New Orleans is famous for it's distinctive cuisine. With influences from France, Spain, Africa and the Caribbean, the food is a fusion of intense spices and robust flavors. There are some simple yet classic recipes you can cook for your family that are sure to add a lot of variety to your dinner table.
Lawrence Kurzius is President and CEO of Zatarain's, the nation's leading marketer of New Orleans style foods, based in Gretna, Louisiana. Under Lawrence's direction the Company expanded from its Southeastern Louisiana core market to become a nationally known brand with products in literally every grocery store in the country. Here he shares two classic New Orleans dishes:
Jambalaya: similar to paella.
Jambalaya is similar to Spanish paella, as it is comprised of rice, spices and meat.
Use rice and any meat.
The name jambalaya comes from the French word jambon, which means ham, although you can add any type of meat to your own recipe.
Gumbo: like a stew.
People often confuse jambalaya with gumbo. Jambalaya is served on a plate or platter since it's a rice-based dish. Gumbo is a type of stew and usually served in a bowl.
Gumbo: often spicy.
Gumbo is a very spicy meat dish and often includes either okra or file in its recipe, which gives it a distinctive taste.
For more Jambalaya and Gumbo recipes, check out the following website:
ZATARAIN'S:
www.zatarain.com
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