Cajun Cooking

If you’re not from the region the terms "Creole" of "Cajun" may be a bit of a mystery to you. These are used to describe two types of cooking that are popular in Louisiana. The difference can be a little subtle however. Creole is often described as using a more traditional approach to the recipe while Cajun is used more broadly as food that it particularly spicy. Whichever you decide to experiment with you can be sure you’ll get a delicious and unique experience.

The term Cajun cooking really took of in the 1980’s. When thinking of Cajun cooking, many picture blackened chicken; while this is associated with Cajun cooking, it is not what many Cajuns consider classic cooking.
Cajuns are an ethnic group that is found in Louisiana. They settled there after being exiled from Canada. Cajuns can trace their roots to the Acadian people, a group of people from France that settled in Canada. They use a very distinct French dialect. When exiled from Canada, they brought their culture and traditions to the United States. Theses traditions, including Cajun cooking, remain active today.
Many true Cajun chiefs will talk of recipes handed down for generations. They proudly guard their recipes and their heritage. In this type of cooking, often exact measurement is not used. There is a "pinch of this" and a "dash of that".
The Cajun cooking style uses many spices, fat, butter and garlic. These recipes may not be the healthiest, but they do have flavor.

Due to its origin in Louisiana many of the Cajun cooking recipes involve local seafood. There are many recipes that use ingredients such as onions, mayonnaise, mustard, butter, lemon juice, and of course a lot of spices. One popular recipe called for all these ingredients to be combined and then basted on the catfish before it is baked in the oven. Some other examples of seafood used are crawfish, shrimp, and even alligator. If you're tempted to create a Cajun style feast these types of seafood selections are the most authentic choices you can make. If you need some recipe ideas there are a lot of Cajun cooking books available that can help you make this style of food.
In Cajun cooking a wide variety of spices are often used to add a lot of flavor. Spices such as parsley, pepper, garlic powder, curries, among many others are often used. It’s fun to experiment with different spices to create your own unique Cajun spice combinations.
When you feel more adventerous you can create your own special cajun spice mixes. These can be used on many foods like French fries, chicken, and fish. These spices will make the meal your own special creation. Use your creativity and have fun!