A Southern Style Meal

Hey y’all! Guess what? I have some good news, and some even better news!

The good news: this month I am lucky enough to participate in this month’s Foodbuzz 24×24! I am so *thankful* for this opportunity!

The even better news: not only was I able to share one amazing and fun meal with my friends, I get to share some photos and the recipes with you!

As y’all know, I am all about anything New Orleans. I love the seafood, the spice, the flavor and everything in between. There were a few southern recipes that I have been dying to try, but knew I would have to share it with others … otherwise I’d eat it all myself! Remember that time I accidentally ate all the scones?

To help avoid the situation where I eat an entire dish myself, I asked some of my closest friends, since childhood, to come to my apartment and enjoy a southern style, 4 course meal, using as many local and southern ingredients I could find.

Sounds delicious? It was!

Sydney was such a great hostess entertaining my guests while I set the table. What would I have done without her?

The table was set for my friends Chelsea, Genia, Kacie and, of course, myself.

Sydney, for some reason, thought she was invited to this dinner party. Don’t worry, I let her down gently.

After the table was set and all of my friends had arrived, it was time to start the meal.

1st Course

A trio of:

Louisiana Oyster Dressing

Boudin Dressing*

Sweet Potato Souffle

served in phyllo cups.

I loved this trio! Each cup had something different, yet they all worked together. The sweet sweet potato souffle, with the salty boudin dressing, and then the savory oyster dressing.  {swoon}. What a perfect way to start a meal!

*Recipe Below.

2nd Course

Alligator Soup.

This was my *favorite* course of the entire dinner. It was rich, velvety and flavorful. I think I could eat this alligator soup every day for the rest of my life. Seriously.

Surprisingly, Genia and Kacie never had alligator. I was glad I got to introduce them to it! Chelsea and I were seasoned pros and finished every. last. bite.

We ended up having a party crasher!! Can’t say that I blame her, though. The alligator soup smelled as amazing as it tasted!

Note: this recipe called for fresh alligator, but I couldn’t find any, so I went with the next best thing. In New Orleans, when you are looking for a certain meat and can’t find it, there is a 99% chance you will be able to find it in sausage form. Cut off the casing and wah-lah! You have alligator!

3rd Course

Grilled Louisiana redfish*, served over smothered greens.

Roasted carrots.

Twice Baked Potatoes.

Genia and Kacie were a little iffy about the smothered greens, and were surprised that I used kale. However, both were impressed! I swear that the secret to amazing smothered greens is a little brown sugar. It really takes the flavor to another level, and allows them to be the perfect bed for a fresh piece of grilled fish.

* Recipe Below.

4th Course

Pumpkin Praline Pie.

Everyone was starting to hurt by time the 3rd course was finished. Then they tasted the pie. We all miraculously found room …

This pie was absolutely amazing. We all *loved* it!

For the praline topping, I melted 4 pralines and then added it to each slice. And then topping it off with whipped cream? Um, yes, please!

So yea, that was one *phenomenal* 4 course, southern style meal, if I say so myself. I also have three friends, who since I’ve known since childhood and who are are not scared to tell me the truth, to back me up on this.

It was nice to catch up with everyone, too! We have all been so busy with the holidays starting. Each of us have different jobs, which means different schedules. I’m glad I got to use this meal to bring us all together!

Which of these dishes would you love to try? Do you like making a meal for your friends? What activities do you do to bring your friends together?

* Recipes Below:

Boudin Dressing

prep time: 20 minutes

cook time: 20 minutes

serving size: 6

Ingredients

1.15 lb Boudin

2 c dried bread/ pre-made stuffing

2 tsp butter

1/4 c chopped onions

1/4 c chopped celery

1/4 c parmesan cheese

Directions

1) Preaheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2) Remove the boudin from the casing.

3) Place the boudin in a large pan on medium heat and brown the boudin. Use this as an opportunity to break down the boudin, so that it is of a ground meat consistency.

4) In another skillet heat the butter and cook the onions and celery until they are soft.

5) In a bowl mix the stuffing, boudin and cheese. Add the cooked vegetables.

6) Pour the mixture into a baking pan.

7) Bake for 20 minutes, or until the stop begins to brown.

Grilled Redfish

prep time: 5 minutes

cook time: 12 minutes

serving size: 4

Ingredients

8 oz fresh, local redfish

2 tbsp butter

2 tsp seafood seasoning

Directions

1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

2) Place the redfish on a non-stick, or foil lined, pan.

3) Top each filet with 1 tbsp of butter and 1 tsp of your seasoning.

4) Bake for 12 minutes, or until the fish is just cooked through.

Tags: Alligator Soup, Baked Oyster Dressing, Boudin Dressing, Foodbuzz, Foodbuzz 24x24, Kale, Louisiana, Louisiana Redfish, new orleans, Pumpkin Praline Pie, Roasted Carrots, Smothered Greens, Southern Style Food, Sweet Potato Souffle, Twice Baked Potatoes