Satsumas

After that game yesterday, we all need something sweet to offset the bitter taste of defeat. Instead of another slice of Aunt Gertrude's pecan pie (which I love by the way), why not turn to Louisiana's most delicious citrus fruit: the satsuma. We're at the end of the season for these delicious and easy to peel orbs of goodness, so grab a sack of 'em before they're gone.

And if you're ever out and about in the Bywater and looking for a light lunch, Satsuma Café on Dauphine might be the spot for you. Open Wednesday to Monday from 7am till 3pm, this coffee shop serves short list of sandwiches, salads, and freshly squezed organic juices. While the underlying theme of the menu is fresh produce, I found the sandwiches' soft ciabatta foundation as the most memorable part of the meal. The fillings in the above MTB (mozzarella, tomato, and basil) were top notch, but the bread was the reason I craved more.

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Well, the bread and the fact the sandwiches are quite small, especially for $7. I realize that the ingredients are of the highest quality, but I would rather pay $10 for a bigger sandwich than leave hungry. I think one of my dining companions put it best after finishing his turkey with avocado mash, "Well, that was a nice appetizer."

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Satsuma Cafe - Par

Adventures in Economicalness: Orange Juice

Stop buying that sour plonk from your local supermarket. Don't you know convenience and taste meet amicably about as often as Hamas and Israel? And really who gives a darn about oranges from Florida? The only thing cool about Florida is the Flora-Bama, and half of that is because of Alabama.

Instead do this. Get yourself a reamer, juicer, this bad ass machine, or just work your forearms like you are 15 years old again. Head to your local farmers market or grocery store and pick up an eight or twenty pound sack of Louisiana Navel Oranges, satsumas, or other citrus products. I particularly like the L'Hoste family and their citrus products. A twenty pound sack of oranges cost me $18 dollars and it comes with a fashionable beach bag. That supply of oranges is about 3 weeks worth of fresh squeezed OJ every morning(using 1 orange per morning), plus enough for Sunday Screwdrivers. Also, you will have plenty of leftovers for my Louisiana Dreamsicle Cocktail. Instructions below.


Compare this to even the best "Fresh Squeezed" Orange Juices on the market. First off, it is sitting on a grocery store so how fresh squeezed can it truly be. Second, the taste is always too acidic for me, especially if you just brushed your teeth. Thirdly, the price is cost prohibitive topping out at around $5-$6 dollars for at most a four day supply. If you have $10-$12 a week to spend on orange juice than how the hell did you find this blog? Who do you think you are, Kid Rockefeller?

The taste of Louisiana citrus products has no earthly comparison. Sweet and smooth; you, not some corporate bail out artist, controls the pulp content of your nectar. Plus you will save a lot of room in your ice box. And that likely means lower energy bills.

So you see it just makes sense to buy local and squeeze it yourself. In case you were wondering, this entire post/rant was inspired because I had an orange for breakfast in my office. The smell of orange fled upwards from my trashcan all day inciting a near fanatical obsession with oranges. If someone would be kind enough to throw a winning lotto ticket in my trashcan, these economical posts can stop.

Louisiana Dreamsicle Cocktail

2-3 Oranges, Tangerines, Satsumas, what have yous, freshly juiced.
One tall rocks glass filled with rocks
3 fingers Catdaddy Moonshine
2 fingers Juice
Top with Grand Marnier infused whipped cream
Kick ass
Take names

Satsuma Wrestler

In honor of the Saints game in London, I attempted to homebrew a London Ale. Mr. Murphy and his legal expertise had other plans. The keg leaked, the CO2 fitting is busted, and the beer is cloudy at best, perhaps poisonous. Luckily, the British made other important contributions to boozing, including linking up scurvy prevention and citrus fruits.

So in honor of the downfall of scurvy and in celebration of an NFL that stupidly sends teams to Europe to play, the Satsuma Wrestler was born.

First, start with some fresh satsumas. You know where to find them. Juice about 15 of these babies. Then juice 2 Meyer lemons. Add in a half cup of simple syrup and mix the juice and syrup together. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

I added this juice to two alcohols. The first try was with the Famega Vinho Branca which has a slight carbonation to make a Satsumosa(You love these clever words, don't you?). The results were mixed; the wine's acidity only punched up by the citrus created a tarty drink.

Then the Polish Vodka came out to play. And after 3 of these, Donny Boy was floating, the Saints were winning, and even the Hounds were asleep. Coincidence? No, the birth of a tradition. From here on out, every Saints game will begin with Satsuma Wrestlers. If the whole city does it, we are going to the Super Bowl.

This drink would also benefit, I assume, from a splash of lemon lime soda water. But even without it, this cocktail will have you buying satsumas by the bushel.