Year of the Dragon - Vietnamese New Year!

What a special weekend it was in New Orleans East. Each year, to celebrate the new year, the vietnamese community comes together to throw a huge New Years Party! The festival draws over 10,000 people annually and features the best fair food i know of...

Whether it's a down the line subway style Bahn Mi stand or fresh spring rolls wrapped in front of your eyes, this fair has it all when it comes to vietnamese cuisine. Some crowd favorites include the candied grilled corn on the cob which tasted like a dessert & the suculent beef skewers. There were so many impressive fresh flavors to sample. Value wise, this festival is as good as it gets: $3 po-boys, $3 spring rolls, $3 beef skewers. No admission charge to get in which means you can have a cheaper lunch at the festival than going to a vietnamese restaurant. Feel free to bring a cooler of adult beverages as well. GREAT VALUE!

Another interesting aspect of this party is the live music and games. Kids are running around everywhere, poppers are going off, and spray foam shows up everywhere. All this while classic rock is performed on stage.

The festival runs friday, saturday, and sunday so be on the look out next year.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Well, it's almost the season right?

In my opinion march - june is the primetime for getting the best size and price on crawfish. But sometimes you just have that craving for some good ole crawdads!

Prices in New Orleans are currently at $3.40 per pound live. They should get down to around $2 per pound in the heart of the season.

If you dont boil yourself, check out Salvo's in Belle Chasse for their all you can eat specials.

Nothing like a good beer to help bring down those flavorful tails. For an interesting boil, try throwing in edamame, okra, pineapple, and brussel sprouts.

What is new in the world?

The #1 thing you should know going forward in 2012 is that Yogurtland on Prytania is open for business. This perfectly located dessert hot spot is much better value than Pure and Pinkberry. I will say, uptown may have enough fro-yo spots for now, but thank god for the variety of options.

Ignatius Eatery is still cooking up new orleans classics that come hand in hand with a heart attack. Above find the red beans & rice with sausage along with jambalaya. All very tasty, but i have never been so full in my life. Ignatius is good value and BYOB.

Next time you are in Abita Springs, i have found your lunch spot: Mama D's Pizza & More. Homemade bread that is delicious. The half sandwich is enough to feed a family of 9. Can't wait to be back.

The Power of Quinoa

2011 was the year of Quinoa in my house. What an amazing grain I learned to love. Very versatile and decently healthy.

The grain, Quinoa, has spanish origins but will be seen more and more in the USA in the upcoming years.

For best results, grill a variety of colorful vegetables to cut up and mix in with your quinoa. I recommend peppers and corn. Mango and avocado also add a great flavor.

Quinoa can be found in almost all grocery stores (look in the ethnic food aisle or with the grains)and is an extremely good value. If i can cut out white rice and replace that terrible starch with quinoa in 2012, i should move closer to my new years resolution of losing 15 lbs.

Cheers!