What is Cajun cooking and where did it come from?
The term ‘ Cajun’ refers mainly to the early French settlers who intermarried/cohabited/lived with the Creole Indians, mostly in Louisiana and western Florida. Cajun cooking includes the use of many spices, and hot sauces. Justin Wilson (now deceased) was a
fantastic ‘cajun’ chef/cook; he oftentimes told jokes and stories while he prepared recipes. There are many, succulent dishes prepared in this fashion.
What are some easy cajun and/or creole recipes?
I’m a college student living in an apt for the first time. I LOVE to cook, but I’m no chef. I need something easy and somewhat inexpensive.
I love seafood, especially shrimp and crab. I like chicken and pork as well but NO beef. And I know that creole and cajun food sometimes include crayfish but I dont have access to them in this small town. I also love spicy food. So if any recipes come to mind please share!! 
Creole and Cajun dishes are my favorites. You can always substitute shrimp for crawfish in your recipes. Here are some links that I saved:
Shrimp Etouffee
http://www.soulfoodandsoutherncooking.com/shrimp-etouffee-recipe.html
Jambalaya
http://www.chefrick.com/jambalaya/
Dirty Rice
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/dirty_rice.html
Corn Maque Choux
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000000258936
Okra Creole
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000000352451
Crab Croquettes
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/cajun_crab_croquettes.html
Shrimp Creole
http://www.chefrick.com/cajun-shrimp-creole/
Gumbo
http://www.gumbopages.com/food/soups/shr-crab-gumbo.html
Culinary Creations Creole Chicken and Seafood Gumbo
ChefJayNChttp://gdata.youtube.com/feeds/api/users/chefjayncHowtoCulinary, Creations, Creole, Chicken, and, Seafood, GumboCulinary Creations Creole Chicken and Seafood Gumbo
Duration : 0:8:50
BAIT TO THE PLATE: EPISODE 1 JACQUES-IMO’S
“Bait to the Plate”, Season 1, Episode 1 featuring Jack Leonardi, Chef of Jacques-Imo’s catching a cooking a Whole Stuffed Trout with Crabmeat Stuffing.
Duration : 0:10:2
How to Cook BBQ Shrimp : How to Serve Cajun Shrimp
Learn how to make a traditional Cajun shrimp recipe in this free seafood cooking video. about serving tips for BBQ shrimp.
Expert: Elvis Hillard
Bio: Elvis Hillard received his culinary degree from Delgado Community College in New Orleans. He has worked in several restaurants throughout America, working with some of the most renowned chefs in the c
Filmmaker: Doug Craig
Duration : 0:1:35
How to Cook BBQ Shrimp : How to Mince Garlic for Cajun Shrimp
Learn how to mince garlic to make a traditional Cajun shrimp recipe in this free seafood cooking video.
Expert: Elvis Hillard
Bio: Elvis Hillard received his culinary degree from Delgado Community College in New Orleans. He has worked in several restaurants throughout America, working with some of the most renowned chefs in the c
Filmmaker: Doug Craig
Duration : 0:1:9
Cajun Ratatouille Recipe : Adding Seasonings for Cajun Ratatouille
Learn how to add seasonings for Cajun ratatouille in this free recipe video on combining French and Cajun cuisine to make Cajun ratatouille.
Expert: David Postada
Bio: David Postada is Chef and owner of the Big Easy Catering company in Santa Barbara, California.
Filmmaker: Diana Bacon
Duration : 0:1:9
Barbecued Shrimp – Creole New Orleans Style
Here’s a recipe you’re going to want to try. It is a true taste of New Orleans Creole cuisine. You’ll want to have plenty of good french bread on hand, because this recipe is all about sopping up the delicious sauce. Enjoy!!
Duration : 0:9:19
Cajun Ratatouille Recipe : How to Bake Cajun Ratatouille
Learn how to bake your delicious Cajun ratatouille in this free recipe video on combining French and Cajun cuisine to make Cajun ratatouille.
Expert: David Postada
Bio: David Postada is Chef and owner of the Big Easy Catering company in Santa Barbara, California.
Filmmaker: Diana Bacon
Duration : 0:1:1
What to make for an All-American meal in France?
I’m spending my semester with a host family in France and they all really want me to cook an American meal. I want to, but I have no idea what to make. I need a main course, side dishes, and a dessert.
So what do you all think would be a unique, typical, American meal? (fyi: I’m from New York State, I know the region frequently matters on this. For example, though awesome, I’m not going to make creole food, that’s not something I would have back in the states.)
Any suggestions are welcome!
All of the people who answered have very creative answers, but fail to realize that some if not all there suggestions are impossible in France, they do sell the crap that is normal in the US, I would go for the apple pie, but use a selection of french apples, fried chicken is another idea, even a spaghetti with meat sauce, Europeans are not familiar with the US style meat sauce or meatballs.
I am a former chef from Canada and cooked in Hotels and was in France for awhile in the mid 1990′s, and try something that is easy and you can handle, if you could get you hands on some smoked deli meat to make a reuben sandwich there is another idea, but US style corned beef and pastrami is hard to come buy but french cooked ham would be a good substitute.