The Buster Holmes Restaurant Cookbook: New Orleans Homemade Cookin’

Buster Holmes
Pelican Publishing (2010)
ISBN 9781589808492
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader View (12/10)

 

“Buster Holmes (1905-1994) owned and operated his restaurant at 721 Burgundy from 1944 until his death. Known as the ‘king of red beans and rice,’ Holmes would greet his customers with a cigar in his hand and smile on his face.”  I’m sure the French Quarter was never the same after his death.

I had the pleasure of visiting New Orleans this year for the first time and fell in love with it!  I love the food and since then have been attempting to emulate some of the foods I ate.  I was thrilled when this book came in for review because I am still on the kick of cooking Southern meals.

For the purpose of the review we are asked to test three recipes.  The first one I made was “Shrimp Creole.”  The dish was very tasty with just the right amount of spiciness.  The recipe calls for Louisiana hot sauce and, fortunately, I purchased a bottle when in New Orleans.  The half-hour simmering was the perfect timing to cook down the liquids and thicken the sauce.  Served over rice it was a hit.

The second recipe I made was “Paul’s Garlic Grits.”  I've made grits before but nothing like this recipe. It called for 2 eggs added to milk to make a cup, and baked in the oven for 40 minutes.  I must say, these are the best grits I’ve ever had.  Rich, creamy, and yummy, I’ll be making this recipe again.

The third recipe I made was “Sweet Potato Rolls.”  The recipe in itself looked interesting because you form the sweet potatoes around the marshmallows to resemble a ball and then fry it.  Now, that's as “Southern” as you can get.  They were delicious! 

“The Buster Holmes Restaurant Cookbook” is a wonderful tribute to a man that made a difference in New Orleans. As I perused the other recipes, I found many I’ll be making, although I doubt I will try squirrel, coon, or possum; but it was fun looking at the recipes.  For Southern cooking buffs or those that frequented Buster Holmes Restaurant, this book is one to have.

Make comment on weblog

FTC Disclosure