Homey, Cajun meatball stew is life!

Cajun Meatball Stew

Cajun meatball stew: Not many foods make me feel…homey…you know what I mean, quite like Cajun meatball stew does. I’m not sure how many of you are familiar with the dish, but very simply, it’s meatballs and veggies cooked and simmered in a luscious, dark roux. I heard you groan when I said dark roux. No, don’t even. Just stop. Making a dark roux is very easy if you make an oven roux or look, just buy it in a jar guys. There is no shame in that. I make a double batch (or triple) in the oven and freeze…

Instant Pot Pastalaya gives you all the flavors you love in jambalaya but substitutes pasta rice. This is perfect to feed your hungry tribe!

Pastalaya – Instant Pot

You want to know what I love about pastalaya? For one, it’s fun to say. It’s a weird word. Two, it’s the perfect “I got people to feed” food. It makes alot! Tailgating, church functions, whatever. This is there for you and your hungry tribe. Third, it’s got everything I love about jambalaya – well, except for the pasta part. And finally, it’s in the Instant Pot, so it’s basically effortless. I know some of you still haven’t found your groove with pasta. There are so many methods out there. I don’t know, I always use the same process and…

Pork jambalaya with burnt sugar - browned sugar, tender pork pieces cooked with rice and veggies. Cajun goodness!

Pork Jambalaya with Burnt Sugar

There are so many types of jambalaya – chicken and sausage, chicken and shrimp, with tomatoes, without tomatoes, turkey neck jambalaya, black bird jambalaya…I could go on and on. And just like other “cultural foods” people have strong opinions about it. If it’s red, it’s not authentic, if it’s brown it’s not authentic. Shrimp must be in there, no shrimp shouldn’t be in there. The truth is, jambalaya was created as a result of the need for a filling but inexpensive meal with easily available ingredients. So yeah, black bird jambalaya and turkey neck jambalaya. If you had those, you…