2022-03-03 04:10:44
LOUISIANA’S TOP TASTES Phenomenal food abounds in Louisiana, but you’re probably not coming here for burgers or pasta, as good as they may be. This is Cajun/ Creole/Southern Country, y’all, and here’s a serving of some of the state’s most iconic dishes! Dive into a bowl of gumbo, a dark rich stew of stock, meat, seafood, celery, peppers and onions – it’s so popular it’s the official state food. But don’t confuse it with étouffée, a rice dish smothered with crawfish or shrimp simmered in a lighter roux, or jambalaya, a seasoned rice studded with chicken and smoked sausage. Po’boys may very well be the unofficial state sandwich, a glorious handful of meat or fried seafood stuffed inside a wedge of French bread featuring a soft center and crispy crust. Created in New Orleans, the popular Superdome-shaped muffuletta sandwich is stuffed with Sicilian meats and cheeses spiked with a tangy olive spread. Although boudin may not seem like a hand-held treat, this sausage of seasoned cooked pork, rice, onions and peppers is often a finger food for the locals. So are crispy cracklins, addictive little bits of pork fat and skin that are deep-fried until golden delicious. Natchitoches is famous for its meat pies, fried pockets of heaven stuffed with seasoned beef and pork. (How famous? Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant here makes upwards of 1,000 a day!) Not into meat? A savory crawfish pie may be your new best friend. And you can either start or end your day with a plate of pillowy, powdered-sugary, deep-fried beignets, which will turn you against plain donuts forevermore. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Trending Tables In a state full of top-notch restaurants it’s impossible to pick the best, but here are a few top tables you won’t want to miss. Yes, it’s just a humble sandwich shop. But yes, Turkey and the Wolf in New Orleans has racked up “best restaurant” honors from Bon Appetit, Food + Wine, GQ, Eater, James Beard and more. At Gov’t Taco in Baton Rouge, celebrated chef Jay Ducote set out to “form a more perfect taco.” Is that the Steak of the Union, the Phillibuster or Clucks & Balances? Try them all and cast your vote! This Food Network star “Beat Bobby Flay” – so you know the grub is good here. A Food + Wine winner of “Best New Chef in the US” and former “Chopped!” champion, Cory Bahr puts an inventive spin on Southern plates at Parish Restaurant & Bar in his hometown of Monroe. Savor elevated Chinese food paired with fine wines at the legendary Lucky Palace in Bossier City, named one of the top 100 Chinese restaurants in the country! For more tasty treats, visit LouisianaTravel.com/Culinary
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