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Pompano à la Maître d’Hôtel, 1941
Maître d'Hôtel sauce is an early 20th century recipe I rediscovered in a cookbook I have in my kitchen here in New Orleans. From The Creole Kitchen Cookbook , Virginia M. Cooper, 1946 printing. The book includes outdated cultural references one would not see today. The recipes nevertheless are appealing and sturdy. Here is how this one might look. The attractive cover. I like that the book was printed in San Antonio, where I went to junior high, high school, and college. Nayl

Brian Theis
4 days ago2 min read


Oysters Rockefeller, 1971
A New Orleans white tablecloth restaurant staple, originating at Antoine's restaurant in 1889. This recipe is from a cookbooklet put out by the New Orleans Public Service Middle South Utilities System in 1971. Positively aphrodisiacal! (Is that a word? hehe) 🦪 🦪 🦪 The well-used cover. Somebody's pen must not have been working! 🦪 🦪 🦪 The recipe! 🦪 🦪 🦪 OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER Serves 6: ½ package frozen chopped spinach 6 green onions 2 stalks green celery 1/3 bunch parsley

Brian Theis
Feb 21 min read


A Southern New Year Good Luck Menu
Black-eyed peas are the leading good luck charm for a healthy and happy Southern New Year. Unlike Hoppin' John, this version, which got its start in Dallas as "Texas Caviar," is served cold, and is about as delicious as a salad can be. Pair with cornbread, which represents gold, and you've got a combo perfect for good luck in the New Year. In the South, pork, cabbage, or collards can also be part of the lucky menu. 🍯 🌽 🍞 🍯 🌽 🍞 🍯 🌽 🍞 "In With the New" Black-Eyed Pea S

Brian Theis
Dec 30, 20252 min read


My Favorite Mustard
I have six in my fridge but one tops them all! ✅ 🍯 ✅ 🍯 ✅ 🍯 ✅ 🍯 ✅ 🍯 ✅ 🍯 Of course I have a bottle of the great American classic. I have several recipes that call for nothing less than (next to Grey Poupon) perhaps the most recognized mustard there is. I love all things Schaller & Weber. I regularly shop there on my way to or from meetings on the upper east side of Manhattan. This horseradish mustard is mustard first, horseradish second, and includes sugar and spices just

Brian Theis
Nov 10, 20252 min read


13-Ingredient Halloween Gumbo
Q: What makes it a Halloween gumbo?!? A: The 13-ingredients of course! A very dark Halloween-hued roux, the addition of mushrooms (sacriligeous!) and ground cloves make it unique and a special holiday taste sensation. 🧅 🫑 🎃 🧅 🫑 🎃 🧅 🫑 🎃 This recipe is a website exclusive. You might see it in an upcoming cookbook. Meanwhile, there are dozens of other tempting Creole dishes and a whole Halloween chapter full of autumn-appropriate recipes to choose from in my first best

Brian Theis
Oct 12, 20252 min read


Movie Night: Steel Magnolias
Drink your juice, Shelby—it's movie night! (The line is actually "Drink the juice, honey." but who am I to judge.) If you've just been in a very bad mood for forty years, this wildly popular 1989 dramedy is just the thing to get you laughing (and, spoiler alert: crying) again. Here are two Shelby-inspired adult beverages to kick things off, then a Low Country Boil worthy of Truvy and Annelle, and of course a Cuppa Cuppa Cuppa cake for dessert. There's even a bonus red velvet

Brian Theis
Oct 12, 20252 min read


Chicken Gumbo, 1935
A "bare bones" gumbo from 1935, noteworthy because it doesn't start with a roux, AND it includes tomato. From: Southern Cookbook , 1935....

Brian Theis
Sep 30, 20251 min read


Summer Dip Party!
Dip dip hooray! When in doubt, dip it out! Did I mention, I'm feeling dip-erific?! 🧀 🧅 🥒 🫑 🌶️ 🧀 Recipes for my Summer Dip Party!...

Brian Theis
Jun 3, 20254 min read


Plateau Relish de Maison with Trempette au Roquefort
First time ever on the internet! From "The Infinite Feast: How to Host the Ones You Love—Recipes from the Big Easy . . . and Beyond" by Brian Theis, 2020 Click here for more on my best-selling cookbook ! In my research on Thanksgiving and other event menus from the two past centuries I've encountered frequent starter relish courses of stuffed celery, olives, pickles, almonds. I had the idea of a sort of chic plateau (tray) with a luscious blue cheese dip as a "new" tradition

Brian Theis
Mar 27, 20252 min read


Night Lights are Fun
I love night lights! I have THREE in my kitchen in New Orleans—they're great when you're making a quick trip at night for a drink of water, or checking the weather out the back of the house. The carefree city. One of my seasonals. 🎄 🧸 🌟 Another spooky holiday light. 👻 🎃 S'mores, anyone? Vintage lights can be found on Etsy and eBay. Make sure the wiring is reliable! Advertising night lights are a lot of fun. Just plug it right in. I have a mid-century modern theme at the

Brian Theis
Mar 27, 20251 min read


Frankly Fancy Foods, 1959
The appetizing appetizer chapter, from Betty Crocker's "Frankly Fancy" Foods Recipe Booklet, 1959. One of the most epic, tempting,...

Brian Theis
Mar 27, 20251 min read


Mardi Gras Cheer & Creole Buffet
Here are the latest exciting recipes from my treasure box, " The 2 in 1 International Recipe Card Collection for Mixed Drinks and Hors...

Brian Theis
Feb 27, 20251 min read


Antoine's Special and Crab Creole Dip
Here are the latest exciting recipes from my treasure box, " The 2 in 1 International Recipe Card Collection for Mixed Drinks and Hors...

Brian Theis
Dec 19, 20241 min read


Spooky Salmon Goo-Ga-Loo
This one is a KHOU Great Day Houston (and now website) exclusive. You might see it in an upcoming cookbook. In the meantime, my...

Brian Theis
Oct 12, 20242 min read


Sazerac & Oysters Rockefeller
Here are this week's classic recipes from " The 2 in 1 International Recipe Card Collection for Mixed Drinks and Hors D'Oeuvre ." (Random...

Brian Theis
Jun 5, 20241 min read


Cooking With Stanley and Stella
On the occasion of the 2024 Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival. I lived for years in the apartment on Saint Peter...

Brian Theis
Mar 19, 20243 min read


Chef Leah Chase's Pasta Printemps
New Orleans treasure Leah Chase, also known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, was my secret girlfriend, or so I like to say. I love her...

Brian Theis
Mar 6, 20241 min read


Creole White Bean Chicken Chili
A slow cooker chili my family just loves. I make it here at my New Orleans home all the time. I hope you enjoy it too! This recipe is a...

Brian Theis
Feb 22, 20242 min read


Rum Creole, and New Orleans Caviar
Here's the latest exciting recipe from my treasure box, "The 2 in 1 International Recipe Card Collection for Mixed Drinks and Hors...

Brian Theis
Feb 22, 20241 min read


Porcelain Baking (and Serving) Ramekins
I am a huge fan of these six color Foraineam Oval Porcelain 10 ounce Ramekins with Double Handles! At press time they are currently available on Amazon ! Also on eBay at the moment . Happy shopping! They are great for microwaving casseroles, oatmeal, or heating leftovers, baking or heating almost anything in the oven (think potatoes au gratin!), and terrific simply for serving. Holly Morris on FOX5's Good Day DC liked them a lot. Here's a segment I did recently where they cho

Brian Theis
Feb 21, 20241 min read
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