Cajun Cookin'There's something extremely satisfying about the rich heritage and the robust flavors of Cajun cuisine. The heritage began deep in the bayous of South Louisiana when the Indian natives banished Arcadians from Canada, and immigrant settlers such as Germans, Creoles, Africans, and French all blended together to form some of the best food, music, and atmosphere in the world. Back in the late 1700s the wealthier Creoles who lived in the city enjoyed the finest food. The backwoods Cajuns who took up residence in the rural and swampy areas adopted the same flavors, but added to the recipes, generally with rice and beans, to make the dishes able to feed more people. One pot meals, made from whatever meat or seafood was available, was prepared with the unusual blend of spices that is at the heart of Cajun cooking. These spices , gravies , and blackening techniques became the trademark of traditional Cajun cuisine. Recipes were handed down, changed around, and added to, but the tell-tale quality was that special ‘kick' that the spices added to the gumbos, soups, and casseroles. As settlers migrated throughout the southern states, it seems they all took a bit of Cajun cooking along with them. Louisiana's red beans and rice turned into hoppin-john in South Carolina, and black beans and rice once it reached Florida. Regardless of what form these recipes take, there is no doubt that Cajun cooking has a flavor that few can compare with. If you are new to Cajun cooking, but interested in trying your hand at a few favorite dishes, you may want to familiarize yourself with some of the unusual ingredients first. Many Cajun recipes simply start out by stating to ‘first make a roux.' A roux , used as the starter ingredient for gumbos and etoufees , is actually a type of brown gravy made with some spices, flour, and fat, but it does take some practice to get it right. A few other ingredients many individuals haven't heard of include file' seasoning , Creole mustard , Tasso , and Andouille . Sites that offer more traditional Cajun recipes include:
For those of you who love the food of New Orleans, but don't have the desire to prepare it yourself; that's okay too. Fortunately, New Orleans is a city of award-winning restaurants. If you are looking to visit New Orleans, there are plenty of cheap hotels in the area to stay at. Make a reservation at one of the best hotels in town and enjoy a night of fine food and dining. Before the unfortunate devastation of hurricane Katrina, thousands of restaurants lined the city streets. Now that the area is being restored, the old world charm and delectable food is making a comeback as well. The famed French Quarter was not damaged whatsoever by Katrina. Famed eateries such as the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company , The House of Blues , and The Three Legged Dog are alive and thriving. A few other ‘must visit' restaurants in the area include Stella's , which has exotic dishes such as turtle soup and goat cheese crepes, Brigsten's , with its famous roast duck and blackened tuna, and who can visit New Orleans without enjoying the authentic cooking of Arnauds . It is said that Arnauds waiters and waitresses stay with the restaurant for so long that they actually pass their positions down to their children. That is quite a legacy. A complete list of French Quarter restaurants can be found on New Orleans Online , Chowhound , and New Orleans Restaurants —an insider's guide. Whether preparing the dish yourself, or enjoy the fixings of the top chefs of the bayou, there is no doubt that you will be satisfied by the flavors of New Orleans cuisine. Whether you are sampling the food at a world famous restaurants, or you are enjoying the dining experience at five star hotels, New Orleans and Cajun food are experiences you don't want to miss. |
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