Third Coast Cuisine

When the Food Network first imported the Japanese cooking show Iron Chef, foodies everywhere were dying to see Emeril Legasse, then the face of the Food Network, head to Tokyo to go head-to-head with an Iron Chef.  A few years later when Food Network announced plans of producing an American version of the Japanese hit foodies again wondered if "Bam!" would echo through Kitchen Stadium.  Those original Iron Chefs were Bobby Flay, Morimoto and Wolfgang Puck.  Puck left and was replaced by Mario Batali and Cat Cora, but no Emeril.

So food fans clamored, maybe Emeril will "kick it up a notch" against one of his pals?  That never happened.  Then they added Michael Symon but no Emeril.  In fact, other than reruns, Legasse has all but disappeared from Food Network.  He took his act over to the sister Fine Living Network.  Parent company Scripps was hoping that Emeril Live could do for FLN what it did for Food Network.  It didn't.  Fine Living is headed for the scrap heap this spring in lue of the new Cooking Channel.

And while Food Network was searching for yet another new Iron Chef, Jose Garces', Legasse has been busy.  First there was Hurricane Katrina which effected Emeril's three New Orleans restaurants (Emeril's, NOLA and Emeril's Delmonico) and his corporate headquarters, Emeril's Hombase.  More importantly Legasse's new home in Bay St. Louis, MS was completely destroyed by the storm surge.  There was much rebuilding to be done.

After getting his New Orleans locals back on their feet, Legasse then turned his attention to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Mississippi saw far more damage from Katrina than New Orleans, yet the media all but ignored the good people of the Magnolia State.  Legasse did not.  Mrs. Legasse that is.  A native of Gulfport, she insisted that her famous husband open a restaurant in her hometown to help with recovery.  He did.  Emeril's Gulf Coast Fish House open in the Island View Casino in 2007.

Today Legasse has seven restaurants along the Third Coast (in addition to New Orleans and Mississippi he has three in Florida - two in Orlando, one in Miami).  Having learned a valuable lesson he has also opened six other restuarants that are far from near hurricane country, Bethlehem, PA (2) and Las Vegas (4).

In addition to expanding his empire, the famed chef has also added another TV show, Emeril Green on the enviromentalist network Planet Green.  On Emeril Green he trades in his trademark pork fat for wholesome, organic food.  He also has a radio show, Cooking with Emeril, on Martha Stewart's satalite station Martha Stewart Living Radio.


After nearly two decades of being America's favorite chef, Emeril Legasse is finally stepping into Kitchen Stadium.  His appearance is timed with the release of his latest book, Emeril 20-40-60: Fresh Food Fast.  It also brings Food Network full circle.  Bobby Flay and Mario Batali were virtually unknown outside of the New York dining scene when Legasse was the Food Network's anchor.  Drawn in by the theatrics of Emeril Live, viewers soon began watching other shows and before long the network had a metaphorical mir a poix in Flay, Batali and Legasse.

On January 3rd, Legasse will team up with Batali to take on the team of Flay and White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford.  Rumor has it first lady Michelle Obama (of White House Kitchen Garden fame) will make a guest appearance.

When people think of the Cuisines of the Third Coast, Asian food is probably the last thing that comes to mind. But the Third Coast has a strong Asian community. Immigrants from Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, to name a few, have found that their expertise in fishing and strong work ethic are tailor made for life along the Gulf of Mexico. Coastal diners not only benefit from their new neighbors acumen on the open sea but also from the fresh flavors they have brought with them.

Jaden Hair is Florida's poet laureate of Eastern Cuisine and she has just published a new cookbook born from her popular Steamy Kitchen blog. The author is currently in New York City in support of the release which includes appearances on The Today Show and the Martha Stewart Radio Show. She has an adventurous schedule over the next few months so until she makes it to your neck of the woods you'll just have to settle for this Press Release:

Photo courtesy of steamykitchen.com.

All this week we have seen several variations of this versatile and easy to make sauce. We have also looked at a number of uses for its creamy texture and luxurious bite. Now I would like to address one of the masters of Third Coast Cuisine and his use of rémoulades. I speak of course of Emeril Legasse, the man has a plethora of rémoulades rolling around inside his noodle. Here's a short list with links to recipes:

Rémoulade from Louisiana Real & Rustic
Fried Rock Shrimp with Two Remoulade Sauces from Emeril Live Episode: Great Beginnings
Emeril's Shrimp and Avocado Salad with New Orleans-Style Remoulade Sauce & Baby Greens courtesy of MarthaStewart.com
Artichoke and Crab Beignets with Remoulade courtesy of emeril.com
Shrimp Remoulade from Emeril's Delmonico



Thanks for joining this week it has been fun.