Jedi Chef Travels: Parish 1807

Travelers are you feeling disappointed that you’re not strolling down Bourbon Street, taking in all the sights of Mardi Gras? Then I suggest you get down to the Katy Depot in Denison, Texas and try out the Parish 1807 Grill. The classic and simple feel of a southern New Orleans eatery, the sound of jazz and zydeco music playing overhead and a menu full of delicious options here is a place that can transport you to the French quarter for a evening of fun.

Chef Cuisinier Franklin's passion for food derived from his grandmother. After several years running a catering business, he decided to step it up and bring his family’s passion to the Parish 1807 Grill. Plaquemines Parish was founded in 1807 and because the Chef Cuisiner of the original was from one of the largest seafood ports in the world, the restaurant’s name evolved.

My party and I began our meal with a delicious crawfish lettuce wrap that was served with a sauce. It was so scrumptious; it could have been served as a stand-alone menu item. Talk about going from good to even better, our entrees consisted of several pounds of boiled shrimp spiced perfectly and a succulent bowl of gumbo.

We also enjoyed Catfish Plaquemines, fried catfish on a bed of angel hair pasta drizzled with a creole crawfish sauce. The fist was real catfish and not Swai, like some restaurants use. The finale of the night was The Anderson. Fried eggplant stuffed with a crabmeat au gratin drizzled with a cream butter sauce on a bed of angel hair pasta and veggie lagniappe.

No meal is complete without desert, and Parish 1807 delivered in that department, as well. My party and I finished off a fantastic meal with a decadent dessert. The Cuisinier Franklin Special is caramelized bananas served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on a seared butter cake.

So, when you need a trip to New Orleans try Parish 1807 Grill. It is just around the corner, and they guarantee to satisfy your cravings with authentic New Orleans flavors and spirits. Until you can make it to Denison to try the wonderful food offered at Parish 1807, here is a great dessert to try at home.

Bananas Foster

Ingredients:

1 stick salted butter

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 bananas 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1/2 tsp rum extract

Dash cinnamon

Vanilla Ice Cream, for serving

Instructions:

Melt the butter in a heavy skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the brown sugar. Stir together and cook for a minute or two. Pour in the cream and stir it around to combine.

Peel the bananas and slice them on the bias inside the peel. Drop the slices into the pan. Next, add the chopped nuts and stir them into the sauce. Then stir in the rum extract and then stir in the cinnamon at the end. Spoon it over a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream and enjoy immediately.