Cooking

Grilling 101

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This last week, I was able to attend and demonstrate one of my favorite events! The Grilling 101!

Granted, some people reading this will say, I know how to cook a steak already, what is the big deal? For me, it is a special event. The majority of the time, I get to teach women how to cook steaks on the grill. It is such an amazing feeling, watching the participants and the excitement that they get when their steak comes out perfect. It is also an extreme plus when it tastes really good!

It isn’t just about grilling, it is about coming together as a group. Empowering women, or whoever may be in the group that day. It is the camaraderie between the participants that makes these events worth while.

Plus, it is always nice to throw in a few tips and tricks along the way. Take wire brushes for example, so many people use these to clean their grills but these can be very harmful. The bristles can break off and get stuck to the grill. They have the potential to get into your meat, and if you were to swallow one of those, it could be life threatening! Instead use some foil and an onion! They have the coolest onion holders at H-E-B, and they make cleaning your grill with an onion super easy.

I also like to challenge those well-done steak eaters. It is a free steak, be brave and try it medium-well! You might be amazed at how much flavor the steak has, and you won’t have to use that A1 sauce ever again!

At these events, I am always extra grateful for my time at The Texas Beef Council for giving me the skills to continue to administer this event! It definitely is one of the Texas CattleWomen’s favorite things to do!

Regardless of what it is, do what you love. Do what brings you joy. You never know how much joy you could bring to someone else along the way.

As always share some love, we could all use a little more love.
XOXOXO
Casey

French Quarter – New Orleans!

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My week in New Orleans was definitely one that I needed. Trips with amazing friends are always good for the soul. On our free day, we hit the streets of the French Quarter. Our first stop was Cafe Du Monde. Even though I have been to NOLA a couple of times, I have never been to this historic place. As always, there was a line to get in when we got there, but the line moved quickly and we got to kick our morning off with some amazing Beignets. As I said, that diet went out the window!

Since not all of us had been through the French Quarter before, we decided to check out the sights. We made our way through looking at the shops and hearing music being played or sung as we made our way to Bourbon street. Nighttime Bourbon street and Daytime Bourbon street are two completely different things. If you are into the party life, check out the nighttime scene. The daytime scene was relaxing as not too many people were out and about.

If you take the time to stop and look at the buildings and the architectural work, you are going to see some incredible features. I think the best part about it, is that most of these buildings are old, from the 1800s. Every once in a while, you would look through the buildings and see a beautiful courtyard.

On our third day there, we all got to attend the New Orleans School of Cooking, Cooking Demonstration. While we did not get to cook, we were able to watch the Chef as he walked us through all the steps to make the recipes we were going to be trying. He was a great teacher and historian. One of my favorite parts of that cooking class was learning all the historical aspects of the food, where the names came from, how Creole and Cajun differ, and how those styles of cooking got to New Orleans in the first place. If you love Seafood, I highly recommend taking a class here. We got to try Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, Crawfish Etoufee, Bananas Foster, and Pralines. My favorite dish was the Bananas Foster dessert. Bananas in a mix that he lit on fire, and topped with ice cream! This girl was loving all these amazing foods.

However, I have to save the best dessert for last! Surprisingly enough, it was from the Hilton Hotel that we stayed at. It was cheesecake on top of Oreo crumbles drizzled in a Raspberry sauce. The cheesecake almost looked like ice cream when it came out. It was so soft and fluffy. Perfection.

I love traveling to conventions with my CattleWomen crew but this trip was one for the books and one of my favorites to date. Seriously, sometimes you just need a week away with good people and a good destination. Put your to-do list aside and enjoy life out there.

As always, share some love, we could all use a little more love.
XOXOXO
Casey

The Little Big Cup

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I love food but have not always been the biggest seafood fan. I spent a week in Louisiana, and I decided that I wanted to venture out and expand my tastebuds. I kicked off my trip with the perfect place to do it.

The Little Big Cup – Arnaudville, Louisiana

One of my friends from Facebook always shares this restaurant’s posts. While we were driving down, we looked up the restaurant, saw that it was only a slight detour, and decided to go for it, and man! There are no words for how amazing this food is. The restaurant was booked but we were able to get a seat at the bar. I ordered the Cajun Kevin Po Boy – a French Bread hollowed out, stuffed with sautéed Gulf Shrimp, Lump Blue Point Crab Meat, Louisiana Crawfish Tails, and Andouille Sausage simmered in their mixed Pepper, Parmesan, Butter, and Cream reduction. One taste of this sauce, and I swear I was in Heaven.

My friend Linda ordered the Crab Stack – Two Louisiana, Blue Point Crab Cakes over fried Eggplant Medallions topped with Crawfish Etouffe garnished with Fried Gulf Shrimp. The Etoufee sauce was a little spicy, so if you like spicy, you are in for a treat!

My friend Debbie came in clutch and ordered the Bread Pudding for dessert. Being a newbie to Bread Pudding, I had to try it. Needless to say, one bite of this dessert and I knew that my diet was going out of the window for the rest of the week! Simply perfection.

This is the cutest little restaurant backed up to the Bayou. It is in a little downtown area and the atmosphere makes you feel right at home. The place was packed! If you are trying to dine here on a Friday or Saturday, you have to make reservations beforehand. On Saturdays, they normally serve around 700 people. They have a Sunday brunch and are only open for 4-5 hours. During that time, the bartender told us they normally serve around 400 people. This restaurant is the place to be!

For more information and pictures to make you stop scrolling and start booking your trip, be sure to check out their Website and Facebook page.

Great food brings joy, laughter, good times, and soothes the soul! This is one place I will definitely go back, it is worth every mile traveled to it no matter how far the detour is!

As always, share some love, we could all use a little more love
XOXOXO
Casey