โ˜•๏ธ Bite-Sized Sundays: 10 New Orleans recipes for Mardi Gras (plus NEW 45-minute Red Beans and Rice)


Happy Sunday, Friends.

This week: Classic New Orleans recipes simplified to celebrate Mardi Gras, the simple secrets that make them authentic.

"Laissez les bons temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!) - Traditional Cajun French expression

๐ŸŒŸ NEW Recipe of the Week: Red Beans and Rice Creamy beans, smoky sausage, and that thick, spoon-coating sauce you expect from the Louisiana classic, but ready in 45 minutes. It tastes like it simmered all afternoon, even though it didnโ€™t.

  • Difficulty level: Easy
  • Prep time: 15 minutes (45 minutes total)
  • Perfect for: A cozy weeknight dinner with leftovers that are even better the next day

๐ŸŽฏ Quick Hits

  • Trending Taste: In New Orleans, remoulade comes in two styles - the classic white, mayonnaise-based version and the "red" version with added Creole spices and paprika
  • Back to Basics: Fresh horseradish makes a world of difference in remoulade sauce - it has a bright sharpness that the jarred variety can't match
  • Did you know? Jambalaya has two distinct traditions: Creole "red" jambalaya includes tomatoes and originated in New Orleans, while Cajun "brown" jambalaya has no tomatoes and comes from rural Louisiana

๐ŸŽจ Food for Thought New Orleans cuisine reflects the cityโ€™s layered history, blending French and Spanish techniques with African influences, Caribbean spice, and local seafood into something entirely its own.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler:

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All my best,


NEW Red Beans and Rice (Weeknight-Easy)


Skillet Cornbread

"Huge fan! Iโ€™ve made this corn bread so many times, I can make it in my sleep. Absolutely love it. Easy, fast, & always full proof. I freeze half & refrigerate the rest which I have a chunk of every day with my morning meds, long before I have breakfast proper. Warm up the daily portion in a toaster oven whilst brewing the coffee. Thxs tons, Marissa!" ~Linda Strydom

Shrimp Remoulade

"The horseradish really made this recipe amazing โ€“ perfect amount of kick! Thanks for sharing!" ~Sam

Classic Remoulade Sauce

"It turned out beautiful! Awesome drizzled over pan seared scallops ๐Ÿ˜Ž" ~Elaine Mitchell

French Remoulade Sauce


Brabant Potatoes

"I was enjoying them before they were finished, the advantage of being cook! ๐Ÿ˜‚" ~Thomas Watts

Shrimp Creole

"We made this tonight and it was delicious! We added a bit of broth to get a bit more gravy for our rice. Excellent recipe." ~Timothy M Lesniewski

Slow Cooker Jambalaya


Cajun Potatoes


Blackened Shrimp


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Pinch and Swirl

The best meals donโ€™t come from restaurant kitchens. They come from home cooks like you who take simple ingredients and turn them into something worth sharing. My specialty is making global cooking approachable, from beloved American classics to exciting international flavors. I create recipes that make it simple to cook memorable, restaurant-quality dishes, so you can feel confident and inspired in your own kitchen.

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