The Bite & Booze Last Minute Gift Guide

by Rachel Hamburger, intern

It’s that time of year again… Holiday season: aka buying presents for those near and dear to our hearts. We know that finding the perfect gift for each person on your nice list has been so difficult, but if you’re still doing some last minute shopping have no fear!. The Bite and Booze team is here with some gift inspo for all the gifts you just haven’t gotten around to buying yet. (If you’re anything like me, that’s just about all of them… It’s crunch time!)

For the out of state Cajun who needs a lil’ taste of home in their pantry: 

A Slap Ya Mama Smorgasbord

For the fisherman: 

Red Stick Spice Company's Fresh Catch Gift Box

For the Jay Ducote fanatic: 

Jay D's Holiday Bundle

For those trying to keep things sharper in 2017: 

AnySharp World's Best Knife Sharpener

For the mixologist: 

Donner-Peltier Spirits from Thibodeaux, LA

For the mudbug master: 

Mimosa Handcrafted's Crawfish Cufflinks

For the one with city pride: 

Uncommon Green College Town Map Pint Glasses

For the one who needs a quick getaway: 

A stay at the French Quarter Mariott

For constant snackers: 

Chef's Cut Jerky

For the one who wants to take their salt game to the next level: 

Cellar Salt Co.

Jay D's Bites: Molasses Mustard Fried Catfish Poboy

by Blair Loup

I think most people in South Louisiana can agree, when you get a hankering for a poboy, you've got to have it. Once you've tried this one, you'll want to make it over and over again. This isn't your normal fried catfish poboy, this catfish is marinated in a mixture featuring Slap Ya Mama Cajun Hot Sauce and Jay D's Louisiana Molasses Mustard.

We've found that subbing out regular yellow mustard for Jay's Molasses Mustard straight up changes life. See the difference for yourself and let us know what you think!

Jay D's Molasses Mustard Fried Catfish Poboy with Louisiana Barbecue Slaw:

Yields 2 poboys

Canola oil, for frying

2 French bread baguettes

6 (2-3 oz) catfish fillets

1 cup of milk

1 cup of Jay D’s Louisiana Molasses Mustard

2 Tbs of Slap Ya Mama Hot Sauce

2 cups of Slap Ya Mama Fish Fry

2 Tbs of Jay D’s Spicy & Sweet BBQ Rub

1 large tomato, sliced

For the Slaw:

2 cups of green cabbage, shredded

1 cup of mayonnaise

¼ cup of Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue Sauce

1 Tbs of apple cider vinegar

1 ½ tsp of Slap Ya Mama Original Cajun Seasoning

¼ tsp garlic powder

Mix milk, Jay D’s Lousiana Molasses Mustard, Milk and Slap Ya Mama Hot Sauce together in a mixing bowl.  Add catfish filets and let marinate for up to an hour in the refrigerator. 

For the slaw aioli, mix mayonaise, Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue Sauce, vinegar, Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning and garlic powder.  Let chill for at least 30 minutes.  Toss cabbage with aioli and set aside. 

Heat frying oil to 350 degrees Farenheit.  Remove catfish fillets from marinade, dredge in fish fry then drop in fryer.  Fry the fillets for about 3 minutes or until golden brown, then drain on paper towels. 

To assemble the poboy, place 2 slices of tomato on the bottom half of the bread, lay the catfish over and top with slaw.

The Official Bite and Booze Father's Day Gift Guide

by Sydney Blanchard

I've always been a daddy's girl, and I'm not ashamed to admit my dad is my best friend. We have a lot in common, so I generally have an idea about what he likes (beer, History, books, being left the hell alone). But every year around Father's Day I find myself in a rut.

Here are a few gift ideas from local, Louisiana retailers for the dad who's hard to shop for. Because at some point you realize a tie or an LSU baseball cap just won't cut it.

For when Dad needs a new 'do

He won't know what to do with most of this stuff, so have the experts at Mercer explain it.

Get Dad looking right with a haircut, a shave and all the products necessary to keep his look fresh from Mercer Supply Co., located in 1010 Nic.

For when he wants to link up

He wasn't trying to encourage you to become an engineer with that Lego set; he was trying to watch the game in peace.

Snazzy, locally made cufflinks can complete any look. Try these on for size. Lego cufflinks for all the times he stepped on yours growing up by MyOMyFirefly, or how about these Flamingo cufflinks by Mimosa, perfect for Spanish Town Parade festivities.

What better way to rep Baton Rouge's most tasteless Mardi Gras celebration?

For throwing shade with Pops

Now you'll never be able to tell whether he's listening to you or fast asleep in his rocking chair.

Every dad deserves some cool-as-hell shades, and Krewe Du Optic delivers. Better yet, get matching pairs of these CL-10s to up the cool factor.

For spicing up Dad's spice rack

Dads universally get amped about outdoor cooking.

He might not have been the best chef growing up, but he was always happy to throw some meat on the grill. Help him up his grilling game with this flavor-filled gift box from Red Stick Spice Co.

For the patriotic patriarch

The bundle includes a T-shirt, Molasses Mustard, Barbecue Sauce, Dry Rub, and a branded koozie. 

He's as proud to be an American as he is to be your dad, and he's already fantasizing about planning his annual outdoor Fourth of July cookout. Get him all his favorite Jay D's products, bundled, for $35.

For the dad rocking the beer gut

They drink to forget about how much you've disappointed them over the years.

Dads and beer go together like, well, dads and beer. Head to Tin Roof Brewing Company and grab Dad a 6-pack of his favorite local brew.

For all the times he put food on the table

Bolognese, so easy even dads can figure it out.

He changed your poopy diapers and spoon fed you mashed peas. The least you can do is return the favor. Send Dad a healthy, ready-to-cook meal from Indie Plate and get him hooked on local produce.

For the health conscious Dad

Because he can't eat poorly forever.

He's watching his sodium intake, and he thinks you should, too. Hook him up with some Slap Ya Mama Low Sodium Cajun Seasoning, all the flavor he expects without the guilt.

For when he's feeling athletic

Straight up embarrassing your dad at bowling strengthens family bonds.

He may have taught you everything you know, but that doesn't mean you can't school your old man in bowling. Take advantage of this rad Groupon deal for a night of partying and bowling at Quarters for the whole family.

For the future Daddy-Daughter diner road trip

A perfect gift for the plate lunch aficionado.

Does he like to reminisce about all the great plate lunch places he used to frequent back in the day? Take Dad with you on a tour of South Louisiana's best "seat yourself" eateries with Baton Rouge-based author (and my former journalism professor) Alex V. Cook's latest book.

For the neatest guy you know

You can't go wrong gifting a nice bottle of whiskey.

You love him, but the only way you can tolerate him (and his political opinions) is if you're both a little toasted. Donner-Peltier's LA1 is the perfect sipping whiskey for spending some QT with dad.

The Official Bite and Booze Holiday Gift Guide

by Sydney Blanchard

The original idea for this post was to make a gift guide for the Baton Rouge food lover. But then we realized...it's hard not to be a food lover in a city like Baton Rouge. Like, pretty much everyone on your holiday shopping list probably loves to eat, right?

Yeah, that's what we thought.

Here are some locally available items we know we'd love to receive during the holiday season, so there's a pretty good chance someone you know will appreciate them, too.

Heck, we'll just come out and say it: we think we've got pretty good taste.

For the Louisiana Transplant

South Louisiana Supper gift box from Red Stick Spice Company, $28

For the Fast Peeler 

Love Crawfish, Love Louisiana tee from Storyville, $16

For the Grillmaster

Himalayan Salt Plate at Shoppers Choice, $32

For the One Who's Tired of Burning Everything

Pastry and Savory Leisure Classes at Louisiana Culinary Institute, around $125

For the Indulgent Health Nut 

Hanleys Foods Dressings at Calandro's Supermarket, $5

For the Craft Beer Aficionado  

Tin Roof Merch at the Tin Roof Tap Room, $20

For the Recipe Collector

Louisiana Cookin's Louisiana de Mer Cookbook, $20

For the President of the Jay Ducote Fan Club 

Jay D's Holiday Bundle, $25

For the Hosts with the Most

Donner-Peltier's locally produced spirits, around $30

For the Farmer's Market Frequenter 

Taste of Louisiana gift basket from Indie Plate, $45

For the Fashionable Foodie

Mimosa New Roads Pecan Necklace, $30

For the Wine Snob

Landry Vineyards Wines available at Calandro's Supermarket, around $15

For the One with the Freezer Full of Gumbo

Gumbo Print from Defend New Orleans, $20

For the Spice Junkie

Slap Ya Mama gift basket, $20

Barbecue Bites: Crawfish Fritters

Nothing makes a Southerner happier than rolling stuff into balls and frying it. Breaking open a warm, fried ball of cheesy goodness does a body good. 

These crawfish fritters by Chef Eusebio Gongora utilize crawfish tails from Indie Plate as well as BBQ aioli made with Jay D's Louisiana Barbecue Sauce, available online here. 

Be sure to look here for more BBQ recipes!

Crawfish Fritters with Jay D's Louisiana Barbecue Aioli. Photo courtesy of Maria Do at Indie Plate. 

Crawfish Fritters

1 lb Crawfish
1 cup yellow onion, ¼” diced
½ cup Bell pepper, ¼” diced
½ cup Celery, ¼” diced
1 tbsp Butter
2 tbsp garlic, minced
1 cup Cornmeal
2 Eggs
1 cup Smoked cheddar cheese
2 cups Slap Ya Mama fish fry
1 cup BBQ Aioli (see recipe below)

Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Melt butter and add onion, bell pepper, and celery and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables start to get soft. Add garlic and crawfish and sauté for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove cooked vegetables and crawfish from heat and place in a mixing bowl. Add cornmeal, eggs, and cheddar cheese and mix until balls can be formed. Heat oil to 350 degrees. Form balls and roll them into the fish fry. Drop fritters into heated oil and allow to fry for 3 to 4 minutes until they are golden brown. Pull fritters from the oil and place onto a paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve with a side of BBQ Aioli for dipping.

Jay D's Louisiana Barbecue Aioli

1 cup of mayonnaise
¼ cup of Jay D's Louisiana Barbecue Sauce
3 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
1½ teaspoon of Slap Ya Mama Original Cajun Seasoning
¼ teaspoon garlic powder



Combine all ingredients and let chill for at least 30 minutes.

Fresh on the Shelves: The Bite and Booze Featured 5 at Calandro's

Bite and Booze Featured 5 at Calandro's Supermarket

I'm excited to announce a brand new promotion at Calandro's Supermarket, title sponsor of the Bite and Booze Radio Show! The Bite and Booze Featured 5 is a new monthly promotion supporting local products in your favorite neighborhood grocery store! You get 5% off of your entire basket (with no limit high or low) at both locations of Calandro's if you grab each of the five items being featured that month. We will be changing the items on a monthly, but starting now through the month of August you can grab these five items to ring up your discount:

Any Slap Ya Mama product
Any Cupcake Allie product
Any Hanley's salad dressing
Any Denicola's product
Any package of Richard's sausage or other pork products

Drop everything and head to Calandro's for the best local shopping deal you've ever seen, unless you hate deals... if you hate deals on great local products you may want to skip out on this one. All you have to do is check out with those 5 items in your basket and you'll automatically get 5% off your entire purchase.

Also, please leave a comment below about what local products you'd like to see in September on the Bite and Booze Featured 5!

Ivory Coast: Street Food Bite and Booze of the World Cup

Okay World Cup fans, it's time to sit down to another plate and glass full of the street food guide to the FIFA World Cup 2014! The players of the Ivory Coast (playing Greece at 3pm CDT) may be fast, but their street food favorite is caught nice and slow. Fried fish paired with a Mojito Abidjanaise is what's for eats today.  Easy to eat and quick to make, these will disappear into your stomach quicker than Clint Dempsey can score a goal.

Photo Credit: our-africa.org

Simple and golden brown, I haven't met a fried fish I didn't like. I like to marinate my fish filets in a little mixture containing mustard, Slap Ya Mama Cajun Pepper Sauce, Salt & Pepper, and Jay D's Louisiana Barbecue Sauce! After I let it marinate for a while I toss the filets in some Slap Ya Mama Fish Fry and cook them until they're done! On the Ivory Coast, they do it a bit differently. On the streets you can find an assortment of setups that have fish frying or grilling whole. You'll see the average citizen grabbing one on their way back to the docks or bringing home a string of them to the family.

Photo Credit: bunkycooks.com

A Mojito Abidjanaise isn't what comes to mind when you think of a classic mojito. The main liquor in this cocktail is sloe gin abidjanaise, a typical African holiday liquor, that is composed of high quality gin soaked with hibiscus flowers. If you can't find this in stores try making it yourself! This African version of the mojito uses dark rum, abidjanaise, mint, sugar, and tonic. The floral liquor is typically consumed around holiday times for celebration. I personally don't see how the World Cup violates that tradition, so grab a glass, turn on that TV, and go to town!

Bite and Booze Radio Show: Stories with Jay and Erin

Joe and Jack Walker from Slap Ya Mama with Snoop Dogg

This week my intern Erin joined me on the Bite and Booze Radio Show presented by Calandro's Supermarket.  We had a chat with Mike Willis from Rudolph Foods about cracklin and pork rinds, and then I proceeded to tell stories about the our front stoop "UN Convention" in NYC and me desecrating a National Monument on the West Coast!  Meanwhile, my sponsor Slap Ya Mama recently get a nice celebrity picture with Snoop Dogg!  Looking good, fellas!

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The Bite and Booze Radio Show presented by Calandro's Supermarket airs on Saturdays at 5 PM on Talk 107.3 FM in Baton Rouge.  It is also available on iTunes.  The show's sponsors include Calandro's Supermarket, Visit Baton Rouge, Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning, Louisiana Cookin' Magazine, Juban's Restaurant, the Tin Roof Brewing Company, and the Louisiana Culinary Institute.