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…
Crawfish and Pumpkin Bisque
This hearty Crawfish and Pumpkin Bisque defines the fall season in Acadiana for me and represents the best of rural farm-to-table sourcing. Combining the sweet tail meat of crawfish and fresh seasonal corn cut from the cob, it is certainly a winning combination. But, when you introduce pumpkin along with curry powder and cane molasses,…
Chicken Braised in Tarragon Cream
French tarragon is an alluring aromatic herb, and when used with subtleness, it can turn most any humble dish–chicken especially–into a showcase of sublime flavor. But, I didn’t always cook with tarragon until one night I was properly introduced to a now-favorite recipe for Chicken Braised in Tarragon Cream. I recall dining years ago at…
Cajun Pork Jambalaya
A black pot of Cajun Pork Jambalaya is a defining Cajun recipe that speaks the language of Louisiana. But as is the case with many Louisiana dishes, there are two distinctly different styles of jambalaya in Louisiana–Creole and Cajun. Perhaps, it is this Cajun recipe that most defines the two culinary cultures. The point is that…
Quinoa Salad with Louisiana Shrimp
I am a Whole Foods Market fanatic. Always have been. Many years ago, I trekked all the way to Houston just to walk the aisles of this foodie fantasyland. Then later, Whole Foods moved closer with the opening of the New Orleans market, and then even closer in Baton Rouge. My wife Roxanne teases that I…
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…
Pork Rib Fricassée
My Pork Rib Fricassée is a tried and true French preparation that is just as popular in Acadiana. Pork ribs, cooked down in a savory fricassée, is a classic old-school Acadian stew. Dressed up with smoked sausage, fresh rosemary out of my herb garden and field okra from Gotreaux Family Farm, it is a satisfying one-dish…
Creole Jerk Chicken
My first experience with authentic Creole jerk chicken was in Jamaica on my honeymoon some years ago. The taste still lingers on, and I’ve had nothing like it since. That is, until just a few weeks ago. Roxanne, Lauren, her friend Regan, and I traveled to the Turks and Caicos islands recently. Staying in a…
Softshell Crabs Benedict
My recent discovery of Softshell Crabs Benedict – the absolutely perfect South Louisiana brunch – came by accident. I pride myself on knowing beforehand the trendy new eateries constantly springing up in Acadiana, so I was surprised to learn of a new brunch spot when my daughter Lauren called. “Brick and Spoon?” “Yeah Dad, it…
French Mustard-Braised Rabbit
The people of South Louisiana have many ancestral ties to their French cultural roots–cooking included. For instance, a delicate roux made by a trained saucier in the kitchen of a Michelin-starred French restaurant takes the same basic technique as a Cajun recipe for one made by a skilled Cajun cook on a home stovetop. Although…