Let's visit our neighbors to the south with some Mexican cuisine this week. Let's start with some Carnitas. 3-pound pork butt Salt and pepper to taste 1 teaspoon canola oil 1 1/2 cups lager-style beer (sub ginger ale for non-alcoholic version) 1 large onion, coarsely chopped 6 cloves garlic, smashed and coarsely chopped Coarsely chopped jalapeño or serrano pepper to taste 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon cumin 3/4 cup fresh orange juice 1 long strip of orange peel, any p

Time to dive into my Asian flavors. Here's a stir-fry dish. The sticky rice recipe is coming Thursday. 1 pound peeled and deveined 16/20 shrimp 2 teaspoons soy sauce 2 teaspoons rice wine (or cane) vinegar 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger Canola oil 2 bunches green onions, white bottoms, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 red bell peppers, cut into i-inch squares 2 bunches green onion tops, cut into 1-inch pieces Hot pepper flakes (optional) Gar

Pork roast have always been a staple of the Centola family holiday table. Here's a different take on the traditional rotisserie prepared that we serve. 1 (6-8 pound) pork shoulder roast 6 large garlic cloves Creole seasoning 1/3 cup canola oil 2 large yellow onions, sliced thick 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice 6 cups chicken stock 2 bay leaves Cut 24 (1-inch deep) slits evenly around pork roast using a sharp thin knife. Quarter each peeled garlic

Easter is this Sunday. If you're not having a crawfish boil, I thought I would share a couplle for large roast recipes that are perfect for the center on your plate. 1/3 cup kosher salt 3 tablespoons finely minced fresh parsley 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh thyme 1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper 1 (10-12 pound) beef rib roast Blend salt, parsley, thyme, and black pepper. Rub mixture evenly over entire rib roast; cover and chill form up to 72 hours. Before roasting

When Emeril moved to New Orleans, he quickly started using all the local ingredients. Here's a simple but elegant pasta. 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons Emeril’s Essence (or Creole seasoning) 1 pound crawfish tails 2 tablespoons minced shallots 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon Crystal hot sauce 2 cups heavy cream Salt and pepper 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 1/4 cup chopped green onions 1 pound fresh fettuccini, cooked a

Let's visit an old friend this week. Here's a couple of recipes from Mr BAM himself, Emeril Lagasse. 3/4 pound bacon, julienned 2 cups chopped yellow onions 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup diced carrot 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 bay leaves 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 10 cups chicken stock 1 1/2 pounds new potatoes, quartered 4 ears fresh sweet corn, kernels removed from the husk 1 teaspoon Crab Boil 2 cups half and half 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley 1/4

When you hear bread pudding, you think of a sweet dessert. Time to chage that with this savory recipe. 3 large eggs 11/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning 4 cups half & half 1 loaf soft French bread 3 tablespoons canola oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 bell pepper, chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 pound tasso, coarsely chopped 1 pound crawfish tails with fat, coarsely chopped 3 green onions, sliced Preheat oven to 325℉. In a large bowl add eggs and cr

Now that crawfish season is in full swing, this week a couple of recipes for leftover crawfish, if there is such a thing. 1 dozen large eggs 1/4 cup half & half 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 red bell pepper, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 pound crawfish tails with fat 3 green onions, chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1/2 stick butter, divided 3/4 cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese Beat eggs together with half & half,

This week, i want to feature a complete entree. Let's start with the protien. 4 pork loin chops, boneless, 4 to 6 ounces each Canola oil Creole seasoning Black pepper 2 eggs 1 tablespoon milk 1 cup saltine cracker crumbs or seasoned bread crumbs Place a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add cooking oil to depth about 1/2-inch. Pound chops to an even thickness, about 1/2-inch thick, or slightly thin; season them liberally with Creole seasoning and black pepper. Whi

White beans are often found on restaurant menus on Thursday. Here's a recipe great for any day of the week. 1 pound dried navy beans, rinsed 2 tablespoons canola oil 2 large onions, chopped 1 large bell pepper, chopped 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 3/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 10 cup chicken stock 8 ounces smoked ham hocks 3 cups chopped ham cubes 2 bay leaves Hot buttered French bread Cover beans with cold water. Soak overnight. Drain;

These week, I want to feature a cooking vessel, the Dutch oven. Let's start with a chili. 2 tablespoons canola oil 4 pounds ground beef 2 large onions, chopped 2 bell peppers, chopped 6 jalapeños, seeded and chopped 8 garlic cloves, minced 6 ounce can tomato paste 8 heaping tablespoons chili powder 3 tablespoons cumin 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 3 cups beef stock 12 ounces beer 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes Hot cornbread, for serving Preheat oven to 425℉. Set

Here's a recipe using two of my favorite protiens, osyters and andouille. 3 ounces andouille sausage, finely diced 2 tablespoons minced shallots 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour 1/2 cup half-and-half 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon hot sauce (optional) 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided 6 tablespoons Panko breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 12 fresh oysters on the half shell (see note below) Lemon wedges, to

Time for another couple of oyster recipes. Canola oil, for frying 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 teaspoon granulated onion 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 12 fresh oysters, shucked and drained 1/4 cup mayonnaise 3 teaspoons Sriracha sauce 4 slices Texas toast 4 slices applewood-smoked bacon, cooked 2 slices of tomatoes 2 leaves green leaf lettuce In a heavy-bottomed skillet, pour oil to a depth of

Pot pies are pure comfort food. Here's another twist on this down home dish. 1 1/2 cups boiling water 1/2 cup dried porcini mushrooms 4 tablespoons canola oil, divided 2 cups chopped carrot 2 cups chopped onion 1 1/2 cups chopped celery 3 colves garlic, minced 3 1/2 pounds boneless chuck roast, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided 1 1/2 cups beef stock 1 1/2 cups dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon 3 tablespoons tomato paste 3 tablespoons b

Have turkey left over from last week? Here's a new way to repurpose it. 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup diced yellow onion 1/4 cup diced carrot 1/4 cup diced celery 1 cup chopped green bell pepper 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 cups chicken stock 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked turkey 1/2 cup tasso, chopped 1 teaspooon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 (14.1-ounce) package refrigerated piecrust Garnish; fresh parsley sprig Preheat oven to 400℉. In a large s

Keep up the flavor of your bird with this Spice recipe. It's so much better than a store bought blend. 12-14lb. whole turkey, giblets and neck discarded 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 8 tablespoons Cajun Spice mix (recipe follows) 2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 large onion) 1 1/2 cups chopped celery (about 3 stalks) 1 cup chopped green bell pepper (about 1 medium bell pepper) 1/4 cup olive oil Line a large roasting pan with foil. Place a V-shaped roasting rack over fo

Let's see what we can find this week for the center of your Thanksgiving table. Let's start with something a little different. 2/3 cup finely chopped pecans 2 tablespoons bread crumbs 2 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 large egg 1 tablespoon Creole mustard 1 (1 to 1/2-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 2 red pears

Here's a recipe that looks fancy on a plate. It's a great way to show your culinary chops. 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast 2...

Smothered Pork Chops is a great comfort food. Pairing it with rice adds to the comfort. See if you agree. 6 pork chops, about 1 1/2-inch...

Here's a couple of dishes that include rice. Let's start with a seafood dish 1 stick butter 1 medium onion, chopped 2 stalks celery,...