by Laura Everage

Catch up on the past postings of the Family Eats Challenge:

• Family Eats Challenge Janet & Jim -Houston -1
• Family Eats Challenge Jim & Janet -Update 2
• Family Eats Challenge: Janet & Jim - Update 3
• Family Eats Challenge: Janet & Jim - Update 4 

Since our last update, Jim and Janet spent some time in New Orleans enjoying Mardi Gras. One of their favorite things to do while there was eat. 

Among the new foods they tried was Gumbo along with one of their favorites, Fried Green Tomatoes. The Andouille sausage in the Gumbo was also new to them, so they asked the waitress to tell them a bit more about it, so that they could better understand the flavor. Thy also enjoyed a steak with wine reduction sauce at Brennan’s Restaurant, raw and boiled shrimp, red beans and rice – which they learned in New Orleans the beans and sausage are not cooked together as they are in other parts of the country. When served, the beans sit atop the rice. 

As for this week’s challenge, Chef Miki is pleased with the progress, noting that Jim is getting used to trying most ingredients and seems to have conquered his aversion to trying new textures. 

This week, she offered up suggestions for Pan Seared Pepper-Crusted Pork Tenderloin and Baby Dutch Yellow Potatoes.