A New Orleans Tradition

     No trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to the Cafe du Monde for some cafe au lait and a beignet.  It is the signature meal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the French Market restaurant.  Beignets are simply fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar, not unlike the Pennsylvania German fastnacht (see VinnyPost Feb 21).  The term, sounding very French, also has Celtic and Spanish linguistic counterparts.  The recipe was transported to The Crescent City by the Acadians and remains a favorite of tourists and residents alike.

     Cafe au lait is a strong roasted coffee with chicory added that is blended with hot milk in a half to half ratio.  Originally the chicory was added to stretch the coffee blend and has now become an integral part of the brew.