Comfort Food From Louisiana: Mardi Gras: Muffuletta Sandwich

Comfort Food From Louisiana: Mardi Gras: Muffuletta Sandwich: From Denny: Do you love the New Orleans tradition of muffuletta sandwiches? They are popular throughout Louisiana, especially at carnival time. During the parades people are always looking for snacks that are easy to grab off a tray and run back into the crowd to catch those all important beads. :)

This recipe is for an appetizer version where you don't have to worry so much about the high calories, salt and preservatives since it is a smaller portion.

There is even a recipe to show you how to make your own olive salad which can be used for more than just this sandwich, like a dressing on a garden salad or as a spread on French bread. It was originally developed by the Sicilian immigrants that settled in New Orleans about 100 years ago.

4 Simple Recipes 4 Entertaining

Carol Poche in her kitchen, photo from 2theadvocate.com


From Denny: Easy cooking is the trend here in Louisiana but we want the slow cooking results! A slow cooker is the answer for low maintenance and ease. When was the last time you made Enchiladas in a crockpot? Yeah, me neither. :) There's a wonderfully tasty salsa dip made with hummus, a chicken salad you could make as an appetizer served in puff pastry cups or place on your favorite lettuces for a larger serving and a recipe that makes three loaves of deliciously easy pumpkin bread.

All of these recipes come from former restauranteur Carol Poche who is now a real estate agent, recently featured in our local newspaper 2theadvocate. She regularly sends her business associates a monthly recipe she has tested in her own kitchen. Once a great cook, always a great cook! Take a look at her offerings:


Recipes Featured:

Enchiladas in the Crock
Mediterranean Salsa Dip
Honey Chicken Salad
Pumpkin Bread




Enchiladas in the Crock

From: Carol Poché

Serves: 6 to 8.

Carol: Home buyers requested a slow-cooker recipe that would fit their active lifestyles. This is a hearty meal that would satisfy a family after a long day of work and play.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef or turkey
1 (10-oz.) bag of frozen seasoning blend
1 (15-oz.) can black beans or red kidney beans with liquid
1 to 2 (10–oz.) cans Ro-tel tomatoes
1/3 cup water
1 packet taco seasoning
8 (6- to 8-inch) flour tortillas
1 (8-oz). pkg. Mexican-style shredded cheese

Directions:

1. Sauté the beef or turkey and seasoning blend together until meat is browned and seasoning is wilted. Drain well.

2. Add beans, Ro-tel tomatoes, water and taco seasoning. Simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Starting at bottom of slow cooker, layer tortillas, meat and bean mixture and cheese and continue in that order until all ingredients are used. Top layer should be cheese.

4. Cover and cook on Low for 5-6 hours. Serve with avocado slices, jalapeños and cilantro.



Mediterranean Salsa Dip

From: Carol Poche from a recipe from Patty Swanson

Carol: This looks great if you serve on an oblong platter, but it won’t last long. It’s always the first empty dish!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tbl. Greek seasoning
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 (10-oz.) containers of hummus
2-3 tbls. finely minced red onion
1 cup cucumber, chopped into fine pieces
1 cup chopped grape tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped black olives
1 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Directions:

1. To make dressing, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, Greek seasoning and garlic powder.

2. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

3. Layer large platter with hummus, minced onion, chopped cucumber, grape tomatoes, black olives and crumbled feta cheese.

4. Drizzle with dressing. Serve with pita chips.



Honey Chicken Salad

From: Carol Poché

Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:

4 cups chopped cooked chicken
3 celery ribs, diced
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1-1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/3 cup honey
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions:

1. Combine chicken, celery, cranberries and pecans.

2. Whisk together the mayonnaise, honey and seasonings. Add to chicken mixture, stirring gently until combined.

3. Serve alone, on a bed of lettuce, in a scooped-out tomato or in individual pastry shells for a touch of elegance.



Pumpkin Bread

From: Carol Poché

Makes: 3 loaves

Carol: This recipe was given to me when I was cooking as a volunteer in the open-hearth kitchen at Magnolia Mound Plantation. It came from a 1796 recipe book containing recipes of Fanny Pierson Crane and was modified for today’s standards.

Ingredients:

1 cup corn oil
4 beaten eggs
2/3 cup water
2 cups canned pumpkin (a 15-oz. can works)
3-1/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsps. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsps. baking soda
3 cups sugar
1/2 cup golden raisins, if desired
1/2 cup chopped pecans, if desired

Directions:

1. Grease and flour 3 standard loaf pans.

2. Combine oil, eggs, water and pumpkin in a large mixing bowl.

3. Add flour, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking soda and sugar. Mix well. Add raisins and nuts, if desired. Fill prepared pans to just below rims.

4. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for at least 1 hour.
Do not remove until toothpick inserted in center comes out dry. Stays moist for days. Makes a great breakfast treat.


*** For more of Poche's easy recipes: Valentines Day, Mardi Gras: 7 Yummy Snack Recipes


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