Showing posts with label instructions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label instructions. Show all posts

Monday, December 9, 2013

Red Beans, My Way


Red Beans and Rice is a New Orleans tradition.  This dish is traditionally served on Mondays, but Red Beans, My Way is so simple and so delicious you will be making it any day of the week.  This will quickly become a family favorite.  To have authentic Red Beans, you have to have authentic ingredients and those are available exclusively at www.Cajungrocer.com.


Ingredients
¼ cup of bacon drippings
3 ½ cup of chopped yellow onions
2 cups chopped green bell peppers
1 ½ cups of chopped celery
1 Tbsp chopped garlic
1 lb cooked, cubed ham
1 lb Savoie’s Smoked Sausage, cut crosswise into ¼ inch slices
½ lb salt pork, chopped
3 lbs Camellia Red Kidney beans, picked over and winsed with cool water
Water or chicken broth
Slap Ya Mama Cajun seasoning to taste
¾ tsp crumbled dried thyme
¼ tsp crumbled dried basil
4 bay leaves
Chopped green onions for garlic
Chopped fresh parsley leaves for garnish

Instructions
In a large, heavy pot, heat the bacon drippings over medium heat.
Add the onions, bell peppers and celery and cook, stirring, until they are lightly golden, about 10 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook for three minutes.
Add the ham, sausage and salt pork.
Cook for five minutes.
Add the beans and add enough water or chicken broth to cover.
Season with salt, cayenne and black pepper.
Add the thyme, basil and bay leaves.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low.
Cook, partially covered, for about two hours, stirring occasionally, or until the beans are tender.
Add more water or broth if the mixture becomes dry.  
If you like the beans to be creamy, puree about one-third of the beans in a food processor, in batches and return to the pot.  Cook for another 30 minutes.
Remove and discard the bay leaves.
Serve hot, garnished with green onion and parsley, over rice.



Red Beans, My Way is perfect for a family meal, comfort food, a pot-lock dinner or just because! Make sure you keep the recipe authentic by ordering the ingredients from www.Cajungrocer.com

Friday, November 1, 2013

The Great Gumbo Debate


We recently took to Facebook to find out how the Cajun Grocer fans weighed in on The Great Gumbo Debate.  Cajun or Creole?  The votes came in with Cajun-50, Creole-25 and 21 of you loved ‘em both.   There were still a few of you asking, “What’s the big difference?”  We thought we’d take an opportunity and try to clear that up for you. 



History
The similarities in Cajun and Creole cooking can be traced to the shared French heritage of both cultures.  Cajun and Creole cuisine both take notes from Spain, Africa and Native America.  What they have most in common is that they both take their passion for food VERY seriously. 

Creole Style
The roux for a Creole gumbo is made from butter and flour.  Creoles borrowed seasoning and flavoring tips from Native Americans, the Caribbean and Africa.  These cultures introduced them to okra, red pepper, tomatoes and file powder; all of which can be found in a traditional Creole gumbo. 

Cajun Style
A Cajun roux is made from oil or lard and flour.  Cajun cuisine combines the French heritage with the Acadian, or Nova Scotia, roots.  Cajun food is often depicted as fiery hot, but this is only one element of Cajun cuisine.

The great thing about gumbo is that you don’t have to pick a side! You can mix elements from both cultures until you find the one you love.  At Cajun Grocer we have gumbos from your favorite Louisiana establishments and premade rouxs.  We also have gumbo kits that make great Christmas and Father’s Day gifts.  Browse our ingredients and come up with your own perfect recipe ¾ and decide for yourself which side of the Gumbo Debate you’re on.