Mini Bell Peppers Stuffed with Crabmeat
Ripe mini bell peppers, when blanched in salt water, lose their raw taste and take on a sweetness that pairs perfectly with crab. With a light hand on the seasoning, a bit of egg, and a handful of bread crumbs to bind it all together, with these Mini Bell Peppers Stuffed with Crabmeat you’ve got…
Cajun Smoked Wings
These Cajun Smoked Wings take flight in a combination of Korean and Cajun spices with a dark and smoky taste that blends the best of both cultures. If you're tired of the same ol' chicken wing recipe, then read on and discover this flavor-filled combination. My love affair with chicken wings … [Read More...]
Smoked Deer Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya
Simmering down a black pot of rice infused with vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh aromatics, and garden-grown herbs punched with the depth of flavor of smoky sausage is about as comforting as South Louisiana food can get. But when those tomatoes are of the Creole variety, the sausage features the bold … [Read More...]
A Slice of the Sweet Life
You’ve just got to smile at the thought of a bite of my sweet cherry pie balancing the flavors of fresh fruit accented with a spike of pomegranate liqueur all baked in a crisp, flaky pie crust. This is one delightful mouthful worth singing about. And if you remember the song Cherry Pie (it's … [Read More...]
7 Ingredients Make This Seven Steak Simple
Just think about it: The deep, dark onion gravy suspends fall-apart tender beef that drapes across a mountain of long-grain white rice; it is an ascent into the heavens of Cajun cooking. Seven steak (sometimes called seven-steak étouffée) is a classic of rural Cajun recipes, and you can find it on … [Read More...]
The Tastiest Softshell Crabs Ever
Dining outdoors in the summer is one of the joys of living in the Deep South, and I take advantage of most any restaurant that offers al fresco dining. But, it was more than the outdoor view that caught my rapt attention recently when I dove into a dinner of Fried Softshell Crabs that piled on the … [Read More...]
Finally, An All-Vegetable Recipe With Meaty Flavor
Listen up: Vegetables take center stage in this Portobello and Arugula Salad with Fried Okra Croutons. Soaked with intense flavor, pan-sautéed to perfection, and combined with fresh herbs, heirloom tomatoes, and a drizzle of pecan oil vinaigrette, these mushrooms are elevated to the … [Read More...]
Kitchen Inspiration: Fresh Summer Corn Gets a Creative Sandwich Makeover
With one bite into the crackling crisp crust of this Griddled Corn Panini, you realize that sweet summer corn is for much more than the usual vegetable side-dish recipe. Farm fresh corn combines with the smoke of Cajun tasso for a buttery and cheesy sandwich combination. If you follow … [Read More...]
Classic French Flavors in a simple Southern Cobbler
Fresh apricots rock. At their vine-ripened peak, juices flow and the fleshy interior of these little orbs welcome you with just one bite full of flavor. Baked in a honey-kissed recipe with the crunch of pistachios, this Apricot Pistachio Cobbler is one easy summer dessert to cobble … [Read More...]
Bacon-wrapped bombs that explode with flavor
My Stuffed Bell Popper is the bomb. Green bell peppers stuffed to the shoulders with ground meat, spicy pepper jack cheese, and creamy mashed potatoes are good enough on their own, but drape it in smoky bacon glazed with red pepper jelly, and it is otherworldly. This stuffed bell pepper is a … [Read More...]
Delicate, delicious, and delightful: Crabmeat Salad
Lumps of flaky white crabmeat picked from the shell of blue crabs fished from the waters of Vermilion Bay just down the road from my home in Lafayette is as fresh as it gets. And when treated delicately with fresh aromatics, creamy avocado, crisp apple, and a smooth cloak of mayo, this light … [Read More...]
New Style of Ribs: A Little Bit Country and A Whole Lot O’ Cajun
Three years ago I came up with a formula for a spice rub that I affectionately call Sweet Heat. I've used it here on the blog, and the recipe is in my new cookbook. So, I've started experimenting with different applications for the spice that have resulted in dramatic results. This dish — Cajun … [Read More...]
When Life Gives You Lemons, Spike It With Rum
While a big pitcher of homemade lemonade brings genteel Southern credibility to any backyard gathering, I profess that adding a splash (or two) of rum to the tall glass can only lengthen the slow drawl of the conversation. And clipping fresh sprigs of rosemary to add to the mix brings fragrance to … [Read More...]
Flounder Favorite: A Fish Dish with Layers of Flavor
Of all the coastal Louisiana fish species, flounder is at the top of my list. I recall lazy summer afternoons fishing with friends at my camp near Slidell, Louisiana. We'd troll the mud flats and jetties along the banks of the East Pearl River as it empties into Lake Borgne. We’d fish for hours, … [Read More...]
The Freshest (and easiest) Sandwich Idea
So, what exactly is a tartine? By definition, it’s a French open-faced sandwich with sweet or savory ingredients. A rather fancy little word that conjures up snooty French folks taking dainty bites in between sips of their French 75. Not exactly down-home Cajun fare is it? Well, I beg to … [Read More...]
Unbridled Brie Jammin’ with bacon
Crispy golden brown pastry on top, flaky piecrust on the bottom, and a velvet creaminess oozing mellow flavors spiked with the porky flavor of bacon—that’s my Bacon Jam Baked Brie -- a down-on-the-bayou, French Louisiana version of a classic baked brie. Baking a round of brie cheese in pastry … [Read More...]