were recognizable amid crystal and fanfare on the buffet at Brentwood Country Club. The occasion: Monsignior Kelly High School class reunion.

                             Frank Messina, an Amuny’s owner and reunion organizer brought the PA delights that were a hot topic as guests caught up with one another. The gang also attended the Kelly Homecoming the night before with fajitas. I was the date of my sister Debbie Doiron Madisetty, who traveled from Alabama for festivities.

                             The Class of ’67 got down to “Ride, Sally Ride” and other hits of the era while flipping through the yearbook and photos. The Brentwood menu also included pork stuffed with boudain and my first sweet potatoes of the season.

                             Meanwhile, downstairs was another Port Arthur tie. The Beaumont country club houses Boudain Hut North at Brentwood, which features some of the goodies that the Port Arthur Boudain Hut made so popular.

                             At the homecoming, I chatted with a classmate who now lives in Boston. I made it a point to present her with a “Don’t Mess With Texas” sticker to take home. Her reaction took me by surprise. She said she had that stuff all over her house. Her sister was instrumental in turning this anti-litter campaign into a household term.

                             I’ve always loved the “Don’t Mess with Texas” phenomenon. Little did I know one of the people who brought it to life used to play in my house with my sister.

                             I’m just going to point out that I attended high school in a different school and in a different era. I’m part of the French High School Class of 1983, and I’m ready to jam with those guys any time.

                             darraghcatillo@icloud.com

Port Arthur gets fed after Harvey

                      Stores in our area ran way, way low as Harvey’s flood waters filled Mid-County and emotions ran high. Those who could help, did.

                      I distributed water, cleaned out an office, cleaned up a house and volunteered at a tent helping sort everything from diapers and rice mixes to formula and rabbit food.

                      Those who received were grateful and there was a good feeling from being able to serve.

                      The term “bless you” was flowing.

                        Here’s some thanks for a couple of Port Arthur eateries:

              Dylan’s

                    “Open” is a sign we’ve all been seeking lately. After a heated morning in a tent, someone noted that Dylan’s was serving and I took a respite in the cool air. That was a treat in itself. Then fantastic cheeseburger on sourdough bread arrived at my table. The fries were crispy perfection. After such a harried week of remnants, this feast will be remembered. Thanks to all those workers!

                  Sake

                     Did you hear how Sake Sushi Bar in Port Arthur was giving out sandwiches to those affected by Harvey? They made bunches and I saw them walking around and giving them out by hand. That’s some love for Port Arthur.

              Keep those good stories coming.

              darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Harvey herbal nachos

                      Still riding high from our total eclipse viewing in Tennessee, we came home to Harvey, the top Texas news.

                      My mom, recalling long power outages after Rita, was hoping we’d take her out of the flash flood path and all the way to Sherman, but alas, plans come and go so quickly in a time of potential crisis. We had seven plans and ended up pretty safe at home on Sunday.

                      Thank goodness she didn’t look out the window when our street was flooded. 

                      She mentioned cleaning our her freezer before we left, as we recall how trashed, stinky ice boxes lined the streets before. I hadn’t realize that she was thinking we’d take an ice chest full of food to our host’s home so we could cook it there. That was too much, I thought, for the willing host family to deal with. As it became clear we were staying, we started defrosting and eating up the best stuff first.

                      Where had she been hiding all that chicken, roast and Italian sausage? I got crazy with her seasonings and sauces. The best, part, it was all pretty low carb.

                      I saw on a Weight Watchers Facebook page people discussing doing some heavy Harvey snack binging, but I stayed on track with meats and veggies. Low carb and all.

                      I saw other Facebook pages people kind of freaking about where to get food at restaurants, but thanks to my mad creative cooking skills, I stayed more than nourished.

                      My colorful pitchers of drawn tap water for emergencies could have made a Pinterest post.        

                      Readers, I hope you all can get Harvey behind you soon. The rain is picking up again a I write this.

                      Here’s one of the use-it-up bites I came up with:

                      Herbal Nachos

                      Cut corn tortillas into strips and sautee in butter. (Normally I’d use olive oil, but I was trying to use up butter if the power went out.)

                      Work in any dry herbs you have and melt cheese on top. Top with chopped onions if you are lucky enough to have them.

                      Mom’s bacon crumbles, a sprinkling, a dusting of crushed red pepper and a bed of sugar snap peas made this a feast.

                      Enjoy as finger food or eat with a fork if you added lots of cheese.

                      Readers, feel free to share you culinary Harvey experiences with me at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Crazy Cajun patio experience and hummus overload

                     

Shona Chesterman gave me a hug when I left Crazy Cajun. Maybe everybody gets such great attention. Maybe everybody was extra congenial due to a sunny day, live band and grand opening samples of bread pudding, boudain balls, fried pickles, catfish and more.

                      My cup runneth over.

                      I’d been hearing about this new place at 2310 North 11^th Street in Beaumont, where most recently Starvin’ Marvin’s was. A Facebook post caught my eye and I showed up for Saturday’s grand opening and took home a door prize of Crazy Cajun hot sauce, with “A Product of Louisiana” branding.

                       I behaved as I would in Louisiana and ordered an oyster poor boy, a very favorite of mine. On my second bite I was still raving about how lovely it was that the bread was toasted and I’m thinking that the insides are so big I wonder if I hadn’t received fried chicken nuggets. But those fried oysters were that big and soft and savory. The fries were golden brown like I love them and while I normally just taste the tartar sauce to save calories, I dipped all those fries in this good sauce.

                      A Mr. Worthington from the Cajun band outside recognized me from Knights of Columbus dealings in the Port Arthur area and I’m pretty sure he said his band just started calling themselves the Recyclables. They dished up some Beatles and rock classics between their Cajun sounds making a relaxing Saturday by the patio my new favorite thing.

                      It was just luck that all the free samples were circulating. I also loved the praline chicken. I saw eggplant on the menu but I’ll have to get back to Crazy Cajun to sample that one and take advantage of the free hamburger card I also won.

             

              Hummus overload?

                      A pool-party hostess specifically requested ‘finger foods” be brought. I asked about a curry rice salad I make and still got the vibe of “more fingery.”

                      I had all the ingredients for hummus and decided it would hit the spot. Then I started thinking about the people invited to this party tended to be healthy-minded people who gravitated toward natural foods. I began thinking “what if everyone brings hummus?” Turns out, nearly everyone did. They were all different and all enjoyed.

              darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Try it with cucumbers; fruit with a secret

                      I got my culinary thrill seeking from my mom, who read up on foods from other lands way before the Internet made it a daily hobby.

                      I was not into tabouli when she first introduced it. This Lebanese salad fashioned from bulgur wheat seemed grainy, and the parsley was too sharp. Decades later it seems like a healthy taste of adventure.

                      Still, tabouli was maybe something we crossed every three years or so. Mom just heard of adding cucumbers to it, but it sounded like a natural to me. I suggested, perhaps not too subtly, that she make a batch for us and try it out.

                      The plan and the recipe worked, and she served up a refreshing salad with bits of cheese and drizzles of olive oil. To go with that were rounds of sweet potato that melted in one’s mouth, but also came with a crunchy topping.

                      Mom is in her 80s and I thank her for still for taking culinary adventures.

                 

                             Do your peaches have a secret?

                      In “Fruit,” Nancie McDermott” takes a serious look at fruit as we Southerners do, sharing recipes for pies, preserves and pickles.                

                      I learned about cantaloupe pickles and actually made and enjoyed watermelon rind pickles. It was easy. Hauling the big old melon home was the hardest part.       The author writes  that she was “brand new” to mayhaws as she set out to write this book, but was now ready to have a gathering-from-a-boat adventure. We’re all about the jelly, but try it in Mayhaw Jelly-Glazed Shrimp with Zucchini or in meatballs served with potatoes or egg noodles.

                      I was amused that mayhaws were new to her, but what do I know of scuppernong grapes? The drunken chicken recipe flavored with these fruits sounds appealing.

                      One pie in the book looks like a custard, but has a surprise layer of peaches. Rather than the traditional title of hypocrite pie, McDermott prefers to call it peaches with a secret.

                      Here’s one from the book:

                      Sherri Brooks Vinton’s Cantaloupe Pickles

                      1 cantaloupe, to yield 4 cups of 1-inch chunks

                      2 cups apple cider vinegar

                      1 cup sugar

                      2 tablespoons peeled and grated or very finely chopped fresh ginger

                      2 cinnamon sticks, broken into halves

                      1 bay leaf, torn in half

                      3 whole cloves

                      Wash the cantaloupe well, and then peel it, removing all the rind and seeds. Cut it into 1-inch chunks - you want about 4 cups. In a large non-reactive saucepan, combine all the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and stir well to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and stir in the cantaloupe chunks. Cover and let stand for 1 hour.

                      Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and cook gently, simmering for 1 hour. The fruit will be come translucent. Transfer the pickles and their cooking liquid to a bowl to cool to room temperature. Then scoop the pickles into jars and add enough cooking liquid to cover them. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

                  darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Habanero hits the spot

 

Habanero hits the spot

         I'm told Habanero Bar & Grill serves a more Mexican style of Mexican food. That is to say, less Tex-Mex. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

         My mom has been bragging about the restaurant at 6685 Eastex Freeway in Beaumont and now I can vouch for it myself. I enjoyed my grilled chicken and sides and scooped up every bite with chips and salsa. And more chips and salsa. I even eyeballed dishes arriving at other tables and got jealous of their orders. So, we'll have to head back.

         Habanero is in the sit of the old J&J Steakhouse. Remember that? Apparently a lot of people do, because this info is printed right on the the business card of Neno Chavez. 

  Com     Community  Coffee and the Big Game

                      Does Community Coffee put you in the mind of football, brisket sliders with spicy slaw, sweet and spicy chicken wings and cream cheese swirled mocha brownies?

                      Want to win a trip to Minneapolis for the Big Game? Get  a specially-marked bag of Community Coffee from our friends in Baton Rouge and enter Tailgate Traditions. Also look for Community® Porch Breeze™ tea at participating locations where Community, while supplies last. Specially-marked bags or boxes contain Code on the package. More information here: www.tailgatetraditions.com

                            My mornings have been starting off smooth with Private Reserve Brazil Santos Bourbon, that smells very, very exotic. Study up on the contest rules with Signature Blend Dark Roast and  Extra Bold French Roast, the stuff that fuels offices from Louisiana to Southeast Texas. We love those red labels. Now look for the ones with Tailgate Traditions markings. The link features game day recipes, like Smokey Maple-Glazed Nut Mix, with coffee, rosemary and pepper. What a wake up!

                             Krups

                            

                             The Savoy Turbo sounds like an English race car. But Krups, the trusted name in coffee appliances, is behind this sleek, programmable coffee maker that brews up to 35 percent faster. Need 12 cups of your favorite? You’re ready for the day. It’s easy to work and looks good in the kitchen. This model will rev you up. There are so many choices out there these days. If you want a dependable product, get a trusted name that will last a good, long while. I expect to work with this Krups for the long stretch.

                             Just a little schmear

                        Did you ever hear a friend say she didn’t want to hit the grocery store because she didn’t want to put on makeup? A little Dermelect is all she needs to brighten her look. It’s my favorite pick-me-up. America just celebrated National Lipstick Day (you did, right?) and Dermelect Cosmeceuticals’ 4-in-1 Smooth Lip Solution and Smooth + Plump Lipstick was on the scene. The 4-in-1 combines the luminous properties of lipstick, lip stain, lip balm, and lip gloss, all in one, so just one step for a great look. I tried Smooth + Plump Lipstick with peptide-infused pigments and a plumping technology for smoothing. You get what you pay for in lipstick, so I’m taking good care of a tube of Adorned, pinkish coral full of keartin peptide, vitamins A, C  & E, hyaluronic acid and shea butter. www.dermelect.com.

              darraghcastillo@icloud.com

 

 

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