New Orleans Creole Jambalaya

12 Comments March 4, 2019 FrugalHausfrau

Mardi Gras is almost upon up, and Mardi Gras always makes me think of New Orleans and New Orleans always makes me think of Jambalaya. See how my mind works? It’s all about the food, lol! And while my fave Jambalaya Recipe is already on my site, one made with a roux (that’s said to be the Cajun-style) I really wanted to up my game this year and perfect a Creole-style Jambalaya, the tomato-y kind. Yeah, I’ had to get out of my (very delish) Cajun rut and make this New Orleans Creole Jambalaya for Mardi Gras this year.

New Orleans Creole Jambalaya

Instant Pot Yaka Mein

25 Comments August 2, 2018 FrugalHausfrau

I have seen so many articles and posts about Yaka Mein, ever since Anthony Bourdain featured Miss Linda Green on his show, “No Reservations.” But Yaka Mein first came on my radar in this article from Go Nola. I knew I just had to taste Yaka Mein and I knew the only way that was going to happen is if I made it myself. So here is my Instant Pot Yaka Mein. (Stovetop directions included, too.)

New Orleans Instant Pot Yaka Mein – Stovetop directions, too.

Yaka Mein has a long history so I’m not going to go too much into that because it’s been covered extensively elsewhere, like in this article from The Deep South. I am going to tell you to make it if I can be so bossy! And make it soon. There’s no need to lose another day without having Yaka Mein in your belly!

Cajun Ham & Rice Soup

6 Comments April 10, 2018 FrugalHausfrau

I’m still working on a few leftovers from Easter, how about you? One thing I love to do is make soup with my ham. This year I made a Honey Glazed Cajun Spiced Ham, so I knew that Cajun Ham & Rice Soup would bring those flavors home.

Cajun Ham & Rice Soup

Honey Glazed Cajun Spiced Ham

22 Comments March 30, 2018 FrugalHausfrau

Honey Glazed Cajun Spiced Ham is one of my fave Holiday hams, no matter the Holiday. It couldn’t be better during the fall/winter months for Thanksgiving or Christmas and it brightens up a harsh, cold Easter like we’re having this year.

Honey Glazed Cajun Spiced Ham

Mardi Gras King Cake Scones

40 Comments February 10, 2018 FrugalHausfrau

Last week, without thinking, I posted three dinner recipes in a row. Usually, I try to break things up a bit with a salad or dessert or some other post. So this weekend, I thought I’d make more “fun” things!

Mardi Gras King Cake Scones

Over 2 Dozen Recipes For a Mardi Gras Party

20 Comments February 7, 2018 FrugalHausfrau

Are you thinking about a Mardi Gras Celebration? Or maybe you’re just a fan of Cajun or Creole food? Here are my favorite recipes from Louisiana and New Orleans, with a few Southern recipes tossed in. (It seems I really like pimento cheese!) Click on a photo to take you to a recipe.

Laissez les bons temps rouler.

Cajun Stuffed Chicken Breasts

35 Comments January 13, 2018 FrugalHausfrau

These Cajun Stuffed Chicken Breasts might be just the thing to bring a little sunshine into your life during this cold, cold January. These are like Oh My Gosh good, with just a little spice to warm things up.

Stuffed Cajun Chicken Breasts

Instant Pot Opelousas

26 Comments November 27, 2017 FrugalHausfrau

So you all know (if you follow me – and if you don’t, I’d love it if you would, here with email (on the right) or on facebook or twitter I cooked up a ham for Thanksgiving. And what a ham it was! The stunning and absolutely delish Biltmore House’s Tawny Baked Ham. It was just a half ham, but of course, there were leftovers! And this year, part of those leftovers went to make Instant Pot Opelousas.

Instant Pot Opelousas

Shrimp Etouffee

37 Comments February 27, 2017 FrugalHausfrau

Sometimes I just crave the flavors of Naw’lins. Cajun, Creole, it doesn’t matter. And with Mardi Gras just around the corner I just had to make Shrimp Etouffee.

Shrimp Etouffee

Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Remoulade

40 Comments October 30, 2016 FrugalHausfrau

I have family that lives in the South and have visited Georgia many times. I’ve been to Atlanta as well as a few outlying areas. I’ve been to Tennessee and North and South Carolina, Louisiana and Florida. I’ve been to Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. But never once while I’ve been in the South, have I ever had Fried Green Tomatoes.

Fried Green Tomatoes – just look at that!!

Grillades & Grits

14 Comments March 31, 2016 FrugalHausfrau

So often one thing leads to another, and so it was when I made Shrimp & Grits with a Cajun Gastrique not too long ago! My sister came to visit shortly after and while she missed the Shrimp and Grits, she proposed we make Grillades & Grits. It was a good call and we were off on yet another New Orleans inspired adventure!

New Orleans Grillades & Grits

Baked Cheesy Grits

37 Comments March 31, 2016 FrugalHausfrau

So it might seem that I’m on a bit of a grits kick – I made Cheesy Grits recently to go with my Shrimp & Grits with a Cajun Gastrique. And today I’m posting another Cheesy Grits recipe to go with Grillades & Grits. It’s not that you just can’t have too many grits recipes, but that they’re both really good.

Grillades & Grits – here with Cheesy Baked Grits

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

22 Comments February 20, 2016 FrugalHausfrau

What goes better with Cajun food, like my Shrimp & Grits, than Bananas Foster? Or Bread Pudding? How about Bananas Foster Bread Pudding?

Banana Foster’s Bread Pudding

Shrimp & Grits with a Cajun Gastrique

15 Comments February 16, 2016 FrugalHausfrau

Even if you’ve had Shrimp & Grits before, you’ve probably never had any like these. Deeply spiced, earthy shrimp, garlic and peppers with bacon – the dish is fantastic on its own – but this has a twist – it’s punctuated by a Cajun Gastrique.

Shrimp & Grits with Cajun Gastrique

Cajun Gastrique

18 Comments February 15, 2016 FrugalHausfrau

I’ve huge fan of Cajun food. Seriously, don’t ask me why – I grew up the Midwest and don’t think I tasted anything from the cuisine until I was in my twenties.

Cajun Gastrique

Hot & Smokin’ Po’ Boy Spice

10 Comments November 17, 2014 FrugalHausfrau

When I make my Shrimp Po’ Boys (adapted from Tyler Florence) I always take a minute to whip up extra of this little spice mixture, Hot & Smokin’ Po’ Boy Spice. It’s become a bit of a “house” seasoning.

Hot & Smokin’ Po Boy Spice

Down & Dirty Cajun Rice

2 Comments October 16, 2014 FrugalHausfrau

A Cajun might take issue with the name of this dish; maybe it should be called Un-Dirty Rice. Down & Dirty Cajun Rice is a fresher take on the Louisiana classic Dirty Rice and pulls just a few key elements from the original to make a fantastic side.

Down & Dirty Cajun Rice

Grilled Cajun Chicken Salad

Leave a comment October 15, 2014 FrugalHausfrau

This is one of our newer family faves – Grilled Cajun Chicken Salad. It has a bit of spice but it’s not over the top and it’s a perfect foil for the creamy ranch-style dressing. This is a marvelous summer recipe, but its bold flavors can easily spill into fall with no problem. Oh heck, it’s good anytime.

Grilled Cajun Chicken & Salad

Cajun Spice Blend

4 Comments October 14, 2014 FrugalHausfrau

Are you a lover of Cajun food? I am. I love Cajun Spices and Seasonings and this is my favorite Cajun Spice Blend. It’s a little spicy, yes, but Cajun Spice Blend has so many different layers of flavor. It’s not just all about the heat.

Stuffed Cajun Chicken Breasts

Dark or Red Roux

4 Comments April 5, 2014 FrugalHausfrau

A dark or Red Roux (pronounced roo) is what gives my Jambalaya, below (as well as other classic dishes) its indescribable flavor. Try this with caution if you’ve never made a roux – the nutty flavor will haunt you to the rest of your days and once you’ve had a great roux in a dish…well, there’s no going back.

Jambalaya – This one is Sausage and Chicken made with a Roux

Braised Turnip (or other) Greens – Healthy Style

7 Comments April 22, 2012 FrugalHausfrau

Until late in my life, I didn’t really eat greens, and when I’d had them they’d always been Collard greens cooked forever with ham hocks or salt pork – delicious, but something I’ve avoided because of the high fat and long cooking process.

Healthy Braised Turnip Greens

Jambalaya Recipe

4 Comments April 20, 2012 FrugalHausfrau

Jambalaya truly reflects a cultural heritage carried into the New World, nurtured and melded into its own special blend – hundreds of years ago, displaced French Canadians settled into the Louisiana area and adapted this dish to their new surroundings. A lovely melange of vegetables, earthy sausage and chicken are in this Cajun Jambalaya Recipe and it has just the right amount of spice to be interesting. Then Y’all can pass the hot sauce at the table! Happy dance!

Jambalaya - perfectly cooked rice, make either roux or tomato based jambalaya

Do get a good color on sausage and chicken – the chicken should not be cooked through at this point

Shrimp Po’ Boys

5 Comments April 17, 2012 FrugalHausfrau

Tyler Florence…my hero! I used his basic recipe for Po’ Boys – with a few deletions and additions, and it is amazing! His Creole sauce is so good, my son went nuts over it. While these may look like a basic Po’ Boy, I promise you, they are anything but. I’ve had them in many different areas of the country and these beat out every restaurant version.

Tyler Florence’s Fabulously Frugal Shrimp Po’ Boys.

Red Beans & Rice

3 Comments September 27, 2011 FrugalHausfrau

Years ago, my son and I had Red Beans and Rice in New Orleans – and if you’ve had that experience, you know how the flavors of that dish can literally haunt you; you’ll think about it, taste it again in your mind, and not be satisfied until you have it again. Luckily, its only a food or I’d sound like some kind of crazy stalker…

Red Beans & Rice – the classic recipe

Frugal Hausfrau

Recipes so Good no-one will know you're Cheap!

Cajun & Creole

New Orleans Creole Jambalaya

Instant Pot Yaka Mein

Cajun Ham & Rice Soup

Read More

Honey Glazed Cajun Spiced Ham

Read More

Mardi Gras King Cake Scones

Over 2 Dozen Recipes For a Mardi Gras Party

Cajun Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Read More

Instant Pot Opelousas

Shrimp Etouffee

Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Remoulade

Grillades & Grits

Baked Cheesy Grits

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

Shrimp & Grits with a Cajun Gastrique

Cajun Gastrique

Hot & Smokin’ Po’ Boy Spice

Down & Dirty Cajun Rice

Read More

Grilled Cajun Chicken Salad

Cajun Spice Blend

Dark or Red Roux

Braised Turnip (or other) Greens – Healthy Style

Jambalaya Recipe

Shrimp Po’ Boys

Red Beans & Rice