Fou Maque Choux [RECIPE]

March 14, 2017 by 2 Comments

Moroccan Pork Loin with Blackberry Glaze and Fou Maque Choux

Fou Maque Choux is our spin on a Cajun classic. Blending some of our favorite flavors, it is a quick and filling side that pairs nicely with dishes like our Moroccan Pork Loin with Blackberry Glaze. (Photo by Jathan Fink, Jadeworks Entertainment)

Having traveled about the United States as much as we have, we tend to pick up culinary traditions all around the country. Maque Choux is a traditional side dish served throughout Louisiana. We first learned about it when we took a class at the New Orleans School of Cooking a few years back, although that recipe called for tomatoes. I’ve cut them out here, however, which is why I’m calling this version Fou Maque Choux (fou is Cajun for “crazy”). In its place I’ve  added a touch of Tex-Mex flavor by adding the black beans and Mexican oregano. The ingredients blend together beautifully and make for one yummy new riff on a Cajun classic. Enjoy! Read more of this post

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Citrus Glazed Sweet Potatoes

November 7, 2011 by Leave a comment

Citrus Glazed Sweet Potatoes

A sweet addition to a savory meal, our Citrus Glazed Sweet Potatoes are like nature's candy, pairing the flavors of tart citrus with cinnamon and brown sugar.

When the weather turns cold, we start eating a lot more root vegetables like carrots, parsnips and our favorite, sweet potatoes. Rather than making the candied yams with marshmallow topping that many families like, which is usually for too sweet for our tastes, we prefer to enhance the sweetness of these vegetables naturally. Here, we add lemon and orange juice, cinnamon, and brown sugar to make a tasty treat that goes perfectly with turkey, roasts, and any combination of sautéed greens.

PREP: 10 minutes
COOK: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

DIRECTIONS

  1. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into ½-inch thick rounds. Arrange in a 1 1/2-quart casserole and pour melted butter over top.
  2. Add sugar, lemon juice, orange juice and cinnamon stick.
  3. Cover with a lid or aluminum foil. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until tender. Uncover and discard cinnamon stick; stir. Sprinkle with lemon zest. Cook, uncovered, 15-30 minutes, or until top is crisp.

YIELDS: 6 servings

© 2011 Jadeworks Entertainment. All rights reserved.

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Shrimp Jambalaya

September 20, 2011 by Leave a comment

Shrimp Jambalaya

Packed with veggies, meat and lots of spice, our Shrimp Jambalaya is a culinary trip to bayou country!

Growing up down South, I adored Cajun cuisine. When I visited New Orleans, I came to love restaurants like the Court of Two Sisters, Commander’s Palace and Broussard’s that serve up their take on traditional menu items like blackened fish, crawfish etouffee, bananas foster or pecan pie. Friends in NOLA also taught me how to prepare their own family’s recipes for gumbo, red beans and rice and more. It was all so good! When I moved to Cincinnati, I had to create these dishes myself and quickly introduced them to my new friends. Now I’m renowned for my Cajun cooking and am more often than not asked to prepare some of my trademark dishes whenever people come over. Until now, I’ve never revealed my secret recipes. But like good food, recipes are meant to be shared among friends. As with many Cajun dishes, my Shrimp Jambalaya is packed with veggies, assorted meats and lots of spice. So take a culinary trip to the bayou, treat your favorite folks to this awesome dish, and as we say in New Orleans, “Laissez les bon temps rouler!” (“Let the good times roll!”).

PREP: 20 minutes
COOK: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE STOCK

  • 1/2 pound large shrimp in the shell
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 4 cups water

FOR THE JAMBALAYA

  • 1/2 pound spicy smoked sausage, sliced and quartered
  • 1 pound tasso (smoked ham), cut in 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 large green bell pepper, chopped, seeds removed
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut in small diamonds
  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun spices
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 1/2 cups long grain white rice
  • 3 scallions, chopped

DIRECTIONS

  1. FOR THE STOCK: Peel and devein shrimp, set aside. Place shrimp heads, shells and tails in a pan with onion, celery, wine and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes; strain.
  2. FOR THE JAMBALAYA: Heat oil in a large pan. Cook the sausage and tasso for 5 to 6 minutes; remove from pan. Add onion, celery and bell peppers to pan and cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Add tomatoes, Cajun spices and bay leaves; simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. Return sausages and ham to pan and add rice and stock. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and cook until liquid is absorbed.
  4. Stir in shrimp and chopped scallions. Cook uncovered for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve.

TIP: Although this dish is hearty enough to serve on its own, it is great with cornbread, sweet potatoes, a mess of greens and iced tea.

YIELDS: 6 servings

© 2011 Jadeworks Entertainment. All rights reserved.

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Cajun Spices

September 20, 2011 by 2 Comments

Although you can purchase ready-made Cajun Spices at most grocery stores these days, you can also prepare your own special blend. This is the base seasoning for gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and countless other New Orleans style recipes.

PREP: 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons white pepper
  • 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

DIRECTIONS

  1. Mix the spices together and store in a space jar.

© 2011 Jadeworks Entertainment. All rights reserved.

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