Beignets, BBQ, and O'Brien's in NOLA

I'm finallyyyy back on the blog to post about a trip we took to the "Big Easy" right after Christmas!  We stayed in New Orleans for three nights, although this city can easily be seen in just two.  By day three, we ran out of things to do and see, so I recommend planning a trip for two days max, unless you're planning to occupy Bourbon Street for your whole visit.

During our visit we enjoyed amazing food, saw a handful of popular attractions, and took in the unique culture of NOLA.  I'll cover our top tips and lessons learned for visiting this intriguing and lively city, starting with the FOOD!  (It's the first thing I plan when we go on a trip anyways, so why not start with the most important part? ;) )

Biscuits and gravy with andouille sausage from the Cake Cafe & Bakery

I have to admit that one of my favorite things about this city is its soul food and hidden "whole-in-the-wall" gems.  During our visit, we sought restaurants and cafes with reasonable price points for delicious cooking, and I'm happy to say that New Orleans did not disappoint.  For breakfast, we ate at the Cake Cafe and Cafe Du Monde on the days that we passed on our hotel's continental breakfast.  I have to say that my meal at the Cake Cafe was my favorite in New Orleans, and it's all thanks to their amazing biscuits and gravy with andouille sausage.  Harrison also enjoyed his breakfast panini with bacon, eggs, cheddar, and roasted tomato on ciabatta.  Located in the Marigny neighborhood, the Cake Cafe is a quaint cafe just outside the tourist bustle of the French Quarter.  I would definitely recommend a stop here for an affordable and delicious breakfast or brunch when visiting the French Quarter for the day.

When in NOLA, everyone says that you have to visit Cafe Du Monde for their famous beignets and coffee,  but I have to say that the beignets at this popular tourist spot won't be the best beignets you have in your life.  Although delicious, they aren't mind blowing, but don't let that stop you from visiting this historic cafe.  Harrison and I agreed that enjoying the piping hot donuts loaded with powdered sugar at our little table in the bustling and almost hectic cafe was worth it for the memories.  Who doesn't love fried dough and people watching?  I have to caution you on one item on the menu though, and it's the hot chocolate.  I was expecting a gourmet drink, but instead was served a watery cup of Nestle hot chocolate.  If that's your thing, go for it, but otherwise, stick to their coffee or order some water.  You'll need it to get through that mountain of powdered sugar!

For lunch and dinner, we visited the famous NOLA pub, Pat O'Brien's, as well as two lesser known local spots, the Parkway Bakery and Tavern, and The Joint.  Definitely visit Pat O'Brien's when you're on Bourbon Street and order their Hurricane.  It's really delicious, served in a huge glass, and will give you a nice buzz as you tour the shops and streets in the French Quarter.

The food at Pat O'Brien's is surprisingly delicious as well! I ordered their shrimp étouffée and it had the perfect amount of cajun flavor and spice.  For yummy po-boys, visit the Parkway Bakery and Tavern.  We enjoyed our dinner here, although it wasn't our favorite meal during our visit.  If you're a BBQ fan, definitely stop by The Joint.  It's a whole-in-the-wall joint in a residential neighborhood on Mazant Street in New Orleans that is slow smoking delicious ribs, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, and sausage.  Our favorite dish was definitely the pulled pork, which surprised us, because we usually gravitate towards brisket and ribs.  But let's face it.  Nothing beats Texas brisket ;).   Anyways, GET THE PULLED PORK, and let us know how their mac is!  They were out when we visited, and we want to know if we missed out on this.

What's a trip without enjoying some treats?  We definitely indulged in some of NOLA's best sweet shops and creameries and I'm so excited to share them so you can try the sinful sweets too!  Our favorite stop for a sweet treat was definitely, hands-down, the Creole Creamery.  We loved their homemade ice cream so much, that we went all three nights we were there!  Maybe a little excessive, but hey, we were on vacation and their ice cream is AMAZING!

 They have so many outrageous and unique flavors to count, and every scoop is delicious!  My favorite flavor was the molasses and oatmeal cookie.  Check out their website to see their endless list of flavors.

Another sweet shop to visit while in New Orleans is Sucre!  This artisanal confectioner makes adorable and tasty macarons, chocolates, and gelato.  While there, we sampled fudgy truffles and ordered frozen hot chocolate and a cappuccino.  Everything was delicious and the shop is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a little treat!

Moving from food to French Quarter tips, I have to share my tips on parking.  It. is. the. worst.  Parking in the French Quarter is limited and you basically have two choices: park in a public lot or on the street.  Parking is expensive in the public parking lots, but it's worth it to park in a paid lot over a spot on the street.  There are so many restrictions on parking in the streets of the French Quarter, and in this case, possibly saving a few bucks isn't worth getting your car towed while on vacation.  Want to save some money on parking in the public lots?  Many lots offer early bird hours at lower rates!

I've already covered food in the French Quarter, but what about the sights?  There's so much to see including the vibrant art displays, unique shops, and landmark buildings, such as St. Louis' Cathedral.  We loved exploring it all, and also enjoyed mass at St. Louis' during the Christmas season.  It's really a beautiful cathedral, and I recommend going inside to see the beautiful ceiling.

The last place I'm going to recommend to add to your itinerary is The National World War II Museum.  Harrison and I loved it, and it's a great way to spend a rainy day in New Orleans.  You could easily spend all day here, and we almost did!  The museum is sizable and has many engaging exhibits that will have you engrossed in the war's history.  Trust me, there isn't anything boring about this museum and it's a must see!

We had a great trip to New Orleans and definitely made many memories in this historic and vibrant city.  Hopefully our experiences and lessons learned can help you plan your own trip!

The Favorite.

Ok, so I've neglected the blog lately since my editing and merchandising jobs have picked up, and I've missed my hobby blog, so I'm back to share a special post! This post is all about The Favorite.  The favorite what, you ask?  The Favorite cookie.

So I have a handful of cookie recipes that are my go-to's and every one is delicious and a favorite in it's own way.  Sadly for those amazing cookie recipes, there is a number one in my heart, and you're looking at it. 

There are a few reasons why this cookie is my favorite.  The first is that this cookie is soft-batch, which is my absolute favorite kind.  I much prefer soft, chewy cookies over crispy, crunchy ones.  Crispy cookies make me think of sweet crackers, and are so less satisfying than a nice, chewy bite of a soft-batch cookie.  

Second, it has a secret ingredient that really boosts the flavor profile: instant vanilla pudding mix.  Weird, right?  It does seem weird, especially when mixing the cookie dough, because the pudding mix actually makes the dough seem too dry.  Don't worry though, magically these cookies are super moist, and the dryness of the cookie dough prior to baking isn't a problem!  It's hard to describe the rich flavor these cookies have, but thank the vanilla pudding mix.

Third, it's the perfect cookie base for all my favorite mix-ins.  I love to experiment with different combinations of mix-ins in my cookie dough, and this recipe is a perfect base for all sorts of add-ins, making it a versatile recipe!  My favorite mix-ins are mini Reeses Pieces (can you tell?), and PRETZELS.  Along with a sweet mix-in, add a heaping 3/4 cup of salty, broken pretzels to this dough, and your world will be forever changed.  Trust me.  This is one of those perfect sweet and salty combos, and if that is your thing, you don't want to pass this up. 

So there it is, the favorite.  Trust me, this needs to be your next experiment in the kitchen.  Tried it? Let me know how you like it, or hopefully LOVE it like I do!  Here's the recipe, and happy baking :)

The Season of Giving Thanks

Fall is finally here, and although the temperature hasn't dropped below the 80s here in southern Alabama, I'm already feeling the best of the season.  To me, Fall is about cozy sweaters, spending time with family and friends, giving thanks, and buying ALL the pumpkin spice everything that I can find.  Call me basic, but who doesn't love pumpkin spice?  Now that it's officially pumpkin spice season, I have an excuse to make all the pumpkin-flavored treats I crave.  Let's see... pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin pancakes... I could fill this whole post, but that wouldn't be too interesting...mouth watering, but I'd probably lose a few readers.

Anyways, I digress... a lot.  Back to my favorite things about Fall.  At the top of my list is spending time with my family and friends, and taking time to give thanks to those whom I love and who take care of me.

And speaking of thanks, I have much to give this season, beginning with thanking everyone who has supported my new business endeavor with Chloe + Isabel jewelry.  Last week, I kick-started my new part-time career as a jewelry merchandiser, and I am so thankful for the ongoing support I've received from friends and family.  Especially to those who have been my first customers, THANK YOU SO MUCH for giving me the confidence and optimism to believe that I can be successful in this new venture.  If it weren't for you all, I wouldn't be nearly as positive and excited as I am for my future with Chloe + Isabel.

I absolutely love my job so far.  I'm learning how to be an entrepreneur and a humble hostess, while entertaining my favorite hobbies of fashion, food (there has to be yummy treats at the jewelry "Pop-Up Parties!"), and crafting for my jewelry displays.  Again, I couldn't be more thankful to the friends and family who have shown their support, and I should mention my number one supporter, Harrison.  From the moment I brought up the idea of becoming a merchandiser, to every time I made a new sale or contact after that, he was there cheering me on and supporting me.  Although this is a part-time job that will hold me over until I am able to apply for teaching positions in Fort Hood, I am so thankful that Harrison is my support and number one fan in every project I tackle.  Thanks honey!!!

I am working hard in these first few days and weeks to spread the word about my business as best as I can.  The help I've been receiving from friends and family members via word of mouth and social media has been a huge help!!!  I've been able to make new contacts (who are quickly becoming new friends) through the referrals my friends are making!  Thank you all so much!  If you'd like to help, please share my online boutique website (www.chloeandisabel.com/boutique/rosegreen) with anyone you think would be interested in beautiful, high-quality, statement jewelry that comes with a lifetime guarantee.  I would appreciate the support very much!!!  Also, if you have any questions about the jewelry or how to order, please don't hesitate to contact me via my blog, Facebook, or my business email (candirosegreen@yahoo.com)!

Stay humble.  Work hard.  Be kind.

These words are my motto moving forward as I continue to build up my business with Chloe + Isabel, enjoy this lovely Fall season with my friends, family, and sweet husband, and also prepare for our second move in the Army in the coming months.  I'm very thankful to God and to my family and friends for the new opportunities that have opened up to me and encouragement I've received at the beginning of this season.  I hope everyone is enjoying the start of Fall, and will continue to bask in the joy of pumpkin spice lattes and crisp Fall days.  Thanks for reading!

Meet the Greens

This is Harrison...

And this is Rose...

They're a couple of Army Brats who met in high school...

Dated through college...

And finally got married!!!

Now they live in Fort Rucker, Alabama where Harrison is stationed for flight school and is learning to fly Blackhawk helicopters, and Rose is a substitute teacher and merchandiser for Chloe + Isabel.

In January, a new member joined the Green family and her name is Harley!  Named after a wonderful school where Rose student taught at, Harley is a sweet girl and has Harrison and Rose wrapped around her little paw.

After Harrison graduates flight school in December, the Green family will head west to their next duty station at Fort Hood, Texas!  They can't wait to live near Harrison's family and to get their fill of Texas 'cue!

Paleo Cheese Crackers

My last post on the blog was for the BEST Paleo Brownies, which I adapted from my favorite Paleo cookbook, Primal Cravings, by Megan McCullough Keatley and Brandon Keatley.  The delicious brownies were a huge hit with my readers, with the post getting the most views out of any recipe on H&R Blog!  Since this recipe was so delicious and nutritious, as well as a success with my readers, I decided that I should try another recipe from Primal Cravings to continue to share the love I have for the food the Keatleys have imagined.  This week, I'm sharing their recipe for Paleo Cheese Crackers!

I just love these little crackers, because being on Paleo can really make you miss carb-y snacks, but these cheesy bites destroy those naughty snack cravings.  See those crisp buttery edges? These crackers are exploding with cheesy and buttery flavors, which makes them feel like a guilty treat.  Don't be surprised if you end up polishing off every single last one of these crackers all by yourself.  It happens...especially in my kitchen.

Now, I know that these are called crackers, but the texture of these buttery rounds is not like the crunchy, crispy texture of conventional crackers like Ritz.  Instead, these Paleo Cheese Crackers have a chewy texture with a slightly crisp, buttery bottom.  They are not crunchy or flaky by any means, but I don't really mind the controversial texture since the flavors are so on point.  Plus, they fill the junk food void of a Paleo lifestyle so there's no need to be picky.

  

Other than snacking, these crackers would also be great for hors d'oeuvres at a party.  Try serving them topped with buffalo chicken wing dip or your favorite chicken salad!  

The BEST Paleo Brownies

I am so excited for this post, because I am about to share one my all time favorite Paleo recipes...and it's a brownie!!!  I'm not sure how much better I can convey the deliciousness of this good-for-you treat in words than a photo can, so let's cut to the chase and start with that:

How amazing do those look?!?  And trust me, they are just as tantalizingly tasty as the pictures make you believe.  These brownies are so rich and moist with a deep cocoa flavor.  They almost taste like dark chocolate brownies, because the cocoa flavor is so intense.  Being that they have just the right amount of sweetness, the cocoa really stands out and is not masked by too much sugar in the recipe.  Just look at how chocolaty these puppies look... 

Let's talk texture.  So I've mentioned that these brownies are super moist, but you're probably wondering if this is a chewy or fudgy brownie.  The answer is actually neither.  While the flavor definitely could fool you into believing this is a fudgy brownie, the texture is actually more cake-like than dense and fudgy.  Now, usually I'm not a big fan of cake-like brownies, because I believe that a brownie should be a brownie and not a cake.  However, this Paleo version of a brownie was such a success, that I don't even care that it's a little fluffier than a brownie should probably be. 

Ok, ready to hear my absolute favorite part of this recipe.  This Paleo brownie is magic.  And by that I mean that it is the ultimate trickster into making people believe that it is the ultimate guilty pleasure and definitely couldn't be in the same sentence as Paleo or healthy unless "not" preceded them.  Lucky for us, we have a recipe to prove that these brownies are actually grain-free, gluten-free, and nutrient dense!  It's pretty unbelievable once you've had a bite of these.  I've tried a few other Paleo and low-carb brownie recipes and they all pale and ultimately fail in comparison with these.  It's not even a close competition.  These truly deserve the title of BEST Paleo brownie!

I wish I could say that I was able to develop this recipe, but all the credit goes to the authors of my favorite Paleo cookbook to date, Primal Cravings, by Megan McCullough Keatley and Brandon Keatley.  

I am in love.  This cookbook takes favorite meals that are usually full of gluten, bad fats, and sugars, and turns them into Paleo friendly meals that are also relatively low-carb.  Not only do they transform foods like a cuban burger, crispy chicken fingers, or a stack of pancakes, but they also elevate their imaginative recipes so that they are full of flavor.  Plus, their images beautifully capture the essence of their food...and make you very hungry.

You won't miss the original, unhealthier versions of their recipes, trust me.  I know from experience with these brownies, and I encourage you to try them and feel the same way!

Here's the magic recipe.  Happy baking!  Just a little warning, these will probably change your life.