Jay D's Bites: Smoked CreoleTomato Soup

by Blair Loup

This is not a drill! Chef Aimee Tortorich has concocted the most delicious tomato soup to have ever graced my taste buds. Still processing the loss of the spicy tomato soup at Chelsea's, I have finally found a stand in.

It's spicy, it's smokey and it's everything your grilled cheese sandwich is looking for. If you've got some wood chips and a grill or smoker followed by a few pulses of a blender you're in business! You could also turn your stove top into a smoker if you really wanted. All of these beautiful ingredients can be purchased and sources locally through Indie Plate, a local farm-to doorstep delivery service. Get to ordering and get your soup on!

Smoked Creole Tomato Soup:

Smoked Creole Tomato Soup garnished with Purple Basil

Serves 4-6

2 lbs whole Creole tomatoes
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 tsp dried oregano
2 Tbsp purple basil, chopped
Jay D’s Spicy & Sweet BBQ Rub to taste
Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Light the smoker and adjust temperature to 250F. Season whole tomatoes with one tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper. Smoke until soft (about 30-40 minutes). While tomatoes are smoking, chop onions and garlic. Sauté in olive oil until soft. Season with red pepper flakes, Jay D’s Spicy & Sweet BBQ Rub and dried oregano. Add tomatoes with seasonings and simmer for 15 minutes. Purée in a blender until soft. Finish with purple basil.

Not Just a Food Blogger: Other Places to Read Jay's Writing

by Sydney Blanchard

Sure, Jay started writing about food right here on Bite and Booze, but you may not know he's been pretty widely published in a number of magazines and on a number of websites. With all the cooking events and media stuff Jay does these days, it's easy to forget he got into the culinary world by writing about it.

Jay has built a career on celebrating Southern food and beverage culture. Here are a few of my favorite pieces Jay has authored over the years.

Have Your King Cake and Eat It Too

"It is almost impossible to ignore the doughy, cinnamon-y smell emanating from Calandro’s Supermarket’s bakery this time of year. The smell, to those familiar with it, signals the start of the most important time of year on any Louisiana native’s social calendar: Carnival Season, and with it, Mardi Gras."

Cajun Crawfish Bread

"Louisiana seasons are not defined by the weather or whether leaves are on trees. They are rooted in our culture and the events that celebrate our joy of life."

Cajun vs. Creole

"So if you’re versed on Louisiana history and culture, then all you really need to know is that Creole cuisine uses tomatoes and proper Cajun food does not. You can stop reading now. That’s how you tell a Cajun vs. Creole gumbo or jambalaya."

Fried With That

"Whether loaded with cheesy goodness or served with a slathering of curries, a good French fry can give even the mighty burger a run for its money."

Louisiana Breweries

"In Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital city, Tin Roof Brewing Company is producing beverages out of malts and hops that make people smile. Only a block away from the Mighty Mississippi, Tin Roof crafts beers worthy of the name."

Southern Hospitality

"Baton Rouge has the appeal of a sultry Southern town combined with a dash of Cajun, a pinch of Creole and a heaping spoonful of charm."

Lake Charles is the Perfect Weekend Getaway for Food Lovers, and Here's Why

by Sydney Blanchard

Admittedly, Lake Charles isn't always the first place that comes to mind when I dream up day trips or weekend excursions, but after a recent stay in the Boudin Capital of Louisiana, it's safe to say I've converted.

Below, you'll find a list of a few of my favorite things to do while in Lake Charles. You'll see how easy it is to fall in love with Southwest Louisiana food, culture, and fun!

Brunch at Jack Daniel's Bar & Grill at L'Auberge 

Fried grit cake topped with steak topped with an egg at Jack Daniel's Bar & Grill

You'd be doing yourself a disservice by staying anywhere other than L'Auberge Lake Charles. The resort is not only the epitome of luxury, but it's also home to some great restaurants. Noted Chef Lyle Broussard heads the kitchen at the Jack Daniel's Bar & Grill on the property, and their brunch items alone are worth the trip to Lake Charles. This is one of the great examples of the great food coming out of the younger culinary scene in Lake Charles. Pro-tip: Order the Whiskey Milk Punch. You won't regret it.

Try Acadian Coffee Roasters

Not-yet-roasted coffee beans at Acadian Coffee Roasters

Your post-brunch plans should definitely include coffee, especially if you brunched properly with the Milk Punch! Acadian Coffee Roasters in Lake Charles is a relatively new operation. The proprietors, both named Nancy, pride themselves on their single origin, organic coffee beans and delicious flavored coffees. It's all about supporting locals! P.S. I highly recommend their Amaretto flavored coffee. It's amazing!

Explore the Creole Nature Trail

Perfect day for exploring the Creole Nature Trail

The Creole Nature Trail is the best way to walk off that ridiculously delicious brunch. It's the picture perfect place to explore the beaches, wildlife, marshes, and fishing of Southwest Louisiana. A guided tour is also an option. Watch out for alligators (seriously)!

Snack Along the Boudin Trail

Smoked boudin from Rabideaux's Sausage Kitchen

Southwest Louisiana is the boudin capital of the world, so even if you've had boudin before, you'd be remiss to skip out on exploring the boudin trail! I'd recommend stopping by Rabideaux's Sausage Kitchen or anywhere on this list. Smoked by the link or fried up in a ball, boudin is a must-try in Lake Charles.

Tour Bayou Rum Distillery

Bayou Rum's Satsuma Rum Liqueur at their distillery in Lake Charles

In 2013, Bayou Rum sought to continue the long-lost tradition of Louisiana rum. It makes sense, right? Sugar plantations in South Louisiana before the Civil War often built distilleries adjacent to the main house. Learn more about the history and process of rum making on one of their distillery tours (and don't pass up the rum tasting bar). Bayou Rum has one of the coolest distillery tours around, and you can grab their rum and some branded swag in their immense gift shop afterward.

Cocktails & Small Plates at Restaurant Calla

Blue crab beignets at Restaurant Calla

One of the newer restaurants on the Lake Charles food scene, Restaurant Calla offers "creative, seasonal, and sustainable" dishes in the budding Southwest Louisiana culinary scene. Chef David Sorrells has a unique vision for modern Louisiana cuisine, and he carries it out well at Calla. The restaurant is gorgeous, but don't let that fool you: the menu is straight-forward and lacks pretension. Grab a drink off of their list of fun cocktails and split a couple of small plates with the table. But save room for dinner!

Dine at La Truffe Sauvage

Life-altering saffron risotto topped with fish at La Truffe Sauvage

Since 1998, Chefs Mohamed Chettouh and Arthur Durham's La Truffe Sauvage has been putting Lake Charles on the culinary map. Their take on fine French dining is something special that shouldn't be missed. Here you can read my detailed write-up of the meal I had there. I'll just say that their selection of wines is noteworthy, and the saffron risotto I had there was life-altering.

Where are your go-to spots in Lake Charles?

Louisiana Culinary Trails: Creole Crescent

Chef Matt Murphy and Jay Ducote share a laugh with a microphone

The Louisiana Culinary Trails video series kicks off in New Orleans with the Creole Crescent Trail. The Big Easy boasts one of the premier culinary scenes in the country, and I really can't imagine a better place to film food. Along the way through New Orleans we interviewed Chef Matt Murphy at The Irish House, Chef Michael Gullota at MoPho, Louisiana Cookin' Magazine editor Daniel Schumacher, Wendy Waren from the Louisiana Restaurant Association, and Chris Hannah at Arnaud' French 75 Bar. We also got to experience some of the best food and cocktails that the Crescent City has to offer. I hope you enjoy watching this video as much as I enjoyed producing it with tommysTV. If it doesn't leave you wanting a poboy in your taste buds, something is wrong with you!

Jordan Lewis, Fred Mince, and Dan Jones prep gear to film at Joey K's

Daniel Shumacher, Jay Ducote, and Michael Gulotta smile after filming at MoPho

Chris Hannah makes cocktails for Dan Jones's camera at Arnaud's French 75

Louisiana Culinary Trails Taste-umentary

Throughout early 2014 I helped produce a gastronomic video series with tommysTV for Louisiana Travel called Louisiana Culinary Trails. This project spans across the entire state of Louisiana highlighting the cultural stomach lining of our state's different delectable regions. From Prairie Home Cooking to the Creole Crescent Trail, we came across a gumbo of characters and learned the culinary blueprints of our neighbors. The most important takeaway from this video series is that there's a lot to be said about traveling within the state, especially through your taste buds! There are eight regional videos to come, but to get things started take a look at this overview video of what the Louisiana Culinary Trails has to offer:

225: Into the Mix Episode 3 - Juban's Creole Restaurant

Serving up 30 years of fine Creole dining tradition, Juban's has been a mainstay in the Baton Rouge dining scene for three decades. I met new Executive Chef Joey Daigle at the bar then joined him in the kitchen to watch the production of their famous dish, the Hallelujah Crab. After getting hungry in the back of the house, I take a seat in the wine room where Chef Joey sends out a smorgasbord of delightful dishes which I wash down with a glass of Juban's honey bourbon!  

In case you missed them:
225: Into the Mix Episode 1 - Mason's Grill
225: Into the Mix Episode 2 - Magpie Cafe

225: Into the Mix is a project from 225 Magazine's Dine Newsletter, tommysTV, and Bite and Booze. I'd like to especially thank Manda Fine Meats and the Paretti Family of Dealerships for their sponsorship of the series that helped make everything happen.

Hosted by Jay Ducote
Produced by Jay Ducote and Tommy Talley
Director of Photography: Dan Jones
Editor: Josh Carley
Audio: Michael Lane
Graphics by Elbow|Room
Production Assistant: Dustin Davis

Juan's Flying Burrito Creole Taqueria

Way back before the Saints won the Super Bowl (as in the day before), a group of friends I were out on the town in New Orleans and decided to grab some eats and drinks at Juan's Flying Burrito "Creole Taqueria" in the lower Garden District.  Joining me in the debauchery were Daniel "Nunee" Nunes, Brent, Brandon, Celeste, and couple from California (well one was from Nola and the other came from Cali, I think) that invited us to sit at their table with them so we didn't have to wait for a table of our own.  Yeah, it looked like we were in for that kind of night!

Juan's Flying Burrito "Creole Taqueria" on Magazine St. in New Orleans

After settling in at the large booth near the entrance of the restaurant, we found ourselves waiting for service.  When the waiter finally came he told us about their $1.10 Pabst Blue Ribbon drink special, so I promptly order two of them.  Puzzled, the waiter asked if I really wanted two at the same time.  I said yes, I really do, and I'll probably finish both of them before he could return with two more!  Then Brent ordered shots because, well, Brent orders shots.  Being that we were in a "Creole Taqueria," Brent logically concluded that those shots should be Patron.  Oops!

Shot of Patron, Two $1.10 Pabst Blue Ribbons

I was correct about the slow service.  Apparently it is part of the customary charm of Juan's.  They also forgot to bring out our chips and salsa.  It took asking for it 2-3 times before it finally showed up, and then I believe they sent out something on the house because of the mess up.  At least they got that part right!  My memory of the whole things is a little fuzzy because I ordered another double-dose of PBRs and chose to enjoy the company rather than fuss about the service.  At least they acknowledge the slow response times and are aware of it though.  As our waiter very sarcastically pointed out, "we're (Juan's) known for our impeccable service!"

Pork 'n' Slaw Tacos

Several rounds of drinks later our grub finally arrived.  I went with the trio of pork 'n' slaw tacos.  These bad boys came with tender, shredded pork, jack and cheddar cheese, spicy slaw, and salsa fresca for only $6.95.  The wait wasn't short, but to their credit the place was slammed with a lively crowd, and the food turned out to be good and cheap.  We really had a blast interacting with our waiter and the random people that allowed us to join their table.  The tacos themselves were served in hot and chewy flour tortillas that acted as a superb vessel for transporting the tasty pork and slaw from the wax-papered basket to my mouth.  I ate all three tacos and afterwards certainly felt full and satisfied.  I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Juan's again as long as I'm looking for a good time and not in a hurry!  

Things To Do
New Orleans