Homesick NOLA Blues

It's the Monday before Mardi Gras, and I'm 1,900 miles from my hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana, the City the Army Corps of Engineers Forgot(TM).

Time to put on some tunes from Dr. John and Professor Longhair and cook up some NOLA treats - the one foolproof cure for homesick NOLA expatriates. Red beans and rice are on today's menu, and I'll post recipes for Jambalaya and Gumbo as I get a chance.

Wherever you are, however long you've been gone, remember that you can return to New Orleans this week as simply as remembering the smell of red beans at Mother's or the taste of andouille, pheasant and quail gumbo at the Jazz Fest. Bon appetit!