Home At Last! with Patty Gironda

I've been recently struck by cravings for all things Louisiana. Upcoming shows include Louisiana Dirty Rice. . .one of my favorite side dishes of all times. Flavorful little bits of green onion, sauteed livers and chopped gizzards-or as I like to call them-Givers and Lizzards! And, since it's my "party", I decided I would indulge another craving for Seafood Soup. I've already steamed a half dozen Blue crabs and made a fish stock to simmer the crabs, shrimp, fish fillets and some Campari tomatoes. Simple, flavorful and "feels like home!" I'm thinking . . . Chocolate Martinis to round out the evening!

        The Biloxi-Gulfport International Airport celebrated the arrival of AirTran's new service from Atlanta to the Gulf Coast this morning with a formal water cannon salute by county and city firetrucks lining the tarmac. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau and IP Biloxi are hosting Home At Last! for a few days as we plan upcoming shows and an exciting deep-sea fishing trip for future episodes! I will be cooking one of my childhood favorites of deep-fried hardshell blue crabs-a recipe prepared by my father after learning the recipe from locals back in the 60's!