Savory Bites

...offering tidbits of information on interesting discoveries in the food and wine scene of New Orleans.

Satsuma Cafe in the Bywater - Looking for fresh, local ingredients served to you in a cool, funky, New Orleans atmosphere? We took a break from the Jazz Fest crowds on Friday and snuck out for a quick lunch to check out this great little spot in the Bywater. Eclectic art, lots of recycled furniture and a colorful palate, give you lots to look at as you patiently wait for your food to be prepared in the open kitchen behind the counter.


The menu board offers everything from freshly squeezed juices recipes concocted from local produce, creative breakfast dishes, sandwiches and salads at great prices. We started with shots of wheat grass juice, followed by the kale salad made with lacinato kale, shaved fennel, tomatoes and crispy bacon served up with just the right amount of their delicious house made parmesan dressing. We also split the MLT sandwich made with fresh mozzarella, basil pesto spread, tuscan salami and dressed with garden fresh lettuce and tomatoes, of course served on home made bread.


An awesome, light, healthy lunch followed by a great cup of espresso. Why oh why don't we have something like this in Mid City???


Satsuma Café, 3218 Dauphine St. (504) 304.5962. Open Daily 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. They get much of their produce from Hollygrove Market & Farm.

Tender & Delicous Sauteed Kale

Lately I have really been craving my green leafy veggies and kale has been at the top of my list! Kale can be hard to get right but I've found that blanching first takes the bitterness out, makes the tough greens super tender, and somehow locks in a beautiful, deep green color that’s better than what you started with! It is chock full of vitamin A, and has respectable amounts of calcium, iron, protein, potassium, and vitamin C, not to mention all the phyto-nutrients in that dark green pigment! Try this, I've even had two teenagers tell me they never knew kale could taste so good!

Ingredients
1 bunch of kale
3 gloves of garlic chopped
olive oil
salt and pepper

Directions
*Bring a very large pot of salted water to a boil. While you are waiting for the water, rinse the kale and cut an inch or two of the tough stems off of the bottom.

*Add the greens to the boiling water. Put the lid back on. Bring it back to a boil as fast as you can, and watch the greens intently. They probably only need about 3-4 minutes. When they’re almost tender enough to eat, strain them into a colander and run cold tap water over them to stop the cooking.

*Take out the greens and cut roughly into strips lengthwise about 1" wide. Put back into the colander to finish draining while you prepare the pan.

*Take a large saute pan and add enough olive oil to really coat the bottom of the pan. Heat over a medium flame, add garlic and cook until soft, watching that it does not burn. Add the greens and saute in the oil for a few minutes under tender. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve!