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Review : If You Can’t Stand the Heat; a New Orleans Firefighter’s Cookbook

April 18, 2013 By Danielle Hatfield 2 Comments

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Robert Medina If you can't stand the heatI recently chatted with Robert Medina, a retired New Orleans Firefighter and author of “If You Can’t Stand the Heat…A New Orleans Firefighters Cookbook” on twitter.

You guessed it, we were talking about food. His Bloody Mary recipe to be more precise!

I soon found out that Robert had developed Firehouse Flashover Creole Seasoning over 30 years ago. Robert thoughtfully sent me a sample and let me tell you that this seasoning it exactly what I think of when I remember the depth of flavor and spice of New Orleans food.

Even better than the seasoning is his story.

Robert came from a family of Firefighters and was known to use his seasoning and test recipes on fellow firefighters during his 24 years on the NOFD. Let me tell you that his passion for damn good food is on every page of the cookbook he sent me.

The Sauces, Stocks, and Seasonings section alone makes this book worth its weight in crawfish and corn. To say I had a hard time deciding what to make first is an understatement. There are so many amazing recipes that you just don’t find easily (at least I don’t!)

Being the HUGE okra fan that I am, I decided to go with Bob’s Smothered Okra and Tomato with Shrimp recipe (Page 142) and my house had never smelled SO good! Not only did I enjoy the finished dish, but I enjoyed the reminder of how to slow down and savor the process of making a meal memorable.

Smothered Okra and Tomato with Shrimp

I cooked Shrimp/Seafood stock (page 57) for the first time, and instead of being intimidated, Bob’s friendly walk through made the process fun. The stock was a vital ingredient to the Smothered Okra and Tomato with Shrimp recipe but a word to the wise, beware of the white onions, they will set you back a good 15 minutes in serious eye pain. This video should help you avoid the hurt:  How To Cut An Onion Without Crying – Huffington Post.

Another crucial ingredient to this recipe is applewood smoked bacon. I’m not kidding when I say that we cooked the whole package of bacon even though we only needed four strips. What can I say? I’m bacon’s bitch.

As I flip through the recipes to pick my next culinary adventure, I understand the little touches that give these dishes the complexity that is usually only found in NOLA dishes. One of those touches is Bob’s Firehouse Flashover Creole Seasoning.

author-robert-medina-cookbookBe prepared for a few fun cocktail recipes from me. I can’t wait to host a martini mixer and rely on my favorite brave taste testers to help perfect them!

The one thing I love about discovering a new product, like Bob’s seasoning,  are the recipes of my own that are inspired. (I can’t wait to experiment this weekend!)

If you are on Twitter, give @MedinaLite a follow, like him on Facebook and for heaven’s sake buy a copy of ‘If You Can’t Stand the Heat’ a New Orleans Firefighter’s Cookbook*. Oh, and don’t forget to ask your local grocer to carry Firehouse Flashover Creole Seasoning, a Certified Product of Louisiana.

*Part of the proceeds from each copy of this book sold will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

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Filed Under: Recipes, Reviews Tagged With: 'If You Can't Stand the Heat' a New Orleans Firefighter's Cookbook, Firehouse Flashover Creole Seasoning, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Robert Medina

About Danielle Hatfield

Owner/Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm - DIYs, recipes and sharing my 2 cents on social media

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I love to share recipes, DIYs, and my two cents on social media.

I am also proud to be the Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm where I have worked with my partner and husband Brandon Pierce since 2009.

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I love #DIYs, #recipes, and sharing my 2 cents on social media.

daniellehatfield
My next #FurnitureRestoration project! 😍 This My next #FurnitureRestoration project! 😍

This gorgeous carved #RockingChair is in need of some serious TLC. 

Someone had the brilliant idea of using screws instead of replacing the dowel on the arm. That decision led to many problems including a decorative piece on the broken arm that snapped. 

I’m so fortunate that this beautifully carved chair made its way into my life. (I think it’s walnut wood)

It’s been a few years since I’ve restored anything and I miss the peaceful ritual of bringing a once broken piece back to life. 

I often wonder about the people who made furniture like this and who it was made for. 

I imagine this rocking chair near a window on a sunny day - the perfect spot to knit, sew, or read a book. ❤️
#SmallKindGestures always brighten my day and remi #SmallKindGestures always brighten my day and remind me that I am loved. ❤️

@thebrandonpierce thoughtfully shared this beauty with me today. 😍 

Our small #CottageGarden is slowly waking up from its winter slumber and I can’t wait to see all of the blooms this year. 

I’m *really* excited about our plans to update some of our flower beds 
with a mix of flowers, herbs,  grasses, and vegetables.

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My #handsewn kitchen curtains are finished! I lo My #handsewn kitchen curtains are finished! 

I loved spending time over the weekend on this #handmade #SewingProject. 🧵

The #RecycledFabric was once part of a bed skirt and I’m so happy that it has finally found a new life. ❤️
🧵 #HandSewing gauzy curtains for the kitchen an 🧵 #HandSewing gauzy curtains for the kitchen and watching #MurderSheWrote.  I’m in heaven. ❤️

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A little #WatercolorLandscape I did this morning o A little #WatercolorLandscape I did this morning over coffee. 

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“She could be herself, by herself. And that was “She could be herself, by herself. And that was what now she often felt the need of - to think; well not even to think. To be silent; to be alone.” - 
Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse

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HELP! #WhatIsThisThing? An #EggWhisk? A #YarnWin HELP! #WhatIsThisThing? 

An #EggWhisk? A #YarnWinder? Something to do with #canning? 

It’s been hanging in the kitchen for about 3 years and I still don’t know what it is.😩
So I’ve started painting with #watercolor recent So I’ve started painting with #watercolor recently. 

It’s been years since I’ve painted anything but walls or furniture. 

I’m enjoying the challenge of being a #watercolorbeginner - I’m watching tutorials, making mistakes, and enjoying the quiet time I spend being creative. ❤️
😍 Cold rainy days call for serious #comfortfood 😍 Cold rainy days call for serious #comfortfood! 

I whipped up a batch of my #BeanlessChili yesterday and could not wait to make @thebrandonpierce and I some fully loaded #chilicheesefries. 🤤 SO MUCH YUM! (and the chili is even better on day two) 

I may or may not be able to move... send more jalapeños. xxoo
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