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Houmas House Historic Estate and Gardens
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From the Kitchens at Houmas House
Mrs. Alice's Lasagna
SERVES: 6
2 pounds ground beef
1(8-ounce) package lasagna noodles
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups onions, diced
1/4 cup garlic, minced
1 tsp oregano
2 tsps parsley
2 tsps sweet basil
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
3 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup Ricotta cheese
2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. In lightly salted water, boil lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain, toss with a little olive oil to keep from sticking and set aside. In a 5-quart cast iron Dutch oven, brown ground meat over medium-high heat. Continue to chop and cook ground beef until it separates, grain for grain. After meat is well browned, approximately 20-30 minutes, add onions and garlic. Sauté 3-5 minutes or until vegetables are wilted. Drain the excess fat. Season with oregano, parsley, basil, garlic salt, salt and pepper. Add tomato sauce and tomato paste. Blend well into the meat mixture and bring to a low simmer. 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and adjust seasonings, if necessary. Add cottage cheese, Ricotta to the mixture. Once all is well blended, place a layer of sauce in the bottom of 9" x 13" baking dish. Add one layer of noodles and top with sauce and shredded Mozzarella. Repeat 3 times, leaving approximately 1/2-inch at the top of the dish for overflow. Sprinkle the top layer evenly with Mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
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Why Houmas House is in the Top 5 Places for Brunch in
Acadiana
The opulence of the Greek Revival, columned mansion and twin garconniere, massive bending oaks, fragrant magnolias and vibrant gardens have a breathtaking effect on those entering the gates of the 38-acre Houmas House plantation estate in Darrow.
Arrivals for Sunday Brunch at Café Burnside discover unparalleled interludes when strolling the storied estate.
It's easy to imagine Bette Davis on the balcony, filming "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte," or the opaque, wandering spirits still seen roaming the grounds as time passes imperceptibly.
Cool river breezes lead diners through picturesque paths to the elaborate brunch overlooking a courtyard and gardens ablaze with color.
Upon arrival, warm biscuits shaped like a dragonfly arrive with whipped cane-syrup pecan butter. The dragonfly biscuit symbolizes the omen that inspired owner Kevin Kelly to acquire Houmas House when initially touring the grounds.
A dragonfly landed, then lingered on Kelly's shoulder, convincing the developer to purchase the estate in 2003, meticulously restoring the mansion, and elaborately transforming the grounds.
Now that acclaimed Chef Jeremy Langlois has returned, the River Road Sunday brunch buffet is enhanced with bourbon shrimp fragrant with fresh herbs, veal grillades with stone-ground white cheddar grits, and slices of tender duck breast with a smooth praline-pecan glaze.
"I like brunch because Sundays have a more relaxed feeling," says Langlois. "It's the one day of the week you get to have a different kind of menu."
His a la carte menu features Chef's signature curried crawfish, pumpkin and corn bisque, a crawfish and brie omelet topped with a fried soft-shell crawfish and hollandaise, mouth-watering grilled tournedos of filet mignon accented with a wild mushroom demi-glace, and the artfully assembled eggplant Belle Rose, layered with jumbo lump crabmeat in a saffron cream sauce.
"Kevin has a tremendous vision for the property," says Langlois. "He is able to envision the future."
Kelly's amazing new 28,000-square-foot Great River Road Museum and Interpretive Center, currently under construction, is designed to recount life along the Mississippi, complete with a raised amphitheater, cafe and an arched bridge leading to Steamboat Overlook near a walkway, his most substantial "vision" to date.
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The Evolution of the Houmas Estate
1774- 2019
The Houmas residence began as a humble two-story structure in 1774, built by Alexander Latils and Maurice Conway, and is referred to as "The French House. It was constructed of brick and cypress with 18" thick walls on the first and second floors. The original cypress beams and rafters are still visible and today the building forms the rear of the mansion and is separated from the main structure by a carriage way.
The Houmas property had changed hands several times between 1774 and 1805, when two Englishmen acquired the plantation and began construction on a new home which they positioned just a few yards in front of the original French House. Known as the Donaldson House, it was a simple Louisiana cottage of brick-en-post construction with a center hall and four rooms. fronted with a colonnade and topped with a typical hipped roof, the cottage rested on brick piers about 3' above ground level. That structure remains today, encapsulated within the mansion and incorporates the present Dining Room, rear Center Hall, Billiards Room and parts of the Oval Room.
General Wade Hampton acquired the plantation in 1811 and began remodeling the Donaldson House in 1817. The house was enlarged at the rear and the colonnade was extended around the entire structure. It is also believed that an attic floor was added, as well as dormers and an interior staircase. Two of the 1817 columns remain within the carriageway of the house along with the original front door. The 1817 windows are still are still visible on the side elevations of the house.
In 1829 General Wade Hampton began construction on today's classic Revival structure- the Houmas Mansion. A grand colonnade was added with fourteen massive Tuscan columns, which rose on plinth blocks and towered upwards of two floors. The third floor of the mansion was hidden behind a large pitched and gabled roofline, pierced with seven classic revival pilastered arched dormers. The large roof of Houmas was crowned with the grand cupola and belvedere, allowing for an expansive view of the river, as well as the bountiful can fields and numerous plantation buildings.
Changing ownership several times from Wade Hampton to Williams Porcher Miles, in the 1890's the mansion was enlarged again by connecting the 1829 mansion to the French House in the rear. The carriageway was created between the two buildings and two addition bedrooms and a center hall were added to the second floor of the mansion. During the Miles period, the second floor housed seven bedrooms.
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Promotional Summer Rates for The Inn at Houmas House!
Staying at The Inn at Houmas House has become a sought out experience when visiting Louisiana. From the luxurious cottages to the bright gardens, this serene surrounding allows visitors to escape from a fast-paced schedule.
For a short time a summer weekday rate will be offered. With only 21 rooms available, don't wait to book your escape!
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As Seen by Princess Maggie
How many times do you return from vacation needing another vacation just to rest? I've always thought a vacation was time to relax, recharge and live in the moment. Maybe it's because here at my Sugar Palace I live at a slower pace and see people visit here to escape the busy city. I spend my days napping under the shade of mossy oaks and enjoying afternoon swims in the lily ponds.
A couple days at Houmas House offer you a retreat from all the noise and fast pace of every day life. Here, you get a glimpse of the day to day living of the antebellum ladies that fanned themselves under these very trees. And since we're just a hop, skip and jump from Baton Rouge and New Orleans, you may want to consider spending time here to recharge and relax. See you soon!
Much Love,
Princess Maggie
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Plan Your Visit
With so many options to choose from, let us help you plan out your visit to Houmas House. From mansion tours, to dining, to day trips from New Orleans, the options are plentiful.
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Open Daily
Cafe Burnside: 11AM-2PM daily
Latil's Landing: Wed-Sat 6:00pm-9:00pm
Sunday Brunch: 11AM-3PM
The Carriage House Restaurant:
Breakfast- 8AM-10AM
Dinner- 5PM-8:30PM
*Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day
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Houmas House Historic Estate and Gardens | 40136 Hwy 942, Darrow, LA 70725 | 9AM-8PM Daily |
225.473.9380
| www.HoumasHouse.com
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