Recipes for Mardi Gras
With Mardi Gras coming up next week I have been thinking about Southern Cuisine a lot and it seemed like the perfect time for a roundup of some of my favourite Southern Recipes. Last year I had the opportunity to visit New Orleans and the one thing that sticks out in my mind is all of the amazing food that I had while I was there! I came home inspired and made a number of New Orleans style dishes and I have to say that I am definitely enjoy the flavours and cooking style!
What are your favourite Mardi Gras dishes or Southern foods?
Gumbo is one of the first things that comes to mind when I think about New Orleans cooking and this Shrimp and Okra Gumbo is some pure comfort food delight!
Shrimp and grits is another classic Southern dish and this Blackened Shrimp on Kale and Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Andouille Cream is a really nice twist on it.
You really cannot go wrong with Cajun Red Beans and Rice and the andouille sausage and smoky ham hock make this one really tasty!
Green tomatoes are hard to come by around here and I think that it is because of that, that I have such a fondness for them. Crispy cornmeal coated buttermilk soaked Fried Green Tomatoes are definitely my favourite way to enjoy them!
Although fried green tomatoes are great to snack on all by themselves it is always fun to use them in as an ingredient in another recipe and these Fried Green Tomatoes with Crab Remoulade make a great appetizer or even a light meal.
Of course you cannot talk about New Orleans cuisine without mentioning the po boy and one of my favourites is this Fried Green Tomato and Shrimp Remoulade Po Boy which can also be done as a Pickled Green Tomato and Shrimp Remoulade Po Boy or a more classic Shrimp Po’ Boy.
One of the most memorable dished that I had when I visited New Orleans was a blackened red fish and now I enjoy making it at home but since red fish is not available here I more commonly do a Blackened Swordfish.
Maque Choux is a dish native to southern Louisiana consisting of corn, bell peppers, tomatoes and onions and it makes for a great side dish or even a main if you add some meat like andouille sausage.
I could not help but experiment with a Southern take on a BLT in the form of this Fried Green Tomato BLT with Remoulade which is absolutely amazing! You can also add some blackened shrimp for a Fried Green Tomato BLT with Shrimp Remoulade.
Next up is this Fried Tuna Ball Po Boy which is I could not help but mention since the crispy fried tuna balls are so good!
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19 comments:
Those pickled green tomatoes and that fried green tomato po'boy- genius!
One of our favorites is Crawfish Etouffee! I think I will make some this week for Mardi Gras. I don't know how authentic my recipe is but this is the one I use (no pictures): http://mrssquirrelassassin.blogspot.com/2009/11/crawfish-etouffee.html
Here is a link to the original blog I got the recipe and she included pictures too. http://squirrelbread.wordpress.com/2009/09/12/check-those-ratings
I made some mods to her recipe that she suggested ending with the recipe above.
Just had to say ... your fried green tomatoes look awesome! I love fried green tomatoes and will definitely have to try your recipe. I can never find the tomatoes in the regular markets here either, but we have a few Asian markets nearby where we can almost always find them, as well as other veggies I can't find elsewhere. Great idea using them in a BLT!!!! :)
Mmm, I have two pots of red beans and rice going for a Mardi Gras party I'm going to tonight in Santa Fe. But I think I miss oyster po-boys the most because you can't get fresh oysters in the Southwestern US.
omgggg they all look so yummy but also so hard to prepare!?
do u actually cook all of these??? my kitchen space is also very limited, so it's hard to go to town when cooking... but i will check back for more recipes, maybe i'll find something i might be able to do ;)
I don't know where to begin! Everything looks so yummy!
That's a great roundup of recipes. I wish I was in New Orleans. My husband still works there and he loves what his co-workers makes for supper.
by far, the po boy is at the top of my list!! anne
LOVE your blog... wish I could MAKE AND EAT it all
Ann Kelly
I came across your blog from the blogger home page, and I'm glad I decided to click through. Your blog is clever and I can't wait to to try the Red Beans and Rice. I would try the Gumbo, but it's not worth the shrimp-induced anaphylactic shock I would like endure.
At any rate, I'm excited to peruse all of your previous posts.
Best regards,
Conor J. Murphy
Wow! They all look amazing; the fried, stewed and marinaded. It's a shame, in the UK we don't experience much of this kind of cooking. I have slow cooked a jambalaya a few times which I enjoyred. Something very warming and soothing about it, very much like curries.
Will definitely be trying to make a gumbo and what is this illusive Po' Boy? Sounds great. Will definitely post some pics on my blog when i make that gumbo
Love the post. x
Crawfish, and boudin balls.
I don't ever really think that I like "southern foods," mainly because I don't really even know what they are, but all of these look fantastic! I might have to try and convince my housemates to celebrate mardi gras ;)
Love okra. Blackened red fish looks so-o yummy.
It all looks so good. I don't have much experience with southern food but I love grits and I love chicken with waffles!
OMG everything looks so good!!!!
Yum yum Yummy...
picturebite.com
you have quite the gift of food photography and recipes! I really enjoyed this post!
so many run-on sentences.
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