Short Rib Onion Soup: The Best Soup on Earth?
For days after you’ve had this dish, your memory of it will not fade. In vivid detail, you will recall it all: the sweetness of the onions; the rich beef stock; the notes of rosemary and thyme in the pot; the chunks of tender beef short rib that add hearty flavor: the velvet cloak of…
Top 10 Favorite Sandwiches and How To Make Them
A simple sandwich just hits the spot. But one thing that’s not simple is making a choice among all my favorites. If you’ve been a part of my Acadiana Table for some time, you no doubt understand my pursuit of the perfect sandwich—so many sandwiches, so little time. So here’s a list of my Top 10 … [Read More...]
Guinness Beef and Mushroom Stew
This hearty beef stew is rich with the umami flavors of mushrooms, beef, dark roux, and Guinness. Yes, Guinness Extra Stout beer. My Guinness Beef and Mushroom Stew is a bowlful of St. Patrick’s Day happiness. I’m green with envy at communities that passionately celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. … [Read More...]
Cheese-Crust Shrimp and Mushroom Pizza
This carb-friendly Cheese-Crust Shrimp and Mushroom Pizza is the best thing since sliced you-know-what. The crackle of the cheddar crust is the first signal that this is no ordinary pizza dough. As the ooze of the melted mozzarella cloaks the earthy and ocean combo of Gulf shrimp and button … [Read More...]
Crab Claw Sensation
These are well-dressed claws ready for your next party or holiday get-together. Just slide a cracked claw between your teeth and pull away a meaty morsel of crabmeat licked with just the right combination of spicy flavor. Time to create a Crab Claw Sensation! And I’ve found an easy shortcut … [Read More...]
Crawfish Étouffée
Just think of it: Fresh Louisiana crawfish tail meat swimming in a lightly thickened butter sauce infused with spices and aromatics over a mound of white rice. This is the purest expression of Cajun cooking I know and love. It's that time of year, and in case you missed it, here is my … [Read More...]
Catfish Head Stew
On a crisp, cool Friday morning on my way to Eunice, Louisiana, to stock up on my favorite garlic smoked sausage at my friend Kermit Lejeune's smokehouse, I drove past a little market on the highway heading west out of Opelousas. I did not have seafood on my mind, but it was the colorful exterior … [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...]
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; … [Read More...]
Crawfish Baked Potato
I know many of you will agree that nothing goes better with a thick, juicy steak than a baked potato. I’ve been to the fanciest steakhouses in all the land and when it comes to the perfect side dish, I’ll order a baked potato--loaded, for sure--every time. Oh, I’ve tried the creamed spinach, the … [Read More...]
Ponce Upon A Time: Sweet Potato-Stuffed Smoked Ponce
Long ago the French came to the bayous of Louisiana and brought with them a vast wealth of recipes. Over generations of influence, the tastes and flavors of most of those Cajun recipes have evolved. These classic Cajun recipes and the artisan skills that go into Louisiana’s culinary cultural … [Read More...]
The Long, Hot Simmer: Soulful Chicken Soup
Most every food culture takes pride in their version of chicken soup. It is as basic and fundamental a recipe as cooking gets. But, most folks haven’t a clue to how exceptionally delicious--no, heavenly--this dish can be. To learn the skill of making a rich, sublime soup of nothing more than … [Read More...]
Cajun Boudin
It's time to start off the new year with tasty adventure and if you are fortunate enough to live in Louisiana or are planning a trip here, the bayou backroads are a source of delicious discovery. The food culture abounds along these rural highways and byways that offer up a treasure trove of good … [Read More...]
Stuffed Collard Rolls with Red Gravy
Just in time for New Year's Day, these Stuffed Collard Rolls combine all the flavors of the South into one tight little package. Ground pork sautéed down in smoky bacon grease spiked with Cajun spice, infused with rice and black-eyed peas, and all rolled up in a flavorful collard green … [Read More...]
How To Make A Dark Cajun Roux: The Story of Rox’s Roux
If you ask me, a dark Cajun roux is the secret ingredient that is the single most important building block of Cajun cooking. So important, that for your convenience, we developed a jarred product we call Rox's Roux--the deepest, darkest, and richest commercially available roux. This product will … [Read More...]
How To Build a Charcuterie Board For Your Holiday Party
So, what do you do when you don’t know what to cook? Don’t cook. Yes, I said it: This is a post on my food blog that’s advocating not to cook. No recipe, no pots and pans, no hot stovetop, and no fuss. This Charcuterie Board will change the way you think about entertaining with friends and family. … [Read More...]