Cookbook: Jack Kelley's Taste of New Orleans

Introduction
"Jack Kelley's Taste of New Orleans" is a timeless cookbook originally published in 1984 by the renowned and influential New Orleans chef, Jack Kelley. The cookbook serves as a culinary tour of the rich and dynamic New Orleans cuisine, showcasing both its traditional dishes and innovative recipes from Kelley's own restaurants. In this cookbook, Kelley shares a collection of over 300 recipes designed to bring the apparent flavors of the Big Easy into cooking areas worldwide. The cookbook is divided into different sections concentrating on various aspects of New Orleans' cuisine, including appetisers, soups, salads, meals, side meals, and desserts.

History and Influence of New Orleans Cuisine
Before diving into the recipes, "Jack Kelley's Taste of New Orleans" offers a historical and cultural summary of the city's food. The food of New Orleans is an unique mix of varied influences, consisting of French, Spanish, African, and Native American. This melting pot of culinary traditions has resulted in a food that is unique, tasty, and deeply rooted in the city's history. The cookbook also highlights the continued influence of New Orleans' food, as chefs around the globe have embraced its rich tastes and techniques.

Appetizers
The cookbook starts off with a wide array of luring appetisers that record the essence of New Orleans' cooking heritage. There are timeless dishes such as crabmeat-stuffed mushrooms and fried green tomatoes, in addition to fresh and ingenious developments like citrus ceviche and Cajun popcorn shrimp. Some other notable recipes consist of grilled oysters with garlic butter, crawfish beignets, and seafood-stuffed artichokes.

Soups and Salads
New Orleans is well-known for its hearty and abundant soups, and Kelley's cookbook consists of a variety of recipes for both hot and cooled soups. A few of the classics included are seafood gumbo, turtle soup, and shrimp étouffée. The collection of salad dishes is influenced by the revitalizing flavors and ingredients typically found in the area, such as crisp greens, appetizing dressings, and an abundance of dynamic, fresh vegetables. Standout recipes are crabmeat remoulade and crawfish salad with Creole mustard vinaigrette.

Main Courses
The entree section of "Jack Kelley's Taste of New Orleans" uses an incredible lineup of renowned dishes that are synonymous with the city's cuisine. These mouthwatering recipes include jambalaya, red beans and rice, crawfish étouffée, shrimp creole, and blackened redfish. Additionally, there are a number of innovative dishes showcasing Kelley's mastery of conventional active ingredients and techniques, such as pecan-crusted catfish with meunière sauce and cochon de lait po' boy.

Side Dishes
The side dishes provided in the cookbook offer a range of options that complement the bold tastes of the main courses. These dishes range from timeless accompaniments like filthy rice and maque choux to modern twists on conventional favorites, such as jalapeno cornbread and honey-glazed yams with pecans. Other intriguing sides include hush puppies, fried okra, and garlic cheese grits.

Desserts
No culinary journey through New Orleans would be complete without enjoying a few of its famous desserts. "Jack Kelley's Taste of New Orleans" provides a delightful range of sweet deals with that capture the essence of the city's legendary confectionery delights. The dessert section includes conventional favorites like bread pudding with whiskey sauce, bananas promote, and pecan pralines. There are likewise more ingenious desserts, such as Creole cream cheese cheesecake and rum-infused chocolate mousse.

Conclusion
"Jack Kelley's Taste of New Orleans" is a vital cookbook for anyone interested in the rich flavors and special cooking history of New Orleans. The cookbook offers not only tried-and-true traditional dishes however likewise showcases innovative dishes that continue to form and influence the city's cuisine. Through Jack Kelley's expertise and enthusiasm, the dynamic spirit and flavors of New Orleans are brought to life in this classic and cherished cookbook.
Jack Kelley's Taste of New Orleans

A collection of recipes that explores the unique flavors of New Orleans cuisine.


Author: Jack Kelley

Jack Kelley, renowned American journalist & foreign correspondent born 1930 in NYC. Explore his career, memorable quotes & legacy.
More about Jack Kelley