This time of year always brings to mind the food and flavors of New Orleans, so we’ve been breaking out our Creole Spice to capture some of that magic at home.
The origin of Creole seasoning is a collaboration of many different cultural food traditions including French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, a variety of African nations, and the Indigenous Peoples of the Louisiana region. The result is a layered, complex flavor with mild to medium heat and a whole lot of history.
The base of any good Creole dish is celery, onion, and bell pepper — the “holy trinity” in both Creole and Cajun cuisine. Our Creole Spice blend starts there and layers on garlic, herbs, and chiles for a seasoning that feels right at home in gumbo, étouffée, and jambalaya.
Seasoned Rice
For one cup of dry long-grain rice, add one to two teaspoons of Creole Spice. Cook as usual. You can adjust the amount of spice to your taste.
Shrimp Marinade
For one pound of shrimp, combine ⅓ cup of olive oil, two cloves of minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and one tablespoon of Creole Spice in a large bowl. Toss in the shrimp and stir until well-coated. Marinate, covered, in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before cooking.
Spiced Mayo
Scoop half a cup of mayo into a small bowl, add Creole Spice one teaspoon at a time and stir in completely, tasting each time until it’s your desired flavor and consistency. Season with salt and a squeeze of lemon to taste. Use on sandwiches, burgers, and for dipping french fries or fried fish.
