Since last year at this time
Real Cajun Cooking - Pure and Simple has experienced a 57.77 per cent visitor increase - visitors who have collectively dropped by for an average of nearly 3 minutes - visitors who viewed 75,000 pages of content.
That is like 30,000 folks dropping-by long enough to count 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi ... all the way to 158 Mississippi's. Not bad. Not bad a'tall. (
And, I don't even advertise.)
That is because more and more people are discovering this site for what it is: an excellent source for original Cajun recipes. And they keep coming back. The stats prove it. So, I want to thank all of you for stopping by (you can do it anytime), and a special thanks for those of you who keep coming back for more.
The following 10 recipes, in order of importance, have the distinction of being the ones most viewed. I would like to briefly share them with you:
1. Boudain (boudin)
The spelling of this popular pork and rice sausage may vary slightly, but the ingredients in great traditional boudin hardly ever changes. Our recipe calls for popular top-quality cuts of pork easily found in local supermarkets.
The other basic ingredients, like rice, onions, herbs and special Cajun spices come together, with the cooked and prepared pork, to form a moist and delicious alternative to the hum-drum sausages we see everyday. We show you how to make fresh boudain with or without casing. This popular entre' captured the top spot on our list of most viewed Real Cajun Cooking recipes.
2. How to Make a Gumbo Roux
Cajuns are proud, and rightly so, of the gumbo rouxs they prepare. At times I think gumbo rouxs are similar to fingerprints – there are no two which are exactly alike. Here at Real Cajun Cooking we show you how easy it is to customize gumbo roux according to your own tastes and specifications. We have included time-saving short-cuts to preparing your own great roux - just to surprise you. So, what is NOT surprising is that How to Make a Gumbo Roux burned through to the number 2 spot as the hottest Real Cajun Cooking Recipes for 2009.
3. Shrimp and Eggplant Casserole
Old-time casseroles are making a comeback. With the advent of canned soups, dried herbs and spices, one can use 2-day old bread and transform it, with a few fresh shrimp and a couple medium eggplants, into a rich buttery meal definitely worth writing home about. I have added a video on how to prepare an easy, yet delicious, Shrimp and Eggplant Casserole ... which comes in at a solid number 3 of the most viewed recipes here in 2009.
4. Easy Microwave Gumbo Roux
I developed this process of making good gumbo roux several years ago after hours of unsuccessful experimentation. Now perfected, I have made available my techniques in an easy to understand written version and video format. A must see. Easy Microwave Gumbo Roux climbs to the number 4 position of our most viewed recipes.
5. Cajun Hog's Head Cheese
One can have a little fun with the name of this popular Cajun-style souse. Hardly anyone uses the head of a hog to make this old-time favorite anymore, nor is it a cheese. Other cuts of pork meat and just the right amount of spicy seasoning can produce a top-notch souse. Hitting the charts mid-way and coming in at a solid number 5 of the most viewed Real Cajun Cooking recipes of 2009 is Cajun Hog's Head Cheese.
6. Wild Duck Gumbo
I just love the unique and savory taste of wild duck gumbo (especially with fresh oysters). The secret to this great favorite, and the reason I believe it came in at a strong number 6 in the most viewed Real Cajun Cooking recipes of 2009, is in the roux.
Come in and visit awhile and we will show you how it is done. You begin with a dark chocolate-color roux and generous portions of the traditional Cajun trinity of vegetables (onions, bell peppers and celery), with a medley of other spices, and along the way to the finish line the magnificent aroma it produces will put you and your dinner guests in a wonderful trance. Guaranteed! Wild Duck Gumbo - flying-in low under the radar and landing on number 6.
7. Chicken Stew
Although this dish is easy to prepare, it is just too good to be compared to your regular run-of-the-meal chicken stews.
Why? Because in this Chicken Stew recipe we use baking hens instead of a young fryers - along with a couple heaping tablespoons of your favorite medium chocolate-colored roux, and just the right touch of herbs and spices - that's why. Low heat and prolonged cooking time makes this popular dish a dead ringer for the number 7 spot.
8. Shrimp Mold
This tasty hors d'oeuvres sounds like something which may be fungus, but I assure you the word 'mold' used here is to mean a fancy container, like a bundt cake mold, which sculpts the end product into a tempting and eye-pleasing dish. Served with your choice of crackers this seafood special Shrimp Mold has wiggled up to the number 8 position of the most viewed Real Cajun Cooking recipes of 2009.
9. Chicken-Shrimp-Okra Gumbo
You have not lived right until you have prepared and served this meal to your family and friends. Coming in at number 9 on the list of most viewed recipes on our site, Chicken-Shrimp-Okra gumbo should be closer to the very top because the flavor will outright spoil you.
Served over a bed of white rice this gumbo is one of those kinds that should not qualify as tasting better the next day because it taste so darn good from the get-go (but it does). Chicken-Shrimp-Okra Gumbo ... pouring in at number 9.
10. Crawfish Étouffée
An all-time favorite of mine and a surprisingly simple meal to cook. This popular Cajun food, which can be introduced as a complete stand alone meal served over a bed of white rice, can also compliment a host of other Cajun seafood platters and dishes. Crawfish Étouffée - crawling back to the number 10 spot.
So, there you have it. The 10 most viewed Real Cajun Cooking recipes for 2009. If you get a chance look around some more and please leave a comment or ask a question about your favorite Cajun foods. I would be happy to read them or answer any questions you ask (about Cajun cooking - that is).
Let's see? Where was I? Oh, yes ... 159 Mississippi ... 160 Mississippi ... 161 Mississippi ...
Bon Appetite! Ahheee!!
KT
