A Journey: Sinfully Tasty Pralines
New Orleans is known for its pralines (or, to be more specific “praw-leens”) which is a Southern treat that is enjoyed everywhere because of its sweet flavor and unique texture.
A short history of these delights goes back to when a French chef created a candy made of sugar and almonds that he named “The Praline.” When the French arrived in New Orleans in the 1700s they brought the recipe with them. Many years later female street vendors sold pralines (with pecans, not almonds) to make extra money. Soon this delicious specialty was accepted and loved by everyone – not just those living in New Orleans.
After a bit of digging, I came up with six praline shops – most have been around for many years -- all sell this delicious, and very popular, sweet treat. Here’s one shop that caught my eye.
LEAH’S PRALINES
714 St. Louis Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: 504-523-5662
“We have been around since 1944 and every day we make small batches of authentic New Orleans pecan pralines that include flavors such as rum and chocolate. We use Alabama pecans, Louisiana cane sugar, cream, milk and butter. We make our products daily so you’ll receive the freshest possible pralines. All of ours are individually bagged and sealed. Please eat yours within two weeks of receiving them – we trust that won’t be too difficult for you to do!” This is an excellent description of a business – friendly and to the point
A CLOSER LOOK:
I began by writing about three places that sell pralines. Then it hit me! I have never tasted a praline in my life. So, based on what I read about Leah’s Pralines I decided to focus on only ONE shop. That turned out to be a smart move.
Instead of sending an email, I decided to craft a letter to Leah’s – with links to recent NOLA blogs. On December 19th I wrote to Leah’s Pralines that outlined who I was (a writer) and what I intended to do: create a blog about Leah’s Pralines by sampling their products and – most important: I was willing to pay for whatever they sent. I also added that this was a heads-up. I would contact them again in January.
I didn’t have to contact them. On December 30th I received an email from Suzie Stokes who said, “I manage Leah’s Pralines and I am happy to send you a sampling of our candies.” I looked over the list and it looked terrific. I gave the go-ahead and on January 4th the order went out via UPS Ground. Total cost: $50 (including shipping).
THE FUN STARTS:
On January 8th, the pralines arrived! I raced down to the lobby desk in my NY building for the package – and it wasn’t there. You mean it came 1,300 miles and now it’s lost! After a hair-raising 15-minute search we double-checked all the addresses and found it. The doorman had written the wrong apartment number on the cardboard carton. I couldn’t wait to open the box! Everything was perfectly packaged and labeled, BUT of course I couldn’t sample any of it until we had our photo shoot.
This happened on January 11th and involved three different set-ups. I wanted easy-to-read descriptions WITH the product itself so I made 13 labels to go with each sample. At one point the black Sharpie pen started to go out so I told it to behave – and it did. I wanted a French Bistro look so I came up with a placemat that I had made and a tray that I had rescued from the trash. I had given it a new life with vibrant red paint and slightly risqué French decoupage images.
THE TASTING BEGINS:
My vote for NUMBER ONE is: Gone to Heaven, then it’s a tie for NUMBER TWO, Praline Frosted Pecans and Chocolate Fudge. Finally for a NUMBER THREE it’s Milk Chocolate Cajun Mud – both the name and the taste are irresistible.
I had the photographer sample these goodies also. Here is how she voted: NUMBER ONE for her was Milk Chocolate Cajun Mud, NUMBER TWO, Bacon Pecan Brittle and NUMBER THREE was Creamy Praline.
As you can see, Cajun Mud was the overall winner!
All praline photos by Kristen Bannister
CLICK HERE to read a fun blog titled, “March Celebrates the Irish.”
PLEASE PHONE, USE EMAIL OR CHECK THE WEB for the current hours of this charming praline shop.
WHY RATHBONE MANSIONS? Are you in the mood for pralines after reading this blog? Leah’s Pralines is in the French Quarter (roughly 15 minutes from Rathbone Mansions) on St. Louis Street. If you go further down St. Louis you’ll find that the hustle-and-bustle of the Quarter gives way to a quiet residential area.
Shaun Nelson-Henrick