Recent baking: pistolettes, challah bread, multi-topped pizza

A Day with the Rabbit

Had rabbit liver for breakfast.  Very good. Farmed rabbit.  Sauteed.

And then, this evening, rabbit ragout made via a Julia Child recipe.  Also very good.

Friday night

We were advised by friends to try Guidry's in Lafayette which downplays itself and is not on the beaten tourist tours.  Was quite good.  One of our dining companions was so happy with his full flounder that he called the fish, "beautiful, just like this place."  The establishment concentrates on the food, not decor so much.  I had a 10 oz. ribeye and my husband indulged in the seafood platter.  We both liked it a lot.

Pizza in the works.  Homemade crust with red pepper and rosemary and oregano mixed in then topped with olive oil, red bells, sauteed onions, two cheeses, grilled mushrooms...

Dwight's in Lafayette

You just can't go wrong by visiting Dwight's on Johnston St. in Lafayette, LA.  This was our second visit.  It is a cafeteria style lunch place with a huge daily selection and a hole in the middle of the table for crawfish season! I had the fried shrimp with tartar and cocktail sauce and a delicious cheesy squash casserole plus great green beans.  Even the water tastes unusually good! The blueberry cobbler was very satisfying as well.

Other stores in Lafayette

We've been here about 12 days.  Have shopped at Rouse's (a bit like Central Market or Whole Foods in Austin), both Winn Dixie's, two of the Super One's, two of the Wal-Marts (one newer and closer to our house than the other), Kevin Guidry's Produce Stand (more like a specialized super market), Fresh Pick-ins (open air), Don's (in Carenco), the Chevron in Carencro near where my horse is kept...a small market in and of itself.

Natchitoches, Louisiana

This is where we ate last week on our field trip to Natchitoches, LA and went in a bee line to the Home of the Meat Pies, Lasynone's on Second Street.
The salad bar was one  unlike any I've ever seen:

You had various mixed salads such as marinated corn, potato salad, black eyed pea, pickled items, etc. but none of the more chain de rigueur type things.  And the meat pie was HUGE:

New grocery stores

Today in Lafayette. Our first real day here!
Shopped at Heleaux and Earl's. also even the gas station down the street has fabulous boudin balls!

Lists

Where we have tried so far: (Lafayette)
Don's Seafood Hut
Mel's Diner
Hub City Diner
Randoll's
Carrabas
John E's
Don's in Carenco
T-Coon's
The French Press


Roadside between Austin and Lafayette
Peter's Barbecue in Ellinger, TX
Buckee's in Bastrop
Anahuac exit (both west and east bound) gas stations, west side best
The Boiling Point in Sulpher, LA
Don's in Scott

Traveling to Cajun Country

Being in the midst of moving our household from Central TX to Cajun Country, Louisiana means many meals on the road and most of them excellent, I might add.  The closer we get to Lafayette, the better the food--fresher, more authentic.  They know how to handle seafood there.

Also, adding in French Toast Bread Pudding for breakfasts this weekend!  Learned the recipe from The Barefoot Contessa!

This weekend must feed a crew out at a dressage clinic.  The scenery will be pretty although rather rustic as far as kitchens go.  Nice long menu for breakfasts and lunches both days:  pastries, bagel bar (build your own), migas, breakfast enchiladas, OJ, V8, Coffee with creams.  Lunch one day: Marinara sauce with pasta, vegetable sides, tossed green salad, bread basket.  Lunch another day: Chicken salad and cooling cucumber sandwiches, vegetable strata, spinach salad, bags of chips.  Desserts: cookies and bars, sheet cake with fruit compete.  Water, sodas, teas.