ML Interest Tag: cajun

ALDI Has Gingerbread Cheese to Make Your Season Extra Bright

by Sarah Shebek

Holiday parties just aren’t the same without a good charcuterie board. But why buy boring cheddar or Gouda when you have ALDI cheeses to choose from? Grab some gingerbread goat cheese and get the party started!

New this season, Emporium Selection Holiday Goat Logs come in festive flavors including eggnog, cranberry stuffing and gingerbread. They’re selling for $2.50 each and after a TikTok feature, they’re likely to go fast! Pair with your favorite cracker and try to decide which one you like best.

If you’re not really a goat cheese fan, the Emporium Selection Artisan Flavored Cheese Assortment ($3.50) ​will be right up your alley. #ButFirstCoffee combines two of life’s best pleasures in one product, Some Like it Hatch has a creamy, smoky twist and You’re Cajun Me Crazy adds a little heat. Don’t forget to grab some Rose All Day fontina for four bucks, while you’re at it.

ALDI is also offering tips for building the perfect charcuterie board, including the 3,3,3,3 rule: 3 cheeses, 3 meats, 3 starches and 3 sweets for a better board. You can find a whole page of expert advice and how-to guides on the company’s “Board Like a Pro” page.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of ALDI

 

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19 Dallas Spring Break Activities for Kids

by Kate Loweth

Editor’s note: We’re making every effort to provide you with the most up-to-date information. However, sometimes closures occur at the last minute due to circumstances beyond our control, such as the spread of Covid-19. We highly recommend that you call ahead before you pack your kids pack your kids (and all those snacks, and diapers…) and haul them across town. Stay safe! 

Spring break is on the horizon! There are tons of things to do with kids in Dallas during spring break and we’ve got a bunch of our favorites here. Head to the movies, make it a scavenger hunt day, walk through the tulips and more—find your DFW adventure below!

Let's Roam

1. Explore the biggest and boldest landmarks around Downtown Dallas and race against the clock with a family scavenger hunt. 

2. Head to the Perot Museum to see Origins: Fossils from the Cradle to Humankind before it leaves town on Mach 22. 

3. Learn to ride a bike with Oak Creek Bike Synergy and then join other families for breakfast tacos and a bike ride!

4. Head to the movies and catch a special sensory-friendly screening with the lights up and the sound down, perfect for kids!

5. All aboard the Forest Park Miniature Railway! Throughout its five-mile journey, the train travels under the highway and proceeds into the tranquil Trinity Park. 

6. Head to Geppetto's Theater for a marionette performance of Happily Ever After. This one-hour show is great for little ones!

7. Make it a road trip and visit this beach resort in Port Aransas, TX (the kids will thank you!). 

Texas Discovery Gardens

8. It's Spring Break Safari Week at the Texas Discovery Gardens where you can enjoy discovery-themed activities and crafts each day.

9. Get a-maze-d at the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze where Tuesdays are half price! 

10. Have you see the Apollo 11 exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History yet? It's here through March 22 so check it out now! 

11. Any day is a good day to visit the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame where you can learn about women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience and independence that helped shape the American West. 

12. Spring break is a great time to visit your local library for story time or crafts! 

13. Kids will love cheering on your local sports team at the American Airlines Center when the Dallas Stars are in town. 

14. Have a PAW Patrol fanatic in your posse? You are in luck as they are in town! 

 

Rainbow Vomit

15. Have you taken the kids to Rainbow Vomit yet? Now is the time to go as the balloons are taking over! 

16. There's free admission and tons of extra programming at the Nasher Sculpture Garden, just in time for spring break! 

17. If Cajun is your game, plan to spend some time listening to Zydeco music and enjoying all sorts of delicious eats at the Big Mamou Cajun Festival. 

Cecilia L. via yelp

18. The tulips have taken over the Dallas Arboretum and there's lots of programming for kids and families all throughout spring break. 

19. Check out a new indoor playground where the kids can run wild while you enjoy a cup of coffee. 

—Kate Loweth

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These New Instant Pot Meal Kits Make Dinner a Snap

by Shahrzad Warkentin

Did you get an Instant Pot for Christmas? Chances are it’s gathering dust on your counter because you haven’t had a chance to figure out how to use it yet.

Luckily Tyson has teamed up with Instant Pot to create new Tyson Instant Pot Kits designed to take all the work out of using your new cooker and make weeknight cooking a breeze.

photo: Tyson via PR Newswire

The new meal kits are currently available in three varieties, all featuring chicken as the main protein. Each pack contains Tyson’s all natural, antibiotic-free chicken, as well as rice and sauces. The current selection includes Hatch Green Chile Chicken Casserole, Cajun Style Chicken and Rice and Teriyaki Chicken and Rice.

“We know lack of time is one of the biggest reasons people go to a restaurant or order out, which was the inspiration behind creating our fully-prepped meal kits,” said Steve Silzer, marketing director for the Tyson Brand. “By combining our expertise in chicken, with Instant Pot’s credibility in cookware, we’re able to bring a fresh meal to the table that’s culinary-inspired, stress-free and fast.”

The kits are available now in select stores, but will roll out to grocery chains nationwide this spring. You can find them in the refrigerated section.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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Just Opened: Wursthall in San Mateo

by anitachu

Even in the Bay Area’s sophisticated food culture, new concepts pop up that make you wonder, “Why hasn’t anyone done this before?” Wursthall, the newest restaurant in downtown San Mateo, might make you think that. It’s bustling ambiance and kid-friendly grub make it a great spot to grab a family meal and a mug of German beer. Read on for some of the menu highlights.

A Californian Take on the German Beer Hall
Wursthall is a collaborative venture between James Beard award-winning author J. Kenji Lopez-Alt along with Adam Simpson and Tyson Mao, owners of the nearby Grape and Grain bar. A winningly modern take on the classic German bierhaus, Wursthall serves up over 28 German and Austrian beers on tap, a wide selection of local beers, alongside a menu full of Californian interpretations of German cuisine. Although it’s a beer hall, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming to families, and there’s plenty of kid-friendly choices on the menu.

The two-story space is light-filled and lined with long, picnic-style tables. If you’re looking for a bit of quiet or just a nice view, go to the upper level which is more private.

Pub Food, Elevated
The highlight of the food is the collection of wursts, ranging from more traditional bratwurst and Thüringer to Cajun and al pastor. The wurst comes in a fantastic buttery toasted bun (all breads at Wursthall are made by local German bakery Backhaus) that is almost worth the price of the plate alone. You can choose your toppings for the wurst, from sauerkraut to speck-pepper relish, and the plate also comes with their house potato salad and mixed greens. It’s plenty filling for dinner.

Other standouts on the menu include the chicken schnitzel sandwich; vegan döner kebab (German-Turkish sandwich) made with Impossible meat; and their pull-apart pretzels. Don’t forget to try the various mustards from the mini condiment bars set up at each table. The crispy fried potatoes will be a hit with the kids; get the plain for them and the over-the-top bacon and onion version with mustard aioli for yourself. The kids’ menu has plenty of kid appeal, including “kinderwurst”, grilled cheese and chicken schnitzel options.

Besides the outstanding beer selection, there are also wines and non-alcoholic beverages, including Mexican Coke and cold brew coffee, plus milk and juice for the kiddies.

The Fine Details
Although Wursthall is designed as a casual drop-in style place, overwhelming popularity from opening day means long lines, at least for the time being. For families with small kids, your best bet is try to get there before it opens to try a snag a spot near the front of the line. The crowds also start thinning out later at night, although at 9 p.m. they switch to a more limited, wurst-only menu. Also, be sure to bring your credit card; this is a cashless facility.

310 Baldwin Ave.
San Mateo, CA
Hours: 5 p.m.-midnight daily, lunch hours TBA
Online: wursthall.com

Which dish are you wanting to try first at Wursthall? Let us know in the comments!

—story and photos by Anita Chu

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Our Totally Unkosher Passover Plate Is So Wrong, It’s Right

By Jenee Naquin

As we prepare for Passover, I put a hold on ordering another loaf of bread from FreshDirect, order matzah shmurah to get extra mitzvah points and dust off the oyster—yes, oyster—plate we use as our Passover seder plate. This plate for crustaceans—a very, very non-kosher food—makes me chuckle a little and reflect on this life we are creating for our family.

Our family of three is an interfaith one that takes a little extra planning and thought when it comes to the holidays—and now there are a lot of holidays. While interfaith marriages cause great strife in some nations, communities and families we chose to forge through it and let love prevail: the hippie faith is one we have in common.

My husband and I both come from rich cultures and neither wanted to lose that identity. Actually, the fondness and respect we have for our own cultures fostered an understanding and excitement to celebrate the other’s. While dating we invented a new holiday we named Purim Gras since both holidays are around the same time and have many similar jovial customs. We served hamentashen next to king cake and hung a greeting sign which read “SHOW ME YOUR TZIT-TZITS.”

To celebrate our marriage, we set the tone of our life together by calling it our Cajun-Jewish Wedding. We incorporated traditions from both cultures (FYI: Cajuns originally were Catholic). We were married on the front porch of an Acadian-st‌yle home under a chuppah. We had a Friday night Shabbat rehearsal dinner and a fish fry with crawfish étouffée the night of the wedding.

Our goal isn’t to compromise but rather convene on ways to marry our rich cultures—and we’ve given our new baby the best of it all. His name is part Hebrew and part Cajun, with a birthday on the 4th night of Hanukkah and a week before Christmas.

When I began to prepare for our first Passover Seder as a family,  I realized an oyster plate has six sections and a Seder plate has six symbolic foods. You can imagine the excitement and sense of victory at this perfect melding of the cultures again. It was a sign from G-d letting me know we were doing things right.

To some, our interfaith marriage has diluted our heritage and dishonored our family. Tradition and the tradition of marrying within one’s religion is not something to be taken lightly. I understand the desire and sense of responsibility to preserve one’s culture and religion.

In many cases, preserving this lifest‌yle is a way to honor your ancestors’ struggles to maintain their beliefs. My family fled France and then British rule in Canada, and my husband’s family left Poland before the war to be able to maintain our sense of identities.

Our journeys, thankfully of our free will, led us to New York where we too were trying to connect to an identity found in an urban space where all your dreams come true. When we met, he was looking for a Jewish girl, and I was looking for a European prince to make me a princess.  We couldn’t help but fall in love.

While our journey was not under the pressure of war or expulsion, still we were searching for the kind of life that allowed us to pursue our own version of happiness.  When I look into my baby’s eyes, yes, he’s not Jewish. He’s Cajun Jewish and I am in awe that love created him.

Our Oyster Seder Plate will be his tradition that connects him to two resilient cultures and serves to remind him of love, hate, acceptance and the ability to pursue happiness.

Original: Jenee Sais Quoi
Featured Photo Courtesy: Jenée Naquin

Jenée Naquin is a fashion brand builder, adventure seeker and mother. She resides in Brooklyn with her family, always making time for a great adventure. A Cajun in New York, raising a healthy interfaith family takes a lot of "Jenée" Sais Quoi—which she pens about at her personal blog and documents on Instagram.

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Let There Be (King) Cake! 9 Recipes for Mardi Gras

by Susie Foresman

Even if you can’t jet off to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, you can still celebrate by bringing vibrant Cajun and Creole flavors right to your kitchen. From red beans and rice to king cake, there’s plenty of delicious food to be discovered. Click through the slideshow below to get ready for your feast.

Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

This delish gumbo from Don’t Sweat the Recipe is sure to be a hit with the whole fam. With shrimp, sausage and plenty of veggies, it’s got something for everyone. Find out how it’s made by clicking here.

photo: Don’t Sweat the Recipe

Will you be making any of these recipes for Mardi Gras? Share with us in a comment below!

—Susie Foresman

 

mardi gras recipes

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Skinny Ham Mac ‘n’ Cheese

by writerredtri

You won’t feel guilty going back for second helpings of this ham mac ‘n’ cheese because the secret ingredient to making the creamy sauce is actually greek yogurt. Created by food blogger Consuelo of Honey & Figs, this version of the classic is features much fewer fat and calories thanks to the greek yogurt and whole wheat macaroni. Read on for the full recipe and then tell us in the Comments below how your dish turns out.

Ingredients:
12 oz. ham
1 tsp. extra spicy cajun spice
5 cups (16 oz.) cooked whole wheat macaroni
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/3 cup bbq sauce
1/2 C shredded cheese (for the topping) olive oil for the pan

Cheese Sauce:
1 1/2 C fat free greek yogurt salt pepper
3/4 C strong cheese (such as parmesan or manchego)

Method:
1. Stir greek yogurt, salt, pepper and strong cheese together to form a creamy sauce. Set aside.

2. Heat some oil in a pan and when it’s hot, add ham and cajun spice and saute until crispy.

3. Add cooked macaroni, bbq and tomato sauce, more salt if needed and stir.

4. Add the cheese sauce, stir and saute for 5 minutes.

5. Remove pan from heat and pour macaroni in a baking dish.

6. Top with shredded cheese.

7. Bake at 250ºC (about 475ºF) until cheese is golden. This will take about 15 minutes in a non-preheated oven, since everything is already cooked.

Note: Don’t use a mild cheese for the cheese sauce or it will have more of a yogurt taste than it should.

Have you tried this recipe? Tell us in the Comments below!

This recipe and photo comes to us courtesy of Consuelo at Honey & Figs who aims to share both healthy recipes that actually taste delicious and the occasional indulgence–because we all know that a life without cookies and cheesecake is not quite as awesome, right? Check out the blog to read all about Consuelo’s life in Spain, her adventures coming up with healthy versions of favorite comfort foods, and more. 

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Cheese, Please! 5 Fab Eateries for Grilled Cheese

by rtjamybond

If you’re tired of your go-to sliced cheddar on white bread, turn your grilled cheese adventure up a notch at these eateries that have re-invented the classic American favorite. From grilled cheese served up from a truck to sandwiches accompanied by a spicy marinara dipping sauce, you don’t have to go far to find some of the tastiest grilled cheese sandwiches on the planet. Read on to discover five of our favorite spots that guarantee big time smiles from your kids.

Bayou Bakery
Bayou Bakery’s owner David Guas knows a thing or two about Cajun-inspired flavor and some say a taste of his cooking is akin to having a jazz band play in your mouth. So imagine what he can do with a grilled cheese. Be sure to grab his famous sandwich that boasts warm, rich pimento cheese oozing from thick slices of buttery Texas-style toast.

1515 North Courthouse Road
Arlington, Va
Online: bayoubakeryva.com

The Big Cheese Food Truck
If you’re walking around downtown and want to grab a quick bite between museum visits, forget the hot dog stands on every corner and beeline it to the Big Cheese Food Truck, which features a number of decadently delicious grilled cheese varieties that will have you saying things like, “I never thought I’d pay $9 for a grilled cheese sandwich, but that was worth it!” Try the Mt. Fuji with Camembert, fuji apple and honey on multigrain, or the Midnight Moon with goat gouda and caramelized onions. There’s also the Cherry Blossom with chevre and cherry preserves on multigrain. Rumor has it that any choice you make here is a good one.

Online: bigcheesetruck.com
Twitter: twitter.com/bigcheesetruck

Room11
Some places only need to offer one kind of grilled cheese to earn a reputation for having the best and DC’s Room 11 is that place. Their signature grilled cheese sandwich is said to channel all the comforts of childhood in one bite. It features a gooey mix of oak cheddar, mozzarella, and local caciocavallo, and it comes with a side of spicy marinara for dipping. One bite and you’ll soon understand why DC locals swear by it.

3234 11th St. NW
Washington, DC
Online: room11dc.com

Grilled Cheese DC
Get ready to become parent of the year because all the dishes at Grilled Cheese DC begin with one of every kid’s staple food preferences: grilled cheese, mac ‘n’ cheese, or tator tots! Choose from several pre-designed options such as the Young American with American cheese, tomato and bacon on sourdough, or the District Cemita with pepper jack, chorizo, avocado, and salsa on white bread. Many say the best by far is the French Onion with Gruyere and caramelized onions on challah bread. Got a picky eater who isn’t into their menu? Build your own grilled cheese sandwich from a long list of bread, cheese, meat and veggie options.

1730 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC
Online: grilledcheesedc.com

photo: Jennifer L. via Yelp

Cheesetique
With a name like Cheesetique, there’s not much guesswork to what you’ll find on the menu. In addition to a decadent cheese bar, this place has it’s own “grilled cheese menu,” you can choose from a multitude of heavenly versions, including simple ones like cheddar on sourdough or more complicated indulgences, such as glazed Greek figs and fresh arugula, with fontina and Amish blue cheese. Wow. There also an Italian mix of fresh Mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil on grilled ciabatta; and another with Brie, apples and prosciutto. We recommend having everyone in your group order something different and then share so you get to try as many of these cheesy grilled concoctions as possible.

4056 Campbell Ave.
Arlington, Va
Online: cheesetique.com

What is your favorite destination for grilled cheese? Share the love in the Comments below!

— Jamy Bond

all photos courtesy of the business unless otherwise noted

 

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