When I lived in Cary, North Carolina, there was a wonderful little Jamaican Restaurant called Cool Runnings that had the most amazing Jamaican Beef Patties. I had tried other items on the menu and they were good too, but the patties were what I would drive back for in a snow storm, if North Carolina had “real” snow storms.

I am a huge fan of both hamburger and zucchini and this is a wonderful, inexpensive recipe if you have a family member or friend who grows zucchini. You know some one will plant it this spring so save this recipe for when they have so many they start giving them away…you know zucchini grows like wild flowers!!! This pie is perfect with a large green salad with lots of garden tomatoes.

There is one dish that really can make your life easier and it is the incredible edible pie. It matters not if it is sweet or savory, they are so easy to make it’s ridiculous. The key is… getting the filling right.

While living in Cary, North Carolina I served this pie to a group of students in my “History of Pie” class. It was an instant hit. The pie has no crust and if you are looking for something light, delicious and different, this is the pie for you. Yep, it’s made in a pie plate and is served warm from the oven as an appetizer or for breakfast. Leftovers are good served cold; and don’t worry about the carbs, remember this pie does not have a crust!

Mardi Gras is just around the corner, on March 5th this year and most visitors will plan to arrive no later than Saturday, March 5, 2011 in order to enjoy an extended weekend of festivities. If you have never been to New Orleans and you would like to “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (Let the good times roll) there is one place you must go and one chef you must see.