Exclusively New Orleans
Midi being played: Way down yonder in New Orleans
New Orleans, the city that never sleeps. There are so many wonderful things about new orleans, the food, the music, the fun, the wide variety of things to do seems endless. But the people are the real heart of New Orleans.
Come now, and join me in looking at the city that care forgot
A Brief History of New Orleans
Rene Robert Cavalier, Sieur de la Salle, left the cold of Canada to find the mouth of the Mississippi river. Not only did LaSalle find Big Muddy's mouth, but he claimed for France the entire territorry drained by the waterway. All this vastness he gathered under a single name - Louisiana, a tribute to Louis XIV, The Sun King.
Settlement near the river's mouth became the special province of two french brothers: Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur D'Iberville, and his younger sibling, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur De Bienville. It was Bienville who, in 1718, selected the site for what became the French Quarter of New Orleans.
A crooked Scotsman named John Law managed to wrangle from Louis XVI a 25-year charter to exploit the Louisiana territory. Under Law's orders, Bienville founded a settlement here and named it after Law's best friend in high places, Philippe, Duc D'Orleans. La Nouvelle Orleans the new creation would be.
If it would become something more than a tribute in name remained to be seen. The place was hardly home to the "fabulous wealth" Law promised those who fell for his mammoth real estate scam. In fact, if you didn't have your heart set on palmetto shacks, swamps buzzing with mosquitoes and an existence squeezed out of the land and bayous, you were likely to despair upon arrival.
Men were the first settlers - but 87 women arrived in 1727, a welcome sight despite the fact they'd been freed from one of Paris' most notorious prisons.
As part of the top-secret Treaty of Fountainbleu and later the Treaty of Paris, Louisiana became a Spanish colony. The people of New Orleans didn't know they had come under Spanish domination for four years - and when they finally heard the news, they rebelled.
Eventually, good sense prevailed (informed by the presence of 24 Spanish warships and 2,000 troops) and with the population bitter but resigned to saying "Si" instead of "Oui," Don Alexandro O'Reilly took command as govenor.
Napoleon Bonaparte convinced Spain to give the Louisiana Territory back to France; his idea was to take personal control. This so disturbed President Jefferson that he dispatched Robert Livingtson to Paris to seal a purchase agreement for New Orleans. Because of several defeats he had suffered, Napoleon was happy to sell not only the city but the entire Territory for a mere $15 million.
In the Cabildo overlooking what is now Jackson Square, on November 30, 1803, the official transfer from Spain to France took place. Less than a month later, on December 20, France pased ownership to the United States. New Orleans was incorporated as a city in 1805. Louisiana was admitted into the Union in 1812.
That very year, the British launched a series of attempts to seize New Orleans as part of the War of 1812. In 1815 General Andrew Jackson was sent to the rescue. In the last battle of the last war ever fought between the United States and Great Britain, Jackson's ramshackle mix of Tennessee volunteers, Kaintucks, free blacks, Creole French and Chocktaw Indians prevailed. The Battle of new Orleans cost the British more than 2,000 men. It cost Jackson 71.
The steamboat pressed the city into a new era of raw energy and prosperity, making it the center of a flourishing market in tobacco and cotton. By the century's mid-point, New Orleans was the second wealthiest city in the United States, with only New York more affluent, and its fourth largest.
New Orleans spent most of the Civil War occupied by Union forces, which then decided to stay on afterward until the end of Reconstruction in 1877. Left to its own devices, the city exploded with activity once again, despite a severe hurricane in 1915 and a flu epidemic in 1918. The city's spirit proved too large and too generous to be stifled by either of these.
Many people who have never been to New Orleans associate it with Mardi Gras.
If you would like to learn more about Mardi Gras I have created a page that tells all about the history of Fat Tuesday, as well as some of the terms used, and many great links to follow. If you would like to hear some sounds, Mardi Gras Music is a fine real audio site. There is even a New Orleans Radio Station online that you can listen to.
The smell of new orleans kitchens are almost impossible to ignore. Once you have tasted the delicious foods of the crescent city, you are sure to be hooked. Some of the restaurants like Popeyes, originated in New Orleans.
Here is a little history about Popeyes:
Founded in New Orleans in 1972, Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits introduced spicy, New Orleans-style chicken to the public and became an instant success in the quick service restaurant industry. Popeyes began franchising in 1976 and by 1986 had more than 650 restaurants worldwide with $400 million in system-wide sales; by 1995 Popeyes was the second-largest chicken chain in the world in terms of sales. America's Favorite Chicken Company (now AFC Enterprises) assumed ownership of the brand in 1992.
Market Position
Popeyes' guests, as the brand's best-known advertising slogan states, "Love That Chicken." Popeyes is the market leader in the New Orleans/Cajun segment of the quick-service restaurant industry. Popeyes is also a leader in the growing trend toward full-flavored fast foods.
Growth And Performance
Popeyes recently opened its 1000th restaurant in Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Avenue District and its vision is to double that number by the early years of the 21st Century. Popeyes will open 100 new restaurants in the U.S. and is expanding rapidly throughout the middle and Far East. The brand is also well into a system-wide re-imaging program that is consistently producing dramatic sales increases. Popeyes is also opening alternative venue restaurants in convenience stores, supermarkets, mass merchandisers, and travel centers. It now has 17 restaurants open in Kroger supermarkets.
Of course there are many other restaurants that provide the best of creole cooking as well. I have gathered some of the more famous foods and beverages recipes as well as links to many of their sites.
Café au Lait Luzianne
Ingredients:
------------
Amount Measure Ingredient
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 cups Milk
1/2 cup Heavy cream
6 cups Louisiana coffee w/chicory
Preparation:
------------
Combine milk and cream in saucepan; bring just to a boil (bubbles will
form around edge of pan), then remove from heat. Pour small amount of
coffee in each coffee cup. Pour remaining coffee and hot milk mixture
together until cups are 3/4 full.
NOTE: Skim milk can be substituted for milk and cream for those who are
counting calories.
Beignets
(Creole Doughnuts)
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup boiling water
2 tablespoon shortening
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 package yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 beaten egg
3 3/4 cups sifted flour
Confectioners sugar
Fat or oil for deep frying
INSTRUCTIONS
Pour boiling water over the shortening, sugar and salt. Add milk and let stand until warm.
Dissolve yeast in warm water and add to milk mixture with beaten egg.
Stir in 2 cups of the flour. Slowly add enough flour to make a soft dough.
Place in a greased bowl; turn to grease top of dough then cover with wax paper and a cloth. Chill until ready for use (at least an hour, or over night).
Do not let dough rise before frying. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into squares and fry a few at a time in deep hot fat or vegetable oil (360 degrees). brown on one side, turn and brown on the other.
Drain on absorbent paper. Serve hot, sprinkled with confectioners sugar, and with cafe au lait.
The best place in the world (in my opinion) to get cafe au lait, and beignets, is The Cafe Du Monde
click to see their official homepage!
Now speaking of coffee, we love our coffee strong. I would rather have Community coffee over any other kind, and that is mainly because I like the chicory taste.
chicory [CHIHK-uh-ree]
This relative of the ENDIVE has curly, bitter-tasting leaves that are often used as part of a salad or cooked as greens. In the United States, early endive is sometimes erroneously called chicory. Chicory is available year-round. Choose leaves that are brightly colored and crisp. Store unwashed greens in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Today's trendy RADICCHIO is a red-leafed Italian chicory. Roasted chicory (also called succory ) comes from the roasted, ground roots of some varieties of chicory. It's used as a coffee substitute, and added to some coffees for body and aroma and as an "extender." This coffee-chicory blend is often referred to as "New Orleans" or "Creole" coffee and is a popular beverage in Louisiana.
Of course there are many other wonderful drinks as well. During celebrations, and believe me, there are plenty of those, the drink of choice is usually a hurricane. Here is how to make one at home, if you so desire. But, there is only one true hurricane and that is found at Pat O'Brian's, or as we call it "Pat-O's"
Hurricane | |
| 1 oz Dark Rum 1 oz Light Rum 2 tsp Lime Juice 1 tbsp Passion Fruit Syrup Shake with ice and strain into glass. | Rating: 4 out of 5 |
Glass Type: Cocktail | |
There are a lot of beverages associated with the city, including Sno Balls, and our very own New Orleans Rum.
Back in the 40's and 50's there were 3 Louisiana Breweries in the city, only 1 survied. Do you know which one?
and 
We are also fortunate enough to have the greatest root beer on earth, made right here in New Orleans. Home of
. A lot of people don't realize that we have some pretty famous people born in New Orleans. The list is extensive, so I have just included a few. For example, Ellen Degeneres is a native to the crecent city. Then there is Harry Connick Jr., the Neville Brothers, as well as Marie Laveau, do you know who she is? And then there is the wonderful Dr. John.
There are so many things that I have not listed. Like the television show Morgus
Momus Alexander Morgus, also known as Dr. Morgus and Morgus the Magnificent, first shared his love of science to the people of New Orleans, Louisiana in 1959 and has been on and off various stations since then. He has also appeared in Detroit in 1964 and was once syndicated. He was the first horror host to star in a feature film, "The Wacky World of Dr. Morgus" in 1962.
And who could forget the Saints? Well, sometimes we can! LOL. No really, Archie manning once said, Do you know what it takes to be a Saints fan? I true love of the game, a loyality to your city, and a couple of loose screws.
Archie Manning
Here is an extensive list of everything you ever wanted to know about the Saints:
COACH'S
ROSTER HISTORY
SCHEDULE
SAINTS
INFO SUPERDOME DEPTH
CHART DITKA'S
PAGE ALLTIME
STATS SAINTS
TICKETS
PLAYER
PROFILES SAINTS
WATERING HOLES TSN-
PREVIEWS, LIVE SCORES & RECAPS
UNOFFICIAL SAINTS
SITES IRON-ERA
SAINTERNET
A
SAINTLY PAGE
BLACK AND GOLD
SAINTS'
DEFENSEDEAR
SAINTS FAN
GUMBY'S
"S" FILES
CHAD'S
SAINTS PAGE
UP
NORTH SAINTS PAGE
SAINTS
WATERING HOLES
MIKI'
SAINTS MAILING LIST
MIKE
EAGAN'S SAINTS PAGE
KC-BAGHEAD'S
SAINTS PAGE
SHAWN
O'NEIL'S SAINTS PAGE
Listen to the Saints Live here on KLIL KLIL radio.
Check the weather in New Orleans!
New Orleans Weather now!
Visit Virtual New Orleans, online!
Virtual New Orleans
What would a page be without links?
Well, here are some of the best links ever, when it comes to New Orleans. Enjoy!
If you are looking for some great recipes from the experts try this: Commander's Palace Recipes. A great time is always had at Tipitinas. No one, but no one, visits New Orleans without going to The French Quarter and you are always welcome at New Orleans Live!.
OH, and by all means, drop byBourbon Street Jazz for that sweet sound!Current 5-day weather forecast
A satellite image of New Orleans
N.O. Net: Destination New Orleans, from the Times-Picayune
Best of New Orleans, from the Gambit Weekly
New Orleans, A Virtual Library Excellent coverage of food, events, culture, tourism.
The Jazz and Heritage Festival Web server
WNOL, Channel 38
WWOZ
An excellent, community-run jazz and heritage radio station.
Greater New Orleans Freenet Events, local organizations and advocacy groups, and much more.
City Scene, New Orleans!
The crescent city scene.Bourbon Street Web Cam!
Live action for Bourbon Street, in the Vieux Carre`
An Insider's Guide to New Orleans, from Accesscom
The Official New Orleans Mardi Gras Page
Photos from the Audubon Zoo
LSU Medical Center's New Orleans Web server
A comprehensive listing of Louisiana Web sites, from
Nicholls State University
For those of you who are really interested in beer, not just from New Orleans, try this:
