A brand new day for Louisiana

There has been an idea brewing in my head for months now, I can't seem to shake it, so I'm going to go for it. One of the goals of this blog is to promote and bring attention to the great things that Louisiana has to offer. I focus on North Louisiana because this is where I grew up. This is what I know. This is my backyard. I am not an expert on Louisiana but I am passionate about this state and the culture. There are so many things to do and see. To visit Louisiana is to experience a people and a culture that is very diverse. The natives of Louisiana know how to live and experience life. There's a deep connection to the land, the outdoors, the arts, music, food, friends and family. The people of Louisiana are proud of their heritage and their history. This culture is what makes Louisiana unique. The food is influenced by so many cultures from around the world. To travel to Louisiana one must experience the food and flavors, the sounds and vibes, the arts and music, the products and people. Louisiana is not just a destination, it is an experience.

In the beginning, this was just a way to promote the people, places, products and events of North Louisiana; now it has become a journey. The very way of life in Louisiana is being threatened. For generations this state has relied upon tourism and industry to survive. There are very good people who work to make these jobs happen. Now, their very existence is threatened. My attention is still going to be focused on North Louisiana but I will not neglect the rest of the state. I will support my local seafood industry as I have since the beginning. I will support the entire state and their products and I implore you to do the same.

My family and I have supported local products for many years. When we have a choice we buy local, Louisiana-made products. We support great LOCAL Louisiana restaurants. We purchase great Louisiana food from many different people. You would be amazed at the many products that are available that are made right here in this great state!

This journey is not ours alone, there are many who have taken it before us and many who will continue it long after we are gone but my goal now is to take it up a notch. I plan on still promoting Louisiana events, businesses, travel destinations and products but I also want to give you an inside look into things that make this state great. If you are from Louisiana I hope that you will email me and share your ideas and comments. If you know of a business or place that I should feature, please let me know. Like I said before, I'm not an expert on Louisiana but I am passionate. I'd love to hear from you.

When I was growing up, I did not realize what a special place Louisiana was. I took for granted the pine trees, lakes and outdoor activities. I took for granted the friendly people and the great food. Now that I'm older I appreciate these things and I am thankful that this is where I call home. I have fond memories going to Toledo Bend with my grandparents. I have fond memories of playing outside. I have fond memories of traveling the great state to visit relatives. These memories are what keep me grounded and give me a sense of belonging. The past ten years I have had the opportunity to travel extensively in North Louisiana and explore the area with my family. We've hiked Mt. Driskill (Louisiana's highest elevation), visited Bonnie & Clyde Trade Days, enjoyed fishing and playing at Toledo Bend, visited Grand Bayou and Nichols in Coushatta, walked through historic Natchitoches front street, eaten at many, many great restaurants, visited alligator farms and the Alexandria Zoo.

If you haven't had the pleasure of exploring your own backyard, then please make plans today to explore the back roads of Louisiana. Stop at some local restaurants, shop at local stores, meet some new people and make some new friends. Enjoy one of the many festivals that celebrate our heritage. Our state needs help right now. We desperately need people to come visit and explore. We need locals to shop locally and keep their money here. This is a plea to think before you go out to eat, try some of the great local establishments. Shop at your local stores and look for locally produced products. Support our local economy. In the end everyone will benefit!

Thanks for reading and please email me if you have any suggestions! I look forward to sharing my journey with you and I would love to hear what you are doing and finding in this great state!!

Support U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish

Louisiana is home to many catfish farms. Locals love to eat catfish. According to The Catfish Institute U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is in season year round. That's right, you can purchase U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish anytime.

Recently there has been a great deal of imported catfish (BASA) and other seafood from foreign countries. Because Louisiana is a coastal state and there is a rich tradition of seafood, it is important to support local fishermen and aqua farmers. Pay attention when purchasing seafood to the Country of Origin. Look for seafood or fish that is caught or raised in the U.S. When dining out, ask the owner where the seafood comes from. You will be surprised at the answer. Make sure you patronize local restaurants that sell locally caught or raised seafood or fish.

Listing of Official U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Processors

Ten Reasons To Choose U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish from The Catfish Institute
1. Great taste.
2. Versatile.
3. Safe.
4. Eco-friendly.
5. 100% All-American.
6. Fresh as it comes.
7. Easy to cook.
8. Nutritional powerhouse.
9. Available all year-round.
10. You’re gonna love it!

THE CATFISH INSTITUTE
P.O. Box 1669, Madison, MS 39130
601-977-9559
www.catfishinstitute.com

Links to Recipes using Catfish

Paper Sack Catfish
From Chef Martha Foose’s
Screen Doors and Sweet Tea

Catfish Ceviche
From Chef Martha Foose’s Screen Doors and Sweet Tea

Fried Catfish and Hush Puppies
From Chef Martha Foose’s
Screen Doors and Sweet Tea

Pecan-Smoked Catfish
From Chef Martha Foose’s
Screen Doors and Sweet Tea

Catfish Po-Boy
Note: * Products available thru www.galenacanning.com
Recipe by Chef Ivo W. Puidak, Galena Canning Company

Catfish Recipes from The Catfish Institute

Delicious Any Way You Cook It! (leaflet from the Catfish Institute)

Catfish Institute Recipe Book

Information about Catfish

Odom supports catfish labels
BR Advocate article

An Agricultural Law Research Project from the National Agriculture Law Center

Mississippi restaurants to label foreign catfish

FDA Detains Imports of Farm-Raised Chinese Seafood

Louisiana Trekker Business Spotlight: Caney Ridge Roasters

In the heart of Toledo Bend Country there is a place where the coffee bean is celebrated. It is a coffee lover's paradise. To the folks at Caney Ridge Roasters, coffee is both an art and a science. They believe that coffee tastes best when it is fresh roasted.

The love of coffee is what motivates the folks at Caney Ridge Roasters to produce a high quality, great-tasting coffee. There are medium and dark blends as well as dessert coffees. The coffee is slow roasted in small batches in order to provide the freshest product to their customers.

In addition to coffee, the shop has a great collection of Louisiana items, teas, chocolate covered expresso beans, bean mixes from "The Bean Queen", local honey, foods unique to the area and many more unique items.

Forget about those coffee shops that are thousands of miles away, give Caney Ridge Roasters a call and get your coffee from a Louisiana coffee expert! Fresh, gourmet coffee is just a click or call away. Great tasting, fresh coffee, friendly service and fast delivery, that's what you can expect from Caney Ridge Roasters.

To order visit their website at www.caneyridgeroasters.com or call 318-256-2400 or 877-645-4438. If you are going to be in the Toledo Bend area, drop by and visit the shop.


View Larger Map

Look here Recipes from "The Bean Queen".

Bayou Blends Seasoning

Red River Parish

Blended and manufactured right here in Louisiana, Bayou Blends Seasoning has been spicing up dishes with Louisiana flavor since 1999. Bayou Blends is a Certified Louisiana product as well as Certified Cajun product.

Bayou Blends is 100% ALL Natural with many varieties: Beef Rub, Chicken Rub, Pork Rub, Seafood Rub, Hot Rub, Seafood Boil, Venison Rub, Duck and Dove Rub and Quail Rub.

Locally Bayou Blends can be purchased at Bayou Walk Kroger on Youree Drive and Maxwell's Market on Line Avenue in Shreveport, Brookshire's in Natchitoches, and Rivertown in Coushatta. Shop online at www.bayoublends.com.

Bayou Blends Seasonings make great gifts for hunters, bridal showers, housewarming, Christmas, or any other occasion.

Bayou Blends Recipes

Buy Local products, support Louisiana Businesses!

Support Louisiana businesses, products and restaurants. When you get the chance, choose Louisiana products over others it benefits all of us.

Pecan Harvest Time! Get 'em before they're gone!

It's pecan time in Louisiana. From what I've been reading it is going to be a short season. According to reports, pecan crops are down from the record number in 2007.

I'm not sure if that is true or not but with the holidays coming up, who wants to take that chance. Why buy pecans from other countries when you can have homegrown pecans from right here in Louisiana.

Pecans make a great gift for any occasion: for friends and family, bridal shower gift along with recipes using pecans, corporate gifts, gifts to friends who enjoy cooking, and as Christmas gifts.

Many of these Louisiana pecan growers also have gift items, cookbooks and more. Give them a call, visit their websites, travel to their orchards and buy their products. Support our locally grown crops. Support Louisiana agriculture. Buy local, shop local.

There are several Louisiana pecan growers. The following is a listing of businesses that sell pecans:

Natchitoches Pecans, Inc., 439 Little Eva Rd., Cloutierville, LA 71416 . Natchitoches Pecans is a family run business that has been operating since 1986. When owners Julie and Mark Swanson began tending to the pecan orchard they initially knew nothing about pecans. But according to Julie since that time they have "learned a lot". Natchitoches Pecans is a 365 acre portion of Little Eva Plantation. This area is great for history lovers as the famous Clementine Hunter was born at Little Eva Plantation. It is the area that Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote about in Uncle Tom's Cabin.

In addition to selling pecans, Natchitoches Pecans has a great store where all types of pecans and gift items can be purchased. Pecans can be purchased in-shell, cracked, shelled, chocolate covered, cinnamon, honey as well as in famous candies such as old fashioned creamy pralines, pecan brittles and pecan logs. Natchitoches Pecan also carries flavored coffees: Southern Pecan and Little Eva Blend.

Cookbooks: Pecan Favorites by Rita Nichols which features over 200 recipes with pecans, Serving Louisiana, Marshes to Mansions by the Junior League of Lake Charles, Mardi Gras to Mistletoe by the Junior League of Shreveport/Bossier. There are soy candles, gift items, Fleur de Lis flags and other gift items, Mardi Gras, LSU gift items and more.

Other items in the gift shop include Clementine Hunter Ornaments by Lurline Lemieux and paintings by James Hunter, grandson of Clementine Hunter.

From October 15th through December 23rd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; Beginning in November also open on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. and January - October 22nd, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To order or for more information call 318-379-0272 or 800-572-5925
Pecans, gift boxes, gift tins, corporate gifts and flavored pecans. Recipes from Natchitoches Pecans. Visit on the web at http://www.natchitochespecans.com.


Rosalie Pecans is a family owned and operated company located on Roasalie Plantation, just south of Alexandria on the old Baton Rouge Highway. The retail pecan business began in 1999. Rosalie Pecans sells shelled pecan halves and pieces year-round; they also offer gift packs. In the fall in-shell pecans are available for purchase. Sampler boxes and tins contain halves that are prepared four ways: chocolate covered, sugared, toasted/seasoned and plain. Rosalie Pecans can take care of your entire Christmas gift list and ship gift boxes or tins for customers. Rosalie Pecans also carries several gift items including pecan-shaped massage soap, pecan crusher, and two books about pecans. A children's book, Christmas Turtles and a cookbook, In Praise of Pecans by June Jackson which contains recipes and recollections from the author.

Fall store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. Other times of the year hours are by appointment.

Visit www.rosaliepecan.com or shop their online store www.shop.rosaliepecans.com for available products. Orders can be called, emailed, faxed, mailed or placed online.
Recipes from Rosalie Pecans.

Rosalie Pecans is located at 63 Rosalie Road in Alexandria for more information call 318-448-3139.

Baskin Louisiana located in Franklin Parish is home to Company Farm Pecans. Products available include cracked and in shell pecans, holiday gift tins, gourmet gift boxes, fancy shelled pecans and fresh pecans. Harvesting begins in October and runs through January. Company Farm Pecans, located at 563 Company Farm Road, is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information or to place an order call 318-248-3400 or 866-325-1891. Pecans can be shipped anytime of year. Visit http://www.companyfarmpecans.com/ for more information.

Louisiana Pecans, 208 Little Eva Plantation, Cloutierville, LA 71416, 800-737-3226
Louisiana Pecans offers gift tins, pecan halves and pieces, gourmet flavored pecans and whole and cracked pecans. Custom gift baskets can be made for Christmas, Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day, and Easter. Also available is a cookbook written by June Jackson entitled "In Praise of Pecans" that would make an excellent Christmas gift for anyone who loves pecans.

Pecans are shipped year round. The Pecan Depot is open during October, November and December. Orders for new crop whole and cracked pecans can be placed beginning the third week in October through January 15th.
Hours: October - Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Last weekend in October through Christmas - Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. http://www.louisianapecans.com

Honey Bayou Farm is located in Coushatta, Louisiana. Contact 318-932-8912 for more infomation.

Littlepage Farms, 12219 Highway 8 South, Colfax, LA 71417, 318-627-3715 or 318-481-5449, sells in shell Pecans


Minsky Pecan Market, Inc., 1214 Sparrow St., Lake Providence, LA 71254, 318-559-1614 or 1-800-646-7597. Visit on the web at www.minskywearenuts.com. Pecans, other nuts, and Louisiana products.

Ybar Farms, 250 Yantis Lane, Bunkie, LA 71322, 318-346-6495
Pecans, praline pecans, sugar pecans, salted pecans, Creole seasoned pecans, white chocolate pecans, shelled pecan halves, shelled pieces, muscadines, muscadine jelly, and Angus cattle.

Pecan Oil
Kinloch Plantation Products, L.L.C., 1304 Cornell Street, P.O. Box 1346, Winnsboro, LA 71295, 318-435-1455, www.pecanoil.com. Pecan oil

More Pecan growers may be found at this link .

Recipes from the National Pecan Shellers Association

Source: Louisiana Departement of Agriculture and Forestry, websites of pecan growers, interviews and research.

Small photo courtesy of National Pecan Shellers Association.

Nanking Restaurant

UPDATE 08-23-2009

Sad news, but Nanking Restaurant is closing at the end of August 2009.
_____________________________________________________________________


Downtown Shreveport is home to an historic restaurant that has been around for generations. Nanking Restaurant which serves Chinese and American dishes is located in downtown Shreveport at 614 Milam.

The food is great! In my opinion they serve the best fried rice. One of our favorite dishes is Pineapple Chicken. Pineapple Chicken is made with two chicken breasts which are coated with a batter and deep fried. The sauce is a sweet and sour sauce with pineapple chunks that is delicious. This is served with white rice.

The egg rolls are huge and tasty. They are unlike the typical egg rolls you find in most Asian restaurants. They are loaded with celery, vegetables and spices.

Another family favorite is Cantonese Chicken. Cantonese Chicken is according to the menu "chicken fried golden brown in our special batter, mounted on a bed of fresh tender bean sprouts, covered with our Cantonese mushroom sauce."

The Combination Delight 1 which is an egg roll, tempura chicken and Teriyaki is perfect for little ones.

Oh, I almost forgot the bread. With your meal comes a tray of fresh, homemade bread. I have no idea what kind of bread it is but it is soooooo gooood. Hot, buttery bread.

The menu is full of Cantonese specials: Mongolian Beef, Hong Shew Chicken, Almond Chicken, Chow Har Kew, Beef Steak Kew, Shrimp with Lobster sauce and more.

There are combination plates featuring Pepper Steak, Chicken Chow Mein, Beef Teriyaki, Sesame Chicken. Nanking also serves Chop Suey, Chow Mein, Lo Mein, Egg Foo Young and Fried Rice.

In addition to all of the Chinese dishes, Nanking serves steak, pork chops, chicken, and seafood. Sandwiches include Hot Turkey, Hot Beef, Club, Ham and Cheese, Roast Beef, Cheeseburgers and Hamburgers. Soup and Salad is served as well.

A bit of trivia on Nanking Restaurant. It used to be the place to go after clubs closed down. Many musicians enjoyed eating at Nanking.

So the next time you are looking for a place to eat, trek off the beaten path and go to Nanking Restaurant.

Christmas Ideas from Louisiana

Christmas is right around the corner. I wanted to share this information with readers of Louisiana Trekker who are shopping for Christmas gifts.

These North Louisiana businesses offer everything for your holiday entertaining as well as possible gift ideas. And by supporting these companies you are helping the local economy. Keep your hard earned money close to home. Support local farmers and businesses.

The Louisiana Products Guide includes cajun seasonings, spices and rubs, honey, syrup, smoked sausage, fish fry mix, gourmet foods, cobbler mixes, pecans, wine, produce, fruit, candy, nuts of every kind, coffee, mayhaws, muscadines, hot pepper sauce, Natchitoches meat pies, jelly, jams and more. Click here for a list of North Louisiana businesses who have products that would make great Christmas gifts.

There are still some farmer's markets that are open. Click here for a listing of Farmer's Markets in North Louisiana.

This product guide includes the following Louisiana businesses: Allens Inc., Bayou Blends Seasoning, Inc., Bayou Queen Bee Farms, Bellevue Meat Processing, Breau Jo's, Cajun 2 Geaux,

Cajun Gold Catfish Processors, Calhoun Bend Mill, Inc., Cane River Island Foods, LLC, Catdaddy Sauce COmpany, Chauvin HOney Farm, Chef Hans' Gourmet Food, Chef Lorenzo, LLC, Cookie Cone Corporation, Casa de Sue Winery, Clear Lake Apiary, Company Farm Pecans, Crawfish City, Debbie Roy Brokerage Co., Dawson Farms, Shreveport Macaroni Mfg., Du Paul Enterprises,

Dumas Candy Company, Dove's Nest, Down Home Meats, E.B.’s Tamale Company, Earl Roy Produce, Eddies BBQ, LLC, Evan's Eden Fruit Farm,

Feliciana Delights, Inc.,Fertitta's Delicatessen, Farmer's Seafood Kitchens, Inc., Foremost Dairy, Food Way the Louisiana Way - Tasty, Haring's Pride Catfish, Harold Quebedeaux Produce, Honey Bayou Farm, Hummer and Son Honey Farm,

J. Bernard Crawfish Processing, Inc., Jelks Incorporated, Kinloch Plantation, King's Fish Market, Louisiana Cajun Classics, Louisiana Crawfish Company, Louisiana Pecans, Louisiana Sauce Factory,

McCain Farms, Ma's Cajun Meat Pies,Mitcham Farm, LLC, Minsky Pecan Market, Inc., Moe's Crawfish Kitchen, Natchitoches Meat Pie Company, Natchitoches Pecans, Inc., Music Mountain Water Company, Noah's Potato Chip Company, Norris Syrup Mill, LLC,

The Ole Homestead, On Mayhaw Hill, Panola Pepper Corporation, Peter's Crescent City Connection, LLC, Pleasant Acres Jams & Jellies, Plunkett Farms, Pomidoro House, Poole Produce, Poverty Point Produce, Rhymes Ohh La! La!, Ronnie's Bar B Que Sauce, Rosalie Sugarmill, Inc., Robertson Fruit & Produce, Roy's Best of the Bayou, Sonshine Orchards,

Sky Lin Farms, South Franklin Farmer's Market, LLC, Spring Branch Orchard, Sugarmakers, Sweet & Sons, Three Rivers Fish Company, The Nutcracker Company, LLC, Robert M. Tippett, Warren's Khoury Candy Company, The Yam Company, Ybar Farms.

The Louisiana Products Guide includes a host of businesses that manufacture or grow a variety of products right here in North Louisiana. Take a moment to view the list and shop at home. You won’t be disappointed. There are many talented, hard-working individuals who would love to visit with you and share their products with you.

Included in this product guide are nurseries, gourd crafts and purple martin houses made from gourds, high-end gas barbecue grills, hay, animal bedding, cotton items, whole cotton seeds, sterling silver wine glass charms, sterling silver wedding cake charms, gift baskets, pecan trees, handmade soaps, lotions, scrubs and other personal care products, clothing (jumpers, smocks, t-shirts), pillows, garden benches and fresh cut flowers and plants.

North Louisiana Businesses in this guide include:
Doug Young Nursery, Gourds - Gowards - Goards, G & C Nursery, Hickory Hill Nursery, Iron Works, Kingsland Ranch, Lady Lariat Animal Bedding, John Langston Nursery, Lagniappe Cotton Gin, LLC, Louisiana Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern State University, Marymade , Pelican State Baskets, Red Top Pecan Company, Robert Strange Nursery, Rocky Mount Gourds, Skin Soothers Handmade Toiletries, St. Augustine Historical Society, Sans Souci, Tensas Co-op Gin and Waters Edge Nursery. This list is by no means inclusive. There are many, many Louisiana businesses. If you know of one that isn't on this list, please let Louisiana Trekker know at louisianatrekker@gmail.com or write Publisher, Louisiana Trekker, PO Box 208, Elm Grove, LA 71051.

Source: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry website

If you have a business or product that you would like added to the site, please email the Publisher at LouisianaTrekker@gmail.com or mail information to P.O. Box , Elm Grove, LA 71051.

Support Louisiana businesses, products and restaurants. When you get the chance, choose Louisiana products over others it benefits all of us.

Louisiana Sausage & Onion Rolls Recipe with Down Home Sausage

There are great foods made right here in North Louisiana. Over the weekend my husband and I made some scrumptious sausage and onion rolls. What made these so good is that they were made with sausage from Down Home Meats in Stonewall. We were first introduced to this sausage at the home of one of my best friends. Her father cooked it out on a grill. The flavor was amazing!

Louisiana Sausage & Onion Rolls
1 lb Down Home Sausage (this comes in mild and hot flavors)
2 large yellow onions, sliced
12 small Yeast rolls (we used some frozen yeast rolls purchased at a local wholesale food club)
Butter, less than a tablespoon

Cook yeast rolls per directions.

Cut up sausage into small links, fry in skillet. Set aside and keep warm.

In same skillet melt butter and add onions. Cook until onions become soft.

Cut rolls in half, add sausage and onions. Serve.

This would be a great addition to any party, special occasion, celebration, tailgate party, or as a family dinner.

Note: It would be very easy to add bell peppers to this recipe. Cut up the bell peppers in rings and cook with onions. Use green, red or yellow bell peppers. Also, if you are feeding a crowd, just increase the amount of sausage, onions and rolls.
Recipe copyright 2008 Louisiana Trekker

Contact information on
Down Home Meats
P.O. Box 405, Stonewall, LA 71078
Telephone: (318) 925-6915 Fax: (318) 925-6930
Products: Smoked sausage, hot or mild
Source for contact information: Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry

Trekker for Foodies: Homemade Pancakes & Norris' Syrup

Amy’s Homemade Pancakes
My children love pancakes. This is a fast, easy recipe for homemade pancakes. The hardest part is getting the pan or griddle to the correct temperature. I cook up the entire batch and freeze the leftovers. My little ones like to help me mix the batter together. Enjoy!

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
Milk (enough to make the batter easy to pour)
2 teaspoons vanilla or vanilla nut butter (can use almond extract also)

(optional ingredients: blueberries, mini chocolate chips, be creative and enjoy.)

Mix dry ingredients into large bowl. Add egg, melted butter, and milk. Mix thoroughly with a spoon. It may be a bit lumpy but that’s normal. Add vanilla.

Heat skillet or griddle on medium high. Pour batter by ladle onto skillet or griddle. The size of the pancakes depends upon how much batter used. For little ones make little pancakes the size of a silver dollar. For adults can make larger pancakes. Turn pancakes when they start to bubble up. Heat on other side for a bit longer.

Take pancakes out of pan and spread butter on them. Serve with your favorite syrup (Mine is Norris’ Moon Shine Syrup, made right here in North Louisiana; my husband enjoys Norris’ Best Syrup it has a stronger taste). These are also good with your favorite breakfast food of sausage, bacon, eggs, ham, grits, etc.

Product information: Norris Syrup Mill, LLC, P.O. Box 2696, 227 Laird St., West Monroe, LA 71294-2696 Contact: Pat Norris or Steven Norris at 318-396-8355 or email: syrupco@jam.rr.com Products: Cane syrup and syrup products

If you have any Louisiana Recipes you'd like to share, please email me at LouisianaTrekker@gmail.com. Check back often, future posts on Louisiana Trekker will highlight other great Louisiana products.

Support Louisiana businesses, products and restaurants. When you get the chance, choose Louisiana products over others it benefits all of us.