Basic Seasoned Beans:

• 1 pound dried beans, soaked overnight
• 1½ to 2 cups total, chopped onions, celery, and bell peppers
• minced garlic to taste
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• cayenne pepper to taste

Huevos Rancheros

• 2 corn tortillas
• ½ cup your favorite salsa
• ½ cup cooked black beans
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 eggs
• chopped cilantro, crumbled Mexican cheese, for garnish
• salt and pepper to taste

Huevos Rancheros

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Biscuits

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder 
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
• ½ cup shortening 
• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons finely minced drained pimento peppers, dried
• ⅔ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

pimento cheese, recipe follows

 Pimento Cheese

• ½ pound sharp cheddar cheese, grated 
• 4 ounces pimentos, drained, dried and minced 
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• salt and pepper, to taste

 Combine all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.

Pimento Cheese Biscuits

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DOUGH

• 7½ to 8¼ cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour*
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt**
• 2 envelopes Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast
• 1½ cups milk
• ½ cup water
• ¾ cup (12 tablespoons) butter**
• 2 large eggs

*See "tips," below.

**If you use salted butter, reduce the salt to 2½ teaspoons.

FILLING

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) softened butter
• 1½ tablespoons (4½ teaspoons) ground cinnamon

FROSTING

• ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) softened butter
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• ⅛ teaspoon salt, optional; for enhanced flavor
• ½ to 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, to taste; optional
• 4 to 6 tablespoons milk

Cinnamon Rolls

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• 1 pint Louisiana strawberries
• 1 cup blueberries
• 3 tablespoons superfine sugar
• 2 tablespoons spiced rum
• pinch salt

Macerated Strawberries

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• four corn tortillas
• 2 cups prepared salsa
• 2 cups cooked black beans
• butter
• 4 Louisiana eggs
• salt and pepper
• crumbled cotija or Feta cheese
• sliced jalapenos, cilantro, green onions, additional salsa, for garnish

Huevos Rancheros

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• 5 cups sifted White Lily flour (measured after sifting) 
• 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, preferably homemade
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt 
• 1/2 cup (1/4 pound) packed lard, chilled 
• 1¼ cups buttermilk 
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Edna Lewis' Hot Crusty Buttermilk Biscuits

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• 1 cup (6 oz/185 g) cooked Louisiana shrimp
• 1/4 cup (1½ oz 145 g) finely diced celery
• 1 tablespoon finely diced green bell pepper (capsicum) 
• 7½ tablespoons (3½ fl oz/105 ml) mayonnaise, plus mayonnaise for spreading
• 1/4 teaspoon fleshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh dill 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 12 hard-cooked egg yolks 
• 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard 
• Pinch of cayenne pepper 
• 4 thin slices dense-textured white sandwich bread 
• baby arugula (rocket) sprigs 
• 4 thin slices dense-textured wheat bread

Shrimp Salad Finger Sandwiches

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• 3/4 cup gluten free medium cornmeal  
• 1/2 cup tapioca flour  
• 1/4 cup potato starch  
• 2 teaspoons baking powder  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt  
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum  
• 1¼ cups milk (whole or 2%) 
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil  
• 1 egg, slightly beaten

Gluten Free Cornmeal Pancakes

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FOR THE GRITS:

• 1 cup whole milk

• 2 tablespoons butter 

• 1/4 cup grits

FOR THE GRILLADES:

• 1/2 cup olive oil, divided
• 2 (4-ounce) veal medallions
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 3 tablespoons diced onion
• 3 tablespoons diced celery
• 2 tablespoon diced green bell pepper
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Tiger Sauce
• 1 tablespoon Kitchen Bouquet
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions, for garnish
• 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley, for garnish

Veal Grillades and Grits

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FOR THE BRINE

• 2 cups rice wine vinegar
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon coriander seed
• 1 tablespoon mustard seed
• 1 tablespoon peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon red chili flakes
• 2 bay leaves
• Pinch kosher salt

FOR THE SHRIMP

• 12 baby carrots, peeled
• 12 green beans
• 12 pearl onions, peeled
• 12 okra pods
• 2 pounds boiled wild Louisiana shrimp, peeled and deveined

John Besh's Pickled Shrimp

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