As the heart of the Bayou region, New Orleans is a city imbued with
history in all of its variations: music, architecture, language,
result of a mix of cultures and races, Nola offers a kaleidoscope of
colors, shapes and flavors hard to find anywhere else. For decades,
Louisiana cuisine has been making its own path in the world, and there
are so many places you can find it but where to start?
Whether you’d like to take a bite in New Orleans or anywhere else,
let’s discover the history and ingredients behind 3 of New Orleans’s
most representative dishes.
When the Spanish settlement in New Orleans’s French Quartet wanted to
create their own version of the paella, this steamy and delicious
version was born. Sharing rice as the base with the Spanish dish,
Jambalaya takes his name from 2 words: the French “Jambon” and the
African “Yaya” and options with meat, seafood or both are available
all-around Louisiana.
Since there’s no “official” recipe for this dish, Creole and rural
Creole are the 2 of the most common serving methods, differing in the
usage of tomatoes. Stock rice, vegetables, red chili pepper, garlic
and pineapple make this dish not only a Louisiana version of the
paella you probably know and, but a completely different and feisty
dish.
Gumbo Shop, Coop ‘s Place, Olde Nola Cookery
Arguably the most famous snack in Nola. This New Orleans sandwich is
made entirely with Italian ingredients: round Italian bread with
sesame, olive salad, capicola (deli ham), Genoa salami, mortadella,
sliced mozzarella and provolone cheese from this simple yet delicious
sandwich.
You’ll find different versions in the grocery and deli stores along
the riverfront of the French Market, where according to story
Salvatore Lupo, an Italian immigrant, started making these now famous
deli sandwiches. With so many options around the city, there’s no way
you can leave Nola without having a try at this wonderful dish.
Central Grocery, Cochon Butcher, Central Grocery, Verti Marte
Even though it can be considered as a recipe brought to NO by French immigrants during 18th century, fried dough has been consumed since ancient Rome, and today beignets are a must for Mardi Gras season in New Orleans. A square piece of dough deep fried in vegetable oil and covered with a thick dusting of powdered sugar, you’ll most likely find beignets served in packs of 3,and are one of the most representative Nola flavors you’ll find.
Cafe Beignet, Café du Monde, New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co
Even though there are many guides to find the best of any of these food marvels in New Orleans, we think the best way is to go ask a local where you can find them. Elife with its New Orleans private tour services, as well as our taxi and airport transportation services provided by experienced New Orleans drivers who will be glad to share their local knowledge with you. Who could be a better food guru in Nola if the ones who are all-day drivers?
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