Marit says, "Holiday Cooking is for the Birds."

by Marit Schroeder, intern

Well I did it. My first major holiday without my parents cooking for me, and it worked out just fine! Don’t get me wrong, I had other family in town to celebrate and cook with, but I’m allowed to be a little dramatic about cooking a holiday meal, I think.

When I first found out my parents wouldn’t be in town for Thanksgiving, I was given the major task of cooking the turkey for my 14 other family members. Talk about feeling overwhelmed!

Everyone here at Bite & Booze was super helpful with tips and tricks about how to cook the perfect turkey. Luckily, I have an aunt who took over the last minute stress to cook the turkey.

Rid of the turkey pressure, my next task proved to be even trickier: cook the food for my vegetarian family members. I love myself some meat, and it was hard to focus on a meal plan revolving around vegetables. As much as I enjoy them as a side dish, translating that into a more hearty meal was a challenge.

For an appetizer, we started out with a salmon mousse and cucumbers for dipping. Not so shockingly, my sister and I had never made mousse before so it came out like a cheese dip. It was definitely delicious as a dip even though it should have been more of a gelatin mold. Clearly my college culinary skills need improvement.

Salmon Mousse with cucumbers.

Next, we had to change up the stuffing and made ours with herbed wild rice and quinoa. Quinoa has been rocking the food world for the past few years and it’s a great grain substitute or complement for a plethora of dishes.

Vegetarian dressing featuring wild rice and quinoa.

Lastly, and most easily, I was in charge of a cheese tray. I took care of this by heading down to Calandro’s and picking up some of their pre-made cheese balls and fancy cheeses from the deli. 

Fancy Cheeses and accouterments from Calandro's

All in all, though daunting, I felt accomplished at the end of the day. It was a Happy Thanksgiving to all at my house, even for those non-vegetarians!

Sadly, this is my last post as a Bite & Booze intern. I hope you’ve enjoyed my grandmother’s recipe for red gravy and learning about my first brewery experience during our Hot Chicken on a Tin Roof event. Most importantly, I’m leaving behind the valuable (and expert) knowledge of where to find the best frozen daiquiris around town!

Baton Rouge Holiday Sweets Guide: A Cake Train Ride to Sugar Town

It's that special time of year... you know the one. 'Tis the season of indulgence. Blame the holiday spirits, the super rich eggnog, or my favorite excuse: testing all of the fudge so no one in the family gets poisoned. Any way you slice it, we all suffer from at least a tad bid of gluttony during the holiday season. Fortunately, my team did a little taste testing on your behalf and found some great local places to pick up some sweet treats for your holiday gatherings and office parties! So without further ado, here are six places to grab some sugar!

The Ambrosia Bakery: 8546 Siegen Ln.

Ambrosia may be known for their fresh strawberry cake and grandiose confections, but if you're looking for an assortment of cakes, brownies, baklava, petit fours, and beyond tasty truffles you can't go wrong.

Bite and Booze Bonus: Try their bourbon pecan truffles!

Sweet eats from The Ambrosia Bakery

Baum's Fine Pastries & Chocolate: 10550 Perkins Rd. & 8046 Florida Blvd.

On the Baton Rouge scene since 1934, Baum's is no stranger to baking up holiday treats for Baton Rouge families. Instead of picking up big box store cookies for your kids' school celebrations, try some of Baum's homemade, hand-iced gingerbread and butter cookies!

A lovely assortment of sugar rushes from Baum's Fine Pastries & Chocolate

Brew Ha-Ha!: 711 Jefferson Hwy.

This one is for all of you ballers out there...cake ballers, that is! Gabby Loubiere and her barista-bots have been bringing bite-sized deliciousness to the stomachs of the Capital City for 10 years now. Definitely stop in for lunch and leave with a few dozen cake balls.

Bite and Booze Bonus: Have the cake ball queen whip up something killer for your office party! I love her cinnamon roll cake balls.

Stellar cake balls from Brew Ha-Ha!

Cupcake Allie: 5251 Nicholson Drive or find the Cupcake Allie food truck on the road

Allison Offner has a love for cupcakes. She bakes delicious varieties of cakey goodness completely from scratch and delivers them straight to your tastebuds. If you're in the mood for something petite she also makes all of their cupcake flavors in cake bite sizes and then decorates them in to Christmas trees or light bulbs for your holiday needs. 

Bite and Booze Bonus: You must have the Pecan Pie Cupcake. It is amazing.

Pictured are Cupcake Allie's Pecan Pie Cupcake, Eggnog Cupcake, and Red Velvet, Vanilla, & Chocolate Cake Bites

Les Amis Bake Shoppe: 11826 Coursey Blvd.

I gave Les Amis Bake Shoppe a try for the first time and it blew me away. They have gingerbread, eggnog, and peppermint cake balls, beautiful macaroons, rich salted caramel dark chocolate cake, red velvet brownies, white chocolate peppermint cheesecake, and cupcakes in crazy delicious flavors! My saliva glads had a field day with this one. Pop in and see what fresh, from-scratch treats they have baking.

Bite and Booze Bonus: To sweeten the deal Les Amis throws in a bonus bag of their peppermint buttercrunch with every holiday order!

The smorgasbord of sugar from Les Amis Bake Shoppe

Strand's Café: 226 Laurel St.

Strand's is tucked away in a cozy spot downtown where they crank out some delicious coffee, breakfast bites, and lunch sandwiches. They're really best known for their fine chocolates and confections. During the holidays they also have this traditional and devilishly sweet Caribbean rum cake. Anyone can show up to my party any day with one of these! This cake is heavy on the rum and just the right level of sweet if you're an elf. Try it out and let me know what you think!

The Traditional Caribbean Rum Cake at Strand's Café