Let’s talk about my recent adventure at Ruby Slipper in the heart of New Orleans. I am talking pure brunch BLISS. Imagine a cozy spot, a vibrant atmosphere, and the unexpected love affair I stumbled upon – Eggs Benedict! Yep, you heard it right, the brunch classic that stole my heart.

🚙It’s a weekend car trip for us. We make the drive for the cajun cuisine. ⚜️🍽️

On a walk just outside of our hotel, the streetcars mosey by. 🚋 We window shop and end up in a large high-end nostalgic antique shoppe. Of course, this is my heaven on earth. The walls are a mix of wall board and antique brick. Beautiful black wrought iron fleur de lis fencing borders the courtyard. Jazz music boasts in every room. So many old world details to enjoy and now we are ready to head back out and find a taste of the Crescent City.

My husband and I stroll into Ruby Slipper. French doors, wood trim. The atmosphere is good but I didn’t know I was about to have a brand new obsession. The Eggs Benedict at this place are like a symphony of flavors – perfectly poached eggs, Canadian bacon, and the pièce de résistance, a luscious hollandaise sauce that made me question my life choices. Ha

I. am. obsessed.

Now, I know it’s not everyday that you get to experience the Big Easy vibes. Soooo… I’ve got the next best thing – a homemade Eggs Benedict recipe with a killer hollandaise sauce. It’s NOLA magic right there in your own kitchen.

Eggs Benedict with Homemade Hollandaise Sauce

Ingredients:
– 4 large eggs
– 4 English muffins, split and toasted
– 8 slices of Canadian bacon
– Chopped chives for garnish

For the Hollandaise Sauce:
– 3 egg yolks
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
– slice of smoked bacon, fried and crumbled (set aside the grease 👅)
– Pinch of cayenne pepper
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Poach the Eggs: Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer. Crack each egg into a small bowl and carefully slide them into the simmering water. Poach for about 3-4 minutes until the whites are set but the yolks remain runny.

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Wooden Handle Whisk

2. Make the Hollandaise Sauce: In a blender, combine the egg yolks and lemon juice. Blend until it lightens in color. Slowly stream in the melted butter and a teaspoon of bacon grease 🐖 while blending continuously. Add cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to taste. Whisk until smooth and creamy. The bacon adds a delicious smokey flavor, oink.

3. Assemble the Benedict: Toast the English muffins. On a nice plate that gives you New Orleans restaurant vibes, place a slice of Canadian bacon on each English muffin half. Top with crumbled bacon and then a poached egg, and generously drizzle with the homemade hollandaise sauce.

4. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped chives on top for that extra touch of freshness. Serve immediately, and get ready to be transported to a jazzy brunch heaven! 🤗 🎷🎶

Hollandaise sauce. Yum. Creamy, dreamy, and a game-changer. Just like a good pair of heels, it elevates everything it touches. 👠📈

So, whether you’re hosting a brunch or just treating yourself, give this recipe a whirl. Because who needs a trip to a far away restaurant when you can whip up Eggs Benedict with the flare of NOLA right in your own kitchen?

Until next time, happy brunching, y’all! 🍳✨

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I am so glad you stopped by! ENJOY

Valentine’s Day, the day of love, and what better way to woo your special someone than with a homemade strawberry shortcake that screams “I put my heart into this, literally!”

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Step one: Strawberry selection. Picture yourself as a berry cupid, scouring the market for strawberries that are not just red but practically blushing. You want those strawberries to be the Romeo to your dessert Juliet.

Now, on to the cake. If you want to take the shortcake shortcut, snag these little cutie cakes, in the grocery store bakery. I have even split open Twinkies and used them, instead. Find them here. BUT if you want to whip up the best pound cake you will ever devour, here ya go 👉🏻. We’re not just baking, we’re crafting a love potion in the form of a delightfully delicious and unforgettable cake. Find that recipe here.

Mix that flour, sugar, and a sprinkle of all the romantic vibes. Go ahead and preheat the oven to 350° – things are about to get heated in the sweetest way possible. 😮😀

While the cake bakes, let’s talk strawberries – and whipped cream.

What’s more delicious than fresh strawberries simmering down in a saucy pan of sugar and vanilla extract. A half pint of strawberries is happy to get cozy with a couple of teaspoons of sugar and a splash of vanilla extract. Simmer down until it’s all mushy – and ooh La La.  Bring on the whipped cream. 😉

This isn’t just any whipped topping; it’s the velvety cloud that will carry your affections to new heights. Whip it like you’re whisking away any doubt about your devotion. Vanilla is your aromatic accomplice, adding a dash of sophistication to this love affair.

As the cake emerges, golden and irresistible (See. Now you are wanting to bake that cake instead of buying. Aren’t ya? 😁), It’s time for the grand assembly. Slice it with the precision of someone slicing through love’s obstacles. Ha. Now, strategically arrange those blushing strawberries – this is the art of sweet seduction.  💘

Whipped cream, your cupid’s arrow, comes next. 🏹👼 Pile it on, generously. You’re not just making a dessert; you’re crafting a declaration of love. Presentation matters – think dessert runway.

Plate up the short cake on some pretty little cake plates to set the mood.  Find them here.

Serve it with a twinkle in your eye, and watch as their heart skips a beat with every delicious forkful. This strawberry shortcake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a love potion in edible form.

Shop for dessert dishes and parfait glasses, here to serve up your tasty treats in style.

For more sweet escapades and romantic recipes, check out my blog. Because every love story should have a sprinkle of sugar:  Happy Valentine’s baking, love architect! 🍓💖

Find more recipes to woo your Love, here.

Tell me your age without telling me your age.  HA

Here’s a flashback.  A DELICIOUS flashback, too!

If you grew up with your mama’s legendary Jello and Cool Whip dessert but are now on a sugar-free and keto journey, fear not! We’re about to embark on a keto-friendly twist that will make your taste buds dance a low-carb jig.

Ingredients:

– Sugar-free Jello in your favorite flavor (Mama always swore by strawberry)
– Zero sugar Cool Whip

I mean, really, can you even believe that you can’t tell these are sugar free???  So Dee-lish!

Mama always layered the jello, then the whipped cream, jello again and then a final dollop of Cool Whip.  We were always so excited to grab our spoons and dig in to the layers.  SO GOOD!

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So, sugar-free is good but you can also add more goodness to the mix.  Let’s go parfait!

Jazz up your Jello!  Get jiggly with it.  😁

Get pretty little parfait cups here.

Ingredients:

– Sugar-free Jello in your favorite flavor
– Heavy whipping cream
– Keto-friendly sweetener
– Vanilla extract
– Cream cheese
– Fresh berries for that extra zing

Step 1: Jello Jamboree

Prepare the sugar-free Jello according to the package instructions. This is like turning a classic into a low-carb masterpiece!

Step 2: Cool Whip Wonderland

Whip up some heavy cream until it’s as thick as your Aunt Sue’s southern drawl. 👒Add a dash of vanilla extract and sweeten it to taste with your keto-friendly sweetener. It’s okay. Mom would approve. Besides, it’s the Cool Whip of dreams without the sugar crash.

Step 3: Creamy Keto Clouds

Blend some cream cheese into the Cool Whip concoction until it’s as smooth as Grandma’s Sunday gravy. 👵🏻 This heavenly cloud is the secret weapon that takes your keto Jello dessert to the next level.

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Step 4: Parfait Perfection

Layer your sugar-free Jello and keto Cool Whip creation in fancy glasses (get them here) like Mama and ‘nem, y’all. Top it off with fresh berries for that burst of natural sweetness. I sweetened them with the extra sweetener  Yum!

Now, sit back, take a spoonful, and savor the keto nostalgia. It’s so good; you’ll wonder why Mama didn’t think of this sooner!

🌟 Your mama’s Jello and Cool Whip layers just got a keto makeover, and it’s a guilt-free delight. Dive into the keto sweetness and relive the memories with every sugar-free, low-carb spoonful.

Feel free to share this keto-friendly twist with your fellow low-carb enthusiasts and let them experience a trip down memory lane with a keto kick! 🎉🥄

See more recipes, here.

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I would love for you to share my blog with a friend who you think would enjoy the decor, eats and DIYs.  🫶

It’s COLD ☃️and snowing here in Louisiana. ❄️ Yes. We made the dash to the grocery store for bread and milk before the roads iced.  lol. It’s 19° this morning. 🥶 I made a big batch of delicious sausage and beans, one of our favorite eats.

As I sit bundled up, watching the temperatures dip into the teens, I’ve enjoyed the smell of the steaming pot of Jalapeño Sausage and Pintos – a spicy, savory concoction that’s the perfect antidote to the icy chill outside.

With roads resembling ice rinks and businesses taking an unexpected hiatus, it’s the ideal time to turn up the heat in the kitchen. It’s a real Sausage Symphony. lol

The key to unlocking a symphony of flavors in this recipe is fully browning the sliced jalapeño sausage to perfection. And we use the delicious Down Home Sausage from the Louisiana based, Down Home Meats plant which is less than ten minutes from our house. DeeeeLish!

But wait, there’s more! To elevate the taste, I sauté the browned sausage with the Holy Trinity of Cajun cuisine – onions, bell peppers, and celery – that unmistakable Louisiana flair. YUM

As the base, I opt for chicken broth – it’s like a warm hug for your taste buds. The pintos, introduced to the broth, gradually soften, and here’s where the magic happens. To thicken the juice, I smash about a half cup of those tender beans against the side of the pot. It’s a simple trick that transforms the recipe into a thick hearty, comforting feast.

No bowl of goodness is complete without a sidekick. Enter cornbread – the loyal companion that soaks up the flavors and adds a touch of sweetness to the spicy affair.

Recipe: Jalapeño Sausage and Pintos

Ingredients:
– Down Home Jalapeño sausage, sliced
– Onion, diced
– Bell pepper, diced
– Celery, diced
– Chicken broth
– Pinto beans, soaked over night
– Garlic powder
– Mrs Dash
– Parsley

Instructions:
1. Brown the sliced jalapeño sausage in a hot pot.
2. Sauté the sausage with diced onions, bell peppers, and celery until golden brown.
3. Pour in chicken broth and add pinto beans.
4. Season with garlic powder and Mrs Dash, to taste.
5. Let it simmer until the beans are tender, then smash a half cup against the pot’s side to thicken the pot.

Serve it hot, preferably with a side of cornbread.

Now, spill the beans (pun intended) – what are you cooking this week to ward off the winter chill? Share your favorite cold-weather recipes in the comments below! ❄️ Stay warm, and enjoy! 🔥🍲

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Hey y’all, it’s that time of the year when the kitchen becomes a sweet sanctuary, and creativity knows no bounds! 🎄✨ Picture this: a hot chocolate bar that’s not just a drink station but a winter wonderland. A whimsical world of marshmallow Peeps Christmas tree, accompanied by snowmen, a Santa and a glass container filled with Christmas M&Ms – because why settle for boring when you can have a sugary spectacle?

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First things first, sprinkle in the red and green M&Ms – and then its on to the sculpting sweetness.

Grab those marshmallows Peeps, stack ’em up like a sugary Jenga, throw in the colorful Santa, and boom! You’ve got a delicious centerpiece that even Santa would be jealous of. It’s DIY magic with a side of sugar rush.⛄

Add a handful of peppermint sticks to top everything off.  Who said decorations can’t be edible? It’s like a treasure chest of chocolatey, sweet goodness, and you get bonus points for color coordination. Snag the link to the container I used here – it’s a game-changer for your holiday setups.

Imagine this masterpiece sitting on your hot chocolate bar, stealing the spotlight from even the fanciest mugs. It’s a conversation starter, a showstopper, and a sugar lover’s dream. So, gather your marshmallows, rally the Peeps, and let the holiday crafting begin. Check out more sweet escapades, and remember, life’s too short for boring hot chocolate! ☕🍫