The slow-simmered pork in my Peppered Pork Chops gently bubbles in a black-iron cauldron of Caribbean ingredients with aromatics, herbs, and spices delivering wave after wave of flavor. And when served over my citrusy Pineapple Jasmine Rice, you’ll be booking a flight to the islands. It was twenty-six years ago (August 8th, 1992) that Roxanne…
Ribeye Steak and Blistered Shishitos with Brown Butter
When sliced thick and pink in the center, a well-marbled ribeye steak delivers a depth of meaty flavor that can only be improved with just a dab of nutty brown butter. And when paired with grilled shishitos–a chili pepper that balances spiciness with subtlety–along with a sprinkle of flake sea salt, my Ribeye Steak and Blistered…
Chicken Marsala
A boneless breast of chicken pounded a la scallopini, seasoned, breaded, and pan-fried in olive oil and butter is a thing of beauty. But when ignited with a splash of intense Marsala wine and infused with garlic and mushrooms, these ingredients come together in a masterful Chicken Marsala that defines old-school Italian cooking for me….
Short Ribs with Coffee Gravy
Braised on the bone, these English-cut Short Ribs with Coffee Gravy are dripping with the dark, earthy flavors of the Louisiana terroir they come from. The thick, rich, savory gravy with the smell of dark roast coffee has a slight edge of sticky sweetness from the sugarcane molasses that balances this dish. It’s not only…
Beer-Braised Stuffed Brisket
When I say I’m cooking brisket, most folks immediately think of a slow-smoked Texas barbecue brisket. And while that iconic dish made famous by our neighbors to the west is a great one and worthy of another posting, that is not at all what I’m talking about. This is a Beer-Braised Stuffed Brisket–a fork tender…
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 flavors of venison mixed with pork,…
Fresh Ham Roast
Ginger-kissed with a mustard-glazed sweetness, this fresh ham roast is a revelation of how juicy, flavorful, and succulent this cut of pork can be. But, the key to it is in getting to know your farmer, and learning how he cares, feeds, and humanely raises his livestock. It is the essence of sustainability in eating…
Cajun-Fried Steak with Boudin Cream Gravy
Crisp, crackling crust surrounding a tenderized slab of beef can only get better with cream gravy. But not just any gravy; it’s boudin cream gravy. This Cajun-Fried Steak recipe from the heart of South Louisiana ups the ante on our Texas neighbor that’s sure to start a feud. Time to lock and load; it’s a…
Pecan-Smoked Lamb Shanks with Sweet Potato Risotto
At the first sign of cold weather, most men instinctively crave large slabs of meat. Not sure why. Maybe the caveman in all of us, or the need to store up protein for a long winter hibernation. Or maybe I’m just overthinking this. Yes, come to think about it, I crave it year round. Lamb…
Beer-Braised Smoked Sausage Po’Boy with Griddled Vidalia Onions and Sauce Duo
Smoked sausage is a familiar food item throughout Acadiana, and not a festival goes on without a booth serving up a smoked sausage po’boy. This Cajun recipe doesn’t get any simpler and don’t look for me to complicate it…much. First, the basics: My bread is classic–a soft po’boy bun from Evangeline Maid Bread in Lafayette….