How to Find Authentic Cajun Recipes

Just the thought of Cajun foods sparks our taste buds on a journey back through history when pretty much every meal was made with onions, peppers and celery. Early Cajuns also used a large iron pot to prepare their meals. The area that brought us beignets and deep fried turkey can also lay claim to many delectable recipes such as the light and luscious bread pudding served at Baby Kay's Cajun Kitchen.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cajun cookbooks
• A flair for cooking

1. Search the Internet for authentic Cajun recipes. You will come across great sites such as Cajun Recipes.com and Experience New Orleans that will help you begin your search.
2. Peruse all of the recipes you come across, but the original gumbos and jambalayas might just strike your fancy first. These are the idea of the original Cajun cooking. Stick with this idea, and your cooking will truly come to life.
3. Check out Amazon for cookbooks that offer true Cajun recipes. Really dig into the best of things by choosing "Stir the Pot—The History of Cajun Cuisine." You will find out how the foods you have grown to love and admire have been around for over 500 years.
4. Look through bookstores, checking out the cookbook sections for Cajun recipes. You will not only find foods from the ever-popular area of Cajun cooking but the history of the foods as well.
5. Prepare a big pot of chicken and sausage gumbo with grilled onion/cheese bread, followed by a large plate of butter pecan cookies for dessert. That's really the best way to find authentic Cajun recipes....by eating them!

Tips & Warnings

• The use of onions, bell peppers and celery is known as the "Cajun Trinity" in cooking.
• Pick up a large cast iron Dutch oven to cook your authentic Cajun foods.
• When looking at bookstores, don't forget used book stores. There are many overlooked gems in stores like this.