Heading Down South With cajunlicious

Posted by Correen in Articles, Interviews | 4 comments

While in the US Navy Seabees my husband’s home base was in Gulfport, Mississippi – not too far down the road from New Orleans and Cajun country. A visit to Jessica’s blog, cajunlicious, brought back my fond memories of the warm southern hospitality, fresh-caught yumilicious shrimp, as well as my first taste of fried green tomatoes. Yessiree…you are gonna love heading down south to meet Jessica, I sure did!

Your cooking style comes from living in a family that loved gatherings and good food. Tell us about your family, memories and how that inspires you in the kitchen.

Growing up, the kitchen was the most important room in the house. No matter what was going on, we could gather in the kitchen to eat, laugh, and enjoy being together. Food has always been a part of my life. After Sunday mass, relatives of all ages gathered at my grandparent’s house to get together around the kitchen and fill plates and bowls with gumbo, potato salad, etouffee and jambalaya. After the eating, came the stories and hours of laughter. This is where my experience and inspiration come from. Every meal I cook is filled with memories and love.

I’ve discovered that meeting and interviewing food bloggers is what I love most about blogging. What are some of the things you love the most about blogging?

My blog is as authentic as can be and I love my blog! I love sharing my stories and Cajun recipes that were not only passed down, but also learned with so much love. I have joined all the food blog communities and enjoy meeting other foodies and really seeing how many people are so passionate about food. I have met so many bloggers that I have not only shared with, but have built some amazing friendships.

What would you consider a true Cajun meal, starter to dessert?

There are so many, but my Cajun meal would start with a spicy bloody Mary, then on to a Creole tomato, cucumber, & onion salad, alongside Creole tomato broth with a French baguette for dipping (so delicious). For the main course Crawfish Étouffée with sautéed lemon pepper garlic asparagus And to finish off this amazing Cajun meal…Mini Éclairs drizzled in white chocolate.

Browsing through your blog I took notice of your love for tomatoes. Tell us three or four of your favorite ways to use tomatoes in Cajun cooking.

Creole tomatoes are in season right now and they are so juicy and sweet, so when I can get my hands on them I put them in everything! One of my favorite ways to use tomatoes is in their raw form as a snack and of course salads. I also really love to start my mornings out by adding fresh tomatoes to my favorite breakfast, yummy grits. In addition, my favorite comfort go-to dish is fried green tomatoes because they are great for breakfast, brunch, or as a side to any meal.

What is the best thing you ever ate during Mardi Gras season? Tell us all about it.

First, there are so many delicious dishes during Mardi Gras season, but there are two things that I cannot get enough of crawfish and King cake. Mardi Gras week is the start of crawfish season so the anticipation grows waiting for the first crawfish boil. Then there is King cake and you can get it plain or filled with pretty much anything and since King cakes are only made during Mardi Gras I give into my guilty pleasure.

cajunlicious is about all things Cajun, but most importantly the food. A journey of Jessica’s culinary adventures starting in the kitchens of her Mother and Grandmother, where food is more than simple sustenance. Join her for some great recipes and stories because behind every great meal, is an even better story!

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