Backbone Stew
Backbone Stew is more than a meal—it reflects the people who make it. It’s an intimate dish made for family gatherings and Sunday suppers, where the chatter around the table is as important as the food on it. It’s a dish for when things aren’t perfect, but you make do when you take the scraps…
Fried Whole Catfish
Fried crispy golden brown, the taste and texture of eating catfish close to the bone is a rare treat these days. But with this recipe, I’m out to bring back an almost forgotten dish. There was a time in my youth that dining out for dinner usually meant a road trip. Small-town life in the 50s … [Read More...]
Chicken and Smoked Sausage Gumbo
It’s Fat Monday, ya’ll! Lundi Gras (French for Fat Monday) ramps up the Mardi Gras holiday with a full schedule of parades, balls, and of course, the Courir de Mardi Gras—the rural Cajun celebration before the beginning of Lent. Break out your capuchon (a cone-shaped ceremonial hat), don a … [Read More...]
Coq Au Vin – My Tribute to Julia Child
“I love cooking with wine – sometimes I even put it in the food!” - Julia Child One tough old bird. No, not Julia. Although she certainly was, I have too much respect to talk in those tones when paying homage to the one-woman, gastronomic tour de force that wrote Mastering the Art of French … [Read More...]
Blueberry Basil Pastry
Fresh blueberries rock my world. And when jammin’ with sweet basil and stuffed inside a crispy pastry, I just can’t get enough. I can assure you this Blueberry Basil Pastry will rock your world, too. You might call these turnovers, tarts, or even a hot pocket, but by any name, they are the … [Read More...]
Boudin King Cake
Year after year, my Boudin King Cake is the top Mardi Gras recipe on Acadiana Table. And could this Boudin King Cake recipe be easier? Well, actually it could if we did a 1-minute video to demonstrate how simple it is. Take a look and then scroll down for all the details. There are many great … [Read More...]
Seafood Bisque
With its creamy depth of seafood flavor accented by white wine and the rich flavor of artichoke hearts, my Seafood Bisque is a rich and decadent Louisiana dish that is as historical as it is delicious. This Seafood Bisque is what I like to call “Haute Creole.” It’s a classic, time-honored, … [Read More...]
Peggy’s Skillet Fried Chicken
Peggy is my momma. She passed away some time ago, but not before I learned her secret to the perfect fried chicken that I affectionately call Peggy's Skillet Fried Chicken. She was a wiz in the kitchen and taught me the basics of cooking simply. She was a patient cook and knew that time was the most … [Read More...]
Pork Sausage in Roux Gravy
This week calls for record snowfall in South Louisiana, so warming up with a delicious, classic Cajun dish is the best way I know to survive an Arctic blast. You won’t find a rural Cajun lunchroom that doesn’t have sausage and gravy on the steam table. The dark roux gravy clings to the chunks of … [Read More...]
Black Bean Soup
I’ve had a lifelong Latin love affair with frijoles negros (black beans)—a dark and mysterious recipe that I just can’t get enough of. And once you’ve loaded a spoonful of my steaming hot Black Bean Soup topped with a cold dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of red onions and chopped cilantro, … [Read More...]
Orzo, Shrimp and Kale Salad
More and more, I see orzo pasta showing up on the Acadiana table of folks who didn’t even know it existed a few years ago. Cajun and Creole home cooks are a stubborn bunch who hold to Cajun recipe tradition more so than most cultures. But in my Orzo, Shrimp and Kale Salad recipe, this ingredient … [Read More...]
Cajun Cabbage Casserole
Just in time for your New Years' menu planning, this meaty side dish keys on the flavor of cabbage smothered down in a smoky, spicy casserole. Unlike any cabbage dish you’ve tasted before, this one will call you back for seconds. Cabbage plays a popular role in Cajun and Creole cooking with … [Read More...]
Baked Mirliton Squash with Shrimp Stuffing
Just in time for Christmas, this just might be the perfect South Louisiana dish. Whether as a side dish or a main course, these shrimp-stuffed mirliton are delicious. I like how the smokey tasso ham balances the briny taste of the shrimp in this mirliton stuffing. Come to think of it, I'm not … [Read More...]
A Christmas Tradition: Crown Roast of Pork
Christmas dinner menu planning is underway, and on my Acadiana table, there is no more dramatic presentation than a crown roast of pork in all its regal glory. This cut of meat always wows your guests for several reasons. Beyond the center-of-the-table showcase for the roast, the meat surrounding … [Read More...]
Pomegranate Spritzer
Just in time for the party season, I'm bringing back my favorite drink recipe. If ever there were a drink to define the holidays, it is this Pomegranate Spritzer: the colors of red and green, the fragrance of fruit and evergreen, and the taste of a sweet present under the tree. This Pomegranate … [Read More...]
Braised Beef Shanks with Parsley Pecan Pesto
Let’s cut to the meat of this story--whole sectional cuts of beef are irresistible to me. They harken back to pioneer days and more rustic farm-style butchering techniques. But beef shanks are rarely seen whole in the supermarket. My guess is that retailers fear that timid customers will panic … [Read More...]