Oven Jambalaya: A Shortcut to Louisiana Soul There’s a certain magic that happens when the aroma of spices and savory goodness fills the kitchen. For me, that scent is intrinsically linked to Louisiana, a place I’ve always been drawn to for its vibrant culture and, of course, its incredible food. While I’ve spent countless hours … Read more
Ralph & Kacoo’s Barbecued Shrimp: A Taste of Louisiana Bliss There’s a certain magic that happens when a dish transports you. For me, that magic is inextricably linked to the scent of garlic and butter sizzling, the promise of perfectly cooked shrimp, and the vibrant, zesty embrace of a truly New Orleans-inspired sauce. Ralph & … Read more
Old Fashion Chicken Stew: A Taste of Southern Comfort There are some dishes that, with a single aroma, can transport you back in time. For me, that dish is a hearty, soul-warming chicken stew, simmered low and slow until the chicken is fall-apart tender and the broth is rich with the essence of the South. … Read more
Oven Barbecue Shrimp & Sweet Potato Grits: A Southern Symphony There’s something undeniably magical about the way certain dishes evoke memories, transporting you back to specific moments and places. For me, this Oven Barbecue Shrimp & Sweet Potato Grits combination is a culinary time machine. I can vividly recall a breezy afternoon in my grandmother’s … Read more
The Quintessential Oyster Po’ Boy: A Taste of the Gulf Coast There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when the briny kiss of the Gulf meets the warm embrace of a perfectly toasted French bread. I remember my first oyster po’ boy, a revelation served on a bustling street corner in New Orleans. The … Read more
The Unsung Hero of the Condiment Drawer: Mastering Creamy Remoulade Sauce There are some sauces that, when you encounter them, just sing. They elevate the ordinary into the extraordinary with a simple dollop, transforming a humble po’boy or a platter of fried shrimp into something truly memorable. Remoulade, for me, is one of those magical … Read more
Oil Rig Etouffee: A Taste of the Gulf, Anywhere There’s something undeniably special about food that carries a story. This Oil Rig Etouffee is one such dish. I first heard about it years ago, passed down from a friend whose husband worked offshore on a Gulf of Mexico oil platform. He’d apparently traded recipes with … Read more
Red Lobster’s Rock Shrimp Creole: A Taste of the Bayou The first time I encountered Red Lobster’s Rock Shrimp Creole, it was on a blustery evening in New Orleans, the air thick with the promise of rain and the scent of simmering spices. My dining companion, a native Louisianan with a palate as sharp as … Read more
Real Cajun Seafood Gumbo (From a Louisianian) There are certain smells that, for me, are pure sensory anchors, transporting me instantly back to my childhood kitchen. The deep, rich aroma of a gumbo simmering on the stove is one of them. I can almost feel the humid Louisiana air, hear the distant hum of cicadas, … Read more
Red Beans & Rice – My Recipe For me, the aroma of slow-simmering red beans and rice isn’t just a smell; it’s a portal. It whisks me back to steamy New Orleans kitchens, the air thick with conversations and the promise of a deeply satisfying meal. I remember watching Maman Celeste, her hands moving with … Read more
Red Snapper Louisiana Growing up in Louisiana, the bounty of the Gulf was a constant presence on our dinner table. Red snapper, in particular, held a special place. I remember my grandmother, a formidable force in the kitchen, meticulously preparing it, filling our home with the comforting aroma of simmering tomatoes and the subtle, earthy … Read more