on my first journey to new orleans, i used to be decided to attempt as many cajun recipes as my abdomen might deal with, and it might probably deal with a lot!
I spent the entire week consuming and got here residence comfortable as a clam.
The Cajun folks settled within the swamplands of southern Louisiana a few hundred years in the past, and have wowed folks with their unimaginable delicacies ever since.
Cajun recipes are a heavenly mix of French and Southern cooking, making them sturdy, hearty, and bursting with taste.
You have little question tried jambalaya, and I wager you have had a bowl of gumbo, however have you ever ever had boudin balls? how about cajun shrimp and grits?
This checklist of 25 Featured Cajun Recipes is the best option to dip your toes into this distinctive and unimaginable delicacies.
1. genuine new orleans gumbo
I am fairly certain we obtained off the aircraft and headed straight for the closest restaurant on our first journey to new orleans.
I could not wait to attempt all of the improbable meals, and the gumbo was on the high of my checklist.
This superb stew is made up of a darkish roux, heaps of greens, rooster, sausage, and shrimp. the darkish roux is the key to the depth of taste.
will be made by cooking the roux, stirring constantly till it resembles chocolate pudding.
I like mine with a beneficiant serving to of cornbread, however you should utilize any kind of bread to wash up leftovers.
2. cajun rooster pasta
We have all seen Cajun seasoning earlier than, and you might be questioning what it actually means.
Cajun seasoning is a combination of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, a few herbs, salt, and pepper.
I’ve seen the herbs range from recipe to recipe, nevertheless it’s comparatively straightforward if you wish to make your individual.
I really like the mixture of smoked sausage with juicy rooster, and you’ll by no means go unsuitable with additional cheese!
3. pink beans and rice
Purple beans and rice are identified in New Orleans as Monday night time dinner. that is the night time they eat this dish and wash their garments.
however don’t be concerned, you possibly can eat it everytime you need!
The trick to creating this dish wealthy and thick is to mash some of the beans on the facet of the pot earlier than serving.
and when you actually need to kick up the smoky taste, make sure to add the sausage to the pot early.
for essentially the most genuine feeling, open a beer and cargo the washer!
4. cajun shrimp and grits
In case you’ve ever eaten grits and determined you hate them, you need to not have eaten the correct.
I promise; comply with this recipe and you may surprise how you bought by so lengthy with out them.
the creamy taste of the grits is fairly tasty by itself, however add some Cajun Spiced Shrimp and you will be preventing for seconds.
If grits aren’t your factor, attempt shrimp with a bowl of rice or tacky polenta.
5. jambalaya
Jambalaya is a lovely rice dish based mostly on Spanish, French and African cuisines.
in reality, they’re so shut; I as soon as began making paella and ended up with jambalaya.
Like many Cajun dishes, this one begins with the traditional base of yellow onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic.
add in some spices, additional pepper, and smoked sausage, and you’ve got a hearty and colourful dinner.
It’s most frequently served with rice and comprises sausage, rooster, and shrimp.
I feel the trio is precisely what this dish wants, however you possibly can simply swap it up.
6. roast rooster
This recipe will get its identify from the truth that the rooster is totally coated in creamy sauce.
Every chunk is healthier than the final, and this distinctive meal is value each calorie.
Did I point out bacon? sure, that is rooster with gravy and bacon. Between the bacon grease and rooster juices, you already know the sauce goes to be one thing particular.
serve with cornbread, crackers, and even mashed potatoes.
7. louisiana satan crab truffles
one chunk of these and you may throw away your outdated recipe. Crab meat has a fabulous texture and never a lot taste, however on this recipe, it is elevated with some improbable additions.
From bitter cream and mustard to Worcestershire sauce and cayenne, there is no doubt these little pies will style massive.
They make a nice starter or will be served for dinner with a tasty salad.
8. roasted cabbage and potatoes
when you’re wanting for a low-cost, hearty, and scrumptious facet dish, that is for you!
the cabbage and potatoes are the most affordable factor round, and higher but, they’re hearty, heat, and tremendous straightforward to season.
You will cook dinner the greens in rooster broth for this recipe, letting them simmer till the liquid is absorbed and the greens are completely tender.
9. Cajun Fried Deviled Eggs
You have had good deviled eggs and you have had fluffy deviled eggs, however I wager you have by no means had crispy fried deviled eggs.
Seasoned with powdered lime gumbo, that are the dried, pulverized leaves of the sassafras tree, these eggs are crunchy and tremendous distinctive.
you possibly can all the time add a little cajun seasoning if you’d like them spicy.
10. cajun scorching sauce
when you’re like me, you might have the fridge door full of condiments. I really like having a selection of sauces readily available to make a fast dinner even higher.
The sweetness of making your individual is with the ability to do it precisely the way you prefer it. We like issues spicy in my home, so I am going a little overboard with the new sauce.
You’ll be able to all the time skip that when you’re simply wanting for a creamy dipping sauce that is loaded with taste.
I’ve used this on my burger buns, as a sauce for rooster tenders, and whilst a dressing for my salad.
11. Cajun Shrimp Dip
That is a lot extra than simply a salsa recipe. it is nearly a meal by itself!
Between the chunks of juicy shrimp, bell peppers, and cheese, you will not want a fundamental course.
Like many scorching dips, this one has a cream cheese base and is topped with lots of melted cheese for optimum dipping.
nevertheless it’s the cajun fried shrimp that actually wow!
I’ve served it with breadsticks, crusty bread, French fries, and even on high of nachos!
12. Cajun Corn Choux Maque
so far as garnishes go, that is one of essentially the most colourful! Corn is such a sunny vegetable, and I really like that it is used right here as the primary ingredient.
Crispy, candy, and arduous to withstand, this corn facet dish is made even higher with a few Cajun seasonings, bacon, onion, and bell peppers.
plus, it has a nice warmth blended with the jalapenos.
I made this recipe as a facet dish for all the things from cajun grilled rooster to a thick piece of steak. It additionally works nice on fish tacos.
13. boudin balls
Pronounced “boo-dan,” these crispy sausage meatballs ought to positively be on the desk at your subsequent celebration.
Utilizing sausage meat is a nice option to amp up the flavors, because it’s often already seasoned.
if that is not sufficient, she’ll additionally add some cayenne pepper and scorching sauce to the combo.
Though they’re often served as balls, I’ve made them as little patties to make them simpler to fry, they usually had been a hit.
14. genuine cajun soiled rice
do not let the identify idiot you; this dish is something however soiled! it will get its identify from the brownish look, which you may get from floor up rooster and pork livers.
Do not go! I promise you will not attempt them! they add richness to the dish and an additional meaty taste that isn’t to be missed.
15. muffaletta sandwiches
on my third day in new orleans, we went out to eat and that i informed the waiter to convey me one thing he would love… one thing genuine and extremely scrumptious.
what got here was a massive, thick, juicy sandwich piled excessive with contemporary chilly cuts, cheese, and spicy olive tapenade. It was so massive; I needed to wrap some as much as take residence!
the tapenade might be the very best half of this, so when you’re an olive lover, that is positively for you.
the meats will be modified relying on what you might have, however they’re often some kind of Italian ham.
16. cajun smiley peas
Beans and peas are a smart way so as to add some additional vitamins to your meal. they’re usually fairly low-cost and are very straightforward to season.
These black-eyed beans are cooked in rooster broth with a sprint of scorching sauce, a little Cajun seasoning, and bay leaves.
As soon as they’re cooked, toss them with some crumbled bacon for a straightforward meaty garnish.
17. cajun potato salad
why is that this potato salad so significantly better than the others? the dressing is made up of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and blackened seasonings.
blackened seasoning is sort of just like cajun; it is simply a little much less spicy. it tastes the identical, however the warmth is sort of gentle.
served with boiled eggs and that incredible seasoning, and this potato salad would be the begin of your subsequent barbecue.
18. juan leaping
hoppin’ john, also called carolina peas and rice, is a great sluggish-cooked rice and bean dish with great smokiness.
The bottom of this dish is rice, black-eyed beans, and smoked ham.
add some additional spices and the Cajun holy trinity of onion, inexperienced peppers, and celery for true southern appeal.
I wish to serve leftovers with hash browns within the morning for a very substantial begin to the day.
19. learn how to make cajun onions
I’ve a deep love for onions and I like them in all the things, particularly caramelized. however I may also be wanting for extra in my burgers or salads.
these are particularly tasty. make sure to reduce them good and thick, and do not let the pan get too scorching, as they may burn shortly.
One of the simplest ways to cook dinner them is to soften the butter within the pan with the Cajun spices to allow them to cook dinner a bit and launch their taste.
maintain the warmth medium and place the onions within the scorching butter, permitting both sides to cook dinner for a jiffy on both sides.
20. Cajun Fried Brussel Sprouts
Once I make brussels sprouts, I’ve so as to add bacon and onion. they only want one thing additional to get folks .
however these may simply be my new favorites! from the traditional Cajun vegetarian base to the superb seasoning, they will fly proper off the plate!
21. Cajun Cauliflower Bites
I am going to admit, I additionally jumped on the cauliflower bandwagon and went a little loopy for a whereas. between the pizzas and the rice, I feel all of us get a little bored, do not we?
nevertheless it’s nonetheless good for you and nonetheless fairly low-cost, so let’s get it again! these bites have nice texture, and the cajun seasoning is simply *chef’s kiss*.
22. Oven Roasted Cajun Candy Potato Wedges
This can be controversial, however I want candy potato wedges to candy potato fries.
French fries will be a bit hit or miss, and it doesn’t matter what we make, they’re by no means fairly pretty much as good at residence.
The sweetness of wedges is that you’re going to get a nice crunch with minimal effort. Plus, you may get a fluffier candy potato with each chunk.
they’re so tasty with a little bit of that cajun scorching sauce!
23. cajun crab dip
We positively do not use crab as a lot as we should always. it’s meaty, delicate and really straightforward to include into many dishes.
I wish to have mine contemporary off the counter, however you possibly can often discover it within the frozen part. you may need to purchase lump crab meat on this sauce for the very best texture.
24. Cajun Aioli
Aioli is actually garlic mayonnaise. you should utilize it as a dip, as a unfold on a sandwich, and even as a savory base for your roast rooster.
This recipe takes it a step additional by including Cajun seasoning and scorching sauce. the spice is good and makes it the right sauce so as to add to a barbecue sandwich.
25. Pineapple Coconut Cajun Cake
This little fruity cake is gentle, moist and unimaginable to withstand.
finest made on a baking sheet, the cake itself solely wants six elements and is filled with crushed pineapple.
nevertheless it’s the crunchy coconut-pecan topping that makes me need one other slice.
make certain to pour the frosting over the cake whereas it is nonetheless scorching, and go forward and poke some holes in there too!
the candy sauce will probably be absorbed, making it much more tender.
