CEVICHE 1/2 lb. scallops, 1/2 lb. white fish, 1 lb. medium shrimp, deveined and shells removed, 1/4 cup green olives, sliced, 1 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 T. orange juice, 1/2 cup red onions, sliced, 2 jalapeno peppers, finely diced, 1 cucumber, peeled and diced, 2 green onions, sliced, 1 cup cilantro,…

Red Beans Today is Monday which translates to red beans and rice.   In my head and stomach, in the directive of my Grandmother Emma, Mondays are synonymous with red beans simmering on the stove while we washed clothes.  The kidney bean is a southern Louisiana staple and found in other cultures and cuisines.  For…

OYSTER BISQUE Shuck oysters and reserve the liquor.  Strain the oyster liquor, and add the liquor into a saucepan.  Pick over the oyster, make sure there are no shell pieces refrigerate the oysters.  Add the clam juice, water, and vegetables into the saucepan, and bring to a simmer.  Cover the saucepan and cook until the…

WHITE PINEAPPLE SODA CAKE My niece Octavia (Buck Wild) has shared her recipe with us.  She is an excellent cook.  This recipe is relatively inexpensive and easy and quick to make.  You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry now. 1 ( 15.25 oz.) box white cake mix, 1/2 cup oil, 1 (12 oz.)…

Lamb is the perfect meat offering for Easter dinner this year.  Lamb can be a little gamey, so trim off some of the fat.  I always buy domestic lamb.  Domestic lambs are feed grass up until 30 days before slaughter, then they are feed grain.  Substituting grain for grass changes the taste of the lamb along…

  BUBBY STEAKHOUSE BURGER DAY Today I am dedicating this recipe to my big brother Bubby.  He is a burger lover, and I love him.  Here you go, Bubby. 1 pound 80-20 ground beef, 1/2 pound ground turkey, 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tablespoon whole milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper,…

  GLAZED STRING BEANS 1 1/2 lbs. string beans, blanched, 1 1/4 tsp. garlic oil, 3 T. shallots, chopped, 2 cups sherry wine, 1/2 cup sherry vinegar, 1 tsp. minced garlic, 1 T. light brown sugar, 1 1/2 .T. salted butter, 1 tsp. liquid crab boil, salt, and pepper to taste. Get out a skillet,…

I remember going to Amite, Louisiana, for summer vacation as a kid.  The Town of Amite City, commonly just called Amite, lies at the intersection of I-55 and Hwy. 16.  Amite is halfway between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Jackson, Mississippi.  What I remember most about Amite were the big black pots in the front yard…

Blackened Seasoning: 1 1/2 T. smokd paprika, 1 1/4 T.  ground cumin, 1 1/2 T. ganulated garlic, 2 tsp. granulated onion powder, 2 tsp. chili powder, 1 1/4 tsp. spblack pepper, 1 1/4 tsp. dried thyme, 1 tsp. dried oregano, 1 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, 2 T. Creole seasoning salt, my secret ingredient is 1 teaspoon dry…

MY SISTERS ( left to right me, Pat, LaLa standing behind us is Tiny) My paternal roots are from the savannahs and jungles of West Africa.  We came to America on wooden ships and chains.  There was no Ellis Island welcoming committee; a slave auction greeted us.  Hodges’s DNA in America can be traced back…

  MEATLOAF 4 pieces of stale bread,1/2 cup yellow onions, finely chopped, 1/4 cup bell pepper, finely chopped, 1 celery stalk,finely chopped, 2 pounds ground chuck or ground turkey, 2 eggs, beaten, 1 T. flour, 1 (10 3/4 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup, 1/4 cup ketchup,  1 T. poultry seasoning, 1 tsp. dried thyme, 1…