A Cajun Cooks

Cooking has always been an essential part of my life. As a little girl, I watched in awe as my PaPa Richard patiently stirred a big pot full of sugar and pecans, main ingredients for his divine pralines. Growing up, I marveled as my uncles served hundreds of bowls of jambalaya, gumbo, or alligator sauce picante at festivals, fairs, weddings, and Christmas gatherings. I remember the first time my mom explained the Holy Trinity of Cajun cooking (celery, onion, bell pepper), and how I quickly learned not to step away from a roux. From my dad’s fluffy pancakes and special sandwiches to the New Year’s Day classic of black-eyed peas and cabbage with pork; shrimp and corn soup in winter, or macaroni & cheese with homemade BBQ wings — these dishes are all a part of me.

These days, I cook many of these favorites and more, and I’ll be sharing some of these recipes (the traditional, the new, the impromptu) on here. I would love to know if you try them on your own, and I also encourage you to share some of your favorite recipes, too!

***********************

Baked Rotini
Baked Salmon and Brussels Sprouts
Bison Meatballs
Butternut Squash, Carrot, and Ginger Soup
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken Sausage and Vegetable Soup
Chicken, Leek, and Mushroom Stir Fry
Crawfish Etouffee
Pizza with Chicken Sausage, Broccoli, and Leeks
Jambalaya
Shrimp and Spinach Salad
Shrimp and Artichoke Pesto with Angel Hair
Shrimp and Butter Beans with Okra
Shrimp and Corn Soup
Shrimp Creole
Spinach and Sun-dried Tomato Mini Quiches
Steak Salad with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
Stuffed Peppers
Tomato and Red Pepper Soup
Turkey Chili
Turkey, Sweet Potato, and Butternut Squash Chili