Cookbook Thursday: Chef John Folse to launch new vegetable cookbook on Wednesday!

            For a while there, Christmas meant another giant cookbook from Chef John Folse. It’s been five years since the last one came out so Folse’s latest, “Can You Dig It: Louisiana’s Authoritative Collection of Vegetable Cookery,” is especially welcomed this holiday season.

The book launch for Folse’s an ode to vegetables and Louisiana’s love affair with gardening at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Barnes and Noble Citiplace in Baton Rouge. The evening will include the unveiling of the cover image, tastings of recipes from the book and the distribution of vegetable seeds for attendees to take home and grow on their own.

Naturally, the book will be available for purchase.

            And Barnes and Noble will donate 20 percent of the night’s total sales to Friends of Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

            The book features more than 950 pages of vegetables with more than 600 vegetable-related recipes that range from appetizers, soups, salads, sides, entrées, breads, desserts and drinks. The retail price is $59.95.

Folse is the owner and executive chef of his Louisiana-based corporations including Chef John Folse and Company Manufacturing, White Oak Plantation and Exceptional Endings Bakery Division. He is CEO/CFO of Home on the Range: Folse Tramonto Restaurant Development Company, parent corporation of Restaurant R’evolution, New Orleans, and Seafood R’evolution, Ridgeland, Miss. He is the author of numerous cookbooks and hosts a nationally syndicated television cooking show, “A Taste of Louisiana” on PBS. Additionally, the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University is named in his honor.

Wednesday, December 2

Can You Dig It Launch Party

Barnes & Noble – Citiplace

2590 Citiplace Ct.

Baton Rouge, LA 70808

(225) 926-2600

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Friday, December 4

Barnes & Noble – Gulfport

Crossroads Shopping Center

15246 Crossroads Pkwy.

Gulfport, MS 39503

(228) 832-8906

4 – 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 5

Barnes & Noble – Ridgeland

Renaissance at Colony Park
1000 Highland Colony Pkwy. #3008

Ridgeland, MS 39157
(601) 605-4028

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 6

Barnes & Noble – Shreveport

Bayou Walk Shopping Center

6646 Youree Dr.

Shreveport, LA 71105

(318) 798-6066

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 6

Barnes & Noble

4 reviews

Barnes & Noble – Lafayette

5705 Johnston St.

Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 989-4142

5 – 6:00 p.m.

Friday, December 11

Octavia Books

513 Octavia St.

New Orleans, LA 70115

(504) 899-7323

12 – 1:30 p.m.

Friday, December 11

Barnes & Noble – Westbank

1601B Westbank Expy.

Harvey, LA 70058

(504) 263-1146

5 – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 12

Barnes & Noble – Mandeville

3414 Highway 190, Suite 10

Premier Center II, Premier Centre

Mandeville, LA 70471

(985) 626-8884

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 12

Barnes & Noble – Metairie

3721 Veterans Blvd.

Metairie, LA 70002

(504) 455-4929

2:30 – 4 p.m.

Friday, December 18

Barnes & Noble – Citiplace

2590 Citiplace Ct.

Baton Rouge, LA 70808

(225) 926-2600

5 – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 19

Barnes & Noble – Perkins Rowe

7707 Bluebonnet Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70810

(225) 766-1337

11 – 12:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 19

Barnes & Noble – Lafayette

5705 Johnston St.

Lafayette, LA 70503

(337) 989-4142
3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Great new releases from Mardi Gras to children's books — which makes excellent holiday gifts

As we head into Thanksgiving week and the insanity that reins the following day known as Black Friday, please pause to give thanks to the Louisiana authors who not only supply us with hours of entertainment and education but promote literacy throughout our state.

In that vein, books make excellent gifts. A purchase opens up a new world to the giver, helps authors keep the lights on and promotes reading. So please, give books this holiday season.

Mardi Gras Moments

I hail from the Crescent City and am constantly asked by those who aren’t from or familiar with New Orleans why we raise our shirts to catch beads and create untamed debauchery at Mardi Gras. My answer: If you’re a tourist, you’re likely to experience both. If you’re a native, you’ll be on the parade route with your family of all ages enjoying the magnificent spectacular that is Carnival, whether the gorgeous floats, the talented bands, the unique traditions or a combination of all.

Mardi Gras is so much more than what is portrayed on TV and kudos to Judi Bottoni and Peggy Scott Laborde for creating a book that exemplifies the city’s grand party in all its flavors. “New Orleans Mardi Gras Moments” by Pelican Publishing of New Orleans showcases the parades, the “sub-krewes” such as the popular dancing troupes with names such as the Muff-a-lottas and the Laissez Boys, the music, celebrities, Black Carnival, the business of throws and much more.

The small but comprehensive book offers proof that New Orleans Carnival is a city-wide celebration of longstanding traditions, a festival that includes children as well as those seeking to let loose. It’s the perfect gift for lovers of Carnival — my mother already nabbed my copy — and those who may doubt its wide-reaching appeal.

New releases

Singer-songwriter, poet, cultural activist and environmentalist Zachary Richard’s latest book for children, “The Legend of L’il Red,” is a fable in the Aesop’s tradition, a story of friendship, persistence, tolerance and love. A blind turtle and a one-clawed baby crawfish find each other in the middle of a hurricane and set off in search of a new claw for the little crawfish, encountering a host of creatures and confronting challenges along the way. Richard will sign the book, published by UL-Lafayette Press, and perform a song at 6 p.m. tonight at Octavia Books of New Orleans.

David Armand, a Southeastern professor and editor for Louisiana Literature Press, follows up his award-winning novels “The Puglist’s Wife” and “Harlow” with “The Gorge,” a thriller that centers around the disappearance of a young girl in the woods of southeast Louisiana. The haunting book follows several characters who are suspects in the case, including the murdered girl’s boyfriend and her sometimes violent father.

Chef Emeril Lagasse has yet another cookbook out, this time focusing on iconic dishes and personal anecdotes behind each recipe in “Essential Emeril.” There’s also appearances from top chefs such as Mario Batali, Roy Choi, and Nobu Matsuhira along with family members and early influences such as Julia Child and Charlie Trotter.

Robert Crais, who hails from Baton Rouge, has published his 20^th novel, “The Promise,” featuring recurring characters Elvis Cole and Joe Pike as they look for a missing woman who might be dealing with al-Qaeda.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” She also writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire, “A Cajun Dream” and “The Letter.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

Cookbook Thursday: heartfelt 'Grandbaby Cakes'

Jocelyn Delk Adams writes an award-winning blog titled “Grandbaby Cakes,” featuring a wide variety of recipes from hearty fare such as Southern smothered chicken and mint-infused mojitos to baked goods such as decadent cakes and cheesecakes. It’s one of those sites where both recipes and photos will have you drooling in no time and rushing out to buy ingredients to replicate her creations.

Now Adams has published a cookbook, “Grandbaby Cakes: Modern Recipes, Vintage Charm, Soulful Memories,” focusing on the sweet things in life. Interspersed in the book’s 50 recipes are photos and memories of Adams, such as the Original Gooey-Gooey Cake recipe, that Adams insists was invented in St. Louis; her mother received her recipe from her Aunt Beverly of St. Louis. Her favorite dessert is Peach Cobbler, a recipe she acquired from “Big Mama,” the author’s grandmother of Winona, Miss. Adams offers her own recipe, for Peach Cobbler Shortcake, “worthy of any celebration,” she writes.

            The book contains recipes for pound cakes, layer cakes, sheet cakes, baby cakes (cupcakes and such), celebration cakes and desserts for seasons and holidays. Adams also includes cooking advice and “baking rules” and labels her recipes for degrees of expertise. Some recipes, for instance, such as the Ultimate Birthday Cake with its vanilla ice cream with sprinkles and cookie bites sandwiched between cake layers, veers toward the expert baker, but oh what an exquisite cake that would be to receive!
            It’s a gorgeous cookbook and so heartfelt with its sweet blend of memories and recipes, perfect as a holiday gift.
            For sample recipes, check out Adams’ blog. We’re particularly fond of the Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake — ideal for the holidays — and the Red Velvet Cake with Blackberry Cream Cheese Frosting that’s pictured on the book’s cover.  I love nostalgia so I’m going to try the CocaCola Chocolate Cupcake with Peppermint Buttercream for my holiday entertaining.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” She also writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire, “A Cajun Dream” and “The Letter.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

UL-Monroe professor writes 'Voodoo Encyclopedia'

Dr. Jeffrey Anderson, associate professor of history in the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s School of Humanities, has published “The Voodoo Encyclopedia: Magic, Ritual, and Religion,” which involves both Haitian Vodou and the closely related Louisiana Voodoo practices, according to a press release from the university. In addition to its 150 article entries, the encyclopedia includes photographs, primary sources and sidebars covering facts such as the difference between Vodou and Voodoo.

Vodou and Voodoo share similar deities and ceremonies but remain recognizably distinct.

“The practices came to Haiti and Louisiana during roughly the same time, from the early 1700s to about 1810,” said Anderson. “They have similarities, but they are not the same.”

Though Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo have their origin in West Africa, they incorporated early on various aspects of Catholicism as a result of their encounters with the New World. Such syncretism is seen in the appropriation of Christian language and figures. Yet, the Hatian and Louisiana traditions often incorporate that language in different ways.

For example, Anderson explains that in Haitian Vodou, the snake god Danbala Wedo is thought to be the equivalent of Saint Patrick, who, according to a popular Catholic legend, banished all snakes from Ireland. Followers of Louisiana Voodoo also worship a snake god named Blanc Dani, but this god, unlike the snake god in Hatian Vodou, is considered to be the equivalent of Saint Michael the Archangel.

The encyclopedia includes entries by Anderson, other scholars who are specialists in the field, and practitioners of Vodou. The encyclopedia can be purchased online at amazon.com. For more information, contact Dr. Anderson at jeanderson@ulm.edu.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” She also writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire, “A Cajun Dream” and “The Letter.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

'Landfall' chosen as top book of 2015

“Landfall” by Ellen Urbani, a novel that follows one woman’s journey from the Ninth Ward of New Orleans following Katrina to Alabama in search of family, was chosen as one of the 20 books of 2015 by The National Reading Group Month/Great Group Reads Committee of the Women's National Book Association. You can read my review here.