728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Food A-Z › Spice It Up!

Spice It Up!

The Essence of Cajun/Creole Cuisine

By Ruth Brister

Pages:  1  2  3  

When you begin what can often be a five-to-seven-course extravaganza, you'll find that the appetizers can be as delicious as the main course. While turtle soup is a mainstay starter for many restaurants, an old favorite of most is seafood gumbo. But when dining with only your significant other, stuffed marinated portabella mushrooms are divine. You may follow this with an assortment of exotic salads combined and smothered in brie and goat cheese.

Spice of Life
You may find the occasional jalapeno among the ingredients listed for recipes of the Creole kind. Yet they could easily be omitted and not missed, as the Creole seasonings stand alone in the area of "some like it hot." Many people find the spices too intense for their taste buds. When you are the reigning chef in your own kitchen, there is certainly the option of toning down the amount of heat you add to your meal.

Shrimp Creole is a popular dish that you will find on most every menu in New Orleans – from the finest of dining to the mom-and-pop establishments. If you want to experience Louisiana cooking but are not too fond of seafood, cane syrup-glazed crown roast is a mouth-watering sensation sure to please. It would be an injustice not to at least mention what could be called the state of Louisiana's chosen meal: red beans and rice. Traditionally this dish is served on Mondays, but you may enjoy it on any day of the week. While it will certainly be more than two can eat, the leftovers are almost better than the original.

Decadent Delights
"Always fresh," "made from scratch" and "wonderful" are three ways to describe any and all of the desserts that fall into the category of Louisiana's sweet specialties. You surely will tempt the sweet tooth of your sweetheart with either of these two divine desserts. Strawberries Arnaud is a culinary creation by the world famous Arnaud's restaurant of New Orleans. A bouquet of berries in port wine sauce covered in cream is beyond description. And what would a romantic dinner for two be without at least a little chocolate? Chocolate Meringue Parfait with Chocolate Sauce is the food for lovers. Plus, with today's researchers proclaiming its bountiful health benefits, you need no other reason to try this chocolate devastation that is almost too wickedly rich for reflection.


Pages:  1  2  3  


Want to see more?