A sample of the culinary expertise of our Executive Chef and staff. Enjoy sumptuous meals every day and for special occasions. Whether it is a wedding or our anniversary special parties, join us.

Cajun Popcorn

A yummy movie night treat!

Yield: 2-1/2 Quarts

2-1/2 quarts popped popcorn

1/4 cup butter, melted

1-1/2 teaspoon - McCormick's Cajun Seasoning

1 teaspoon - Lemon Pepper

Pour butter over warm popcorn. Combine seasonings, sprinkle over popcorn and toss to mix. Bake in 300-degree oven until crispy.

Classic Brown Sauce (Brown Gravy)

Servings: 2

1 package Brown gravy mix, as purchased

water per package instructions

For Beef

2 teaspoons rosemary, fresh chopped

1 tablespoon red wine, to replace some of the water

2 teaspoons tarragon, reduced in red wine

2 each mushrooms, sliced

1 teaspoon garlic, fresh chopped

1 ounce brandy or sherry, to deglaze

For Lamb

1 ounce Mint Jelly, for lamb sauce

For Asian foods such as: chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp

1/2 teaspoon ginger, fresh chopped

1/2 teaspoon garlic, fresh chopped

1 teaspoon orange juice, from frozen concentrate, not diluted

The classic version of brown sauce takes about 12 hours to reduce roasted veal bones, unless you can find it in specialty stores.

All of these variations can be cooked in the sauce, but for best results, on the Mushroom Sauce, sauté the mushrooms and garlic before adding the sauce mix.

Try all of the variations and have fun. Let me know what creations you come up with.

Yield: 8 ounces

Lemon-Thyme Cream Sauce

(This is a lower calorie sauce than using heavy cream. If you would like a more rich sauce, substitute 1 cup of heavy cream for the white sauce and reduce it to 3/4 cup, then proceed with the remaining steps.)

1 package Basic Cream Sauce Mix (from the sauce area of the grocery store, prepared as package instructions)

1/2 each lemon, zested

2 teaspoons fresh Thyme, chopped

1 pinch salt, to taste

1/2 pinch white pepper, to taste

Prepare the Basic White Sauce as per package instructions.

Add the zest of 1/2 of a lemon.

Add in the fresh chopped Thyme. Stir to incorporate.

Adjust seasoning with salt & white pepper.

Serving ideas: Excellent over grilled chicken and Angel Hair Pasta.

Per serving (excluding unknown items): 2 Calories; trace Fat (5.7% calories from fat); trace Protein; 1g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 34mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain (Starch); 0 Fruit; 0 Fat.

Tricks of the Trade Recipe

How to make a quick Gumbo or Ettouffee Sauce

(This is not our recipe for the Gumbo at Riverbend, but it works for home cooking!)

1 package - Knorr Classic Brown Sauce

Water - per package instructions

1 tablespoon - McCormick's Cajun Seasoning

Gumbo File - as desired

1. Make the Classic Brown Sauce per the instructions on the package.

2. In a non-stick skillet, lightly toast the Cajun Seasoning, (no oil). The fragrance will go from the raw and dry fragrance, to a Middle Eastern fragrance, and then straight into a nice Cajun fragrance. After the Cajun fragrance, it goes straight into the trash. So, be careful not to burn it. You can save this seasoning in an air-tight container until you need it.

3. Add as much of the seasoning into the Classic Brown sauce as you would like. Add diced celery, onions, bell peppers, Bay leaves, vegetables, and seafood, chicken, duck, Andouille sausage, crawfish, etc. Oh, yah! Don't forget the okra. The word "Gumbo" in Acadian means okra.

Happy Cooking! Happy Eating!

Kevin W. King

Executive Chef

The Importance of Trees
Set among 50 year old pecan and live oak trees, the golf course plays from four sets of tee boxes. The course has water on 14 holes and we maintain our greens at medium to faster speeds. Many mature trees line the fairways, and we continue to enhance the course every year with a yearly budget of $9,000 designated specifically for new trees.