Fish soup is as essential to French cuisine as gumbo is to French Louisiana. I love the flavors of briny stock-infused shellfish and finfish swimming in a bowl of herbs and vegetables. In my younger years, I once traveled the length of France searching for the perfect soupe de poisson, and two weeks later I…
Kale Caesar with Grilled Shrimp Skewers
For the past few years, fresh kale has been on a run showing up on restaurant menus all over America. Even here at my Acadiana Table, I’ve tossed it into soups, braised it in stews and served it pan sautéed as a side dish. So, this weekend I stumbled on a neat trick while making…
Louisiana Shrimp Roll
When Louisiana summer heats up, Louisiana food cools down. Seldom does gumbo appear on the home dinner table when temps approach 100ºF and the clamor to escape the stifling heat includes the menu. Ice-cold watermelon, sweet-churned ice cream, syrupy sno balls and pitchers of freshly squeezed lemonade are just a few of the warm-weather tricks…
Shrimp and Okra Gumbo
Just last week I was telling a good friend that I had plans to make a shrimp and okra gumbo for the weekend. Without hesitation, she asked, “Cajun gumbo or Creole gumbo?” Oh, here I go again. After a 10-minute explanation, I could see my friend regretted even asking the question. But, it is a…
Gulf Coast Shrimp Boil
I love shrimp season in Acadiana. The opening of the Vermilion Bay inshore waters in late May signals the start of an endless summer supply of fresh Gulf shrimp. While I’m ready with a stack of recipes, there is no denying that a simple backyard Gulf Coast Shrimp Boil is the purest (and best) recipe…