Spring Recipes & Amy's in New Orleans!

Published: Fri, 03/21/25

Updated: Fri, 03/21/25

Hi there

Happy Spring! I know it's not feeling like spring in the Midwest. We feel pretty lucky to have missed a big snowstorm back home in Wisconsin.

CLICK TO LEARN ABOUT AMY'S GROUP TRIPS!

I'm waking up in New Orleans today. I'm so excited to be here with this fun group! We'll be eating our way around this amazing town!

GET ON THE LIST TO GET NEW TRIP ANNOUNCEMENTS!

This morning we're going to the famous Cafe Du Monde for coffee and beignets. We're taking two different food tours, one in The French Quarter and the other in the beautiful Garden District. We'll also be taking a cooking class. We'll learn to make some of the dishes The Big Easy is known for like shrimp 'n grits and bread pudding. I can't wait!

This weekend we're going to the Louisiana Derby! I've got my derby hat! It's going to be so fun! I promise to post lots of pictures from the food and fun this weekend in New Orleans. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

Contact me and let me know if you'd be interested in a trip to New Orleans next year.

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I love cajun and creole food! I've been to New Orleans several times and I've had the privilege of being in the kitchen with some of the best chefs here including the famous Paul Prudhomme. Alot of cajun dishes like my Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya are really quick and easy. Why not spice of the weekend and make it!

Even easier is my Weeknight Jambayala recipe. So much great flavor! It's like a party on a plate!

CHECK OUT THE RECIPE!

I know we're all so ready for sunshine, flowers and spring! Until then this Strawberry Spinach Salad just makes he happy!

It has a nice light homemade poppy seed vinaigrette dressing! I just shake it up in a jar.

This is my go-to if I need to bring a salad for parties or potlucks!

I bring the dressing in my jar and just toss it all together when I get there. Everybody LOVES it!

The buttery pecans make it extra special!

Craving a big beautiful salad for dinner? Top this with grilled chicken, steak or even shrimp! Click Salads for more of my favorites.

CHECK OUT THE RECIPE!

I love a good casserole! My friends in Minnesota call them a "hot dish." Call them what you want, but for me there's nothing better than a really good one!

My Shrimp Fettuccine Casserole is so good, it's company worthy. It's also perfect for a nice date night in! If I'm staying in on weekend night I always like to make a special dinner. It's my way to celebrate the weekend!

This casserole is also a great way to serve shrimp on a budget.

Got guests coming? You can put almost all of it together up to 2 days ahead and keep it covered in your fridge.

Then sprinkle the Parmesan cheese and breadcrumb mixture on top and bake it when you're ready. LOVE THAT! Click Casseroles and Dinner for more dinner winners!

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Sometimes a cheesy warm toasty sandwich really hits the spot.

I LOVE a goods tuna melt!

When is the last time you had one? Why not make my Baked Tuna Sandwich this weekend! It's so yummy! You gotta try it! It's one of my favorites! Perfect for Lent.

Click Sandwiches for more great sammie recipes!

CHECK OUT THE RECIPE!

Why not bake a big batch of soup this weekend! My Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Soup is AMAZING! Crazy easy too! It's loaded with shrimp, potatoes and corn. Just throw it all in your crockpot and a few hours later soup's on! We love this with crusty French bread so you can sop up every last bit of it!

Click Slow Cooker and Soups for more fun easy recipes your family will love!

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For dessert when I'm craving spring, I throw on an apron and bake my famous Lemon Poppy Seed Cake. It's one of my MOST POPULAR recipes! It's so easy and crazy delish!

Have the kids help make it! What fun!

Get those kids in the kitchen this winter!

Click Kid Friendly and Desserts for tons of recipes to get kids excited about cooking and trying new things! Desserts are an easy way to get kids in the kitchen! Then, next thing you know they'll be helping make breakfast and dinner too! LOVE THAT!

CLICK FOR MORE OF MY FAVORITE SPRING RECIPES!

Looking for more fun, fresh recipes for spring? I've put all of my favorites all in one place so there are easy to find! From Salads to Desserts and so much more. Just click Spring Recipes!

Let's Travel Together!

Have you heard I plan and host group vacations?

Let's make 2025 the best year ever and go to the places you've always dreamed about!

My trips are so special and so different from the rest!

The Cooking Mom Vacations are filled with delicious food, sightseeing, and tons of fun! I plan every detail!

We’ll stay in the VERY best hotels and my trips are all about the food! We'll go in search of the best! We may even take a cooking class or two!

CLICK FOR MACKINAC ISLAND TRIP DETAILS!

JUST A TWO ROOMS LEFT!

Have you ever been to Mackinac Island, Michigan? It's MAGICAL!

There are no cars on the island, just horses and bikes. It's like you've stepped back in time.

If you are dreaming of warm weather and summer, Join me June 5-9th for Lilac Fest 2025!

Now is the time to reserve your spot! This trip always sells out and it's filling up fast!

We stay at the most beautiful resort! Huge cooked to order gourmet breakfasts are included every morning. The food is amazing!

We'll get a behind the scenes VIP tour of the best fudge shop on the island and we'll get to try lots of different flavor of fudge.

There's a wine and cheese welcome party and dinner with your choice of fresh Lake Michigan Whitefish or steak. Plus, you'll have the option to add on a spectacular sunset sail under the Mackinac Bridge and a private carriage ride around the island!

This trip is SO SPECIAL! It's a GREAT VALUE with so much included!

Click The Cooking Mom Mom Vacation to Mackinac Island

for details.

JOIN ME IN ITALY THIS FALL! CLICK FOR DETAILS!

JOIN ME IN ITALY IN SEPTEMBER! JUST A FEW ROOMS LEFT!

I JUST ANNOUNCED THE TRIP ADD ON TO THE AMALFI COAST AND ROME!

If you’ve always dreamed of going to Italy, join me next year!

I've planned THE ULTIMATE TRIP!

It's THE BEST TRIP EVER!

We'll spend 8 days in Tuscany in a gorgeous 14th-century resort filled with so much history and charm.

We'll tour beautiful towns like Siena and Cortona, where the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" was filmed.

We'll tour vineyards and taste amazing wines. We'll even take 3 different authentic Italian cooking classes.

After our time in Tuscany you can extend the trip and stay a few more days to explore the gorgeous Amalfi Coast and then Rome!

Don't wait! These trips ALWAYS sell out! Reserve your spot today!

Click Join The Cooking Mom in Italy to read all about this trip of a lifetime and book your spot!

TIME IS RUNNING OUT! CLICK FOR CHARLESTON TRIP DETAILS!

It's still not too late for a spring getaway! Join me in Charleston

May 18-22 for 4 fabulous days filled with so much fun, amazing southern food, carolina BBQ, a carriage ride and lots more!

This trip is a GREAT VALUE with so much included!

Time is running out! Book your spot today! Click Join The Cooking Mom in Charleston for more!

NEW TRIP TO IRELAND! CLICK FOR DETAILS!

TRIP TO IRELAND IN 2026!

My trip to Ireland has it all! We'll even stay two nights in an 18th century Irish castle! You know me! I'm all about the food! We'll see all the best of Ireland and we'll enjoy AMAZING Irish food, beer and Whiskey too! We'll listen to live Irish music and see the best Irish dancers the world! You can even learn how to make Irish scones!

I worked so hard to make this trip a GREAT DEAL with so much included! Don't wait to reserve your spot! This trip will sell out!

I hope you'll join me for some serious Irish fun!

Click Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland in 2026 to read more and reserve your spot.

CLICK FOR NEW 2026 TRIP TO PUERTO VALLARTA DETAILS!

NOW IS THE TIME TO BOOK NEXT YEAR'S WINTER GETAWAY!

Join me next January in Puerto Vallarta! We'll fly out January 18th for 7 magical nights at a small beautiful boutique hotel, voted one of THE BEST in Mexico!

My travelers LOVE this trip and our resort!

This trip ALWAYS SELLS OUT FAST! It's a GREAT DEAL because our resort is all-inclusive. All your gourmet made to order meal and scratch made drinks at our resort are included!

Click Join The Cooking Mom in Puerto Vallarta to find out more and book your room!

CLICK FOR DETAILS ON MY 2025 CHRISTMAS MARKET TRIP !

JUST TWO ROOMS LEFT!

I LOVE Christmas! This year join me for my annual trip to Europe in December! We'll visit some of the most beautiful and best Christmas markets in the world!

Click Join The Cooking Mom in Europe for a Christmas Market Tour for the itinerary and all the delicious details.