Spice lovers everywhere can’t get enough of Creole cooking, and for good reason. Creole cuisine is a style of Louisiana cooking that blends French, Spanish, Portuguese and Caribbean influences together. The result is a unique blend of flavors that you just can’t find in any other style of cooking. Whether you’re a Creole connoisseur or have yet to try this style of cooking, these five recipes are sure to have you daydreaming about booking a trip to New Orleans.
Most of these recipes call for Creole seasoning. If you can’t find it in your local grocery store, it’s easy to make your own with spices and herbs you likely already have at home. Find a recipe here.
Grilled Creole Tilapia
Fire up the grill and turn the heat up high, because this Grilled Creole Tilapia recipe from Smokin’ Pete’s BBQ is hot! To make this dish, all you need to do is grab some fresh or frozen Tilapia fillets (the recipe suggests choosing Regal Springs Tilapia), rub the fish with melted butter and lemon, season with a blend of Creole spices and grill until the fish is tender and flaky.
Crispy Creole Tilapia
If you like your spice served with a crunch, try this Crispy Creole Tilapia recipe from Chowhound. Dip protein-rich Tilapia fillets in a mixture of mayonnaise and Creole spices, then roll them in Panko crumbs. Lightly pan-fry them for about eight minutes. Since this recipe takes so little time to prepare and has only five ingredients, it’s a great option for a busy weeknight when you don’t have much time to cook.
Tujague’s Creole Gumbo
Gumbo has been one of Louisiana’s favorite dishes since it was first invented at the turn of the 19th century. Once you try Tujague’s Creole Gumbo recipe from Today.com, you’ll understand why people have been going crazy over this dish for over 200 years. This particular gumbo is loaded with seafood like crab, oysters, claw meat and shrimp. Then, it’s thickened with ground sassafras, known as filé powder in Creole cooking.
Creole Baked Tilapia
This Creole Baked Tilapia recipe from Taste of Home is a great introduction to Creole cuisine. Mix the Creole spices with ingredients like tomato sauce, green pepper and red onions. You’ll end up with a spicy dish that puts a new spin on a familiar favorite.
If your meal plan needs some spicing up, give one of these delicious Creole recipes a try. For even more spicy recipes, check out these must-try dishes for spice lovers.
Photo credits: Aimee M Lee / Shutterstock, Inc., Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock, Inc., Barbara Dudzinska / Shutterstock, Inc., Today, Travellight / Shutterstock, Inc.