ATTN: Newbie Cooks! Best Seasonings and Cookbook for Cajun and Creole Cuisine

If you have ever been to New Orleans, Louisiana US, then you know that region is known for its Cajun and Creole cooking.  There is a difference between Cajun and Creole cooking.  Some say Cajun dishes are spicier.  

• Per AllRecipes.com: "Cajun cooking (is) more rustic and Creole cooking (is) more refined." 
• Per New Orlesn.com:  "Creole food typically uses tomatoes and tomato-based sauces while traditional Cajun food does not."

But I say no matter which ... it's all good!

Even though I have stood at a stove for 40+ years, my culinary skills are still at the newbie level.  Dining out at "authentic" restaurants or even ordering for delivery is usually not an option.  That's why I find shortcuts to creating the taste of a particular cuisine.  I am happy to recommend two brands of seasonings for those who want to prepare their own Cajun or Creole dishes.  The official websites for each of these companies have a section dedicated to recipes.  But you might also find this cookbook helpful: The Easy Creole and Cajun Cookbook: Modern and Classic Dishes Made Simple by Ryan Boudreaux.  

(NOTE:  Read free with your Kindle subscription OR ... the paperback book is less than $10 so it would be a great idea for a white elephant gift exchange. 🎅)

Best Seasoning for Cajun Cooking:  Slap Ya Mama!

Yes, there is a difference between these two types of cuisines, but for my palette, there is no difference. Every dish I have ever tried whether it was Cajun or Creole, it was delicious.

But I have only been to New Orleans once and it is likely I will never visit again.  If you are like me and you don't live in New Orleans but you want to try to make your own Cajun food, use slapyamama seasonings.  You can shop for their products via the Amazon store OR go directly to their official website. You can also find recipes on the website.  I met the company owner through Facebook years ago. They sent me free samples of their products to try. Even though the Original Cajun Blend is the best seller, my favorite is the Cajun seasoning for fish fry.  This company was founded in 2001 and is owned by The Walker family, (TW, Mama Jen, Jack, Joe, Tana, Andi, and Ruby).

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Best Seasoning for Creole Cooking:  Tony Cachere

Creole refers to people who are of mixed European and African descent (A little French, a little Spanish, a little Afro-Caribbean, etc.). That specific group of people made their home in Louisiana USA. (Just ask Beyoncé Knowles, the Creole Queen.) They have their special style of cooking which is referred to as Creole cuisine.

If you have ever tasted Creole recipes and you want to make your own, Tony Chachere is one of the best products on the market. They have been in business since the 70s, about half a century.  I discovered the Tony Chacere brand because one of my children bought a can of the seasoning home from the local grocery store. He didn't want to use the herbs and spices in my kitchen cabinet for his cooking, so he bought his own flavorings.

Once I tried their Original Creole Seasoning, I was hooked! I use it to season meat, in my rice dishes, and on my veggies.

For those who may have to watch their salt intake, they have No-Salt seasonings.  If you can not find their products at your local grocery store, go to Amazon OR to their official website.  Tony Chachere is a real person. He is retired now but his business is still thriving.

Are you a newbie cook in the kitchen? Check out some of my other FW posts.

• Food Blurb: For Newbie Cooks Who Want to Cook Chinese Food
• 3 Best TV Cooking Shows for Newbie Cooks
• Improve Boxed Mac-n-Cheese. Is that possible?
• A Good Cookbook is Never Out of Season

Food Gift Baskets Are Perfect for Holiday Gift-Giving

The holiday season is upon us and I for one am very content to share a few precious moments with family and friends. It is not necessary to give me a gift. However … if you want to make me happy for the holidays, you can give me a cheese gift basket. Several years ago my brother gave my husband and me a basket for Christmas and we thoroughly enjoyed all of the tasty cheeses. 

Image credit

You can buy gift baskets that are ready-made or make a basket yourself. If you want to make a gift basket and you are not sure which cheese to pick, you can follow the advice published by Serious Eats or Taste Atlas.

REFERENCES:

• Thorpe, Liz. “Cheese Expert's Picks: 10 Essential Cheeses to Know and Love.” Serious Eats, SERIOUS EATS INC., BY DOTDASH, 31 Oct. 2019.

• “100 Best Rated Cheeses in The World.” Taste Atlas, AtlasMedia Ltd. (EU), 5 Dec. 2020, www.tasteatlas.com/100-best-rated-cheeses-in-the-world.

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Me personally, I like gouda, gruyere, extra sharp cheddar, Greek feta, and Camembert. But I would be more than happy to try any of those other cheeses recommended on these lists.

Of course, I know a cheese gift basket is kind of expensive. But it's just a suggestion to get you thinking about all the various types of gift baskets you can put together and give to family and friends.

For example, do you have a friend who is a cocoa or coffee or tea lover? Or a friend who likes various sorts of jellies and jams? You can choose a theme like … chili fixings or ingredients for Italian or Mexican food. Making gift baskets is fun. They don't have to be edible gifts either. (I just like receiving gourmet food baskets!) The items don't even have to be in a straw basket. Gift baskets can be very personalized and unique. You can give one to an individual, a couple, or a family. And of course … they come from the heart.

How to Make Easy Fancy Gift Basket



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A Good Cookbook is Never Out of of Season

When I was a newlywed (over 40 years ago), I was also a newbie at my job and my boss stopped by my desk one time just for general conversation.  That's what I thought.  I didn't realize that she was talking to me just to get an idea of what would make a really good Christmas gift for me.  She was also new at the job and wanted to make a good impression with her staff.  We were not allowed to give her gifts because she was our superior.  But she could get us gifts because we were her subordinates.  

Guess what she gave me for Christmas?  A cookbook!  It was the perfect gift for me.  I loved it and used it for years.  Based on that experience, I always say "a good cookbook is never out of season".  It's a practical gift idea for newlyweds, college students, aspiring chefs, etc. for the holiday season, a season of the year, or any other season. 

Here are some suggested cookbooks.

Cook without a Book: Meatless Meals: Recipes and Techniques for Part-Time and Full-Time Vegetarians Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Hacks, and Good Food Cooking Without Borders Now Eat This! 100 Quick Calorie Cuts at Home / On-the-Go Special Diets for Special Kids, Volumes 1 and 2 Combined: Over 200 REVISED and NEW gluten-free casein-free recipes, plus research on the positive ... ADHD, allergies, celiac disease, and more! The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - and Perplexing - City

Gifts for Tea Lovers : Do you Like Pretty Teapots?

Do you often find yourself reflecting back on many fond childhood memories? Many children, especially little girls, can probably remember having a tea party. My big sister had a blue and white tea set and she enjoyed pretending we were having a tea party. I wasn’t allowed to play with the toy dishes by myself since they were breakable. So when I wasn’t playing with my sister, my other memory is of playing with clay. What was an easy thing to make with clay? A teapot with teacups and saucers (which my sister taught me how to make). My clay creations did not look as pretty as her teapot, cups, and saucers. But creating those clay teapots encouraged my appreciation for pretty teapots.

Yixing is an area in China referred to as the Pottery Capital of China. The name (義兴) translated into English means “righteousness and prosperity”. The Yixing clay teapots date back to 1500 (or possibly 1300). A Chinese potter is to be credited for this invention; however, historical records do not provide a name. Originally made for individual use, they were molded from a single sheet of purple clay. Rather than use a separate drinking vessel, i.e. a cup, people often drank directly from the teapot. At first, the design was simple but later evolved into artistic creations. That was the beginning. In the late 1600s to early 1700s, teapots were exported to Europe. Eventually, the Europeans began to make their own. The earliest example of fine British tea-ware “may have been Josiah Wedgwood’s improved cream-coloured earthenware, which was introduced in the 1760s”. (Quote Source)


* More reading on the history and design of the teapot.


Nowadays teapots are commonplace and can be found in most homes all around the world. In fact, I think that the perfect gift for anyone is a lovely teapot or a tea set.


What about you? Do you fancy pretty teaware?

Toys and Games:  Tea Sets for Children

Exquisite 5 PCS Blue-And-White Peony Design Ceramic Tea Pot Tea Cups Set In Beautiful Color Gift Box by THY COLLECTIBLES

Dollhouse miniature Food,Tiny Food Collectibles ( Heart Coffee Tea Cup Set ) Enjoy Afternoon Tea on Valentine’s day

Disney Beauty & The Beast Live Action Enchanted Tea Set Playset

Kidzlane Play Tea Set, 15+ Durable Plastic Pieces, Safe and BPA Free for Childrens Tea Party and Fun

Tea Sets ~ Collectibles and Unique Gifts

Contemporary Art Decor Porcelain 5 PCS Tea Set Teapot Teacup Plum Blossom

Atlantic Collectibles Chinese Calligraphy Red Glazed Porcelain 27oz Tea Pot With Cups Set Serves 4 Beautifully Packaged in Gift Box

StealStreet SS-CG-10181 Red Cherries Overflowing in Wooden Barrel Teapot Collectible

Stained Glass Teapot Accent Lamp Tiffany Style Tea Pot Kettle

Tea for One?  It doesn’t always have to be tea for two.

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Bits and Pieces – Tea For One Peacock Porcelain Teapot and Cup Set – Elegant Peacock Design With Delicate Tassel on Teapot Handle Makes Great Decoration – Includes Decorative Gift Box

Tea Bloom:  Teabloom Reintroduces 

the Art of Brewing the Perfect Cup.

The World’s Most Beautiful Flowering Tea Gift Sets ~ A TEA LOVER’S PARADISE

Teapots Made in England

So many lovely gift ideas; from vintage to modern.

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Source: Webnuggetz.com