Personal Chef Austin – NOLA Kitchen

Why does one need more roux if it was made the “fast way”? -A fast roux is made in about 20-30 minutes (Prudhomme and Besh) -A slow roux takes closer to an hour (home cooks) -When a roux is made the “fast way”, the molecules of flour deform and can only expand to hold 2-3 [...]

How to Handle Meals for a Crowd Rule #1. First and foremost, DON’T PANIC! Rule #2. Can’t find time, MAKE IT…you’ll be well rewarded. Rule #3. Come up with 2-3 recipes you feel comfortable making.  No need to impress! Rule #4. Make a grocery list, cross-utilize as many ingredients as possible. This saves time and [...]

A Latin American twist that is really tasty and worth a try. -Heat 1 Tablespoon of olive oil -Add 1 T garlic to oil and simmer until just turning golden -Add 1 cup JASMINE rice and stir to coat in oil and saute for 1-2 minutes while stirring -Add 1.5 cups water, bring to boil, [...]

Try this one out, ya gonna like it! Creole Remoulade: 6 oz olive oil, 1.5 oz red wine vinegar, 7 oz Zatarain’s Creole Mustard, 2/3 c chopped chives, 1/4 c chopped parsley, 1/3 c fine diced celery, 3 cloves garlic, 1 T paprika, 1 t lemon juice, salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste. Mix [...]

Crowd pleasing asparagus is a 5 minute process -Buy asparagus that is firm with tips that are compact and bright green -Bend asparagus slightly and it will snap about 2/3 down the stalk, discard the fibrous bottoms -Boil water with a dash of lemon juice -Submerge asparagus for just a minute or two -Plunge into [...]

Season ends mid June Most folks aren’t aware of the fact that crawfish is a seasonal product. The old wives tale is J to J (January to June) but realistically, early March to late May is where you will have the best crawfish. Too early in the season yields very small crawfish while too late [...]

At Nola Kitchen, just as in New Orleans, we live to eat.  We discuss what we will enjoy for lunch while we savor breakfast.  Cooking is a way of life, an occasion to  share with friends and family and impart culinary traditions and enlightenment.  We are dedicated to the art of cooking, customer service and sharing [...]