Voodoo Rice and Beans Recipe

That's right.  Voodoo rice.  I had the pleasure to visit New Orleans earlier this year.  As most of us know, New Orleans is famous for it's history, spiritualism, parties and, of course, food.  I remember that everything I had to eat there was so good that I was sad to leave. I was lucky enough to have this spicy, exotic dish on my visit there.  The locals are very open and friendly and they like to share some of their culinary secrets.   Here is what they shared with me.

Voodoo Rice and Beans 


Ingredients
1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 cup rice
1/4 cup red pepper, chopped
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup of vegetable stock
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of corn
Hot pepper sauce to taste

Saute' onions & seasonings until onions are soft.  Add remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer about 20 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  Eat!

Some of you will want meat with this.  That's perfectly reasonable and very easy to do.  You can replace the vegetable stock with chicken stock and add some meat pieces of your choice.  For the siren clan, the best thing to put in is shrimp.  The locals at New Orleans swear that shrimp is the best meat to have with this meal.  However, for all you shape-shifters out there (especially werewolves), get yourselves a fresh cut steak and cook it rare.  The last time I checked, that is how you prefer it. 

This dish is great for a casual night at home when you feel the need for a little adventure.  I recommend having this dish with a lovely chilled rose' wine and a fresh garden salad.  The cold wine and the crisp salad are nice counterpoints to the heat of this dish.  Every mystic knows that a great meal is all about balance.  That is the secret to a magical meal. 

For more on my New Orleans experience, See:

http://earthrealmguide.blogspot.ca/2015/02/new-orleans-post-1-food.html
http://earthrealmguide.blogspot.ca/2015/02/new-orleans-post-2-shopping.html
http://earthrealmguide.blogspot.ca/2015/03/new-orleans-post-3-museums-and-culture.html
http://earthrealmguide.blogspot.ca/2015/03/new-orleans-post-4-tours.html
http://earthrealmguide.blogspot.ca/2015/03/new-orleans-post-5-mardi-gras.html

New Orleans Post 4 - Tours

This is one of the great things about New Orleans.  A variety of tours that talk about its colorful history.  The best tour and the one that everyone should take (especially you mystics) is The Voodoo Bone Lady Ghost Tour.   It is an amazing adventure that takes you around the French Quarter.  You are going to learn about all kinds of spirits.  Ghosts of a wealthy heir and his mother, former slave owners who's cruelty still haunts a historic building, a curse that causes injury and a mass murder that seems to still go on today.  I don't want to give away too much of these stories as the lady who shared this with us made it so entertaining that I think she should be the one to share these stories with you.  I will tell you that these tales are dark, scary, freaky and fun.

 <---feeling ominous yet?

Well one thing for sure, you won't be bored and you will get some really good exercise.  You will also hear stories about zombies, how they may have come to be zombies and how some people are mistaken for zombies.  (pretty cool stuff).  Still I was really fascinated with the stories of the vampires and how they made their home in New Orleans.  I wouldn't mind hearing more about them  because it still seems like a mystery to me of how and why they came there.  Anyone know more about this?

<---This is where the vamps came to be.

 

Anyway, this fabulous evening we got to stop at many interesting and lovely places but the one that I remember most is our brief bathroom visit to the Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop.  This place I have to say is a very fascinating place.  It is as dark and mysterious as it sounds but it is also airy and very down to earth.  The only light you will find in this place are the candles that sit on the tables.  Very moody atmosphere.  In other words, a good place for ghosts, vampires, werewolves and other nightly creatures to have some fun.

 

A great time, an entertaining host that will give you two voodoo spells at the end of the tour and an experience you will never forget.  Now be sure you keep this in mind especially if you happen to be here for the first time: As this is a ghost tour this will take place in the evening because they often do and who knows?  You might catch a glimpse of the paranormal.  In fact, I think I might have caught an old friend of mine from the Netherworld.  Check it out.

<----The mist in the picture.  Ghost or photo error?

I took another tour earlier in my trip.  This was in the Garden District that I booked through in my hotel.  Here you will see the gorgeous houses of famous celebrities like Nicholas Cage, Sandra Bullock and John Goodman.  You get a little history and see the tombs of Lafayette Cemetery and why it's better to have tombs as opposed to coffins (New Orleans is below sea level so the coffins rise).  Where certain movies such as D'Jango Unchained and the Curious Case of Benjamin Button are filmed.  And I tell you, the architecture of these homes are just stunning.  So yes I would spend a day checking out this tour.  Our guide is very entertaining, educated and knew where some good places were to eat. 

 

 

Besides I could not resist seeing the house where famous novelist Anne Rice lives.  So if you are in New Orleans, check out these tours because they are amazing.  You will learn so much in so little time and lets face it my mystical friends. "Knowledge and Wisdom is power."  whether its the history or knowledge of ghostly residents, take the time to check them out.  You won't be sorry. 

New Orleans Post 2 - The Shopping

When it comes to shopping, you only need to be in one area... The French Quarter.  Everything and anything you need is in this area.  What do many people (mystic or otherwise) look for when on vacation?  The answer is Souvenirs (of course).  The best way to find something is right down Bourbon Street.  Down here if you are looking for just your typical T-Shirt or an atypical piece of art, this is the place and for really good prices.  My favorite store down this street is a small shop called Yesteryears.  This cool little shop is run by a cool, friendly local who has everything here from beautiful jewelry to gorgeous local artwork. 

  I could not help but buy a gorgeous painting made by a woman named Marrus.  She has quite the gift of making these beautiful, otherworldly pictures that not only scream out to you but somehow bring a little magic into your life.  I recommend you check out her website:  www.MarrusArt.com.  Now back to Yesteryears, you will find the unique and wonderful.  A gift from this place will make anyone in your circle smile.  The owner is a very interesting lady herself.  She is very knowledgeable and willing to help out a customer looking for a special something.  Plus she is a hoot, she knows some really funny stories so be sure to listen to a few.

 

Now if you want to get something really unusual, go to a voodoo shop.  You will find things there that you will not find in too many places. 

 <-----This one I thought was the best one.  It has all things Voodoo and then some.  There are books, sachet bags and yes Voodoo dolls.  All of these I am told can be used but I recommend to use with discretion.  If you don't know what you are doing, lets just say it could create a mess.  Still to any person or someone in your life who likes skulls this is the store for you. 

 

One of the top stores that people want to visit are the antique, jewelry and vintage stores.  There are many good ones but I have to admit that my favorite one was Trashy Diva.

   

Not only is it a store filled with Vintage clothing, it is a store that captures your imagination.  Each article of clothing is waiting for someone to take it to an exciting New Orleans event like a Jazz club or a fancy Mardi Gras Ball.  These are outfits meant to create memories.  It's not everybody's style to do vintage but it is in everybody's interest to have some fun and this store is. 

 

If you prefer something a little more high class and sophisticated, check out Violet's NOLA.This store has some beautiful dresses that screams movie star and posh.  So don't wait for your dream dress, get it here. 

 

Now sometimes there are people who don't want clothes of any kind or who are just hard to shop for.  There is a really nice place to go that sells crystals, aromatherapy and fossils.  This store is called Earth Odyssey.  You'll find some lovely all natural gifts that are both unique and thoughtful.  The idea of bringing nature and magic together is a Mystic's way of life.  Now this place will bring our old home of the Netherworld into this world.  And if you feel the need.  They have some very good psychic readings here.  After all, you can't come to New Orleans without considering getting a tarot card reading. 

 

So yes.  Shopping is a good way to spend at least one day of vacation on especially when you want to bring some of your experiences home with you and to share with the ones you love.  This city is a good place to shop no matter what your style, tastes or interests.