Giving Tuesday: Eat, Give & Be Grateful!
Seasonal Gratitude in Port Arthur, TX
The holidays are underway, and we reflect on the abundance in our lives and the traditions that bind us together. In Port Arthur, the holiday season isn’t just about gathering around the dinner table but also about sharing our blessings and giving back to our community. In this spirit, we celebrate with a beloved Cajun recipe, Maque Choux, that brings generations of family flavors to our holiday feasts. We also highlight the importance of community support through the Hospitality Center and others, which stand ready to assist those in need.
Join us as we embrace the themes of nourishment, generosity, and gratitude, making this holiday a time to truly reflect on the beauty of giving and the joy of togetherness. 🫶
Cajun Maque Choux Cher! 🌽🫑🧅🧄
Maque Choux is a smothered corn dish that reflects the heart and soul of Cajun cooking. Morgan Talbot shares her mother, Denise Talbot’s, cherished recipe, which has been lovingly handed down from her mother-in-law, Mary Broussard Talbot.
In Denise’s low-key famous cookbook, she writes:
“This is a wonderful smothered corn dish that was near and dear to my husband, Barry, and my children, Jarrod, Devin, and Morgan. I learned to make it from Barry’s Mom, Mary Broussard Talbot. She said to start with fresh spring corn, slicing off the very tips of the corn after shucking it. Continue to slice little slivers of the corn until you hit the cob. This helps bring out the ‘milk’ in the corn. I have used frozen corn for this, but it isn’t as good as fresh spring corn. Heat a little oil or turkey bacon in a black skillet on low. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and tomato (you can also use Picsweet Seasoning mix) with garlic powder, Tony Chachere’s, and bay leaves. Smother this down a little until wilted. Add in corn. Smother and keep turning as the corn browns. DO NOT BURN! Add a little butter IF needed. Serve as a wonderful side dish to any main dish!”
“A lot of restaurants claim “authentic maque choux”, but honey, if it’s like creamed corn, that ain’t it!” says Denise.
This holiday season, consider adding Maque Choux to your table for a taste of Cajun tradition that’s sure to bring warmth and flavor to your celebration. Full recipe here
Ways to Give Back: The Hospitality Center in Port Arthur
As we gather around our tables, let’s remember those in our community who may need a helping hand. The Hospitality Center in Port Arthur is open all year round and serves lunch daily from around 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. They provide meals to anyone in need, whether temporarily struggling, unemployed, disabled or unhoused.
The Center is a beacon of hope, ensuring no one is left behind. They welcome volunteers to help with cooking, cleaning, and serving. Consider lending a hand if you want to make a difference this holiday season. The Hospitality Center is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and would greatly appreciate your support.
Other ways to Give Back, Volunteer your time and Donate in Port Arthur:
- Community Care Prayer Outreach
- Southeast Texas Food Bank
- United Way of Mid and South County
- United Board of Missions
Join a Port Arthur Community Service Club, like:
Gratitude List: Celebrating Community Progress
This Christmas, we also want to express our gratitude for the positive changes happening in Port Arthur. Here’s what we’re thankful for this year:
- New Wayfinding Signs: These signs were recently installed around the city to help visitors navigate and explore our vibrant community more easily.
- New Visitors: As of October 3st, we’ve welcomed an estimated 1,143,839 visitor trips and seen 2,218,520 visitor days to Port Arthur, discovering all that our beautiful city has to offer.
- New Playground at Pleasure Island: The playground, designed to resemble a pirate ship, is a fantastic addition for families and promotes play and adventure.
- Reviving Central Mall: With new tenants and revitalization efforts, Central Mall is again becoming a hub of activity.
- New Southeast Texas Food Bank in Port Arthur: We’re thrilled that just today – December 3rd, 2024 – the SETX Food Bank as celebrated the grand opening of their newest pantry location. For details on the new and existing locations, click here.
As we gather this Holiday Season, let’s celebrate the food, community, traditions, and opportunities for giving back that make Port Arthur a wonderful place to call home. Happy Holidays from the Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau!
Already dreaming of your next amazing autumn adventure? Port Arthur is just the place for you. With its first-class birdwatching, fishing, and other ways to enjoy some time outdoors, it’s the perfect destination for when you need to get away. Plan your Port Arthur visit here.
