Last Monday, I shared my passion for turtles – not the animal, of course... the cookie. The yummy chocolate-pecan-shortbread concoction that McKenzie’s, the now-defunct New Orleans bakery, used to make. Since McKenzie’s closed in 2001, I’ve done everything I can to reproduce the experience of savoring their turtles – from purchasing ill-advised cookbooks to trying the local Rouses’ supermarket version. But to no avail.Then, last week, my good pal Becky suggested that I try Tastee Donuts, a local donut shop that has apparently adopted some of McKenzie’s old recipes. So, yesterday, Dan and I located a Tastee Donuts in Metairie (just outside New Orleans), and we were thrilled to see a sign in the window, promising McKenzie’s cinnamon rolls. Where there were cinnamon rolls, there were bound to be turtles... right? Finally, Dan would be able to sample the delicacies about which I’ve been blathering for years.
But, alas, we soon discovered that the turtles on display had not been prepared from McKenzie’s recipe. They were instead Tastee Donuts’ own brand – and they were fairly unimpressive. In fact, as we each scarfed one down in the parking lot (yes, we were that desperate!), we quickly decided that they were worse than Rouses’ turtles. But then again, the jelly donut I also purchased wasn’t half-bad – a jelly donut that I’d like to dedicate to my pal Christine (she knows why!).Well, needless to say, the search is still on... So, what about you? Do you miss any particularly elusive childhood treats? If so, what?
6 comments:
Aw shucks! Sorry about that. Bummer. The donut looked good though! Believe it or not, I have had a horrible time finding okra. Yes, okra. I LOVE fried okra. Since moving away from the South, I have only been able to find it in a few grocery stores, no restaurants. I'm sure big cites carry it, but not the more rural areas that I have lived in. Of course there's tons of other N.O. treats that I miss, but okra is really something that I used to eat all of the time, and I could still eat it every day if given the chance. Maybe I can grow it here.....
Oh, I should add that much of my married life has been spent in search of the elusive Chicago pizza.... That's what my husband misses the most I think....
There was a candy bar I had in England -- I can't remember the name or even the taste anymore, but I think 100 Grands are pretty close.
No worries, Becky. I'm grateful for the idea - it was worth a try, though I'm beginning to think that Dan doesn't believe these mythical turtles ever existed. And, yes, I'm a huge fried okra fan. Only reason to go to Cracker Barrel these days. ;-) I'm thinking of growing okra next summer - I even like steaming it, slimy as it is. And there is nothing like Chicago-style stuffed pizza - Dan and I had to visit Giordano's on our last foray into the Windy City - and we've even ordered it from afar. Now, that's dedication.
Oh, Bane, I wish I could help you, but the only sweet that I remember from my brief stay in England were HobNobs, which Dan absolutely adores. Thank goodness they finally made it across the pond - or I'd have never heard the end of it. :-)
I miss Szilvas Gomboc - which is a Hungarian dumpling coated in cinnamon sugar and filled with a whole, lekvar plum. They are the best thing in the whole world! My mom used to make them ages ago, but they are a lot of work and she doesn't cook much Hungarian food these days.
She's American, but married a Hungarian, so she learned how to make all the Hungarian dishes from the other women in their circle of friends. She should write a cook book!
And, Laura, I'm going to have a jelly donut in your honor, too!
Mmm, Christine, that sounds amazing! I've never had Szilvas Gomboc before. I love ethnic treats, but I don't partake as I often as I should (on the other hand, maybe that's a good thing).
Enjoy your jelly donut! I feel very honored indeed. ;-)
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