Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Red Beans and Rice Spring Rolls

Red beans and rice are a New Orleans Monday-lunch staple. I wanted to develop a way to serve them as a finger food at a stand-up cocktail party. In the end, I might like this version better than the sit-down original.

Ingredients

1 package eggroll wrappers (18-20 per package)

2 cups cooked red beans

1 1 /2 cups steamed white rice

Eggwash (1 egg, 2 Tbsp water)

Instructions

Heat oil to 350 degrees.

Combine the egg and water to form an egg wash.

Place red beans in a food processor, and pulse mixture briefly to roughly puree the beans.

Lay egg roll wrapper on a flat surface. Follow the manufacturer’s directions on the egg roll wrapper’s label for filling, using 1 1/2 tablespoon of the red bean mixture and 1 tablespoon steamed white rice. Seal egg roll with egg wash.

Fry in small batches until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and cut on the bias. Serve with Creole Tomato Dipping Sauce.

Yield: 18-20 spring rolls

Recent Recipes

Grilled Tripletail with Lump Crab and Chive Beurre Blanc

Tripletail has always been my favorite Gulf fish. The old-timers used to say, "If you can see a tripletail, you can catch a tripletail." They have this peculiar habit of floating near the surface around buoys, crab traps, and other floating objects, often lying on their sides and appearing almost lifeless. This behavior makes them easy to spot and, if you're quick with your cast, easy to hook. The meat is mild, white, and flaky—perfect for grilling. Pairing it with lump crab and a chive beurre blanc elevates this dish to something truly special.

Read more

Potato Gratin

Potatoes are the one vegetable I could never give up. Fried, roasted, mashed, or scalloped—doesn’t matter, they’re always on the table in one form or another. This gratin is my favorite way to make them feel a little more special. It’s rich, creamy, and just decadent enough to make it feel like you’re putting in some extra effort. There’s a good bit of cheese in this recipe, but that’s exactly how it should be. The combination of sharp white Cheddar, gruyere, and Parmesan gives it the perfect balance of nuttiness, creaminess, and tang. And using Yukon gold potatoes instead of russets makes a big difference. They have just the right amount of starch to get creamy without getting mushy. This dish is a showstopper on the holiday table, but I’d eat it on a random Tuesday without hesitation.

Read more

Orange Cranberry Muffins

These muffins are like Christmas morning in a bite—bright, citrusy orange paired with tart, bursting cranberries. The combination feels like something you'd find in a festive basket dropped off by a thoughtful neighbor. Perfect for Christmas gift giving or to have on hand for guests throughout the holiday.

Read more