With Mardis 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 Mardis 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!
