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CREOLE CAJUN CHEF
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Side dishes for indoor, outdoor
Last time, I presented some pie recipes for outdoor gatherings. Along the same vein, I thought about side dishes that would be a great...

Tommy Centola
Apr 10, 20223 min read


Pies great option for outdoor dining
Now that the weather has made cooking out part of people’s entertainment options, I thought I would look at desserts that are perfect for...

Tommy Centola
Apr 3, 20223 min read


Assembling something special for Father's Day
For my Mother’s Day article, I assembled a menu that I would be proud to cook for my mother. Since Father’s day is approaching, I thought...

Tommy Centola
Mar 27, 20223 min read


Have sweet potatoes for breakfast
Sweet potatoes have long been a staple on southern tables. From casseroles to pies, there are many ways to prepare sweet potatoes. One...

Tommy Centola
Mar 20, 20223 min read


Transform tortillas into seafood treat
Since I’m not the biggest Mexican food eating fan, enchiladas tend to be my go-to dish when we eat out. This simply prepared dish consist...

Tommy Centola
Mar 13, 20223 min read


Getting ready for entertaining outdoors
Now that warmer weather has finally made its way to Arkansas, it’s time for entertaining outdoors to start. Whether it’s a pool party,...

Tommy Centola
Mar 6, 20223 min read


Check Label when going gluten-free
Unlike the Keto diet, which I wrote about recently, eating gluten-free is not a diet choice. It’s a way of life. For those who have...

Tommy Centola
Feb 27, 20223 min read


Cooking something special for mom
Mother’s Day is approaching. It’s been many years since I was able to cook for my mom. Which got me thinking, what would I cook for her...

Tommy Centola
Feb 20, 20223 min read


Two popular dishes from unique restaurant
In a city full of unique restaurants, Arnaud’s, in the French Quarter, certainly falls into that category. Opened in 1918 by a wine...

Tommy Centola
Feb 13, 20223 min read


Three ways to utilize boudin
Boudin is not your traditional sausage. The main ingredients are rice and pork. This cooked rice dressing is stuffed into sausage...

Tommy Centola
Feb 6, 20223 min read


Putting Cajun twist on Easter dinner
Easter is coming up. Time to make plans for this glorious day. These days, our family celebrates Easter with a crawfish boil. In New...

Tommy Centola
Jan 30, 20223 min read


Mulling over cooking courses
For roughly the past 7-8 years, I had the dream of starting cooking classes locally. I love sharing my passion for the dishes I grew up...

Tommy Centola
Jan 23, 20223 min read


Blackened Alligator
This is a great dish as either an appetizer to entree. This tasty dish is a great way to bite the gator before it bites you. 2 pounds...

Tommy Centola
Jan 20, 20221 min read


Revisiting oysters in the kitchen
I often wonder how oysters were discovered. Whoever it was, they were a very valiant person. If you have ever opened oysters, you know...

Tommy Centola
Jan 16, 20223 min read


Don't be afraid to tackle bisque
You open up your menu and you see a dish called bisque under the soups. What is a bisque you wonder? A bisque is a creamy, smooth soup...

Tommy Centola
Jan 9, 20223 min read


Both of Cajun Tradition
Who is ready for a Boucherie? This Cajun tradition was born when there was no refrigeration. Boucherie is a French word meaning butchery....

Tommy Centola
Jan 2, 20223 min read


Examples of great comfort food from new book
This is a day that I have waited on for years. After numerous delays, I have a hardback copy of my cookbook, Creole & Cajun Comfort Food....

Tommy Centola
Dec 26, 20213 min read


Keeping pantry stocked with essentials
t’s been a busy day and time to start cooking dinner. You found a new recipe that you want to try. You go to your pantry to gather your...

Tommy Centola
Dec 19, 20213 min read


Try some new sides for holiday dinner
Planning has already begun. Menus are being discussed. What are we serving for Thanksgiving this year? In my family, we are very...

Tommy Centola
Dec 12, 20213 min read


Try something different for the star of Thanksgiving
It’s time to start thinking about the big Thanksgiving meal. Looking over my previous Thanksgiving articles, I have shared with you side...

Tommy Centola
Dec 5, 20213 min read
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