Cajun & Creole

This simple boiled crawfish recipe kicks it up a notch for shrimp cocktail lovers.

Pro Tip: Look for a Cajun seasoning with salt, onion, garlic, chiles, black pepper, mustard, and celery. It may also include bay leaves, nutmeg, and paprika. You can find it in the spice section of most supermarkets.

This red beans and rice recipe contains bacon, but you can easily omit if you want to make it vegetarian.

These sausage-studded cheese puffs are a Cajun take on a classic French appetizer.

Sparkling cider, rather than sugar, gives our batter its touch of sweetness. The cider also ramps up the apple flavor and adds to the beignets' lovely golden hue.