Capital City Empty Bowls is an event hosted by Manna Meal, which is a soup kitchen whose purpose is to fulfill a basic human need – food.

"We are also an important entry point for connecting folks to other social services. Manna Meal's guests consist of homeless, mentally challenged, senior citizens, young families, public-assistance recipients, under-employed service workers, and people with health problems and/or disabilities."

Empty Bowls is a fundraising event where the public can purchase tickets and sample some of the area's best soups, while collecting a handmade bowl to go.

They offered two sessions:

• Lunch 11am - 2pm carry-out only $15
• Dinner 4pm - 7pm dine-in or carry-out $25

After perusing the Southern Food & Beverage Museum, I made my way over to Orleans Coffee House for a quick pick-me-up.

I opted for an iced latte, which was exactly what I needed.

Rich, sweet and bold: That was perfect to start my day in New Orleans.

Pralines are New Orleans' favorite dessert, and there are a few confectioneries who claim to sell the best ones.

But Southern Candymakers seemed to come with rave reviews, so I stepped inside to get my mitts on some.

The praline itself is a French confection, named after César, duc de Choiseul, comte du Plessis-Praslin, who some believe had his cook devise an almond-studded candy to woo his various love interests. Or perhaps it was his butler who created the treat to cure Praslin’s painful indigestion, or a clumsy cook knocking almonds into a vat of caramelized sugar. Either way, the praline became a hit in France. 

In Louisiana, where pecans — not almonds — prevail, the praline evolved thanks to the "culinary genius of African-American women," writes praline scholar Chanda M. Nunez, who credits those women with creating "the New Orleans praline as we know it." Even the New Orleans praline's shape — the way it hardens into a little brown puddle with pecans randomly jutting up across its murky topography — seems to evoke the swamp, if, say, it froze over and all its spooky cypress knees were forever preserved in time.

I ordered a praline: The quintessential New Orleans confection. We really do make the best pralines, using only the freshest cream, butter, sugar and premium jumbo pecan halves. We invite comparison with any praline, anywhere!



And I also got a tortue, which is a pecan-caramel patty swirled in chocolate. This may have been my favorite.

Which do you like?


Praline


Tortue

Mark your calendars for March 23: The Capitol Market Green Chili Shoot Out. Last year, I went and had a great time. And this year, I get to judge! Read more:

The month of all things green is near and that means Capitol Market’s Annual Green Chili Shoot Out is here!

Join us on Saturday, March 23rd, from noon until 4 PM, for one of the premier green chili cook-offs in the country! This event is a sanctioned cook-off with the International Chili Society. Please visit the official Chili Cook-off (www.chilicookoff.com) website to register and learn how to become an ICS member.

In addition to live music, kids zone, and over 30 craft beers, green chili cooks from all over the world will compete for cash prizes and a chance to go to the ICS World Championship! The best part is, you get to sample it all and vote on your favorites to receive the People’s Choice Award!

You can also participate in our team challenge this year and compete to win the $500 Team Challenge Prize! Bring your team of office crew, friends, neighbors, book club, anything goes. Make a statement by decorating your table with your team theme! If you have a team interested in participating, please contact nichole@capitolmarket.net.

Entry into the event and market is free. Beer tickets and Chili Sample tickets will be available for purchase.

A portion of our proceeds goes to the local Michael J. Fox Foundation affiliate, Charleston Parkinson’s Support Group.

New Orleans has been at the top of my to-visit places for a long time. And recently, I was able to convince my best friend Kaitlynn to join me.




I arrived early in the morning before I could check into our hotel, so I started my food adventure.

And first on my list was Central Grocery & Deli, which is home to the muffuletta.



A muffuletta is: The muffuletta is both a type of round Sicilian sesame bread and a popular sandwich originating among Italian immigrants in New Orleans, Louisiana using the same bread.








A traditional-style muffuletta sandwich consists of a muffuletta loaf split horizontally and covered with layers of marinated olive salad, salami, ham, Swiss cheese, provolone, and mortadella. Quarter, half, and full-sized muffulettas are sold. The signature olive salad consists of olives diced with the celery, cauliflower and carrot found in a jar of giardiniera, seasoned with oregano and garlic, covered in olive oil, and allowed to combine for at least 24 hours.

The line to get a sandwich is very particular and they want you to stand in a specific spot. So once we were reprimanded, we were able to go up to the front of the line and order the sandwich. I also got a bag of Zapp's VooDoo Chips, which are specific to Louisiana.

Voodoo flavor is a result of an accident. An employee was moving a pallet of spices off the top shelf, and dropped it. While cleaning it up, someone stuck their finger into the mixture of about 5 flavors and pronounced it great.

The sandwich, though. I took mine, went back to the dining area and munched on my sandwich while watching TV.

Think of the best Italian sub you may have had and times it by 100. First of all, the sandwich itself is huge. The bread is flavorful, and the meats are delish. The olive salad makes it, though.

Where's your favorite place to get a muffuletta?