Cajun Cooking and Louisiana Comfort Food

Down home Southern cooking consists of a truly unique blend of French- Canadian, African, English and Native American prepared dishes.

No stranger to Southern comfort food, Louisiana is known for its Cajun cooking, where everything from Crawfish Etouffee to Seafood Gumbo, Jambalaya and Red Beans and Rice are often enjoyed.

Beryl Stokes is the chief cook and bottle washer of Cajun Cooking TV, and is no stranger to the fine art of preparing delicious Cajun food.

A native of South Louisiana, Beryl created the Cajun Cooking TV website after numerous requests were made for her down home southern comfort food and traditional Cajun recipes from followers worldwide.

On the Cajun Cooking TV website, Beryl shares with you the techniques used to create her mouth-watering recipes through step-by-step videos, photos and article how-tos.

From crawfish pie and how to cook snow crab legs to turnip greens and crock-pot pot roast to grilled pork tenderloin and a made-from-scratch, pecan pie, you’ll discover what true Cajun cooking and down home southern comfort food is all about.

Cajun Cooking TV also showcases tips and videos on grilling, for getting the best flavor possible from your meats. No matter what kind of southern cooking you may be craving, you’re sure to find it on Cajun Cooking TV. Continue reading “Cajun Cooking” →

Cajun Cooking TV

Hello Cajun Cooking TV Fans,

We’ve heard your wonderful and kind comments regarding our Cajun Cooking TV website, How-to videos and Cajun recipes.  We cook not only Cajun recipes and Creole recipes passed down through generations of Louisiana families, but simple homemade dishes that are easy to prepare. 

Mike and I enjoy sharing our home and fun times we have on Saturday nights.  How-to cooking videos are simply made by recording what we are cooking for supper – no scripts and no rehearsal. 

Some people ask me how we got started doing these Cajun cooking videos.  Mike asked me one day what I liked to do and would be a good website.  Viola!  Cajun Cooking TV was born.  We have had an unbelievable response. 

Just last month, over 18,000 visitors viewed our Cajun Cooking TV website and nearly a million people have viewed our How-To videos.  And we appreciate you.

Helping us cook these Cajun recipes and fine Cajun food, you’ll notice three little girls in our videos.  Ashley is our god-daughter, the dancing ham. Amanda is her sister; sometimes actually referred to as “Sister”.  We have enjoyed caring for these girls most of their lives on weekends.  We call them our “weekend kids”. 

Addison is our granddaughter who we have had just about every weekend since she was born.  She is getting so big right before our eyes. 

We also have three grown daughters who sometimes show up for dinner.  Oh and we can’t forget Jose who shows up in the videos circling our feet when dancing ensues in the kitchen thanks to the Swamp Pop music on the radio.

After hearing how much our fans want more videos, we are re-launching and redesigning our website and starting a whole new series of Cajun cooking How-To videos for our down home Cajun recipes. 

Coming up is Crock Pot Beef Stew, Tailgate worthy Cajun Shrimp Boil, Boston Butt Pork Roast in the oven, various dishes we’ve had at restaurants and many more. 

Feel free to contact us and make a request.  If we’ve never made it, we will give it a try.

Again, thank you for watching our Cajun Cooking TV videos and supporting our message that cooking can be fun, a shared experience with family, and a good reason to dance in the kitchen.  Give it a try and see ya on Saturday nights! 

Joie de vie. 

Sincerely,
Mike & Beryl Stokes
Cajun Cooking TV
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

PS – Unfortunately, we’re no longer going to be able to include music on our videos, because music is now a no-no on YouTube (they are citing copyright issues). We just wanted to let you know that we are still singing and dancing while we cook up your favorite Cajun recipes!

Catfish Po Boy Sandwich

Catfish Po Boy Sandwich Recipe.  Catfish Po-Boys are a staple in Cajun and South Louisiana cuisine; especially in New Orleans.  “Po Boy” is a familiar term used to describe a submarine sandwich served on long French bread rolls.

They are typically filled with some sort of fried seafood or any other hot sandwich meat; like hot roast beef or hot sausage.

Why do they call them PoBoys?

The most common story tells of streetcar workers on strike in 1929.  A local restaurant owner and former streetcar conductor would bring the workers sandwiches.  Employees from the restaurant referred to the workers as “Poor Boys”.

Of course with our Louisiana slang they became known as PoBoys.

One thing for sure Po Boys are here to stay.  Here in Baton Rouge, there are several restaurants that serve wonderful versions of the Po Boy.

Many people in South Louisiana have at least one Po Boy a week for lunch.  I know that I do.  My favorite is a Catfish Po-Boy dressed.  Enjoy!

This particular Saturday night, we made Shrimp Po Boys and Catfish Po Boys – give it a try!

Catfish Po-Boy Sandwich Ingredients

2-3 Catfish filets (cut thin)

Corn flour or a Shrimp and Fish Fry mix

½ cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon salt

2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (like Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning)

1-2 eggs

Milk

Canola or vegetable oil

French bread or po-boy rolls

Shredded lettuce

Tomatoes (thinly sliced)

Sliced dill pickles

Yellow mustard, Creole mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, cocktail sauce or Tartar sauce (your preference)

The Seafood: 

Prepare catfish by cutting into strips somewhat like chicken tender strips.

Seafood Batter: 

Prepare the egg wash by breaking an egg into a mixing bowl.

Whisk in some milk (maybe a cup).

Squeeze in a wedge of lemon or lime juice.

In another mixing bowl, pour in the corn flour.

Add ½ cup of flour, 1 tablespoon salt and 2 tablespoons Tony’s.

Stir altogether well.

The Oil: 

Using a heavy bottom deep pot, skillet, or electric fryer, pour in fresh canola or vegetable oil.

Always be careful to leave 2-4 inches from the top to leave room for the oil to bubble up.

Optimal temperature is  375 degrees.

An electric fryer either has an automatic temperature setting or a button to help you.

If you are using a regular pot and do not have a thermometer, drop a small amount of the frying batter into the oil.

If it bubbles up quickly, the oil is ready.

Note: Oil and water DO NOT MIX! Keep water away from the hot oil. If you pour water on the oil, the mixture will explode. If the oil smokes or catches fire, cover it with a pan lid or cookie sheet. You can use baking soda to put out any grease fires, but be careful that you don’t spread the flames around.

Battering Seafood: 

Using your left hand, drop several pieces of catfish in the egg wash and cover completely.

Pull out and drop in the corn flour mixture.

With your right hand, toss the seafood around to fully coat with corn flour.

Shake off excess and place on a platter.

Continue this process until all catfish is coated.

Deep Frying: 

Once the oil is properly heated, carefully drop catfish into the oil.

Be careful not to overcrowd the pan.  Seafood should freely move around.

Seafood will be ready in just a couple minutes.  It should be golden brown and probably will be floating to the top of the oil.

Remove with a slotted spoon and drain excess oil on layers of paper towels.

Catfish Po-Boy Sandwich Serving Suggestions

Prepare French bread or po boys by splitting open and spreading butter on the inside.

Toast in the oven.

Then, add desired amount of catfish, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and mayonnaise.

Some people prefer mustard, cocktail sauce or tartar sauce.

Fold it altogether and cut in half for easy handling.

Oh man – that’s some good eating Cher!

Eggplant Casserole Recipe

This Eggplant Casserole Recipe is made by cooking down cubed and peeled eggplant and mixing with ground meat, shrimp, crawfish or crabmeat.  We serve it i s a side dish or as a party dip on crackers. You’ll definitely want to try this Cajun recipe. (Mike thought it would be awful, but he loved it!)

Eggplant Casserole Recipe Ingredients

4 Eggplants
2 cups Cajun Trinity (or frozen seasoning blend)
1 stick of butter or 2-3 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 pound ground round
1/2 pound ground pork (or one pound of either one)
Tony’s Creole Seasoning
2 cups bread crumbs
1-2 cups chicken stock

Eggplant Casserole Recipe Cooking Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Spray a casserole dish with spray oil.

First start by peeling the eggplant.

Cut in half and then cut into strips.  Then, cut crosswise into 1 inch cubes.

Heat in a large pot about 2 cups chicken stock.

Place in the pot the cubed eggplant.

Season with salt and  a sprinkle of Tony’s Creole Seasoning.

Let simmer for 15 minutes.

Stir occasionally.

Once tender, mash with a whisk or a potato masher to get the lumpy pieces.

Meanwhile, heat 1 stick of butter on medium heat (#6) in a deep skillet.

Cook the ground round beef and ground pork by chopping up with a flat edged wooden spatula.

The meat should all be brown and no pink.

Pour the meat mixture into the eggplant pot.  Stir well.

Then, add in 1 cup of bread crumbs.

Stir to mix all ingredients evenly.

Add seasoning if needed.

Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle with another cup of bread crumbs.

An optional step would be to also sprinkle on Parmesan cheese.

Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Eggplant Casserole Recipe Serving Suggestions

Serve as a side dish in a small bowl or serve with a good butter cracker or whole wheat cracker for a party.

Eggplant Casserole Recipe Other Options

Replace ground meat with boiled or sautéed shrimp, crawfish, or crab meat.

The seafood really makes for a tasty party dip.

Beryl

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Cajun Cooking TV features Beryl Caillouet Stokes and her grand-daughter Addison cooking up some good eating Cajun recipes from their kitchen in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Please Follow Us On Facebook for Daily Updates and New Recipes:
https://www.facebook.com/CajunCookingTV/

The Cajun Cooking TV show airs on local Baton Rouge, Louisiana channel WLFT MeTV channel 30.1 and on Cox cable channel 117 on Tuesday mornings at 10 am.

You Can Write Beryl At:
Cajun Cooking TV
7516 Bluebonnet Blvd # 179
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810

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How to Cook Crab Claws

Learn How to Cook Crab Claws with Beryl and Cajun Cooking TV.

Fried Crab Claws (also called Crab Fingers) are a scrumptious appetizer on most Cajun restaurant menus.

They are real easy to make, and real good to eat!

Fried crab claws is a must-have in your Cajun cooking recipes arsenal, so let’s see how to cook crab claws –

How to Cook Crab Claws: Ingredients

1 pound fresh crab claws
1/2 cup of corn flour (or a bag of prepared Fish and Shrimp Fry)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Tony’s Creole Seasoning
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
lime or lemon juice
ketchup
fresh prepared horseradish
Canola oil for frying

Start by pouring about 2 inches of oil in a heavy bottom saucepan or use an electric fryer.

Pour the corn flour, flour, and Tony’s into a large mixing bowl. Stir well.

In a smaller mixing bowl, crack the egg and add milk and 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice. Mix well.

Heat oil on a medium heat (#6).

Put several crab claws in the egg wash to coat.

Then, toss crab claws into the corn flour mixture and coat well.

Place on a clean platter.

Repeat until all crab claws are battered.

Place crab claws in the fryer – maybe a dozen at a time.

(They only need to fry about 2 minutes or less. They cook really quick.)

Remove to a drain on paper towels.

Make Cocktail Sauce with one cup ketchup and 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish and a squeeze of lemon or lime.

Serving Fried Crab Claws

One pound of Crab Claws will likely serve 6-8 people as an appetizer. They are pretty addictive. Enjoy!

How to Make Cocktail Sauce

https://www.cajuncookingtv.com/how-to-make-cocktail-sauce

Beryl

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Cajun Cooking TV features Beryl Caillouet Stokes and her grand-daughter Addison cooking up some good eating Cajun recipes from their kitchen in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Please Follow Us On Facebook for Daily Updates and New Recipes:
https://www.facebook.com/CajunCookingTV/

The Cajun Cooking TV show airs on local Baton Rouge, Louisiana channel WLFT MeTV channel 30.1 and on Cox cable channel 117 on Tuesday mornings at 10 am.

You Can Write Beryl At:
Cajun Cooking TV
7516 Bluebonnet Blvd # 179
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810

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Green Beans and New Potatoes

Cajun Green Beans and New Potatoes are a modern twist of the traditional holiday green bean casserole – without the mushroom soup.

We recommend using fresh or frozen green beans in this recipe.

You won’t get a good taste effect using salty canned green beans.

Give it a Cajun Recipe try – it’s a sure bet you’ll like it.

Ingredients for Cajun Green Beans and New Potatoes

2 (10-ounce) packages whole green beans (or fresh green beans if available)
10 small red new potatoes
4   cups water
4-6 slices bacon (cut into 1 inch pieces)
1 small sweet onion (diced)
1 small red bell pepper (cut into strips)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Tony’s Creole Seasoning
Dash of Liquid Shrimp & Crab Boil

Taking several slices of bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces.

On medium heat, fry in a skillet until brown.

Remove bacon to a separate bowl.

Carefully pour the hot bacon drippings in a large 6 quart pot.

Sauté the diced sweet onion until translucent and tender.

To the pot, add 4-5 cups water, red new potatoes, sea salt, Tony’s Creole Seasoning, garlic, and a dash of Liquid Shrimp & Crab Boil.

Boil for about 10 minutes until potatoes can break with a fork.

Add green beans and bell pepper.

Stir and lower the heat to medium-low (#3 or #4).

Simmer 10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions for Cajun Green Beans and New Potatoes

To serve at the table, transfer green beans and new potatoes to a casserole dish.

Top with crunchy French fried onions or chopped nuts for a tasty holiday fare.

Serves 6-8.

Don’t forget to make some corn bread muffins for dipping in the pot liquor.

Options:  Mix in a can of mushroom soup for an old fashioned green bean casserole and then, we top with a generous portion of shredded cheddar cheese and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes.

How to Make Seafood Gumbo

Seafood Gumbo is a staple in the Cajun and Creole Cultures. As in most Cajun Cooking recipes, we will start with a Roux.

A roux is used as a thickening agent for this traditional seafood soup.

The word Gumbo derives from the Creole culture which is the West African word for okra.

Okra is also used as a thickening agent as is a special spice called Gumbo File’. File’ is ground sassafras.

We sprinkle Gumbo File’ on the bowl of gumbo at the table for a little extra spiciness.

You may think that Gumbo, whether Chicken and Sausage Gumbo or Seafood Gumbo, is only good in the cold weather. However, we enjoy Gumbo year round.

We especially like to make it for Christmas Eve and enjoy with our daughters. It’s become a tradition at our house.

Give it a try sometime. It’s really not hard to make and tastes oh so good.

Ingredients for New Orleans Seafood Gumbo

This quantity is for a 12-quart stock pot.

(If you’re using a 6 quart large pot, reduce all by half.)

Step One: The Base

1/4 cup canola oil
8 cups Cajun Trinity (can use 2 bags of frozen Seasoning Blend)
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 large (28-ounce) can of Rotel tomatoes (substitute plain diced tomatoes if you prefer)
4 quarts fresh Chicken Stock (or shrimp stock or vegetable stock)
3 pounds frozen cut okra
5 Bay leaves

Step Two: The Roux

2 sticks butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

Step Three: The Seafood

3 pounds fresh large shrimp – peeled (and de-veined if desired)
1 pound white crab meat
1 pound claw crab meat
1 pound crawfish tails (when available)
1 pint fresh oysters (optional)

Garnish: chopped green onions and gumbo file’

Step One: The Base –

Begin by heating 1/4 canola oil in a large stock pot (medium high #7).

Saute’ Cajun Trinity until vegetables are well cooked.

Add 2 tablespoons minced garlic.

Pour in the large can of Rotel tomatoes and 4 quarts chicken or vegetable stock. (Or water if you don’t have stock)

Bring to a boil.

Add okra and stir well.

Reduce heat to medium (#6) and allow okra to cook 20-30 minutes.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom.

Step Two: The Roux –

when the okra is about done, start on the roux.

In a deep skillet, melt 2 sticks of butter on medium heat #6.

Using a flat edged spatula, gradually stir in the 1 cup of flour.

Continually stir – be careful not to splash on yourself. (This is very hot and can burn you.)

Once you a achieve a dark caramel color, turn off the heat.

Keep moving the roux so it doesn’t scorch.

Carefully, pour into the stock pot and stir as you go. (This is best done with two people if possible.)

Continue to simmer on #4 for 10 minutes.

Step Three: The Seafood –

Add shrimp, claw crab, crawfish tails and oysters shortly before you are ready to serve.

The seafood will only take about 5 minutes to cook.

(We usually add the white crab meat to the gumbo after it is plated up and being served.)

Serving Suggestions for New Orleans Seafood Gumbo

Serve over white rice and garnish with chopped green onions and gumbo file’.

A side salad and French rolls are excellent accompaniments.

Tip: If you have some Seafood Gumbo leftover, allow the gumbo to cool and then put in freezer containers for a quick supper.

Shrimp Norman

Shrimp Norman is a Cajun Seafood dish prepared at one of our favorite local restaurants, Mike Anderson’s in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and also at the Mike Anderson’s location in Gonzales, Louisiana.

It is basically Fried Jumbo Shrimp with Crab Etouffee on top.

Without a recipe, we have recreated this scrumptious Cajun recipe for you.

Enjoy!

Ingredients for Fried Shrimp Norman

1 pound large or jumbo shrimp
Crab Etouffee (see recipe)
1/2  cup of corn flour ( or Fish and Shrimp Fry mix)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon Tony’s Creole Seasoning
1 tablespoon salt
Canola oil
1 egg
1/2 cup milk

Make Crab Etouffee according to recipe, but use less water or stock.

Etouffee should be a thick consistency.

Peel shrimp leaving the tail on.

Slice deep through the top of the shrimp to both de-vein the shrimp (take out the black vein) and butterfly it for frying.

Set aside in a bowl.

In a mixing bowl, prepare the shrimp fry mix by blending 1/2 cup corn flour, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, salt and Tony’s Creole Seasoning.

In another small mixing bowl, crack the egg and stir in ½ cup milk.  (This is the egg wash.)

Take each shrimp and coat in the egg wash.

Move shrimp to the shrimp fry mixture and coat with the corn flour mix.

Fan out the tail for a pretty presentation (be careful – there is a sharp point on the tail of a shrimp that can pierce your hand or finger).

Place a clean platter.

Heat oil.

Fry shrimp a few at a time until golden brown or floating on top the oil.

Remove the shrimp to a paper towel lined platter to blot excess grease.

Serving Suggestions for Fried Shrimp Norman

To serve, arrange 6-8 shrimp with tails up on a plate.

Spoon the crab etouffee over each of the tails or just place in the center.

Adding a small mound of white rice is optional.

To eat and enjoy, take a shrimp and scoop up a dollop of crab etouffee and take a big bite of some deliciously good groceries.

Cajun Green Beans

Cajun Green Beans and New Potatoes are a modern twist of the traditional holiday green bean casserole – without the mushroom soup.

We recommend using fresh or frozen green beans in this recipe.

You will not get a respectable taste effect using salty canned green beans.

Give it a Cajun Recipe try – a sure bet you’ll like it.

Ingredients for Cajun Green Beans

2 (10-ounce) packages whole green beans (use fresh green beans if available)
10 small red new potatoes
4 cups water
4-6 slices bacon (cut into 1 inch pieces)
1 small sweet onion (diced)
1 small red bell pepper (cut into strips)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Tony’s Creole Seasoning
Dash of Liquid Shrimp and Crab Boil

Taking several slices of bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces.

On medium heat, fry in a skillet until brown.

Remove bacon to a separate bowl.

Carefully pour the hot bacon drippings in a large 6 quart pot.

Sauté the diced sweet onion until translucent and tender.

To the pot, add 4-5 cups water, red new potatoes, sea salt, Tony’s, garlic, and a dash of Liquid Shrimp and Crab Boil.

Boil for about 10 minutes until potatoes can break with a fork.

Add frozen green beans and bell pepper.

Stir and lower the heat to medium-low (#3 or #4).

Simmer 10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions for Cajun Green Beans

To serve at the table, transfer green beans and new potatoes to a casserole dish.

Top with crunchy French fried onions or chopped nuts for a tasty holiday fare.

Serves 6-8.

Don’t forget to make some corn bread muffins for dipping in the pot liquor.

Options: mix in a can of mushroom soup for an old fashioned green bean casserole and then, we top with a generous portion of shredded cheddar cheese and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes.

Shrimp Dip Recipe

Shrimp Dip is a simple and fast dish to prepare for a party, baby shower, or impromptu gathering.

The accounting department at my office always asks me to make this dip when we’re having a function.  One of the ladies doesn’t like green onions, so I put in the food processor so she can’t see them.  I hope you try it.

Shrimp Dip goes perfect with Petite Mini Toast or Keebler Townhouse crackers.

Every Cajun recipe collection needs a good shrimp dip recipe in it.

Easy Shrimp Dip Recipe

This quantity will serve a party of 15-20.

Just double the ingredients if you’re having a larger party.

Ingredients for Shrimp Dip

½ pound medium to large boiled shrimp (peeled and de-veined)
1 package cream cheese (softened)
¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup chopped green onions
1 tablespoon ketchup
½ teaspoon prepared horseradish
1 stalk celery (cut very small)
Tony’s Creole Seasoning

Using a food processor, place all ingredients except the celery.

Pulse several times until mixed well leaving a bit of chunky shrimp.

Remove mixture to a mixing bowl using a rubber spatula.

Carefully remove the mixture from the blade.

Fold in the chopped celery.  (The celery gives the dip a good crunch.)

Mix in a sprinkling of Tony’s Creole Seasoning.

Serving Suggestions for Shrimp Dip

Pour into a pretty bowl or hollowed out Hawaiian sweet bread.

I like to serve with Petite Mini Toast.

Where’s a cracker?  I’m ready to eat me some shrimp dip!